Ball releases results of 2010 landscape survey
16 Aug, 2010 Get GrowingSurvey sheds light on landscape contractor and grower trends.
According to a survey of 376 landscape contractors and 135 growers, which was conducted by Ball Horticulture, landscapers and growers value face-to-face communication about new varieties. Contractors would also like growers to grow and trial samples at the grower’s facility (51%), while 88% of contractors are willing to trial new plants at customers’ sites.
The survey also shows that landscapers’ customers are asking about perennials and native plants. On a related note, only about half of landscapers who responded said they expect their expenditures for perennials to increase. Three-fourths of respondents say the expect the number of color change-outs to stay the same or decrease over the next three years.
The survey also explored how growers and landscapers can work better together. According to growers who responded, getting orders in on time and landscapers’ lack of knowledge were tied as the biggest issues growers have when selling to landscapers. Still, the majority (90%) say they expect their percentage of total sales to landscape contractors to stay the same or increase over the next three years.
For complete results, be sure to read the Livescapes section in the September issue of Landscape Management magazine.
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