As September heralds the arrival of autumn, Landgard member companies are already in full swing with the seasonal transition. Steffen Bratfisch, the third-generation owner of Gartenbau Bratfisch GbR in Obertshausen, Germany, shared his satisfaction with the ongoing season. Last week, they commenced the delivery of the first callunas, and the outlook is exceptionally positive. Benefiting from ideal production conditions in the Rhine-Main region this year, their heather plants have attained top-quality standards.
Gartenbau Bratfisch, spanning approximately 3 hectares, specializes in cultivating around 450,000 callunas and ericas of diverse varieties. Demand for heather plants at the family business has seen consistent growth in recent years. In 2022, according to AMI, callunas, along with geraniums, secured the top position among Germany’s top 10 bedding and balcony plants. Steffen Bratfisch noted that mixed plantings and the combination of different autumn classics have gained popularity, exemplifying this trend with a new addition to their range: a combination of Erica carnea and Calluna vulgaris ‘Skyline’ from ‘Beauty Ladies®,’ produced exclusively for Landgard Cash & Carry markets.
Landgard is introducing a sales concept known as “Autumn Art,” aiming to demonstrate how popular autumn products can become captivating points of interest at their cash & carry stores and online during weeks 38 and 39. Recognizing the challenges faced by florists due to a shortage of skilled workers, Landgard has developed concepts like “Autumn Art” to facilitate creative presentations of seasonal products at the point of sale (PoS). With practical tips and creative guidance from master florist and BLOOM’s creative director Klaus Wagener, retailers can enhance their PoS with cohesive and engaging autumn-themed displays, providing valuable support in an increasingly demanding retail landscape.