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GREEN PROFIT - September 2025 Issue (Vol. 89 No. 5)
Cover Story
Finding Your “Why”
Jennifer Polanz
After time in the corporate world, this year’s Green Profit/The Garden Center Group Young Retailer Award Winner Brandon Kirby found his way back to his family’s retail operation, Rainbow Gardens in San Antonio, Texas. Here we talk about his career path, changing the management team, hiring for passion, their game-changing point-of-sale, partnering with nearby retailers and more.
Features
Action Absorbs Anxiety
Bill McCurry
In challenging times, like a fire, looking ahead can help keep the team focused on rebuilding, rather than looking back. Here’s the story of Wallace’s Garden Center and how they moved forward after a fire damaged greenhouse and storage spaces.
Features
Answer the Call
Jim Gustke
Modernize the garden center by ditching the landline and embracing the cloud
Features
Greening Up the Garden Center
Compiled by Jennifer Polanz
Looking to become a little more sustainable and possibly reduce your energy bills? Here’s a checklist of potential changes to consider.
Features
Retailers’ Top Choices
Ellen C. Wells
Here are the award-winning, eye-catching retail products from this year’s Cultivate’25 trade show floor.
First
Game Changers
Jennifer Polanz
Virtually anything can be a catalyst for change.
Friel World
War & Peace in the Garden
John Friel
June brought the yearly Open House of Star Roses and Plants in West Grove, Pennsylvania.
Front Lines
“Black Flora” Wins Gold Laurel Media Award
Jennifer Polanz
Gardening author Teresa Speight was recently honored by the Garden Communicators International group when her 2024 book “Black Flora: Inspiring Profiles of Floriculture’s New Vanguard” won a 2025 Gold Laurel Media Award.
Front Lines
A Hydrangea for the Next Century
Ellen C. Wells
Hydrangea macrophylla Centennial Ruby was chosen to be the crown jewel in Monrovia’s centennial celebration, marking 2026 as the nursery’s 100th year in business.
Front Lines
A Tool Kit for Native Garden Design
Jennifer White
Wild Ones, a nonprofit that promotes native landscapes, has been running a Grow Where You Are campaign to spotlight the impact of native plants and pollinator-friendly landscapes.
Front Lines
AAS Winners
Paul Pilon
Heliopsis Sole Giatto from Kienzler North America was selected as a 2026 National Winner in the perennial category.
Front Lines
Awesome Autumn
Jennifer Polanz
This combination from Plant Development Services, Inc., mimics the gorgeous hues of fall leaves set off by a lime green pop of color.
Front Lines
Dirt, Microbes & Children’s Health
Jennifer White
The Children and Nature Network put a spotlight on the benefits of kids playing in dirt (i.e. gardens) recently.
Front Lines
Emerald Coast’s New Perennials for 2026
Jennifer Polanz
Long known for its ornamental grasses, Emerald Coast also offers perennials and has added 32 new varieties to its already robust lineup for the 2025-2026 growing season.
Front Lines
Pets on the Payroll
Jennifer Polanz
We’ll keep running ’em as long as you keep sending ’em in!
Front Lines
Picks From Las Vegas Market
Jennifer Polanz
The picks are in and Las Vegas Market recently announced the People’s Choice Awards from their July market’s Summer Snapshop program.
Front Lines
Proven Winners On the Road
Jennifer Polanz
The Proven Winners Roadshows are back with two stops in the late fall.
Guest Column
Why You Need AI, No Matter Your Size
Clint Albin
Forward-thinking industry mainstay Clint Albin talks AI and how it can fit into any retail, grower or landscape operation.
Kiss My Aster
And Just Like That
Amanda Thomsen
The off-season is converging on me like a laurel crown of achievement and it feels different this year.
Profit
Lessons From the Ashes
Bill McCurry
The joyful and immediate recovery by Wallace’s Greenhouse (Bettendorf, Iowa) offers actionable lessons for returning to profitable operations after a disaster.
TRENDING NOW
Custom-Designed Printer
Veritiv Visual
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Demi Trio Set
Veradek Outdoor
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Elephant Topiary Snow Globe
CoolSnowGlobes
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Floral Tea Gift Box
Simpson & Vail
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Garden Gift
Gigi’s Garden Gifts
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GONZO Goop Insect Barrier
MPM Pan Pacific Inc.
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GT Foliage Focus
PlantHaul
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Mailbox Design Garden Map
Plant By Number
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Metal Garden Markers
Paw Paw Everlast Label Company
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Natural & Organic Raised Bed Mix
Master Nursery Garden Centers
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Natural Bug Spray
Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve Company
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Pansy Top Wave
PanAmerican Seed
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PinkBurst
Selecta One
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Spinner Display
WorldFinds
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Succulent Combos
Pope’s Plant Farm
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Surrey Garden Pot
Botanical Collections LLC
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The Vail
Prospiant