On the horizon

Published August 15, 2017

At the Virginia Beach location of McDonald Garden Center, one of the 10 garden retail stops on the 2017 GCA Summer Tour, the sprawling outdoor sales area can almost seem overwhelming with its multitude of display benches and landscapes. McDonald prevents “green overload” by establishing several landmarks throughout the store, each marked by noticeable and consistently-designed signage. These specially-designated parts of the store give customers destinations to explore and discover new products and ideas, while also guiding them around the garden center in an engaging way.

A little shelter is rarely a bad thing, especially when shopping outside. A trellised avenue through the store gives McDonald customers a change of pace as they browse, an opportunity to discover other products, and a brief respite from the sun.
CONNER HOWARD

From across the yard, customers can spot tall signs like this one and gravitate toward it to find what they need.
CONNER HOWARD

Prized for their variety of sizes, ease of use for novice gardeners and wide range of colors, orchids are a prolific gift plant. A decorative orchid display can be found at McDonald Garden Center in front of a window backdrop, encouraging shoppers to try framing their windows at home with orchids of their own.
CONNER HOWARD

Japanese maples are known as hardy and versatile ornamentals, and McDonald Garden Center gives them a place of their own in the store to draw attention to the tree, which is an especially popular Father’s Day gift.
CONNER HOWARD

Getting some air (plants) is a great way for plant admirers, even those without green thumbs, to add some low-maintenance greenery to their lives. Tillandsias and other air plants are merchandised at McDonald Garden Center as exotic, easy-to-keep floating plants that require no soil and very little water.
CONNER HOWARD

Edibles are all the rage in many markets, and McDonald Garden Center is prepared for visitors specifically seeking out fruit trees and other edibles for their homes.
CONNER HOWARD

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