A lot has happened this year in the garden center industry. From the highly popular glow-in-the-dark petunia (which features in three stories on this list) to the closure of multiple well-known industry businesses, these 12 stories captured our readers' attention. Here are our top 12 articles by pageviews:
1. 2024 Top 100 Independent Garden Centers List
Our annual list of independent garden centers ranked based on 2023 retail revenue as reported by garden centers in North America was our most-read story of the year.
2. Bioluminescent petunias now available in the U.S.
Light Bio announced in February 2024 that it would begin selling Firefly Petunias to consumers with USDA approval.
3. Woodinville Heartbreak
Seattle-area IGC Molbak’s was supposed to be the centerpiece of a “city in a garden.” Why did it close?
4. Studio M announces April closure after 35 years in business
Outdoor décor and gift product company Studio M said the closure is due to enduring financial hardships further intensified by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
5. Selling the Edible Landscape
How mixing vegetables with ornamentals can cultivate return business.
6. The light fantastic
Glowing petunias point to a bright future in retail plant sales.
7. Easy as X, Y, Z
Big differences in generational garden spending and goals should drive IGCs in 2024.
8. Garden Media Group releases 2025 Garden Trends Report
The report's theme, "Nature's Renaissance," highlights the movement to reintegrate natural elements into our lives, landscapes and cities.
9. Find out the top 100 searched plants of 2023 from NetPS Plant Finder Tool
Trees and shrubs continued to dominate the charts, making up 79 of the top 100 plants, but the list revealed surprising new favorites alongside enduring classics.
10. Meet the 15 Retailers' Choice Awards winners from Cultivate'24
The judges submitted 62 nominations before narrowing it down to 15 Retailers' Choice Awards winners at Cultivate'24.
11. Firefly Petunia from Light Bio named on TIME’s Best Inventions of 2024 list, cover
Growers and IGCs interested in carrying the Firefly Petunia should contact Rooted in Solutions, the exclusive licensed distributor of the plant in North America through a partnership with Light Bio.
12. Skagit Horticulture, Skagit Gardens to cease operations this spring
The company discontinued operations in April 2024.
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