<b>Trees, Ornamental & Bedding Plant:</b> Seasonal services and more

Weston Nurseries in Hopkinton, Mass., launched a new program this spring. The company’s Seasonal Services initiative specializes in garden-design, holiday and event installations and garden mentoring. Design consultant Roanne Robbins is leading this new venture, which dovetails nicely with her unique background in design, installation and maintenance.

“We want (homeowners) to think of Weston Nurseries not only for excellent horticultural advice, but also for sprucing up an entryway and interior and exterior decorating for special occasions,” Robbins says.

Service Lineup
Weston Nurseries created a beautiful, full-color brochure to promote its Seasonal Services menu. The primary offerings of the program are:

Ongoing care. This includes weekly maintenance, seasonal updates, ornamental pruning and garden restorations. Essentially, the Weston Nurseries team will take on the roll of “personal gardener” for homeowners.

Garden mentoring. For homeowners that want to do it themselves, but aren’t sure how to begin, the Seasonal Services lineup also offers on-site garden mentoring services.

“The nice thing is I get to see clients on a very high-touch level,” Robbins said. “It’s nice that I’m able to connect to them through garden mentoring. Also, I feel like I can guide them and help them use their (outdoor) space.”

Container garden design. This element of the Seasonal Service program includes both plant design/selection and choosing the appropriate containers to accent the home.

“We’ve offered a custom container service for a couple of years now,” says Jennifer Angell, marketing manager for Weston Nurseries. “We’ll go on site and change out containers seasonally—and sometimes customers will bring containers here for us to plant up and deliver. We’re trying to respond to demand and all the different needs of our clientele.”

Seasonal borders. Robbins and her team can add seasonal color to an existing landscape or create a new mixed border that provides year-round interest.

Holidays and events. Weston Nurseries will coordinate natural (flower or plant) décor for parties, weddings and other special events. This service draws upon the expertise of the business’ garden center and retail florist division.
 

Crossover Opportunities
One of the best things about Weston’s Seasonal Services is it truly buys into the maxim, “no job too big; no job too small.” Robbins’ office is in the company’s landscape services building. She works closely with the landscaping team, and they often toss projects back and forth – depending upon the needs of the homeowner and scope of the project. “The nursery has so many talented people, I can pull them in if I need to,” Robbins says.

Seasonal Services has allowed Weston Nurseries to channel the myriad requests of homeowners and lock them into particular elements of the program. “We’ll build up the history and education to know how to further build the program,” Robbins said. “We’re lucky, because once we develop our clientele, we’ll constantly be in touch with them.”