"US (CA): "Trying to catch up and fill the gaps with better selection"

A mild Spring, an improved economy, pent-up demand and a strengthening real estate market have combined to yield what California wholesale nurseries and garden centers call their best sales volumes in years. Nursery owners say they're seeing long-time property owners embarking on garden renovations, including installation of new irrigation systems and drought-tolerant plants, while homeowners who've recently purchased foreclosed or distressed properties are sprucing up neglected landscaping.

"For some homeowners, looking at the landscaping they've had for years is like looking at avocado shag carpeting from the '70s," said Donnie Dabbs, general manager of Briggs Tree Co. in San Diego County. "Some homeowners find their gardens are out of style and they're redoing them."

Family owned Briggs Tree Co. grows ornamental plants and trees on about 200 acres and serves Southern California landscape contractors, commercial property managers and the public. The company also ships plants to Arizona, Florida, Texas, Nevada and Washington.

"It looks like foreclosure properties have been gobbled up and we're starting to see new construction activity," Dabbs said. "But during the past few years, plant inventories went way down because of the recession; growers didn't pot up. We're trying to catch up and fill the gaps with better selection."

Source: agalert.com. Click here to read full story