Lawn & Garden Retailer

Plant Development Services (PDSI) has expanded its retail support program for independent garden centers with new point-of-purchase materials, product education, employee training and in-store marketing resources. PDSI’s expanded partner program offers a comprehensive suite of retail tools and activation opportunities: Complimentary Retail POP: High-impact brand signage and bench cards for the PDSI family of brands.

The Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship Fund has awarded $30,000 in scholarships to 12 students from seven southeastern universities, increasing both the individual awards and total funding from 2025. Each recipient will receive $2,500, up from $2,000 last year. The fund awarded $24,000 in total scholarships in 2025. Eight of this year’s awards are named scholarships honoring past industry leaders or loved ones.

Dümmen Orange North America is transitioning all dianthus production for the North American market to its farm in Kenya. The company said the Kenya production site will support continued growth of its North American dianthus portfolio. North American commercial shipments of dianthus unrooted cuttings from the Kenya farm are scheduled to begin in Week 40. Photo courtesy of Dümmen Orange.

Begonia ‘Waterfall Encanto Pink’ took the top spot in attendee voting at Plantpeddler Variety Day 2026, held Aug. 7 in northeast Iowa and featuring more than 1,500 varieties of vegetative annuals. Attendees voted for their three favorite varieties during the event. Begonia ‘Waterfall Encanto Pink’, part of Plantpeddler’s 2027 begonia program, finished No. 1, followed by ‘I’Conia First Kiss Del Sol’ and petunia ‘Sweetunia Violet Vortex’ (top photo) in third.

First Editions Shrubs & Trees released the final episode of its eight-part Getting Dirty with First Editions consumer video series Aug. 20, concluding a project featuring six garden content creators and a completed landscape. The series followed creators as they addressed different landscape conditions and design needs across a property. Topics included planting near water, working with sun and shade, screening, foundation plantings and creating cohesion across a large site.

BFG Supply Co. and several affiliated companies have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as the horticulture distributor pursues a potential sale of its businesses and assets while also preparing to monetize certain assets. According to bankruptcy information reported by bondoro.com, BFG entered Chapter 11 following more than two years of operational, financial and liquidity challenges.

The 2027 California Spring Trials (CAST) will take place April 6-9 at multiple locations across California, according to National Garden Bureau (NGB), the event’s manager. The 2027 event will take place during Week 14, one week later than the 2026 trials, which were held during Week 13. NGB said the change was made because of religious holidays. CAST gives brokers, growers and retailers a preview of upcoming ornamental and edible plant introductions at participating locations across California.

The DRAMM Corp. has announced the retirements of shipping department supervisor Wendy Ansorge and general manager Jeff Bucher, who have each spent more than two decades with the company. Ansorge will retire after nearly 24 years with DRAMM, while Bucher will retire after 23 years. Their last day in the office will be Thursday, Aug. 27. Ansorge joined DRAMM in September 2002 as one of four employees in the shipping department.

Rundoo has raised $30 million in Series B financing to expand its technology platform for independent supply stores, bringing the company’s total funding to $48 million. Battery Ventures led the financing round, with existing investors Bessemer Venture Partners and CRV also participating. Founded in 2021, Rundoo provides an AI-first system of record for independent retailers in segments including lawn and garden, paint, hardware and farm and feed.

Griffin Greenhouse Supplies is evaluating opportunities to add warehouse facilities, inventory assets and employees as the horticultural distributor responds to changes in the industry’s distribution landscape. The Tewksbury, Massachusetts-based company said potential expansion could increase its capacity to serve wholesale growers and retailers with grower supplies, lawn and garden products, equipment, greenhouse structures, young plants and seeds.