Special combinations require pizzazz in every pot

Trail Nurseries, a young company in Dover, Pa., discovered a niche in a highly competitive market. Co-owners Kathy and Scott Miller’s specialty is combination planters that have a creative flair.

Browse through Trail Nurseries’ greenhouses, and you’re hard-pressed to find two identical combination planters.

“There’s no formula for making the mixed combos because each container is usually different than the next, unless a customer requests pairs,” Kathy said. “We are providing a unique, not mass-produced, product that helps our customers offer a wider variety of product to their clientele.”

It’s a challenge to consistently create diverse combinations. First Kathy reviews sales projections, then programs a large number of 4 1/2-inch, 6-inch and 606 material to plant the containers. Trail Nurseries grows 606-size material only for the combinations, not to sell in separate packs or trays.

The key to a high-quality combo is striking a balance between unusual and common plant.

“The biggest challenge to producing combos is putting material together that not only looks nice but will grow well together,” Kathy said. “It’s also a challenge to make the containers full and instant without putting too many inputs in the container.”

The combos used to have simple tags that identified them as sun or shade plants. But the Millers are working with John Henry Co. to customize a tag to include sun or shade, high-quality pictures and care information.

The combo tradition continues

Kathy and Scott bought the company from the Barkdoll family in January 2006. Kathy credits the Barkdolls with being one of the first growers to create a market for combinations.

“The Barkdolls started making combos in 1995,” she said. “Chris and Steve [Barkdoll] started a good niche with the container business. When we bought the company, we just wanted to expand that further.”

By spring 2007, the business had grown 25 percent since the Millers purchased it. And in 2007 they tripled the number of 12-inch baskets produced.

Kathy and husband Scott own the company with Scott’s brother Mark. Kathy spent four years as head grower at Bell Nursery in Burtonsville, Md., was a head grower at Bluemont Nurseries in Monkton, Md. for three years and was production manager at Lucas Greenhouses in Monroeville, N.J. for three years. Scott worked for Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pa., for 10 years. Mark has a forest science degree from Penn State University, and he’s in charge of the company’s financials.

More on the menu

Besides combinations, Trail Nurseries also grows a wide range of specialty annuals, bedding plants, hanging baskets, vegetables, herbs, fall and spring pansies, fall mums and asters, and poinsettias. The company ships product within a 100-mile radius. Its primary customers are independent garden centers. The Millers grow annuals from 4 1/2 to 8 inch; from 10- to 14-inch hanging baskets; 8-, 12-, 14-, 16- and 18-inch combinations; and 24-inch window boxes.

Trail Nurseries propagates about 40 percent of its plants.

Marketing is an important issue to the Millers.

“We’re not trying to market the Trail Nurseries name, but tap into exciting programs to offer our customers something new and different that will help them have an edge in the market,” Kathy said. “We’re particularly excited about programs like Hort Couture, Home Grown Gourmet and Snow Angel pansies.”

Soil recipe designed for mixed containers

Combination containers require an all-purpose growing medium, and Trail Nurseries created its own recipe.

The ingredients: Sphagnum peat, perlite, vermiculite, rice hulls, lime, slow-release fertilizer and Terrasorb.

The Terrasorb helps with water-holding capacity.

Fertilizer is adjusted according to the pH needs of the plants.

What’s in a name?

Trail Nurseries doesn’t name each combination that’s planted, but instead creates themes.

“Names tend to get you into more cookie-cutter designs, while themes allow for more uniqueness,” said owner Kathy Miller.

Some of Miller’s themes include patriotic, tropical, hummingbird, butterfly, holidays and culinary themes such as salsa.

Trail Nurseries

Founded: In 1959 by Jack and Helen Fischer. Their daughter and son in law (Chris and Steve Barkdoll) purchased the business in 1985. Kathy and Scott Miller bought the business in January 2006.

Location: Dover, Pa.

Crops: Mixed containers, specialty annuals, bedding plants, hanging baskets, vegetables, herbs, fall and spring pansies, fall mums and asters, and poinsettias.

Market: Independent garden centers.

Production space: 60,000 square feet under cover.

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For more: Trail Nurseries, (717) 292-5187, plantchild@aol.com.

- Kelli Rodda