"Our best ideas often stem from customer questions." That's what Paige Foisy of Debs Greenhouse says. The company, owned by Paige's mother Debbie, recently launched Envee Kits, which were designed to help customers create planter designs.
Paige Foisy & Aimie Williams (graphic designer)
"Envee Kits evolved on the fly this spring in the garden centre", Paige explains. "This particular day one of our team members came to me looking for advice on how to plant her planter, which is in a little bit of a tougher spot. So I basically did a quick diagnosis of how shady or sunny and what she liked, and we did a walk about in the greenhouse picking up her favourite flowers and foliage, and then I laid the design out on a white table." That turned out to be the first in the Envee Kits series, named Aimie, after the team member who needed help that day. Aimie, who also happens to be a graphic designer, put the recipe cards together, and a new concept was born.
Taking the hard work out of design
"In our garden center we find that customers need consulting for how to put planters and mixes together," Paige goes on to explain. "They have questions like sun or shade, how many plants per pot size. With Envee Kits we have taken the hard work out of the design part, and put all the plants together with a recipe card, so they will feel confident that these mixes that they are planting by themselves will turn out good."
For 2019, the Kits are for planters sized 15”+. In store, the company is also trialing hanging baskets and smaller planters.
Robert Bett with PlantHaven & Paige Foisy
'This will change retail'
According to Paige, the reception has been outstanding, and it was a big job keeping up to consumer demand in store. "We even had to make sure we had someone staffed everyday with the sole task of building the mixes for consumers. Kits were so successful that we anticipate a shift in the consumer buying patterns. This will change retail. Fall is just barely here and I already have customers requesting Envee Kits for Spring." Debs Greenhouse will take pre orders online beginning November 1.
Cooperation with breeders
The company reached out to a few breeders, who were very receptive. "We even had a few breeders Fedex me plants last spring", Paige says. "I welcome plant material from all breeders and plant brands. Any breeders who have an interest with working with me, can contact me."
Paige Foisy
Expanding the lines
At this point, Paige is focusing on the Spring bedding plant season, and she'll be making new combinations with new plants for 2020/2021. "We live in a winter climate and fall is very short lived, I would love to get creative with tropical mixes, and support the houseplant movement." In future, Envee Designs could even expand into perennial and shrubbery mixes.
For more information:
Envee Kits
www.enveekits.com