This interview is with Jackie Sons, Owner at Native Wildflowers Nursery.
Jackie Sons, Owner, Native Wildflowers Nursery
As the founder and CEO of Native Wildflowers Nursery, can you tell us about your journey into the world of plants and how you built your business from the ground up?
I was fortunate to marry into a family of nurserymen. I did not know nursery work or plants in general. I grew up knowing I was allergic to poison ivy, and that was about it. As the years passed, I developed a deep affection for plants. I wanted to know all about them and how they grew, and obviously, how to sell them for a profit. Online garden centers are the wave of the future in the nursery industry.
What inspired you to expand your business to include Perennial Nursery Co and Nance Plants? How do these additions complement your original vision?
Our main site, Native Wildflowers Nursery, specializes in native plants, but we wanted to expand that even further. Perennial CO and Nance Plants offers our customer base the same great-quality plants but has new and highly sought-after perennials that are not always native. We wanted to provide something for everyone.
You've mentioned using the 'Picture This' app for plant identification. Can you share a memorable instance where this tool helped you solve a particularly challenging plant problem in your garden?
I have used this app on so many occasions that I cannot mention just one. Whether I am in a garden center trying to figure out which is the best plant to buy or out in the woods looking at woodland native plants, this is my go-to app.
In your experience, what's the most unconventional or surprising plant combination you've successfully grown together, and what did you learn from this experiment?
Petunias and sweet potato vines. Proven Winners have a few of these combos, and they are my favorite. It's amazing how much they grow through the season, and they last from early spring till the late fall freeze.
As someone who travels for business, how do you balance maintaining your own garden at home with your busy schedule? Any tips for our readers who struggle with time management in gardening?
Most of our traveling is in the summer when the heat is hard on my plants. If I am going to be away longer than two days, I always hire someone to care for and water my plants while I am away. Usually, it's a family member or a neighbor, but the Southern summers are so harsh that it is a necessity. If you do not have someone whom you can trust to do this, I recommend buying a small plastic pool. The ones made for little kiddos to swim in. Fill it about 1/4 of the way up and put your potted plants in the pool for the time you are away. Make sure you place it in the shade out of direct sunlight, as the sun may scorch it.
You've built a successful online plant nursery. What's the most valuable lesson you've learned about selling plants online that our readers could apply to their own businesses or hobbies?
Customer service is your number-one asset. Returning customers spend 67% more than new customers. Always strive to keep your customers happy.
Can you tell us about a gardening or plant-related travel experience that significantly impacted your approach to cultivation or business? How did it broaden your perspective?
When we travel, I always look at the way places and businesses are landscaped. We were in Key West, and Truman Avenue is lined with huge ostrich ferns. Of course, I had to take a photo. But this helped me to understand that seeing IS believing. A customer cannot just "take your word for it." If you are selling plants online, you must have photos of the plants used in landscapes, not just the plants themselves. Let customers see how stunning those ferns are when planted along sidewalks and near homes. Give them a visual.
As an expert in native wildflowers, what's your advice for incorporating these into a garden design, especially for those who want to support local ecosystems while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing landscape?
Native plants are such a beneficial addition to your landscape. They are easy to grow, very low-maintenance, and return every year without replanting. Trillium and Virginia Bluebells are among our best-selling native wildflowers, and rightfully so. Most native wildflowers love shade, so keep that in mind when planting.