Page 27 - Free State Winter 2022 - Website Version

been balancing consumer expectations for immediate ABOVE
shipping that they have become accustomed to in the Online orders staged for pickup at Adkins
Arboretum.
last few years, as this is not always possible with live
plant material. Growers involved in the network find great BELOW
benefit to being fully supported in the sales, customer Blueflag Iris (Iris versicolor) growing in the
service, and shipping coordination aspects, providing greenhouse at Direct Native Plants.
them the flexibility to focus on their strength in growing
quality native plant material.

Herring Run Nursery, a division of the Baltimore area
non-profit Blue Water Baltimore, offers retail sales of
plants native to the Chesapeake Bay watershed. This
includes woody plants and various types of herbaceous
perennials, both as straight species and cultivars. In
addition to homeowners, the nursery serves schools,
non-profit organizations, interfaith organizations, and
landscapers. Nursery Manager Rob Jenkins explains that
the nursery had been operating with in-person sales
only, until the pandemic required a shift to online sales
for the homeowner customers. It took about 1-1.5 months
to establish the online store, so by late spring 2020, the
nursery could continue to serve its customers. At first
plants were distributed by delivery only, and then through
drive-up pickups by the customers. Overall sales have
increased since on-line purchasing was offered, however
it online sales have tapered off somewhat this year as
more people are choosing to shop at Herring Run Nursery
in-person with masking and appointment requirements
lifted. The nursery fills a niche for consumers by offering
both online and in-person native plant shopping options
that offer convenience of time and access for those with
mobility issues. The nursery’s business model currently

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