Featured Member | August 2007
Robert Demers
Demers Garden Center
656 South Mammoth Road
Manchester, NH 03109
phone: 603-625-8298
email: webmaster@demersgardencenter.com
website: www.demersgardencenter.com
Company Profile
Our garden center is family run. We are second-generation owners and second-generation NHPGA members.
15 minutes with Robert Demers
1. How long have you been a member of NHPGA and why?
2. What is the most underutilized native tree, shrub, perennial or annual?
3. What is your favorite plant? Why?
4. What is a little known fact about you or your company?
5. What is your favorite horticultural book or article?
6. Where would you like to see the NH Horticultural Industry in the next 10 years?
7. In your opinion, what is the number one thing to succeed in the horticultural industry and why?
1. How long have you been a member of NHPGA and why?
I think it was in the 70’s when my father became a member and later he was on the Board of Directors. When the meetings were held at our garden center, I would listen in from time to time. I would be there for the start of the meeting but never saw the end because I had no idea what they were talking about (I was only a kid). Eventually, my father left the Board but remained a member of NHPGA. In the late 80’s, I was asked to serve on the Board and I’ve been here ever since. Of the years that I’ve served on the Board, I've been president for 7 of them.
The NHPGA is important. It brings together representatives of the Green Industry, Wholesalers, Retailers, Educators, Farmers and other people associated with the industry. Our garden center is family run. We are second-generation owners and second-generation NHPGA members. The NHPGA allows us to stay informed about what’s happening in New Hampshire with Summer Meetings, Twilight Meetings, Winter Meetings, and sometimes through social gatherings. There have been many NHPGA-sponsored events that have helped us out. For example: Pesticide Seminars and House Bills that allow inflation busters that cannot be taxed. And the list goes on.
2. What is the most underutilized native tree, shrub, perennial or annual?
This is a tough question for me because I’m all about plants that work and survive in my zone. When I first graduated college I was heavy into landscaping. When I ripped ligaments in my back a couple times in one year, the retail part of the garden center really started to look good. Having such a long retail background, the topic of underutilized native plants is hard for me to answer. I’ve been focused all my life on finding plants that will come back from year to year. This, for the homeowner so they will come back to me for more plants and services.
3. What is your favorite plant? Why?
I’m a plant nut so I have several. Norway Maple, Burning Bush and Barberries - just kidding, although I’ve had those and its cultivars planted at the garden center for over 36 years. I have yet to see invasion in the surrounding fields and forests that I was told I was going to have, but I’ll keep looking every November. From Dwarf Conifers right up to the great big Bonfire Sugar Maple in my back yard, I like them all. But Satomi Pink Dogwood, Stewartia and Fringe Trees and Harry Lauders Walking Stick all appeal to me. Not too widely used but each has an appeal depending on the season.
4. What is a little known fact about you or your company?
There are many little known facts about our company. One that sticks out is that if our parents didn’t work 7 days a week to give us a good foundation, and my brother, sisters and I didn’t work 7 days a week during the key seasons, Spring and Christmas, we would not be here today. Did I mention that I’m part of the New Hampshire Giant Pumpkin Growers Association and grew a 1133-pound pumpkin that was 5th place in New England? I had a 1221-pounder but it cracked just before the weigh off.
5. What is your favorite horticultural book or article?
“How to Grow Giant Pumpkins” Volume II. Even though Volume III has my picture in it, I still like Volume II.
6. Where would you like to see the NH Horticultural Industry in the next 10 years?
Petroleum products of all makes (pots, plastics and fuel, for example). Labor, insurances and taxes all seem to be driving our prices up. How much can the homeowner afford? We sell things that they don’t need to survive their daily lives. I’m hoping that in 10 years we have alternatives to use to help us keep our prices down and to make the garden centers of America affordable to everyone - not just to a select few.
7. In your opinion, what is the number one key to succeed in the horticultural industry and why?
Drive. Call it Ambition, Fire, Passion, whatever you want. But if you don’t have the Drive or Ambition to make a successful Garden Center or Landscape Company, it will flounder for years. Business, plant and customer knowledge, money, land and equipment are all good things to have but you've got to have that Drive. Everyone in this business will tell you that it’s not easy and they are right. But we get up in the morning and we do it everyday. Insanity or Drive?
