Featured Member-Robert Demers
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.
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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?
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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?
