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| Photo Credit: Marjorie Pullman |
| Osteospermum can be used either in flower beds or planters. |
Your garden is more than a hobby – it’s an investment. So it only makes sense that you want to buy the best-quality plants available to make your garden beautiful, thriving and successful.
Many universities, plant associations, garden centers and horticulture organizations run their own plant tests and trials in hopes of finding superior species for growing in their particular area. The Garden Club Select program at Lowe’s is just one of many dedicated to such a gardening cause. As a “garden nerd” and Lowe’s employee, I’ve seen firsthand the difference between Garden Club Select plants and others – and I really am impressed with all the time, knowledge and energy put into Garden Club Select products! If you’ve ever shopped in a Lowe’s garden center, you may have seen the Garden Club label before. And if you haven’t – keep an eye out for it. The plants in this line are tested for superior growth performance, bloom size, color and form. In other words, if you see that Select label, you can be sure that the plant will show stellar performance in your garden. (Provided you give it the proper site location and care!) | Add Photo to Journal |  | | Photo Credit: Marjorie Pullman | | Million bells blue (Calibrachoa) is a lovely plant that gives just the right touch to any planter or hanging basket. |
Of course, a plant that reaches “Garden Club Select” status isn’t given such distinction overnight. In fact, testing is a rather extensive eight-step process that takes a number of years to complete. Here’s what these winning species go through before Lowe’s will even allow a “Select” plant to set roots on its sales floor – and then your garden:
Step 1: Breeding. This first plant-developing step can take anywhere between 3-5 years. There are countless new plant cultivars created each year, but not all perform well in a normal garden setting. Some may even lose a percentage of their hardiness and disease resistance during development!
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