MEDIA RELEASE –
6 July 2011

Beauty with a purpose -
Palmers donates bedding plants in Auckland’s CBD

Pockets of Palmers pansies and primula’s are peeping out from new flowerbeds in Auckland’s CBD – but the planting drive isn’t just about looking pretty.

Palmers donated more than 2500 punnets of purple and white bedding plants as part of the Beautify Your City campaign, which kicked off its third phase this week.

The flowers have been planted in six temporary flowerbeds in spots that had become targets for the illegal dumping of rubbish, fats and oils.

“The idea is that the plants will dissuade dumpers,” says Palmers General Manager Garry Stone. “It’s a similar concept to painting murals on spots that are targets for graffiti. It’s designed to gently encourage people to respect their city – even the seemingly forsaken nooks and crannies. And, of course, the flowers will also brighten up the CBD for everyone to enjoy.”

It’s the second time in the last year that Palmers has donated plants for the beautification initiative, which was developed by the Heart of the City business group and the Auckland City Council.

“We’re delighted to be involved,” says Garry. “We here at Palmers are great believers in the power of plants. This project channels that power into a good cause. It really is beauty with a purpose.”

To reinforce the campaign, the council provided every business in the CBD a rubbish bag printed with purple pansies, instead of the usual red bag. Businesses have also received an information pack about rubbish and recycling.

The campaign began in November last year, when Palmers donated its first round of plants. Council statistics suggest that the initial planting project worked, in conjunction with the wider campaign. The number of rubbish bags dumped illegally in the city fell from 1273 in November 2009 to 381 bags in November 2010. The numbers continued to improve – in February this year only 121 bags were found dumped – though the council says the record has slipped since then.

“We hope this new project will reinforce the strong message that the plants conveyed in November. With an influx of visitors expected in the next few months, the timing couldn’t be better for a reminder to take pride in our city,” says Garry.

The pansies will be doing their work in the flowerbeds until July 15.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 15, 2011


Founder of modern garden centres receives golden anniversary rose


The man who founded New Zealand’s first garden centre, half a century ago, has been honoured with the presentation of a special limited edition “gold” rose.

The Palmers Gold Rose is an exclusive new release rose specially commissioned to celebrate the 50th Golden Anniversary of the founding of New Zealand’s favourite garden centre chain.

While it is hard to imagine now, before Stanley Palmer transformed the Palmers Nursery in Glen Eden into the first Palmers Garden Centre 50 years ago, there were no retail garden centres as we know them today.

Perhaps not surprisingly, as Stanley Palmer recalls, the idea proved an instant success.

“When we first opened,” he recalls, “there were queues across all five of our tills.

“There were also three attempts by burglars to blow their way into our shop safe!”

He also recalls that the store was only allowed to be open until noon on Saturday and not at all on Sunday.

That original Palmers Garden Centre in Great North Road is still operating and is now one of 17 Palmers Garden Centres strategically located throughout the North Island, from Whangarei to Wellington.

Current Glen Eden Palmers owner operator Mark Mesarich proudly presented the new limited release Palmers Gold Rose to Stanley Palmer in the original west Auckland store.

Stanley Palmer, who is also the author of numerous gardening books, including the popular, award-winning, Palmers Garden Manual, says he was delighted by the rose, a compact floribunda with fragrant soft golden blooms.

He also clearly enjoyed being back in the store where it all started.

“I just wish I was back on the team again,” he joked.

The new Palmers Gold Rose has already proved extremely popular with 1600 Palmers Garden Club members entering a competition to win one of just 10 roses.