From Hot-lanta, with love

I just got back from AmericasMart, a.k.a. garden gift heaven. Here are a few thoughts that are at least as profound as they are random:

If I were an L&G marketer, I would immediately connect with Midwest, which brands Seasons of Cannon Falls products, Colonial Candles and Delight home furnishings. You can stock shelves all year with this company’s wares – even/especially during most holidays.

Regarding containers … These days, glaze is the ways to go. I was especially taken by the items offered by Scheurich. The company has teamed with Bench Systems to create dramatic container displays, well worth checking out.

Magnet Works has several new lines of mailbox covers, mats, lawn banners and more. The artistry and variety of these products is impressive, indeed.

The folks at Alfresco Home have got you covered, assuming you enjoy your home covered with luxurious furniture and accent pieces.

The item of the show, for me, was d’barro’s jug irrigation product. It involves a pottery jar that, when “planted” with flowers or other green goods, uses drip irrigation to water all that surrounds it. It’s great for vacationers and for people who live in areas where irrigation is restricted. I love things that look good and things that work well. This does both.

I’ll look at other “must haves” next week. In the meantime, I would suggest that you must have a good week.

-- Yale