Spring is in the air

So we’re particularly proud to welcome our newest client, Johnson’s Nursery in Menomonee Falls.

Founded in 1959, Johnson’s is one of the premier landscapers in the region. With almost 500 acres, they grow much of their own stock. This gives them a number of key advantages including selection, guarantee and of course, knowledge of what will work the best in any situation.

But growing their own stock is only part of what makes Johnson’s such a terrific organization. They’re staffed with experienced horticulturalists and landscape architects who just plain love what they’re doing. In fact, Johnson’s has actually created several new varieties of plants and trees that are shipped all across the United States.

We got to know Chad Johnson, as well as Jackie Weisenberger, Bill Reichenbach and a number of other great folks at Johnson’s this past December. They were gracious enough to give us an assignment and together we created a giveaway of a 25-foot tall tree at the Home Builders EXPO in January of this year. 3 lucky winners were chosen from entries received both at the show and online. Johnson’s not only has many huge trees to choose from, but they also have the expertise to deliver and plant the giants.

Instrumental in making the connection with Johnson’s was our own senior Art Director, Lynn Schoenecker. Lynn had done some work for Johnson’s in the past, so they were familiar with her wonderful taste and attention to detail. Lynn is also an avid gardener herself and loves working with native plants. In fact, Lynn is currently at work on a pretty big project in the Village of Elm Grove. She observed that a 2-acre area along the Underwood Creek, which was the former location of the American Legion Post, would be an ideal place for an educational site for native plants. It could become, Lynn thought, a wonderful way to honor our nations’ veterans.

Lynn has developed drawings and specific plant lists which she has proposed to the Village. Her concept includes educational markers on the paths and a bronze sculpture. She envisions enrolling local boy and girl scouts as well as area schools to maintain the property and in so doing, come to appreciate our native habitat and our veterans.

We’ve already seen Lynn talking the project up at Johnson’s and they’re eager to help supply what’s needed. The goal is to have the project finished by Memorial Day of 2007.

If you’d like to hear more about the project or even help with Lynn’s fund-raising efforts, just contact her here at Blue Horse: lschoenecker@bluehorseinc.com.

Meanwhile, we’re hard at work for Johnson’s, putting our “retail” hats on and helping them with everything from signage to ads to newsletters and public relations. Retail marketing and advertising is something we have a lot of experience with. It presents its own set of challenges. Fortunately, when you have people and products as good as the ones at Johnson’s, your task becomes that much easier.

Speaking of which, now would be a good time to get the jump on the upcoming season. You can visit Johnson’s at W 180 N 6275 Marcy Road. That’s just a bit north of Silver Spring. Their phone number is 262-252-4988. Or take a tour at www.johnsonsnursery.com If you just want to pick up a few bushes, or would love to have a row of 25-foot oaks planted around the house, Johnson’s has them ready to go.

Just talk to the guys in the green shirts!