Schriemers Market Centre: A legacy of horticulture

Schriemers Market Centre on McGregor Farm Road is under new ownership. The first thing that new co-owner Matt Schriemer wanted me to know on my recent visit was that his dad, Harry Schriemer, is back.

Harry Schriemer’s roots are so deep in the horticulture profession that it would be unthinkable to imagine that he would not be involved in the local nursery and garden centre industry in one way or another. The same goes for Matt. Growing and selling plants is in their genes. Both grew up in the family greenhouse business, learning the trade from their fathers. From a young age Harry worked alongside his father, Klaas Schriemer, who learned from his father and grandfather in Holland before moving to Manitoba and opening the first Schriemer’s garden centre in the mid-1950s.

In 2012, Harry and his cousin Scott Schriemer, opened Schriemers Market Centre on McGregor Farm Road, replacing the family-owned garden centre at 1505 Molson St. Harry stepped away from the business for a few years but never fully retired. When Matt opened a new greenhouse on St. Anne’s Road about 10 years ago, later selling it to become the new owner of A. Paterson Bedding Plants in Headingley, Harry was at his side, helping his son in the production areas and doing what he loves most — growing plants.

Now, Harry and Matt are the new owners of Schriemers Market Centre. What’s their vision for the future and what awaits you when you visit Schriemers Market Centre this spring?

The first thing you will notice is the sheer spaciousness of the greenhouse. Bright and open, the space has been organized to maximize display impact and promote ease of shopping. Greenhouse benches laden with plants run the entire length of the greenhouse and are separated by wide aisles. “We think that wide aisles and the ability to move around comfortably is really important so you don’t feel rushed when you are shopping for plants and can take your time,” says Harry Schriemer.

“We renovated one section, took down some walls, and added a whole bunch of drippers for hanging baskets so our customers can expect a much broader selection of hanging baskets,” says Matt Schriemer.

But something else customers will notice is that the fully-automated tomato-growing greenhouse is now empty. “We haven’t decided how we are going to utilize that space at this time, I’m sure we’ll figure something out,” says Harry. But a space that was not used previously is a huge growing area at the back of the greenhouse which is now filled to the brim with overflow plants.

“There are still things to figure out as we go along,” says Matt. “We are more interested in doing the right thing than anything,” says Harry. Maximizing space and creating the optimal growing environment for plants to flourish are key strategies but so too is taking the time to analyze, investigate, tweak where needed, and leave as is if that’s the better plan.

Customers will find many of the same types of plants — annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables, trees, and shrubs – but there are differences, too. “We’re growing a lot more,” says Matt. Just as they do at A.Paterson’s Bedding Plants, father and son have been busy since January starting many of the annual flowering plants, herbs and veggies from seed. That has been a family tradition for four generations. Harry is “old school” when it comes to the fundamentals of growing plants and proud of it. Sourcing unrooted cuttings and starting plants from seed makes the most economic sense, he says, but also opens the door to a greater variety of plants.

Harry takes a keen interest as well in the management of temperature and water in greenhouse operations. “I was trained to use as little water as necessary and to control temperature for optimum plant growth. The goal is to provide customers with plants that are disease-free and just the right size. You don’t want plants that are long in the tooth and you also don’t want plants that have been treated with chemical growth retardants to slow down growth.”

Let’s go shopping.

In the market for a new planter? Schriemers is carrying Japi Pottery, a line of all-weather proof, lightweight, polyethylene containers in a range of sizes and styles. Impact resistant and UV protected, choose from organic corten steel colour or contemporary silver-grey.

Kanmara Hydrangeas are the ultimate full shade patio plant and they have never looked lovelier. Schriemers is offering four colours – Champagne, White, Pink, and Strong Pink – in 2-gallon pots for $39.99. It’s a great price point for a generous-sized patio hydrangea loaded with flower buds.

Matt loves annuals of all types and likes to offer as much variety as possible. You will find more than 40 different varieties of coleus including the vibrant new Down Town series which comprises eight upright varieties. You will also find a nearly endless assortment of flowering begonias including Begonia Nonstop and semi-trailing begonias such as I’Conia and Mistral, and several varieties of the sun-loving Solenia series.

There’s every type of geranium you could possibly want from zonal geraniums to heat tolerant interspecific geraniums and ivy geraniums such as the stunning Precision White Red Eye Ivy geranium. Love zinnias? You’ll find the Queen series – Lime with Blotch, Pure Orange, Lime, Red Lime, Lemon Peach, and Lime Orange – as well as other popular zinnia series.

Hot pepper aficionados will find themselves in pepper heaven – Trinidad Scorpion Chocolate, Red Ghost Pepper, Carolina Reaper, El Jefe Hot Jalapeno – the big names are all here. You will find your favourite tomato varieties, too, from beefsteak tomatoes to heritage tomatoes and varieties perfect for patio containers. Four and a half-inch containers are priced at $5.19. But you will also find plenty of 6 pack herbs and veggies — a cost-saving option that has been a staple of Schriemers for as many years as Harry and Matt can remember.

Long-time customers will see many familiar faces at Schriemers including Rachel Galindo, perennials manager, who has worked at this location for 13 years as well as at the Molson location. A diversity of interesting perennials is a Schriemers’ tradition, says Galindo. Hosta plants are conveniently organized from smallest to largest. A new addition this year is Hosta Let’s Twist Again which has heavily twisted leaves with white margins. Galindo groups new perennials together in one section. “We always make customers aware if a plant is listed as Zone 4 because those are tender perennials and should be planted in a microclimate.”

Echinacea Carrot Cake coneflower with fully double orange flowers and a prominent orange-rose cone caught my attention. Stachys Summer Crush Lamb’s-Ear is a deer-resistant, water-wise perennial which produces 45 cm flower spikes in shades of pink and white.

“It’s good to be back,” says Harry Schriemer, “and it’s good to be back with my son Matt.”

colleenizacharias@gmail.com

For advice, ideas and tips to keep your outdoor and indoor plants growing, sign up to receive Winnipeg Gardener, a free monthly digital newsletter I write for the Winnipeg Free Press at https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/newsletter/winnipeg-gardener