Grower shows plants have personal impact (Even tattoo artists dig them!)

Garden Bloomers Takao Nursery in Fresno, Calif., recently released its 2007-2008 catalog. But this publication is unlike any nursery catalog you’ve seen before. This year the company’s creative director, Lisa Takao, took to the streets to chronicle real-life reactions to the company’s plants. Today, Lisa tells us more about the creative process behind the catalog.

Q. What was the inspiration behind the campaign? What prompted you to approach people on the street and give them plants?

A. This year I knew I wanted to focus the design around our new tagline, “Cultivating Life,” but the final product was just one of several initial ideas. From my own personal experiences and from my research I knew that plants had a positive effect on people. I thought if we could capture that it would be a great way to show what “Cultivating Life” meant. What better way is there to show the positive effects of plants than to approach unsuspecting people and surprise them?

Q. Do you have a favorite on-the-street encounter?

A. Hmm. That’s a tough one. I’d have to say my favorite would probably be Rico, a tattoo artist. You could really see how truly surprised, pleased and flattered he was after receiving the plant. It seemed as if behind the tough guy exterior he was blushing on the inside.

Kathleen was pretty memorable to me. I approached her as she was waiting at the bus stop. She was very sweet and shy, and receiving the plant seemed like it just made her day.

Charlotte and Jonathan also stood out. They had been married just a year and were about to move into a new apartment. You could really feel how genuinely happy they were to receive the plant. Their warm personalities and great energy made it enjoyable to spend a little bit of time with them.

Q. What would you say the overall message of the catalog is?

A. Connect with those around you and in the process you’ll both grow because of it.

-- Sarah