by Brianna Crandall — July 27, 2016 — Wasserman’s Flowers & Gifts, Muskegon’s oldest business and Michigan Floral Association’s 2016 Florist of the Year, has unveiled a new living wall system that was installed and planted earlier this month.
The 8’ tall living wall was constructed with the LiveWall system from LiveWall, LLC, the green wall subsidiary of Hortech, Inc., in Spring Lake, Michigan. Situated en route from the parking lot to the main entrance, the wall currently features a blend of pink and purple wave petunias.
The LiveWall (on right) adds to the “unique and unusual” aspects of the renovated flower and gift shop.
In 2013, siblings Troy Wasserman and Angie Nelund purchased the business from their father, Dennis Wasserman, and took over as the fifth generation to run the flower shop. As the new owners of a business which has operated since 1880, they looked for ways to refresh the shop and add appeal for all ages.
Troy Wasserman commented:
We look for things to supply that are unique or unusual. We want the experience for our customers and our neighbors to be fun. LiveWall adds to this experience. It’s different and exciting. We consider it a focal point of our exterior.
In addition to seeking out new, unusual, and hard-to-find gift items, the Wassermans renovated to modernize the building and make it more inviting to tourists and local residents. Renovations included a landscaped patio complete with porch swing, shaded seating areas, and the living wall.
Wasserman explained:
We envisioned a living wall to complement the addition of exterior black and white prints that highlight our rich history of quality and service in this community. The site shows the different sides of our business, which tie into the different sides of West Michigan. The gray stucco shows our industrial side, while the stone and woodwork show the craftsman side, and the living wall organically connects them.
Dave MacKenzie, president of Hortech and LiveWall, assisted the owners in planning the green wall installation for the flower shop after the disappointing performance of an alternate living wall system, which did not sustain the plants as expected. Ultimately, Wasserman chose to invest in the locally manufactured and grown LiveWall system for its ease of planting and design.
MacKenzie pointed out:
We discussed various plant options and chose the petunias to start. They perform well in hot summer heat and are very colorful. As the seasons change, we will swap plants for a fresh look.
Wasserman added:
We may change the plants up to three times this summer. We want people to be surprised and awed by the green wall — whether it is their first or hundredth time seeing it.
The Wassermans are also considering other ways to use living walls in their business. In the future, they may offer planted walls on wheels as scenery for weddings. These products, called LiveScreens, provide a rentable floral display that can be transported to and from venues for instant, beautiful backdrops.
The owners are passionate about their community, and want the shop to be a place where tourists and neighbors stop in to enjoy the beautiful view of Muskegon Lake. The wall will help set the atmosphere for the shop’s upcoming Tuesday patio nights, which feature free music and food for purchase, and Food Truck Tuesdays.
