How a Smarter Sourcing Strategy Shaped the St. Brigid Catholic Church Expansion

When St. Brigid Catholic Church in Johns Creek, GA launched its “Growing in Faith” campus expansion, the vision was clear: create a landscape that feels welcoming on day one and continues to mature gracefully for generations of students, families, and parishioners. The design called for structure, color, and longevity—brought to life through plant material like Little Gem Magnolias, Brodie Junipers, Chinese Pistache, Redpointe Maples, and broad selections of evergreen and ornamental staples.

But behind the scenes, one of the biggest challenges wasn’t the planting itself—it was the complexity of sourcing everything the project required, on schedule, at the right sizes, and from growers who could guarantee quality.

And that’s exactly where modern sourcing tools can change the game.

Why Large Projects Demand More Than a “Two-Supplier” Approach

For years, commercial landscape teams relied on a small, trusted set of nurseries to fulfill most of their orders. That worked when project needs were simpler and timelines were slower.

But projects like St. Brigid are different. They require:

• Large volumes
• Multiple sizes and grades
• Consistency across varieties
• Seasonal timing
• Backup options when inventories shift

If you depend on just one or two suppliers, a single availability issue—Brodie Junipers running low, Emerald Green Arborvitae not flush, or a specific Redpointe Maple size selling out—can throw the entire job off schedule.

Access to regional, multi-supplier availability in one place makes it possible to build a complete, consistent plant palette without scrambling from nursery to nursery.

The Power of a Wider Supplier Network

For St. Brigid, some of the key growers included:

And many more behind the scenes.

Each contributed different strengths—height consistency, color, form, or just reliable volume. Having visibility across multiple growers at once made it possible to assemble a cohesive plant list while maintaining quality and meeting delivery windows.

This kind of sourcing approach helps teams:

• Fill big orders without compromising on specs
• Mix and match growers to keep projects on track
• Compare regional inventories instead of settling for whoever picks up the phone first
• Adjust quickly when weather, trucking, or crop timing shifts

It’s less about choosing “the one supplier who can do it all” and more about leveraging the strengths of many.

Expert Guidance Makes the Difference

Having access to broad availability is one thing—knowing how to navigate it is another.
That’s where plant experts and procurement teams become essential, especially on complex projects.

For St. Brigid, a coordinated strategy ensured:

• The right varieties were sourced in the right sizes
• Substitutions stayed true to design intent
• Deliveries were consolidated and timed efficiently
• Inventory issues were solved early—not once crews were on site

With dozens of moving parts, expert guidance kept the project aligned from start to finish.

A Landscape Built to Last

Today, the completed St. Brigid campus showcases the impact of thoughtful sourcing: Little Gem Magnolias anchoring entrances, rows of Brodie Junipers bringing structure, Redpointe Maples adding seasonal color, and evergreen foundations that tie everything together.

It’s a reminder that great landscapes aren’t just installed—they’re assembled through hundreds of sourcing decisions, each one easier when you can see the full picture of what’s available across the region.

Looking Ahead: Smarter Sourcing for Every Project

The St. Brigid project shows what’s possible when teams have:

• Visibility across growers
• Flexibility to compare and adjust
• Support from knowledgeable plant experts

Whether you're handling a campus expansion, a municipal project, or a fast-moving commercial install, tapping into a broader supplier network creates a stronger, more resilient sourcing plan.

Explore regional plant availability and streamline your next project →