Swansons has always appreciated our loyal customers and, in 2001, we created our very first Swan Dollars as a fun way of thanking them. Instead of the usual loyalty points program, we decided to get creative and design actual “dollars” that customers could redeem to save on their purchases.
It’s now been 22 years of offering Swan Dollars. Over the years, these dollars have become a cherished part of the Swansons experience for our employees and customers alike.
Note: artwork in the following examples by Dan Gilchrist.
The 2023 series of Swan Dollars included Calamagrostis, Allium, and Kniphofia.
The Swan Dollar Program
Customers earn one Swan Dollar for every $10 spent in April, May, and June. Save those dollars because you can redeem them for up to half of your total purchase in July! Swan Dollars can be used on sale and clearance items, and, best of all, you can redeem Swan Dollars from any year, so if you find a stash from a few years back in a drawer, bring them in!
Indoor plants were the stars of the 2019 series of Swan Dollars, complemented by art deco backgrounds.
A Nursery’s History in Currency
But Swan Dollars are more than just “coupons” - they’re a part of Swanson’s history and, if we may be so bold, ever-evolving objets d’art. Over the years, our graphic designers have painstakingly created new designs, playing with different themes and artistic styles. These designs feature what makes Swansons special (our koi ponds, for example), the amazing array of plants we carry, and our connection to the larger community and environment.
The 2017 series of Swan Dollars featured our dinosaur, “Humphrey,” our koi ponds, and our tropical conservatory in a watercolor style.
Pollinators were the inspiration for Swan Dollars in 2022.
The Thrill of Collecting
We know some of you out there have vintage Swan Dollars stashed away. You may want to hold onto your collection (who knows what their collector value may be?) or pass it down to future generations, but if you change your mind, we would be happy to honor them.
The 2009 series of Swan Dollars highlighted fruits and vegetables.
Remind Me Again…
People often lament that they can’t keep track of when they can redeem their dollars and we have some tips to help you remember when to use them and to have them on hand:
For everyone “old-school”: keep your Swan Dollars in your glove compartment but clip one dollar to the July page of your calendar or agenda.
For the technically savvy, set an event on your phone or tablet. Then, you can be pleasantly surprised to learn that the chime you’re hearing isn’t just another alert for a boring meeting, but the joyous announcement that it’s Swan Dollar redemption time again (note: skip work and come directly to Swansons instead).
The Mandala inspired these 2015 Swan Dollar designs.
2024: Swansons Nursery’s 100th Anniversary
Next year, we are excited to celebrate our 100th anniversary. In honor of this incredible milestone, we have some fun surprises in store. Here's to another century of partnership between Swansons Nursery and our amazing customers!