Mulch Ado About Nothing

Visit Our New Blog

2009-07-07T12:52:00.004-05:00

We are excited to share that our blog has moved to www.eberlycollardpr.blogspot.com in conjunction with our new company name:

Same great information on all things home, garden, design, and agribusiness, but with a new look. We invite you to visit our new ECPR blog, and we look forward to hearing from you!

~Leslie

A Day in the Life…

2008-10-21T15:53:00.011-05:00

The 2008 GWA Symposium in Portland was truly a memorable experience. Great weather, great plants, and great friends is a tough combination to top. I especially enjoyed my visit to Terra Nova Nurseries. What a treat it was to spend the afternoon amidst the horticultural wonders of Terra Nova Nurseries and Dan Heims. The gardens and greenhouses were filled with so many delightful plants; I do not know where to begin.

I was particularly impressed with Terra Nova Nurseries' vast collection of heuchera. Shade or sun, purple or chartreuse, 'Southern Comfort' or 'Peach Flambé,' there was certainly a heuchera for every taste. Thanks to the folks at Terra Nova Nurseries, gardeners are no longer limited by zone to enjoy these diverse beauties because many heuchera from Terra Nova are now bred to thrive in the heat and humidity – a very unique quality in these good-looking foliage plants. My favorite heuchera had to be the 'Amethyst Myst,' which I can now happily grow in my home city of Atlanta.

Check out the purple metallic tones of the 'Amethyst Mist'

Heuchera may have stolen the show but another somewhat
"aristocratic" plant stood its ground. The fiery red, green-veined Begonia 'Madame Queen' was a marvelous new variety. What’s a queen without a poodle? I am not sure but, the Echinacea 'Pink Poodle' was quite stunning with double blooms that make it a first of its kind.

Terra Nova Nurseries is a magical place, and I am looking forward to my next visit.

With all the breakthroughs in tissue culture and breeding; what will Terra Nova Nurseries think of next?

~Adam

Inspirational Color

2008-09-02T13:31:00.003-05:00

Delilah Onofrey, an editor with Meister Media Worldwide, and a horticulture lover, was honored recently with “Best Use of Color” in the seventh annual Westlake In Bloom competition. With her family, she planted flower beds with lively color varieties such as petunia Easy Wave 'Blue,’ gaillardia ‘Arizona Sun,’ Disco marigolds, verbena ‘Aztec Red’ and purple perennial salvia for height.

Westlake, Ohio, was one of the first cities to participate in America In Bloom in 2002 and won its population category that year. The city enjoyed the program so much that it has grown its local program seven fold in seven years from 38 to 300 entries, including 224 raised flower beds.

The value of this vibrant program isn’t lost on anyone in the Westlake community including their mayor, Dennis Clough. “We knew Westlake In Bloom would be a great idea because so many in the community enjoy getting involved,” he said. “It has enhanced the quality of life we all enjoy in the city of Westlake.”

What an inspiring and creative way to brighten a community and garden. Congratulations to Delilah, her family, and Westlake, Ohio!

~Leslie

Greenhouse Grower Sports New Online Look

2008-08-20T08:16:00.018-05:00

Greenhouse Grower, a much-admired Meister Media publication, recently upgraded its Web site to provide readers a fresh, user-friendly, and interactive news source on all things relevant to horticulturists, greenhouse growers, and members of the industry.

The new Web site contains many helpful features to assist garden centers, growers and other agribusiness professionals access the “Whats?”, “Hows?” and “Whys?” of the Green Industry - quickly and easily. The site includes:

· The latest news and trends in the greenhouse world

· Informative viewpoints from industry professionals, gathered and written by Delilah Onofrey, Sara Tambascio and others at Meister.

· Special reports section on topics like “Top 100 Growers” and sustainability

· “Ask the Experts” section where greenhouse and nursery professionals can interact with OHP experts

· An archive of articles providing the green industry a multitude of resource materials and information on many important and helpful topics of interest…including article contributions from our own Don Eberly and Jeff Collard.

Good job, Sara and Delilah…as always.

Check out the great new site at www.greenhousegrower.com

- Adam

Some Things I picked Up on at OFA 2008

2008-07-25T08:27:00.008-05:00

I feel so fortunate to be in a position where I am able to interface with so many of the “movers and shakers” in this industry. In spite of some of the national media's coverage of economic forecasts—our industry is committed to move forward and is refreshingly optimistic.

Below are a few highlights of things that were shared with us and our own observations at OFA 2008:

Almost all of you with whom we spoke said that sales were forecasted to meet or exceed the numbers from the previous year.

It appears that the new trend of the “staycation” could certainly help the industry, as people reduce summer travel and stay home, thus increasing the nesting process, which creates a process of the consumer enhancing his / her surroundings by purchasing home and garden products.

J Guy, Manager and Founder of Novalis® Plants that Work® and Plants that Work by Color™ met with an economist form Wachovia Bank and he stated that “Oil is [estimated] expected to come down to $126 per barrel in the first quarter of 2009, therefore decreasing the price of gas which will allow the consumer to have some discretionary income to do things like gardening.”

~Jeff

Sustainability is HIP at OFA

2008-07-25T08:19:00.005-05:00

It appears sustainability was a huge hit at OFA this year with a significant share of the exhibitors at the tradeshow displaying eco-friendly plants, products and ideas.

Horticultural Identification Products (HIP) and several other companies were showcased at OFA’s sustainability exhibit. While some companies at OFA are relatively new to the sustainability movement, HIP has been a leader in introducing sustainable tag products for some time, including its EcoTag (a degradable alternative to plastic nursery tags), BioTag (a bio-degradable nursery tag) and Repel (a paper substrate for nursery tags).

HIP announced at OFA that it has met the standard specification set by ASTM International for its sustainable BioTag labeling products.

The ASTM specification establishes if products made from plastics will compost satisfactorily, including biodegrading at a rate comparable to known compostable materials. Meeting this specification is a sustainability breakthrough for HIP because it means the company’s BioTag product can be officially considered fully “compostable” based upon the composition of the product.

Side note: As HIP continues to ramp up its line of sustainable products, the company has freshened up its logo using a cool palette of blues and greens.

~ Audrey

Schmoozing with Raw Fish

2008-07-24T14:02:00.006-05:00

Some of my absolute favorite (yes, it deserves the bold!) hours during our trip to OFA were spent in an adorable little sushi restaurant named Haiku where Eberly PR hosted a media dinner for a few of our clients and some of our favorite members of the industry media!

I’m telling you; it’s hard to go wrong when you combine awesome people with delicious food and a few drinks. :)

What a blast! We were able to enjoy a lovely evening with industry leaders such as Dan Heims, Ken Brown and Dave Doolittle from Terra Nova Nurseries, Bob Lovejoy from Horticultural Identification Products (HIP), and Tom Kegley and Kim Cameron from Novalis Plants that Work / Plants that Work by Color.

Several of our trade media friends also attended such as Delilah Onofrey, Kevin Yanik and Sue Distaulo from Meister Media Worldwide, Ellen Wells and Jen White from Ball Publishing, Paige Worthy, Jasmina Radjevic and Darhiana Mateo from Scranton Gillette, and Meshele Conley from Garden Design!

What I learned at dinner:

We can all eat way, WAY too much food when we aren’t paying attention. I really don’t know where we fit it all.
Sue, Don, Jen, and Jasmina don’t like to wait for their dessert! They went straight for the Key-lime martinis.
Paige and Dan knew each other in a different life. Nothing else explains all the uncanny similarities!
We know how to close down a restaurant!

And, remember everyone – this is an annual event, so keep your calendars open for next year! For those clients and media members who did not join us, we hope you can make it next time.

~Leslie

And, the Award Goes to…

2008-07-24T13:51:00.008-05:00

Meister Media’s Medal of Excellence Awards event at OFA 2008 was its usual success…and very much the buzz of Short Course. After all, who wouldn’t have fun surrounded by the awesome folks from Meister and beautiful award-winning plants!?

First, I think the Meister folks deserve a big award for hosting the Medal of Excellence each year and being such tireless industry supporters! On behalf of EPR and our clients, many thanks to Delilah Onofrey, Sue Distaulo, Bob West, Richard Jones, Sara Tambascio, Ann-Marie Conroy, Laura Drotleff, Joe Monahan, Jeff Fenner and all the others from Meister…for always putting the rest of us first!

Second, there were several excited and well-deserving winners. Check out Meister’s “On Location at Short Course” blog to read about them and other people and happenings from OFA this year!

My personal favorite winner of this year’s award ceremony was the Reader’s Choice for Breeding, the new Rudbeckia ‘TigerEye’™ from Goldsmith Seeds. It is the first and only FI hybrid Rudbeckia with a never-before-seen uniformity on the bench and strength in the garden. Its long-lasting flowers are a rich yellow-gold featuring brown centers that will catch your own eye from a distance.

Some of its benefits include:

Uniformity formerly unknown in Rudbeckia
Excellent basal development
Incredible PGR response
Vigorous root development
Dense flower canopy
Reduced sensitivity to powdery mildew

‘TigerEye’™ offers retailers a compact habit and durable, eye-catching flowers…and is sure to be a hit for 2009.

Also, if you haven’t seen Goldsmith’s 2008-2009 catalog, check it out as soon as you can. The photography alone is enough to almost use it as a coffee table book, in addition to being a stylish sales and marketing tool. To learn more, log onto www.goldsmithseeds.com.

~ Don

The Time Warp with Terra Nova Nurseries!

2008-07-24T13:30:00.009-05:00

So, for those of you who passed by the Terra Nova Nurseries booth, you may have noticed a couple of themes – the past and the future!

Revealing a unique marketing spin with cleverly-edited, 70’s album covers on their catalog and bright shag carpets throughout their booth, Terra Nova Nurseries showed off their newest plant introductions for 2009.

Some of the plants to look forward to in the upcoming year from Terra Nova and their grower- and garden center customers:

Agastache ‘Cotton Candy’
Begonia ‘Curly Fireflush’
Echinacea ‘Tomato Soup’
Echinacea ‘Mac ‘n’ Cheese’
Echinacea ‘Pink Poodle’
Heuchera ‘Plum Royale’
Heucherella ‘Tapestry’
Tiarella ‘Mystic Mist’

Just goes to show you – Without fun, inspirational pasts, we have nothing to build the industry innovations of the future!

What inspires you?

~Leslie

Top Attention-grabbers…

2008-07-24T13:13:00.006-05:00

At OFA this year, Novalis announced two new and very cool 2009 exclusive plants that were supplied by network grower Bailey Nurseries.

Officially, the names of the plants are: Hydrangea paniculata ‘HYPMADI’ (PPAF) White Diamonds™ and Diervilla sessilifolia ‘LPDC Podaras’ (PPAF) Cool Splash™ Dwarf Bush Honeysuckle. - I call them, Gorgeous!

Bailey Nurseries joined the Novalis grower network in 2007. Since then, Linda Guy, director of new product development for Novalis and Jonathan Pedersen, brand and business development manager for Bailey Nurseries, have worked closely to facilitate the introduction of White Diamonds™ and Cool Splash™.

The plants will serve as two of the top exclusives for Novalis® Plants that Work® growers nationwide and will be available to local independent garden centers and professional landscape companies beginning spring 2009.

Developed by the Landscape Plant Development Center, Cool Splash is the first variegated bush honeysuckle and is a colonizing shrub ideal for mass plantings.

White Diamonds™ is a new hydrangea with glistening-white panicles showcasing in summer and fall. Smaller and more manageable than most hydrangea paniculatas, it boasts dark-green, leathery foliage that provides increased heat and drought tolerance.

The image is of Cool Splash…and I am sure it’ll make for a BIG Splash with IGCs and homeowners this spring.

Learn more about what’s coming in 2009 from Novalis Plants that Work and Plants that Work by Color at www.novalis.com / www.plantsthatwork.com.

~ Don

Ever so Striking - Ball Horticultural Company at OFA

2008-07-24T09:21:00.007-05:00

Ball Horticultural Company highlighted their newest varieties from Ball and PanAmerican Seed at the OFA Short Course with a striking display of beds in realistic garden displays.

Using a faux walkway and large, wooden product islands, people were able to visualize various combination concepts they could utilize in their own gardens – or, more importantly, sell to their customers.

Just a few of their newest, must-see varieties include:

A wide range of new Coleus – ‘Dark Chocolate’, ‘Henna’, ‘Indian Summer’, and the Kong Series.
The intense Landmark™ Lantana ‘Pink Glow’
New Pansy varieties introduced in the Matrix® series – ‘Raspberry Sundae Mix’, ‘Rose’, and ‘Rose Wing’.
Ornamental peppers – ‘Calico’ and ‘Purple Flash’

For more on their newest varieties, visit www.ballhort.com.

~Leslie

Novalis Announces NEW Plants that Work …at OFA 2008!

2008-07-24T09:10:00.012-05:00

And, wow, did they ever!

Novalis leaders, interns, sales staff members, marketing / admin managers, and network growers outdid themselves with one of the most beautiful exhibits at OFA Short Course this year! – Good job, Novalis.

It never ceases to amaze me how talented and passionate are the members of the grower consortium. They continue to cultivate gorgeous perennials, woody ornamentals, grasses, bamboos and annuals that are easy to love!

The plant palette they showcased in their booth at the show was diverse, colorful and insightful. The display maximized a winning expression of outdoor living at its best – from premium plant material in a variety of programs and selections to outdoor furniture and kitchen appliances.

Just some of the new exclusive Plants that Work highlights include the following:

Hydrangea paniculata ‘HYPMADI’ (PPAF) White Diamonds™
Diervilla sessilifolia ‘LPDC Podaras’ (PPAF) Cool Splash™ Dwarf Bush Honeysuckle.
Bletilla Ochracea ‘Chinese Butterfly’
Agave ‘Kissho Kan’
Thuja occidentalis ‘Fire Chief’™
Myrica cerifera ‘Arista’
Hydrangea ‘Mystical™ Opal’
Aloe Humilis ‘Hedgehog’
Phlox Candy Store™ Series

A few color beauties from Plants that Work by Color include:

Diascia Breezee™ ‘Appleblossom’
Diascia Breezee™ ‘Apricot’
Nemesia Bedazzle™ ‘Rose Quartz’
Nemesia Bedazzle™ ‘Topaz’
Nemesia Bedazzle™ ‘Citrine’
Nemesia Bedazzle™ ‘Sunstone’

Check out their site for information about these and many other programs and varieties: www.novalis.com / www.plantsthatwork.com

~ Don

Going Container Crazy

2008-07-24T08:48:00.013-05:00

Dan Heims, Terra Nova Nurseries president and co-owner, treated OFA attendees to an early morning, information-packed presentation titled Container Crazy (and Plants for Small-Space Gardens) on July 13. There were a lot of workshop participants (including myself) taking plenty of notes as Dan breezed through a selection of photos that showed how cool and creative container plants can be when you add a healthy dose of imagination to the plan. A few highlights from his presentation:

The new trend: there might not be a set trend; if it looks good to you, do it.
Container plants don’t have to reside in traditional-looking ceramic pots; think outside the norm and consider troughs, cupcake pans (yes!), picture frames and funky metal sculptures.
Dan reminded us there are still three key ingredients in the recipe for a good container planting: the thriller, the spiller and the filler.
Euro-style containers often offer a smooth, architectural presentation.
When selecting plants for a container, remember to pick plants that play well with others.

While Dan took us through a good number of plants during his slide show, there were several plants that I absolutely loved including the Begonia ‘Madam Queen’ (Pictured), Corydalis ‘Berry Exciting’, Eucomis ‘Oakhurst’, and Tricyrtis ‘Gilty Pleasure’. You can check out each of these plants on the Terra Nova Nurseries Web site at www.terranovanurseries.com.

We thought we’d share a photo of some of us from EPR with Dan following the session – from R to L: Dan, Leslie, Don, Jeff, and me.

Do you have a favorite container plant or a unique container idea? Feel free to post your comments below and let us know!

~ Audrey

STEPABLES® Leads the Way

2008-07-24T08:24:00.003-05:00

Under A Foot Plant Company™ and its national plant brand of creeping perennials, STEPABLES®, announced today the launch of an innovative marketing campaign designed to utilize new media, such as an interactive Web site design, instructional videos and informative blogs, to build brand recognition among its growers, garden centers and consumers.

As an award-winning marketing leader in the horticulture industry, STEPABLES® has designed the Web site to serve as the core of the new media campaign. The site now includes:

Hundreds of new images to show consumers and landscapers the most creative ways to use STEPABLES
Multiple forums for open discussion about anything the site visitors would like to discuss
Several instructional, how-to videos
A new blog written by Frances Hopkins, founder and president of Under A Foot Plant Company™
“Meet Fran” section that personalized the brand with a family behind the name
New media center with all current press releases
A help desk available to consumers, garden centers and landscapers
Design center with printable garden layouts
A STEPABLES® Fun Club to receive discounts on plants and merchandise

“I wanted to create a marketing campaign that reflected my enthusiasm for gardening and hopefully inspire those visiting the STEPABLES® site to try something new,” said Frances Hopkins, founder and president of Under A Foot Plant Company™. “I look forward to interacting more personally with anyone who visits www.stepables.com.”

Hopkins will be updating her blog regularly as a new medium for communicating upcoming STEPABLES® news and responding to commonly asked questions from homeowners and landscapers. The site also has a new guest blog where horticulturalists and experts are invited to offer advice and knowledge about their experiences with STEPABLES® plants.

Brief instructional videos are featured on the new STEPABLES® site for a quick look at how STEPABLES® can spruce up any landscape. In less than five minutes apiece, these four videos show imaginative possibilities with the STEPABLES® line such as learning the basics of container gardening, planting combination sensations with flower bulbs, creating accents with steps and benches, and replacing a lawn with these low-maintenance plants. Hopkins produced and starred in each of the videos to further personify the brand and educate her audience with these how-to STEPABLES® tips. Take a look at one of the videos, posted below, to see how you can plant STEPABLES® around benches or between steps.

Click on the links and video to see how this plant brand plans to remain at the forefront of marketing with the newest technologies in communication!

~Leslie

HIP Meets Global Standard Specification for BioTag

2008-07-07T14:36:00.005-05:00

First thing is first…. the basics.

HIP is at the forefront of the “green” revolution in the Horticulture industry and was among the first to produce earth-friendly labeling solutions. See who they are by visiting their Web site and looking around. Talk about innovative plant tags!

BioTag is a horticultural labeling product that is made of 100% biodegradable plastic. The tag material is produced using a state-of-the-art polymer technology that relies on bio-based products such as corn, soybeans, starches, wheat, and sugarcane, rather than fossil fuel-based resins. The end-product has a natural composition that is totally biodegradable. The commercial compost process takes less than 180 days, and the full degradation process takes approximately one year.

NOW… onto the newest development!

Horticultural Identification Products (HIP) announced today that it has met the standard specification set by ASTM International for its sustainable BioTag labeling products.

The ASTM specification establishes if products made from plastics will compost satisfactorily, including biodegrading at a rate comparable to known compostable materials. Meeting this specification is a sustainability breakthrough for HIP because it means BioTag can be officially considered fully “compostable” based upon the composition of the product.

“Meeting ASTM’s standard specification criteria further emphasizes HIP’s commitment to conservation and environmental awareness,” says Bob Lovejoy, president / CEO of HIP. “We understand the critical need for businesses to have a positive environmental impact and offering BioTag is a way for us to support growers in their sustainability efforts.”

Very cool! Just goes to show you that companies of ANY type can help contribute to a healthier environment.

~Leslie

A Man Who Needs No Introduction… But We Are Doing it Anyway.

2008-06-17T13:13:00.005-05:00

With 32 years of experience in the horticulture industry and a bachelor’s degree in communications and botany from the University of Oregon, Dan Heims researches, speaks, writes, and stands at the forefront of the horticulture industry as president of Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc., a company praised for innovative, new plant introductions. Over the past 13 years, Terra Nova Nurseries has grown to become a world leader in plant breeding introducing over 460 exciting new varieties to the global market. Heims has been an integral part of the company’s growth and success from the very beginning.

As an educator, Heims is known as a knowledgeable enthusiast in all things horticulture. He has spent years lecturing all over the world, including the United States, Japan, England, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Germany, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Tasmania, Australia, and Canada. From breeding to growing, Heims teaches people about his experiences in the industry.

Dan Heims will be leading several speaking engagements throughout the remainder of June and into July – come by and join in!

Wisconsin Hardy Plant Society “WHPS Meeting” on June 17, 2008. The lecture will be at the Janesville, WI, Monoria Community Center at 7 p.m.

My Garden Nursery “Heuchera and their Allies” on June 28, 2008. Heims will speak on “Heuchera Happening” in Mill Creek, WA from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

OFA “Plants for Containers (and Small Space Gardens)” on July 12, 2008. Heims will give two lectures at the Columbus, OH, tradeshow, including a panel discussion on “What it takes to make it in horticulture.”

Perennial Plant Association “New Plant Introductions” on July 24, 2008. This annual presentation is given at the convention in Columbus, OH, announcing nine of the newest Terra Nova Nurseries varieties.

~ Leslie

Stop Slackin’… Go Green!

2008-06-06T11:53:00.007-05:00

Oh, “Going Green.” A term we hear so often, and yet, many of us still don’t know how to make our lives more environmentally friendly.

A book was recently published called The Everything Green Living Book…with, you guessed it… hundreds of simple tips to going green. Our favorite tip? The author, Diane Gow McDilda, recommends www.Stepables.com as a great resource for finding plants to replace your chemical- and water-hungry lawn.

Three, top reasons replacing your turf can do worlds for the environment:

1) Remove the need for a lawn mower – Creeping perennials from STEPABLES® never grow higher than a couple of inches, so get rid of those nasty fuel emissions!

2) Lower water usage – Choose the right plant for the right area, and many of these groundcovers can survive drought, humidity or your two-week-long vacation.

3) Lower (and sometimes remove completely) the need to spray dangerous chemicals in your landscape – STEPABLES® plants weave closely together, naturally blocking the growth of weeds!

For more information on how to select the right low-growing groundcovers for your lawn, visit the STEPABLES® Web site. For a sneak-peek at how to replace your own lawn, watch this instructional video.

*This message is Mother Nature approved.

Best,

Leslie

David Wilson of Garden Splendor Shares His Gardening Trends for 2008

2008-03-12T15:06:00.023-05:00

Recently, David Wilson, director of marketing for the Garden Splendor brand by Overdevest Nurseries in Bridgeton, NJ, shared with us some of his “gardening trends” for 2008. He receives a great deal of feedback during his time out on the road visiting Garden Splendor retail partners from VA to ME, Pitttsburgh to Montauk. With almost 40 dealers participating in the Garden Splendor program, most of which are progressively minded retail outlets with their finger closely on the pulse of the home & garden world, David finds it extremely helpful and interesting to hear feedback from these garden center owners and managers. See below for some great info from David’s 2008 emerging gardening trends, which he’s gathered from gardeners and home owners across the region and from all walks of life:

“The maturing baby boomers are increasingly aware of health and wellness issues and with the global warning and environmental concerns, we are all attempting to ‘live’ better and see the secure and reassuring surroundings of ‘home life’ as a way to cope with the situation. Many see gardening as a wholesome and rewarding thing to do. But, they are impatient, they want it now, they want it easy, and they want their plants big and looking good. It seems the new trend is to decorate, rather than carry out traditional style gardening. So, easy creative ideas, larger plants and minimal ‘WORK’ seem to be the order of the day.”

Here are some of the things I’ve noticed:

Outdoor living areas – still very strong: According to recently released market research from The Freedonia Group demand for outdoor furniture and grills will reach $7.5 billion in 2011. The market will benefit from growth in the number of households and the increasing popularity of outdoor living areas like patios, porches and decks. In addition, consumer lifestyle trends are showing these people are likely to be spending a significant amount of their leisure time at home.

Do “SOME” of it for me: Fueled by the HGTV programs (to which my wife is addicted) – curb appeal, landscape design etc. There seems to be a strong demand for experts to do at least some of the project. The D.I.F.M (do it for me) thing of last year, seems now to be morphing into D.S. I.F.M (do some of it for me). People have always wanted help with the time consuming, laborious and technical parts of the project but now there seems to be a very strong demand for the home owner to have input and participation in the projects. There seems to be a very strong and growing demand for gardening consultants / contractors that can provide guidance and support, and undertake the larger part of the project but leave segments for the home owners to do.

Foliage color is big: Allied to the above comments, we see a continuing demand for long lasting / weather resistant / easy care plants; so varieties with colorful, season long foliage continue to be getting stronger in demand. It is happening with annuals, perennials and shrubs, too. This is why half of the Garden Splendor perennials earmarked as our showcaseplants for 2008 provide primarily foliage color:

Geum ‘Mango Lassi’
Lychnis ‘Rolly’s Favorite’
Heuchera ‘Peach Flambe’
Veronica ‘Goldwell’
Clematis ‘Daniel Deronda’
Hakonechloa ‘All Gold’
Coreopsis ‘Pinwheel’
Mukdenia ‘Crimson Fans’
Echinacea 'Pink Double Delight'

I want a nice garden – but not the work: The days of the contented, relaxed gardener who accepted (and came to terms with) the chores of weeding, hoeing, mulching, watering, staking and tying etc. as being part of keeping a nice garden is gone now. They have been replaced by home owners who are only prepared to allow a few hours of their cherished weekend time to gardening. Today’s home owners don’t mind walking behind (or riding) on a mower, planting containers, or tending smaller beds in prominent positions, but back breaking work like digging, weeding, or mulching is close to purgatory – so gardens are smaller, container gardening is still expanding and chores like mulching beds is performed less frequently (every second year or third year).

Containers, containers, and more containers: Container planting continues to become ever stronger. Potted plants are being placed everywhere in the garden, from highly decorative and classy pots by the front door, patio, deck or around the swimming pool, to troughs and window boxes, roof and balcony gardens. Lately there’s been a swing to positioning containers in borders where the color of the container becomes the focus, and where it is easier to weed and water, and relieve the stress on the knees and back.

New and novelty plants are popular: We see the demand for novelty perennials that are showy, shorter, more compact, and longer flowering, too. Newer varieties like Echinacea 'Pink Double Delight', Lychnis ‘Rolly’s Favorite’ and Coreopsis ‘Pinwheel’ are good examples. The unusual shaped flowers, the compact habit and all round colorful attributes coupled with the easy to look after nature has made them very popular with Garden Splendor customers.

Hardy succulents and bright, warm tones are: For the same reasons, hardy or near-hardy succulents seem to be gaining momentum – the drive for easy-care, long-lasting, deer-tolerant plants seems to be fueling this trend. Color wise, the demand for oranges, mango and the bright, warm tones of the southwest are growing in popularity.

Hydrangeas – huge upturn in interest: We have also seen a huge upturn in the interest in mophead Hydrangeas. With the arrival of the ‘Forever and Ever’ series, the interest has really taken off. It seems people were always interested in the period that the long lasting flowers gave, but now with the increased reliability of flowering, the compact and shapely habit and the ease of cultivation, they are definitely winning out over other summer flowering shrubs.

Going green moves on to sustainability: The environmental movement, too, is getting stronger and stronger. Everywhere I turn (it seems); I hear the words organic and sustainability. Respect for the environment is here and here to stay; there’s a strong backlash to plastic and artificial things. Home owners are much more aware and careful with the choices they make for their plot, too. With water shortages and concerns about lawn chemicals as of late, we’ve noticed a considerable upswing in the demand for plants that can withstand periods of drought or posses a natural ability to withstand pests and diseases.

Well-being, fitness and health issues: Finally, I have seen a steadily increasing awareness of well-being, fitness and health issues. In talking to consumers, friends and customers, there seems to be a lot of interest in a better diet and perhaps because of this there seems to be a strong trend towards growing culinary herbs.

We all know that there’s no place like the garden for connecting with the earth, getting close to nature and de-stressing; it’s a wonderful place to ratchet down to a slower gear, be alone with your thoughts and deal with the pressure of these fast-paced times. Home owners are rediscovering the serenity of their own private sanctuaries, yearning for rewarding benefits that nature provides etc., so its not surprising to see renewed and sustained interest in butterfly and hummingbird attracting plants, water gardening, scented oils and candles, patio awnings and umbrellas, outdoor bars and beverage stations, and even hammocks.

Thanks for sharing those valuable gardening trends with us, David. We’re looking forward to seeing them play out in 2008.

- Sally

Rapid Reel® Garden Hose Reels Return for 2008

2008-02-26T17:37:00.005-05:00

I was glad to hear of the return of Rapid Reel®'s line of Garden Hose Reel products for 2008. These durable exterior hose reel products are quite popular among gardening and landscape enthusiasts throughout the world for the exterior living room, yard, farm, barn, garage, or additional usage areas such as professional greenhouses or nurseries, fire protection services, commercial building and property management, equestrian facilities, etc.

With their rugged metal construction, created from rustproof, die-cast aluminum with stainless steel hardware and brass fittings, these reels are longer-lasting than other light-duty, weak plastic hose reels.

With four model types to choose from, these durable and reliable hose reels are available in portable or wall-mount options.

Innovatively designed, the reels blend seamlessly with an array of exterior design components and stand the test of time. Each garden hose reel is backed by a 10-year, No-Leak, No-Break Guarantee.

Unlike a lot of products (especially garden hose reels), everyone who's tried this hose reel has something positive to say about it:

“Use one in a barn and was so impressed wanted one for the yard. Easy to rewind & take off.” – David S., Rowley, MA

“I'm excited to find such a high quality product. The durable metal construction with corrosion resistance and brass fittings makes this an exceptional product.” – Charles Cyr, C., MA

“I am 84 years of age and I am delighted with ease of usage.” – David L., Montclair, NJ

“Excellent product, worth every penny.” – Mark J., Kingsville, TX

All four products in the line of Rapid Reel® Garden Hose Reels come with a revolutionary new braking system that allows the user to adjust the amount of drag the reel applies as the hose is pulled out. The Garden Hose Reels from Rapid Reel® are completely maintenance free. However, in a winter climate, the reels can be winterized to protect them from freeze damage. With its ultra-easy assembly, it takes just a few minutes, a Philips head screwdriver and an enclosed hex key to assemble the reels and put them to work.

150-foot Parallel Wall Reel: A stationary hose reel product that is innovatively designed to mount easily, blend in seamlessly and stand the test of time. This model pulls the hose out parallel to (along) the wall, making it ideal for sidewall mountings.

150-foot Perpendicular Wall Reel: The 150-foot Perpendicular Wall Reel lasts for years and enhances the accessibility of exterior hose use. This stationary reel pulls the hose out perpendicular to (away from) the wall, an action best suited for front and back wall mountings.

225-foot Four Wheel Wagon Hose Reel: If the domain is expansive enough to require capacity and portability, the Four Wheel Wagon Reel can handle 225 feet of hose, while its rugged tire design enables it to negotiate any terrain.

150-foot Two Wheel Cart Reel: The Two Wheel Cart Reel has the freedom of movement and the muscle to negotiate difficult surfaces. With the durability to last for years and the capacity to spool 150 feet of hose, this reel is reliable as well as portable.

Visit Rapid Reel's Web site to learn more or order one of these garden hose reels.

There's nothing I like more than a little healthy competition...

2008-02-18T14:32:00.008-05:00

In and around the industry, many of us talk about the need to have growers and garden centers working together to get consumers interested in plants and gardening again.

Well, this creative campaign from STEPABLES® is doing just that! The Under A Foot Plant Company™ and its STEPABLES® plant brand have launched the second annual “We’ve Got Sole™” photo contest, offering independent garden centers the opportunity to win up to $5,000 for their favorite charities…with a twist!

Last year, independent garden centers were given a chance to partake in the contest by submitting digital images of their STEPABLES® retail displays using the Good For Your Sole® point-of-purchase materials and display gardens featuring STEPABLES® varieties. This year, participating garden center customers can join in by creating their own STEPscape™ designs at home! There are also more photo categories, more prizes and more opportunities for garden centers and consumers to get involved and give back to their communities.

Contests such as this are a great way to get garden centers interacting with their communities, their grower suppliers and their direct customers. Plus, who doesn't like a little healthy competition?!

For more info about the STEPABLES® “We’ve Got Sole™” photo contest and to learn about participating garden centers near you, visit the STEPABLES®

Consumers are Willing to Pay More for Green Power

2007-12-14T12:01:00.000-05:00

As recently reported by Green Daily, sixty-seven percent of consumers polled across six countries would be willing to pay for clean energy, according to Plugging in the Consumer, a report from IBM.

Consumers were polled across six countries -- Australia, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, the UK and the US. Out of all the countries, more Australians were willing to pay more when compared to the other countries. However, in the U.S., those willing to pay more were willing to pay quite a sizable premium, up to 20 percent more.

- Is this surprising? Not really. It's very "American" to fork over a premium to get what you want, when you want it, whatever the cost. After all, Americans are notorious for their never-ending need for instant gratification, wanting more, and paying more to get it (whether it's Tickle Me Elmos for the kids, the newest technology, or latest fashion/ automobile trend... or, now, clean energy).

Blogger Patricia Mayville-Cox writes: "We switched to a clean power option in our home and it did add a small monthly premium to our energy bill. However, because we found ourselves paying a bit more each month, we became even MORE careful about turning off the lights and keeping the temperature moderate. We joked about it, 'Turn off that light, wind turbines don't grow on trees!' And now, the irony is that our bills are lower than they were because of our conservation habits, motivated by both money and the earth."

- So, I wonder, will Americans continue to absorb the higher premium for clean energy as well as other sustainable innovations for the longterm, or will the early adopters eventually become "motivated by both money and the earth"? And, speaking of early adopters...where does America exist today on the innovation adoption curve for a sustainable environment? While I feel like we lag terribly as a nation, I believe that many individual citizens are working to educate themselves and pro-actively seek new ways to be environmentally sound on a day-to-day basis.

To look into green power options in your state, see the Department of Energy's Green Power site here.

Note: I've been checking out Green Daily.com for the last week or so, and I highly recommend it's combination of "green" news and humor!

Examples:

Paris Gets Naked, but Not for PETA
Extreme Environmentalism: Condom Recycling in China
Will Smith is Greening Up the Bathroom

- Sally

Industry Blog, Sara's Green Space, Re-launched with New Format

2007-08-24T09:27:00.000-05:00

Congrats to our friend Sara Tambascio, managing editor of Greenhouse Grower magazine (Meister Media publication) on the recent re-launching of her greenhouse industry blog, Sara's Green Space! We love the new format and are excited to keep up with Sara's industry news and insight through the blog. We're also looking forward to reading future posts, which will surely include her thoughts on various happenings and developments effecting the greenhouse-growing world. In the near future, we hope to have Sara featured as a guest blogger on MAAN to share her outlook on what's to come for and from the industry in 2008. In the meantime, be sure to check out Sara's Green Space for the latest from Sara Tambascio and Greenhouse Grower.
- Sally

SNA 2007 - Media Day Panelist: Look, Ma, I'm famous!

2007-08-07T16:16:00.000-05:00

The annual Southern Nursery Association's horticulture industry trade show begins this week at the Georgia World Congress Center, Building C. On Thursday, August 9th, I'll be a participating as a panelist for SNA's Forum 2007 Media Day Lunch along with several other industry, garden writer experts. I've been asked to speak and discuss new/ social media and blogging as it relates to "Trends in Garden Communications". I'm looking forward to hearing the thoughts and ideas of the other panelists and sharing a few of my own!

Media Day starts at 9 a.m. in room C105-106 with a coffee welcome session and a Regional GWA business meeting. At 9:30, the media will visit the trade show floor to view all the exhibits, see new products and speak with SNA Forum 2007 attendees and exhibitors. The panel discussion will begin at 11:30 and lunch will be served after the panel discussion at 12:30 p.m., followed by another visit to the trade show floor.

The participating panelists are:

Pam Beck, Freelance Garden Writer and Photographer

Bob Polomski, Clemson University Extension Horticulturist

Felder Rushing, Horticulture Magazine Contributing Editor

Linda Askey, Former Southern Living Garden Editor

Walter Reeves, Radio/TV/Newspaper Host and Gardening Expert

Randy Hunter, Agility Marketing

Sally Credille, Eberly Public Relations

SNA Media Day is produced in cooperation with the Garden Writers Association (GWA) and is sponsored by Carolina Nurseries (founding grower of the Novalis consortium/ Plants that Work brand) and McCorkle Nurseries.

Hope to see you there!

- Sally

OFA Re-cap

2007-08-03T14:24:00.000-05:00

Well, what can I say? It was a GREAT show. I had hoped to update/ post happenings and news each day while there, but as you can see (now two weeks past post-show), that didn't happen. But, because I waited, I've got some great photos to share! Let's do a visual re-cap of OFA 2007. Go!

I'm Thinking of Fall.

2007-07-12T15:23:00.000-05:00

Even though it's July and 90 degrees outside, I'm thinking of fall. I'm already dreaming of crisp mornings and cool autumn breezes. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays (As the hysterical Kathy Griffin says, "Food is my thing. I don't smoke or drink, so food is my vice."). Watching fall tones appear and the changing colors of leaves and foliage is my favorite seasonal transition. The current sweltering heat and humidity, along with the dehydration and wilting of every living green thing around me caused by the drought, has given me a constant internal heat wave I'm far too young to experience.

I was recently surprised to learn, from my favorite source, Wikipedia, that Heat waves are more lethal than I thought: "Heat waves are the most lethal type of weather phenomenon, overall. Between 1992 and 2001, deaths from excessive heat in the United States numbered 2,190, compared with 880 deaths from floods and 150 from hurricanes. The average annual number of fatalities directly attributed to heat in the United States is about 400."

I think the part I like the best is: "In addition to physical stress, excessive heat causes psychological stress, to a degree which affects employee performance, and is also associated with an increase in violent crime." Who knew?!

But, as I said above, we humans are not the only living things struggling with the enduring summer heat. I was visiting with my mother a few weeks ago when she showed me the hostas her landscaper installed in some bare beds around the front of the house. One group of about 6-8 plants sits nicely under a young Dogwood and near a few foundational shrubs (rhododendrons). They are adequately shaded by the Dogwood and have done well with the mediocre waterings they're getting this summer. But, two of the hostas that the landscaper installed near the front entryway, in the same bed as the others, have been zapped! They only receive an hour or two of more morning sun than those under the cool shade of the dogwood. But, it just goes to show you that even an hour or two of summer sun can be deadly. I recommended to my mom that she dispose of the two deceased/ scorched hostas and wait it out a few months, when she could install something with great color for fall that has more direct sun tolerance.

On a lighter note, it wouldn't summer without OFA (an Association of Floriculture Professionals - the association's annual trade show event in Columbus, Ohio) which is where I'll be tomorrow through Tuesday (7-14 to 7-17). I hope to keep you updated with OFA/ industry happenings, news, and events via this blog each day so check back soon!

^Sally

Mulch: A Definition and Debate

2007-06-28T08:54:00.000-05:00

I like The Blogging Nurseryman's recent post about defining mulch (and his definition for his northern California customers), which came in response to a post at Garden Wise Guy on soil amendments and was then followed-up with a discussion at Garden Rant.

Obviously, the definition and discussion on amendments, mulches, composts, etc. is an important one that is often overlooked. Many times, it seems easier to throw all of these "applications" into one basket. But, the devil is in the details. And, as Susan Harris (a "ranter" at Garden Rant) asks in her post, "is there an Organic Matter Debate, or is this just a regional difference?"

So, as the loyal reader and lover of Wikipedia that I am, I wanted to check out Wikipedia's definition of mulch, which reads: in agriculture and gardening, mulch is a protective cover placed over the soil, primarily to modify the effects of the local climate. A wide variety of natural and synthetic materials are used.

Hmmm, vague. But, I can live with that. It about sums up the general definition of mulch... one that gardeners in any zone of the U.S. can start with. To me it says: "Protect the soil. Modify it from the local climate as needed. Use an array of materials to do so." Thus, it would seem to me that we ARE in the midst of a great "Organic Matter Debate" over the details, for what is best and how to decide.... but one with answers and opinions that we'll find to be regional in nature.

Sally

Sunset magazine Recommends 8 Things You Can Do Now to Get Your Outdoor Dining Area in Shape for Summer's Get-togethers.

2007-06-07T13:08:00.001-05:00

Sunset, arguably the most highly read home, garden and lifestyle magazine in the west, recently sent me (via the magazine's e-newsletter) 8 ways to shape-up an outdoor dining area - or living area - for the summer. Here are their recommendations:

1. Plant living centerpieces

2. Drop plants into decorative pots
3. Plant flowers in containers

4. Mulch bare soil (the simplest way to make a garden look finished)

5. Tuck blooms in borders
6. Add lighting near paths
7. Camouflage undesirable elements

8. Furnish your outdoor room

I really appreciate easy-to-use, quick, and valuable tips and pieces of information like these. They're things every homeowner can do to update and spruce-up their outdoor living spaces, whether for an evening of entertaining or simply for aesthetics. And, all of these do the trick nicely.

The Future of Gardening - Washington Post Column by Adrian Higgins

2007-04-05T13:47:00.000-05:00

Today's Washington Post features garden editor Adrian Higgins' column entitled, "Dear Adrian, Where Do I Start When I Know Nothing at All?" In the article, Adrian advises a young WP assistant on the trials of novice landscaping and how to begin her first garden with her husband. Adrian also addresses the changes in today's trends regarding DIY and DIFM (Do It For Me) gardening by saying, "...younger homeowners have neither the time nor the interest in the types of domestic pursuits enjoyed by earlier generations, gardening among them. It seems that the current mantra is, pay somebody else to do it. But that is expensive, and not nearly as satisfying or enriching. So the conventional wisdom about the demise of gardening may not be so wise."

A Few Good Links...

2006-10-04T15:09:00.000-05:00

Hey Everyone. I wanted to list a few good links, articles, tips, etc. that have caught my eye recently. I hope you enjoy reading them. Leave feedback or recommend any others. Thanks!

Gardening Basics from HGTV
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/pac_ctnt_nobanner
/text/0,,HGTV_10680_21995,FF.html

Interesting article entitled "Website Offers Plan to Plant Trees to Help Reduce Global Warming" http://www.voanews.com/english/2006-09-25-voa44.cfm

All About Lawns
http://www.allaboutlawns.com/

An Excellent Guide to Latin Pronounciation. Thanks Taunton!
http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/pages/spg017.asp

Fashion In Bloom 2006 - formerly Eastern Performance Trials

2006-09-20T16:41:00.000-05:00

Hey Everyone,
I don't have much today (no rant or rave like last week), but I do want to direct everyone to Today's Garden Center's blog for Fashion In Bloom 2006 (formerly Eastern Performance Trials). Take a moment to read all the happenings from the various FIB sites, as recorded by your e-guides: Sara Tambascio and Kim McCloskey. http://www.todaysgardencenter.com/blog/page.php?page=fib&PHPSESSID=f07ccd0132b93189930b9893144b60c9

If you're attending FIB in the flesh, do enjoy yourself. There's oodles of plant material to take a look at, and I'm told there are friendly faces to answer any questions you may have. Also, if you're from below the Mason-Dixon you may want to bring a jacket. (Apparently there's a cold front.) I know two guys who left Atlanta in short-sleeved shirts, but woke up in Jennersville, Pa., needing parkas! Don't worry you two. I won't tell anyone you bought jackets at Wal-Mart this morning!

If you're looking for a little garden statue entertainment, click on the link below for a story from ABC News about a W. Va man's missing garden gnome that has been showing up in the strangest of places... please leave me funny comments about this story!

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2469810&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

Yippee! Everyone's a blogger now.

2006-09-14T15:24:00.000-05:00

You're welcome, Jeff! How exciting!

2006-09-14T14:29:00.000-05:00

Alright! I am officially a blogger! Thanks Sally.... :)

Everyone's Talking Xeriscaping... among other conservation topics.

2006-09-13T09:38:00.000-05:00

Time to face the music... there's a drought people. We need rain, and we need it pretty badly. (Although, not today. It's raining cats in dogs here in Atlanta.) Earlier this month, the National Drought Mitigation Center compliled a report that states that more than 50 percent of the country is either recovering from drough under a "drought watch" or has been currently ''declared" a drought area by the federal or state government. Thanks to the drought, everyone's talking water conservation in our city, our state and our country. It comes on the heels of (what I'm calling) the Green Movement. Everyone's talking CONSERVATION and environmental protection, whether water, land or resources. (Can you say, "oil prices, BP pipeline and the largest oil find in a century off the Gulf"?) And, with the recent death of conservationist Steve Irwin, otherwise known as The Crocodile Hunter, conservation and environmental protection are on the minds of many, nation-wide.

One of the latest trends is in conservation is Xeriscaping. No, it's not the newest Internet craze. It is, however, the latest trend in landscaping with water conservation and environmental protection in mind. Xeriscape, which derives from the Greek word “Xeros” or “dry,” is pronounced zera-scape, and is often referred to as “green landscaping” and other terms. It was established in 1981 in response to prolong drought in the US. Xeriscaping is an approach to landscaping using appropriate design, soil preparation, moderate irrigation, appropriate plant selection, use of certain mulches, and select methods of maintenance. It’s main focus is to have homeowners use native or well-adapted plants that are more pest-resistant and require less fertilizer and pesticides. It is a smart way to landscape that equates to using less water. In addition, this method of smart landscaping can often include working with a landscape professional to find the right mix of plants and landscape design that together fit environmental conditions and style preferences.

According to The American Gardener (March/April 2005), residents of Albuquerque, NM can currently receive an $800 rebate for xeriscaping their home landscapes, a $25 rebate on their water bill for buying a rain barrel for garden use, and substantial rebates for in-stalling water-saving toilets and washing machines. Because traditional turfgrass lawns are perhaps the biggest landscape water hogs, many cities reward their inhabitants for decreasing turf areas or switching to native alternatives. In Louisville, Colorado, residents receive rebates for installing a buffalo grass lawn. In San Antonio, Texas, where the city requires a minimum of one shade tree per lot, no more than 50 percent of the landscape may be planted in turf—and that portion must be Bermuda, buffalo, or zoysia grass. Since October 1991, when the City of Tempe in Arizona started its rebate program, an estimated1,900,000 square feet of turf have been removed and replaced with drought-tolerant landscaping. In addition to saving water and energy, these programs have fostered a return to native vegetation that is aesthetically pleasing, suited to the region, and supports wildlife.

So, if conserving water, protecting the environment, and cutting down on unnecessary landscaping practices are important to you or your customers, and it probably is, consider xeriscaping.

Check out these other general resources on the drought, conservation and xeriscaping:

http://www.conservation.org/xp/CIWEB/

http://www.nature.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xeriscaping

http://www.landscapeonline.com/research/article/7745

One Atlanta-area Xeriscaping Expert:

www.popslandscaping.com

Mulch Can Be Confusing

2006-09-08T12:06:00.000-05:00

I don't really know much about MULCH, but it has me confused... I never know what it has in it and when I should apply and to what. Any help would be appreciated...

Don, Jeff and I were talking about past mulching experiences. Jeff, the expert, says ...