Marketplace news

Little Devil ninebark named Garden Idol 2011
After a nationwide vote, First Editions Little Devil ninebark from Bailey Nurseries is the 2011 Garden Idol winner. The plant was presented at Garden Idol event during American Nursery & Landscape Association’s Management Clinic in January. Little Devil features deep burgundy foliage throughout the season and clusters of small white-pink flowers in June. It grows up to 4 feet high and keeps its compact shape without pruning. It’s hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-7.


MVP Group International to acquire Midwest-CBK
MVP Group International, manufacturer of candles and home fragrance products, has agreed to acquire Midwest-CBK, a leading holiday, gift, candle, and décor company. Key brands of Midwest-CBK include Colonial Candle, Seasons of Cannon Falls and CBK. The closing is expected before May 31.
 

Activant Solutions to be acquired by Apax Partners
Activant Solutions, a technology provider of point-of-sale software serving garden centers and other mid-market retailers, will be acquired by Apax Partners. Activant is currently owned by investment funds affiliated with Hellman & Friedmann, Thoma Bravo, management and JMI Equity. Apax will also acquire Epicor Software Corporation. Apax intends to combine Activant with Epicor. Following the merger, the combined company will be called Epicor Software Corporation.


Hort Couture plants to be featured at PGA event
The Greenbrier, billed as “America’s Resort,” has chosen Hort Couture as the exclusive provider of annual flowers for the grounds and the Old White Golf Course that will host the 2011 PGA Greenbrier Classic, July 25-31. This is a FedEX Cup Event that features the top golfers in the world and coverage on The Golf Channel and CBS Sports, with hundreds of thousands of visitors attending the event.

Wild Bird Centers of America launches National Dealership Program
Wild Bird Centers of America is launching a new Wild Bird Center National Dealership Program in partnership with Commerce Corporation (www.commercecorp.com), the largest distributor to independent garden centers and nurseries across the United States. This exclusive program makes select Wild Bird Center private label products available to independent retail outlets beyond its franchise organization. The Wild Bird Centers exclusive product line, developed over 25 years, features a wide range of its specialty seed blends, suet cakes, bird feeders, bird houses and accessories, all supported by nationally-recognized marketing programs.