Marketplace News

Carolina Nurseries halts sell-off auction
A liquidation auction of Carolina Nurseries’ stock was cancelled in late June, three days into the event. The cancellation came on the heels of meetings with the nursery’s key lender. All auction sales up to that point were honored. In new arrangements with its lender, Carolina Nurseries in Moncks, Corner, S.C., will have more input and control in what is being termed “a more controlled inventory liquidation” of the nursery over the course of the next three months. The net result will ensure a more stable operation as the nursery continues its efforts to satisfy its bank obligation. “We appreciate this vote of confidence from our bank,” said Carolina Nurseries’ president J. Guy.

GCA names garden center, supplier of the year
Beaver Bark Gift & Garden Center in Richland, Wash., was named 2010 Garden Center of the Year and The Espoma Company in Millville, N.J., was announced as the Supplier of the Year during Garden Centers of America’s Summer Tour held June 27-30 in Orlando, Fla.

Owners Todd and Renae Bobbett received the award for Beaver Bark, which has become a destination spot in the southeastern part of the state, despite having to overcome major adversity earlier in the decade. The business had to relocate in 2004 after the state purchased the land where the original site was located to build a four-lane highway. Undaunted, the Bobbetts created a new state-of-the art retail and growing operation and in fact expanded this year, despite the tough economy.

The Espoma Company began production in 1929 with its first product called Espoma Organic. The product was a proprietary blend of natural materials available near the company's Millville headquarters. In the late 1940s company founder H.G. Sanders created the company’s number one selling product, Holly-tone.

Today, Holly-tone is considered by professional and amateur gardeners to be one of the premier plant foods for acid-loving plants. In addition to this brand leader, Espoma now manufactures over 34 products that cover virtually every plant nutritional need.

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds purchases Comstock, Ferre & Co.
Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co., based in Mansfield, Mo., purchased Comstock, Ferre & Co. in Wethersfield, Conn. Comstock’s new owner, Jere Gettle, intends to preserve the business and maintain the historical buildings on the property.

“We hope to develop this into an East Coast garden and farm education center,” Gettle said. “With nearly two acres, we have plenty of room for such events. We also believe this will grow into a green- and agro-tourist destination, thus benefitting the surrounding community and its economic and environmental vitality.”

WHAT’S ONLINE?

Complete video coverage of OFA Short Course
Didn’t make it to OFA Short Course this year? No worries—we’ve got you covered! Click here to access videos with highlights of the event including…

• Proven Winners has a new summer annual that should have the market buzzing. Find out the particulars.
• Ball Horticultural Co.’s Black Velvet petunia has caused quite a stir. Learn how the company hopes to ensure that the plant lives up to the hype.
• Looks like ipomoeaQs are going to have some competition. See Terra Nova Nurseries’ heucherella Falls series.
• All-America Selections is trying to enhance branding efforts to ensure that retailers are well-equipped to market garden plants. Our team visited with AAS officials to talk about how these outstanding varieties could be marketed to consumers.
• Hear sales associate Lori May talk about Raker’s intensive trial gardens, where the grower evaluates new and existing varieties and shares data with horticulture professionals and the gardening public.