Market Buzz

TPIE attendees select ‘Pretty Deep Red’ as 2013 plant

‘Pretty Deep Red’ won the Favorite New Flowering Plant award based on popular vote by Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition attendees in January.
The plant, a Sun Parasol mandevilla variety, was among three from Suntory Flowers that were well-received at TPIE in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. ‘Pretty Deep Pink’ and ‘Red Emperor’ were also show favorites.

Flower size is the same as the original Sun Parasol mandevillas, but foliage is glossy, thinner and more vining, according to a news release from Suntory.

“As a result, these plants offer superior branching, dense growth and the highest flower count,” the release stated. “New ‘Pretty Deep Red’ and ‘Pretty Deep Pink’ represent the next generation of genetics in this series, which was limited to Pretty Pink and Pretty Crimson.”

Suntory Flowers published a 12-page booklet that shares the story behind the breeding and shows the advantages of each Sun Parasol group — Original, Giant, Pretty and Garden Crimson, which was introduced last year as the first bedding plant mandevilla. The “Secrets of Sun Parasol” booklet shares marketing programs, branded pots and digital resources under YESS! –— Your Easy Suntory Solution.

For more information about Sun Parasol, visit www.sunparasol.net.
 

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BioSafe and Daniels Plant Food Company form new partnership

Biosafe Systems and Daniels Plant Food Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ball Horticulture Inc., have announced that they will form a partnership and create liquid plant food serving the conventional and organic markets, according to a news release. 

BioSafe Systems will also introduce its own branded line of plant food products, focusing on turf, landscape and agricultural markets.

“Liquid plant food is a natural progression for our company,” said Rob Larose, CEO of BioSafe Systems. “It fits perfectly into our current line of green and sustainable products, and we are excited about partnering with Daniels.”

Daniels is a manufacturer and marketer of both conventional and organic liquid fertilizers, utilizing botanical extracts to provide nutrition to plants. BioSafe Systems develops and markets sustainable products to a wide variety of industries including fruit and vegetable production, turf and ornamental, as well as the home and garden markets.

This partnership will help BioSafe Systems and Daniels Plant Food Company to develop new products for sustainable plant nutrition, according to the news release.
 

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New App available from Garden Center

The newest version of our iPad and iPhone app is now available in the App Store.

In 2011, we brought you all of our great content right to your phone and tablet, and with our January issue, we’re taking it a step further.

The new app has more interactive features, photos and sounds than before, and is custom-built by our team of in-house designers. It’s a true native app, which means you get all of our content right on your tablet or phone.

You may be thinking, “I already have the Garden Center app, so why should I download it again?”

That may be true, and we appreciate your download. But as of the end of January, it has been replaced with the new-and-improved app and no longer works. So download the new version today. It just takes a few minutes, and you’ll be glad you did.

For more information, visit www.apple.com/itunes
 

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Difference Makers

Skagit Gardens,  Mt. Vernon, Washington

On Dec. 12, 2012, (12/12/12) more than two dozen people organized a flash mob in Mount Vernon, Wash. But they didn’t choreograph a dance.

Instead, the group of about 30 volunteers and employees of Skagit Gardens filled 58 planters that dot the main downtown street with fresh foliage and flowers.

It all started when the sales and marketing departments of Skagit Gardens were brainstorming ideas for how to promote their Helleborus Jacob, a perennial flower that can withstand frigid temperatures, said Rhonda Jennings, horticultural writer for the company.

“(The city) had planted some things there in the fall, and they were looking sad by December,” Jennings said. “Of course this is the Christmas season, and everybody wants everything to look nice and inviting for shoppers.”

Instead of just donating the plants or filling one planter, Skagit met with the downtown association and the city, and decided to install the flowers and greens themselves and create a flash mob. It only took the group about an hour and a half to spruce up nearly 60 containers with rosemary, pansies, ferns, the Hellebores and more, and the orchestration drew more attention to Skagit’s good will.

“Like a lot of downtown areas, so many businesses have moved to the malls. With the recession, it’s been hard for a lot of the businesses to keep going,” Jennings said. “Nancy Springer, [owner of the gift shop River and Main] commented that it really gave a boost, made [owners] feel good and spruced up the area.”

The event also ended up being successful marketing wise — Skagit got the word out to local media outlets, which covered the flash mob, and the mayor attended as well.

“Doing something like this, as well as reaping a marketing benefit, is not a new idea. A lot of businesses do that. They make a donation, they try to be a part of the community. We live here, our business is here,” Jennings said. “The unique thing that we did was use the flash mob idea.”

Jennings said the event was successful, and attributed that success to the organizer, who thought about everything from parking to appointing volunteer leaders to clean up, and to the fact they notified the community about the event beforehand.

Though she’s not sure whether this will be a yearly event, Jennings did say that for garden centers considering a similar idea, organization and execution are key.

“The bottom line really is, what a lot of the other people in the industry are saying — the more we encourage flowers outside, the better it will be for our business. People like to see flowers. They like to see nice plants. If you have a downtown area or other community area that are well-planted, it’s going to be good for any garden center business,” she said. “So we can do good things for our community, and it’s going to be good for everybody involved.”
 

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ONLA elects new president and board members

The Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association (ONLA) elected its president and three new board members at its Annual Business Meeting & Luncheon on Jan. 15.

The ONLA president is Jim Searcy from Hyde Park Landscaping, Inc. in Cincinnati, Ohio. Searcy has served on ONLA committees for more than 15 years, as well as a previous two-year term on the board of directors. He is looking forward to serving as the association president in 2013 and working for Ohio’s green industry.

Andy Harding from Herman Losely & Son, Inc. in Perry, Ohio will be serving on the board as immediate past president with Dave Richards from South Ridge Farms in Ashtabula, Ohio serving as 2013 president-elect.

New board members for 2013 include Jason Bornhorst from JB Design Group, LLC in Hilliard, Ohio; Bill Mainland from Klyn Nurseries, Inc. in Perry, Ohio; and David Listerman from Listerman & Associates, Inc. in Xenia, Ohio.

Returning board members include Stephen Maddox from Rice’s Nursery & Landscaping, Inc. in Canton, Ohio; Dr. Hannah Mathers, representing The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio; Mark Reiner from Oakland Nursery, Inc. in Columbus, Ohio; Mike Satkowiak from Markman Peat in Westerville, Ohio; and Kevin Thompson, executive director of The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association.

For more information, visit www.onla.org.
 

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Canadian shrub grower partners with HGTV HOME Plant Collection

The HGTV HOME Plant Collection announced its first Canadian shrub grower partner for its ‘Smart & Stylish’ Shrub line: Willowbrook Nurseries of Fenwick, Ontario. A well-known container nursery and perennials grower, the company was chosen for its expertise in a range of ornamental shrubs from spruce and yews to cedars, as well as its excellent distribution network throughout Canada.

Willowbrook joins the current line of ‘Smart & Stylish’ Shrub growers including Color Spot Nurseries, Imperial Nurseries, Kurt Weiss Greenhouses, Lake County Nursery, Northern Family Farms and Van Essen Nursery. All the shrub growers have critical experience growing new plant varieties and working with other national branded plant programs.

The debut collection of ‘Smart & Stylish’ Shrubs was developed by Agricola Management Group in conjunction with HGTV. Plants will be available spring 2013 in select retailers nationwide as part of a soft launch rollout. This complements the full “Expressions” annuals rollout for 2013.
 

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Garden Center magazine is available in more ways than ever before

At Garden Center magazine, we know people like to get their news in a variety of ways. Some people prefer leafing through our print version, while others like the convenience of browsing online or flipping through our newly updated, interactive app.

That’s why we offer Garden Center magazine in many formats. In addition, we update our website often, send weekly news updates and e-mail bimonthly product updates.

Here are the many ways you can read and access Garden Center magazine:

Print
For just $18 a year, you can have Garden Center magazine mailed to your home or business. Follow this link for subscription information. www.gardencentermagazine.com/GardenCenterSubscription.aspx

Digital edition
You can always look at our digital edition on the website, but we also send the issues directly to your inbox. Check out this link to learn more. www.gardencentermagazine.com/Subscribe.aspx?action=subscribe_both

Website
Our website, www.gardencentermagazine.com, is the hub for news, the digital edition, videos, podcasts and products. Check it often for news updates and the latest products.

App
Our new app, a version of the magazine that’s optimized for viewing on the iPhone and iPad, is now available for download at the Apple Store. More details can be found here. www.gardencentermagazine.com/garden-center-app.aspx

GIE Media Horticulture news app
Get the latest information from Garden Center and our sister publications, Lawn & Landscape, Greenhouse Management, Nursery Management and Golf Course Industry by going here. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gie-media-horticulture-news/id501076048?mt=8

Newsletters
Each Wednesday, we e-mail our “Weekly Dirt” newsletter with the latest headlines and include magazine features and multimedia. We also tell you about the latest tools, plants, décor and more in the industry with our twice-a-month “Product Zone” newsletter. To sign up, go here. http://www.gardencentermagazine.com/Subscribe.aspx?action=subscribe_both

 

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University of Connecticut sponsors Perennial Plant Conference for landscape and horticultural professionals

The University of Connecticut is sponsoring the “Perennial Plant Conference – A Conference for the Landscape and Horticultural Professional.”  The conference will be held at the Lewis B. Rome Commons on the University of Connecticut Storrs campus on Thursday, March 21, 2013. 

This all-day educational conference will address a wide range of topics focusing on herbaceous perennial production, sustainable landscape design and retail marketing. Topics were selected to appeal to professional landscapers and designers, nursery and greenhouse producers and retail garden centers. Two concurrent educational sessions will feature nationally recognized speakers from both industry and academia.

The talks and speakers featured at the conference will include:

• Gardening with Kids: Opening Eyes and Doors
  — Karen Bussolini, garden photographer, writer and eco-friendly garden coach, South Kent, Conn.
• What Really Captures Consumers’ Eyes in the Retail Garden Center, Garden and Landscape?
  — Ben Campbell, University of Connecticut
• Diseases of Perennials – Pox on your Peonies? Rash on your Rudbeckias?
  — Margery Daughtrey, Cornell University, Riverhead, N.Y.
• Evolution of a Space
  — Janet Draper, horticulturist, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C.
• Hot New Perennials for 2013 and Beyond
  — Chris Hansen, Great Garden Plants, Holland, Mich.
• Changing Trends: Ornamental Edibles, New Audiences and More and Promise and Reality: Contemporary Marketing Issues
  — Ed Lyon, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Landscaping in Wetlands
  — Michael Nadeau, Michael Nadeau Wholistic Land Care Consulting, Sherman, Conn.
• The Landscape’s Color Spectrum: Applying Natural Color Theories to Design and Vegetated Storm Management Solutions: Inspired by Natural Plant Communities
  — Claudia West, North Creek Nurseries, Landenberg, Penn.

For more information, visit www.2013perennial.uconn.edu.
 

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Griffin to expand lawn and garden retail division

Griffin announced Feb. 19 that it will expand the retail division of its lawn and garden business, with emphasis on independent garden centers, according to a company statement. Griffin plans to add new staff, product lines and services to its retail offering, and expects to roll out the new plan in spring 2013.

As part of the expansion, the Tewksbury, Mass.-based company has added former Commerce Corporation employees Jim Rottenberg, John Johnston and Megan Karantzalis to its staff. The trio brings retail space planning and design, brand development and consumer marketing experience, the company stated.

Griffin is a provider of greenhouse and nursery supplies, and has served professional growers since 1947. Through its hard-goods business, Griffin spans a 20-state region from Maine to Georgia.
 

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Green Circle Growers keeps ‘business running smoothly’ after fire

A fire broke out at Green Circle Growers, one of the largest greenhouse operations in North America, after 5 p.m. Feb. 19, and multiple fire departments near Oberlin, Ohio, battled the blaze for 10 hours, according to statement from Green Circle Growers.

The company’s one-acre production barn and five acres of a greenhouse structure suffered significant damage. The fire originated in an outdoor area used to store materials, but the cause is yet to be determined at the time of publication.

“Our primary concern was the safety of our employees and the firefighters. The firefighters did an excellent job in controlling the blaze despite high winds and freezing temperatures that made their job even more difficult,” said Scott Giesbrecht, co-owner and VP of sales. “Thankfully, no one was hurt in either the fire or the process of putting out the fire, and the firefighters were able to minimize the damage through their efforts.”

Giesbrecht said the Green Circle has “strategically built our greenhouses and production facilities to minimize the impact of events like this.”

“This fire, while a significant event, only impacted 5 percent of the growing space we use, and we are already working on preparations to repair this area,” he said.

Green Circle Growers has more than 100 acres of greenhouses and employs 600 people.

Greenhouse Management, a sister publication of Garden Center magazine, featured Green Circle Growers on the cover of its February 2013 issue, and reported that the successful company saw more than $100 million in revenue in 2012.

In his statement, Giesbrecht said he was “extremely thankful for the outpouring of support already from individuals and businesses in the surrounding community and across the country.”

To read the Greenhouse Management cover story about Green Circle Growers, visit www.greenhousemanagement online.com and search “Green Circle Growers.”