Market Buzz

2013 American Garden Award winners announced

The 2013 American Garden Award, now in its fifth year, featured four new flower varieties chosen by their breeders for their excellent garden performance. Once these varieties were planted and put on display at the 31 participating gardens across the U.S. (and in Quebec), the public was invited to vote for their favorite using one of several voting methods. Breeders, brokers, distributors and retailers are encouraged to use the AGA logo when promoting these three winners.

The votes have been tallied and the three winners are:

Most Popular, Grand Prize Winner: Verbena ‘Lanai Candy Cane'
by Syngenta Flowers
‘Lanai Candy Cane’ offers a truly unique flower pattern which commands curbside attention. This striking striped beauty offers continuous summer blooms stacked atop a well-balanced plant habit. Candy Cane was selected from a strong and proven family of verbena varieties with superior weather tolerance.

Second Place Winner: Zinnia ‘Zahara Cherry'
by PanAmerican Seed
Grow beautiful Zinnia ‘Zahara Cherry’ in both containers and landscape beds, or just about any other sunny location where you want loads of bold color. These fast-growing zinnias bloom continuously all season long and are both disease and drought tolerant.

Third Place Winner: Impatiens ‘SunPatiens Compact Electric Orange'
by Sakata Ornamentals
With vibrant, deep orange blooms, Electric Orange is a new color in the SunPatiens line. SunPatiens fill in quickly providing three seasons of color in the garden and in containers. They can be planted in sun or shade and grow readily in rain or shine. SunPatiens need no care beyond regular watering.

For more information, visit www.americangardenaward.com. 
 

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Monrovia to acquire Imperial Nurseries

Monrovia Nursery Co. is working on a deal to acquire Imperial Nurseries.

As part of the agreement, Monrovia will purchase the inventory and either purchase or lease the other operating assets of Imperial Nurseries. In addition, Monrovia will enter into a lease, with an option to purchase, the Connecticut land Imperial uses for nursery production.

Over the next several weeks, the companies will be finalizing the details of the acquisition, including the integration of the Imperial business into Monrovia’s operations.

In a press release from lead executives David Kirby of Monrovia Nurseries and Greg Schaan of Imperial Nurseries, the companies made this statement:

“Our commitment to customer service will remain and we will use the strength of both companies to ensure this transition is transparent and successful for all of you. Monrovia and Imperial share a common focus on producing best quality plants, industry leading customer service, and innovative new introductions. This change will strengthen the sales, production, and distribution capabilities of both companies. Combining our resources will help ensure we remain a preferred supplier to our customers.”
 

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Reddit and your business

By Emma Fitzpatrick, Garden Media Group

Reddit is one of the most powerful websites and social communities on the internet, though you wouldn’t guess it by looking at their website design.

Last month alone, there were more than 55 million unique visitors. Reddit fame will very often translate into even more stories in traditional media sources.

What is it?
Reddit is an online social media community where users post and vote on content, anything from questions to news articles to music videos to photos of adorable animals. It’s called “the front page of the internet” with good reason. With each vote, the content moves higher and higher up in the stream. Basically, the more votes your article gets, the more eyeballs see your content.

To keep the massive content base organized, there are hundreds of sub-Reddits for specific categories. With more than 3,000 highly active sub-Reddits, you can find one to connect with individuals who share virtually any passion you have. And yes, there is a sub-Reddit for gardening, as well as pages for farming, botany, canning, bonsai, flowers and one called “what is this plant.” If Reddit users like your content, you’ll see a major boost in traffic to your garden business website or blog.

Why use it?
When President Barack Obama was running for re-election in 2012, he participated in a live half hour Q&A on Reddit’s widely popular “Ask Me Anything” session. More than 1.8 million readers subscribed to the thread, and more than 12,900 comments and questions were posted. Obama was able to answer both serious and informal questions while showing his personality.

Reddit users are notorious for preferring genuine brand interaction, so having a brand representative write using a script is not going to work here. Plus, the highest percentage of users on Reddit are between the ages of 18 to 24, with no kids, and have some college or graduate school education. Below are tips for how to make Reddit work for your business.

Tips to make Reddit powerful for your business

1. Valuable content
As already mentioned, Reddit users are not fans of speaking with a brand representative. Post relevant content that your target audience and fellow sub-Redditers will truly be interested in. Reddit is not the place to post content that only serves your brand. 

2. Find a sub-Reddit that relates to your business and post in it
If your garden product solves a problem that benefits multiple sub-Reddits, try posting in separate, relevant sub-Reddits like gardening or bonsai. You can also help answer questions in the “what is this plant” group. Providing advice and truly engaging with fellow posters goes far. Make sure, just like on Facebook or other social media pages, that you keep up with your posts and reply quickly.

3. Fresh, focus first
Reddit is focused on timely, fresh content. Meaning, Reddit is a great platform to discuss industry news with fellow visionaries. If you have a press release or event that is relevant, you can try posting it. But, as mentioned in tip No. 1, don’t do this too often. Also, stick with the topic you are knowledgeable about and have a company focus. Only post a cute cat photo if that feline happens to be residing at your garden center.

4. Customer service
While Reddit is more of an online community, it still falls under the umbrella of social media. Customers expect that when they have a great or sub-par experience with your brand, they can connect with you on social media. Your brand can try to create a specific sub-Reddit designed to answer customer service questions, though this is not as common as Facebook and Twitter yet. Here, you’ll be able to give timely, genuine answers.
 

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Difference Makers

Perky Pet

Inspiring folks to work in the dirt and realize the benefits of gardening often must start in childhood. Garden centers have taken note, offering workshops geared toward kids and organizing plant giveaways at schools. Perky Pet decided to give this strategy a shot and donated 100 birdfeeders to five elementary schools in Texas, New Jersey, California and New Hampshire.

“We really feel strongly about birding and bird feeding in general, and we wanted to open this passion up to a new generation of birders, engage children and get them outside to watch birds,” says Jenna Lefever, category development associate for Perky-Pet Hummingbird Feeders.

Each school received enough feeders for each student in one class to take home and a classroom feeder. Field guides and birding fact sheets were also included so that teachers could use the information to create lessons around birding, and students, who are first- through fifth-graders, could identify the different species and learn fun facts about each.

“We had great feedback. I know that the kids were really excited. Some schools sent over pictures of students with the bird feeders,” Lefever says.

This year was a trial, and Lefever says the plan is to start small, determine the interest and expand the feeder program to more schools and more states next year to “introduce this hobby to a new generation.”

“Going forward, we’d like to incorporate some kind of activity or fun game that they can play just to get them more excited about the whole project,” she says.
 

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Petitti Garden Centers pursuing tenth location

Petitti Garden Centers may have a tenth location in Ohio by March 2014.

AJ Petitti, vice president of the more than 40-year-old company and son of founder and president Angelo Petitti, met with the Stow Planning Commission Sept. 24, where the Petittis received a conditional zoning certificate and site plan approval to permit construction of the proposed store at a shopping plaza.

Next, the Petittis will meet with Stow City Council at its meeting Oct. 10.

The property was once occupied by an Apples grocery store, which was demolished in 2007, according to the planning commission’s agenda.

The proposal indicates that if approved, Petitti’s would occupy 7,200 square feet of three existing retail units located on the western end of the Stow Towne Plaza and construct a 17,280 square foot greenhouse in the area adjacent to the western end of the plaza. In addition, the Petittis are applying to use 41,400 square feet for plant and product display and storage west of the greenhouse.

The Petittis didn't have specific plans for expansion — the plaza owner approached them.

“We’re at a point now where as we see opportunities that fit our operation, we’ll act on those,” Petitti said. “In terms of a set growth plan now, I’m pretty happy with the size operation we have.”

Petitti estimates that annual sales will be slightly more than $46 million this year.

Stow Mayor Sara Drew said the addition of a Petitti store would make the shopping plaza a “destination" area.

Council can approve the plan within one reading if members suspend the rules that require three readings, Drew said. Petitti said if all goes well, they plan to start construction in the fall with a projected opening date of March 2014.

“Petitti’s is a really well-known and respected business in Northeast Ohio," Drew said. "It speaks highly of the city that they chose us.”
 

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IGC Show to expand in 2014

IGC show founders Jeff and Cheryl Morey announced that the IGC Show will take place in two locations in 2014. IGC Chicago will convene as usual at Navy Pier on Aug. 19 to 21, 2014. IGC East will debut two weeks before, Aug. 5 to 7, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center complex in National Harbor, Maryland.

Both IGC Shows will offer thousands of new products, free keynotes and headliner concerts, plus conference sessions and networking opportunities. It’s an opportunity for IGC retailers to select the show that best fits their schedule and travel preferences, say the organizers.

For more information, visit www.igcshow.com.
 

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ANLA and OFA mail ballots for consolidation vote

The American Nursery and Landscape Association (ANLA) and OFA — The Association of Horticulture Professionals, mailed ballots Aug. 28 for a member vote on the consolidation of the two organizations, according to a news release. Ballots were distributed to all eligible members as defined by each organization’s bylaws, and completed documents had to be received in the associations’ respective offices by Sept. 27. OFA held an additional, in-person vote on Saturday, Sept. 28, in Columbus, Ohio. The results of the combined OFA votes and the ANLA ballot count were not announced before this issue went to print.

The ballot question follows the final approval of the consolidation voted upon by the boards of OFA and ANLA at their meetings in July.

“Both boards hired legal and other expert counsel to review the consolidation of our two organizations,” said ANLA President Bob Terry in the release.

“We have spoken with our members and they truly believe that a new trade association, with the combined resources, membership, and staff of ANLA and OFA will best serve the future success of our industry.” If approved by the members, a new organization will be formed to represent the whole of the plant industry, including breeders, greenhouse and nursery growers, garden center retailers, distributors, interior and exterior landscape professionals, florists, students, educators, researchers, manufacturers, and who are part of the industry supply chain.

OFA President Mark Foertmeyer said, “More than two years ago, we asked the question ‘Should we work together?’ and the answer was ‘Yes.’ The success of our partnership led us to say, ‘Dating has worked well, how about getting married?’ The time has come to walk down the aisle together.”

For more information, visit www.onevoiceoneindustry.com.
 

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AAS honors industry achievers

All-America Selections (AAS) hosted its annual Summer Summit August 12 to 14 in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. The Summer Summit is an opportunity for breeders, brokers/distributors, mail order seed companies, seed packet companies, growers, retailers and AAS Trial Judges to network and learn more about recent AAS Winners as well as varieties currently undergoing trialing.

A highlight of the AAS Summer Summit is the Awards Banquet, where two prestigious horticulture industry awards are presented.

Joel Goldsmith of Goldsmith Seeds received the 2013 AAS Medallion of Honor, which recognizes someone with a lifelong dedication to advancement in the field of horticulture. Goldsmith’s family founded Goldsmith Seeds in 1962 and Joel took over as president in 1989. In the history of Goldsmith Seeds, they have won an impressive 22 AAS Winner awards for their innovative flower breeding. Goldsmith started serving on the AAS Board of Directors in 1989 then quickly moved to treasurer, vice president, then president in 1993 when he established the stand alone event now known as the AAS Summer Summit.

Robert L. Johnston Jr. received the 2013 Breeders Cup Award, designed to recognize a person who dramatically influenced horticulture by breeding new cultivars that brought significant improvement to those classes. Johnston is the Founder and Chairman of Johnny’s Selected Seeds, where he has bred award winning vegetables for 40 years. Johnston also served on the AAS Board of Directors from 2001 to 2010, the last four years as president and past president.

He was recognized for his significant breeding accomplishments that include AAS Vegetable Award Winners Pumpkin ‘Baby Bear,’ Squash ‘Bonbon,’ Pepper ‘Carmen,’ and Tomato ‘Jasper.’

For more information, visit www.all-americaselections.org.
 

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2014 Seeley Summit to focus on water scarcity

ITHACA, NY — The Board of Cornell University’s Seeley Conference announced that the next Seeley Summit will take place June 22-24, 2014, in Lisle, Ill.

The board has chosen to tackle the insipient issue of water scarcity for its 2014 focus. The board says water availability will be among the greatest challenges facing the floriculture industry in coming years. The water scarcity topic is particularly well suited to the Seeley Summit as floriculture and horticulture’s major growing regions are in areas of regular water scarcity (arid west) or regions of occasional extreme shortage (southeast) and no region is completely immune (Midwest drought, summer 2012). Ultimately, all sectors of the floriculture supply chain including growers, retailers, landscapers, and the end consumer are, or will be, affected by water scarcity.

The interactive think-tank atmosphere of the Seeley Summit will allow for interaction with fellow industry leaders and water experts from outside our industry regarding timely issues, including:

• What if you had to deal with the real cost, including distribution, of water?
• What if the direct cost of water to grow a pot plant, flat or hanging basket was equal to or exceeded the cost of the plastic or growing medium used?
• How do we make changes in our (your) business to accommodate the current and future ever-increasing costs of water?

For more information, visit www.seeleysummit.com.
 

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CORRECTIONS

On page 60 of the August 2013 issue, the incorrect photos and corresponding captions were used to describe container combinations from Skagit Gardens and American Takii. We apologize for any confusion. Please find the correct photos and captions below.

 

 

 

On page 38 in the August issue, Momma’s Jewels 1-Ring Sterling Silver Necklace was misidentified as being a Midwest CBK product, but it is actually a Momma’s Jewels product and more information can be found at www.mommasjewels.com.

 

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Garden Center Top 50

Does your independent garden center stand out from the rest? Garden Center is conducting industry research to determine the top IGCs in the industry. Please help us by completing our survey. Final results will be published in the November/December issue.

To take the survey and help us determine the top 50 independent garden centers in the U.S. and Canada, visit www.gardencentermagazine.com/top50.aspx.
 

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From Twitter

Timber Press
@timberpress
There is a video game for everything, even farming! / Modern Farmer www.finegardening.com/how-to/articles/essential-tools-working-soil.aspx

The Barn Nursery
@barnnursery
Mouse Pumpkin - pumpkin carved like swiss cheese http://pinterest.com/pin/19844054581713546/

Katie
@KatieGMG
New Container from @NativeCast cast from an old apple tree #treechat http://www.nativecast.com/shop/planters/crab-apple-planter