The latest from our website and social media pages

Multimedia | video

In case you missed it: 2017 California spring trials

Each year during the California Spring Trials, we produce a six-day newsletter that includes six videos featuring highlights and interviews from the stops. That’s still not enough space to include all our coverage from the journey, however, more content is always shared later. You can search for videos you may have missed here: www.gardencentermag.com/videos/category/videos. Be sure to check out our interview with Jim Berry of J. Berry Nursery, which exhibited at trials for the first time at Windmill Nursery this year. Some of the featured items include four new varieties in the Black Diamond Crapemyrtle series, and a new introduction of green-leafed crapemyrtles called Emerald Empire, which are resistant to leaf spot and come in three sizes — King (large), Queen (mid-size) and Prince (small).

Watch here: bit.ly/2tXVKoQ

Your Turn

Each month, we ask readers a different question about their retail operations, inviting them to answer via email or social media. You can send your answers to assistant editor Conner Howard at choward@gie.net.

THIS MONTH’S QUESTION:
“Do you grow your own plants? Why or why not?”
Answers to this question will be published in a future issue of Garden Center.

What’s trending on Facebook

In an upcoming issue of Garden Center, we’ll share highlights from the 2017 Garden Centers of America Summer Tour in Virginia, which includes more than a dozen stops to independent garden centers and related businesses. In the meantime, assistant editor Conner Howard is keeping readers updated on social media, sharing highlights from the visits so far. This post from June 27 generated excitement from readers: Today’s first stop for the Garden Centers of America Summer Tour 2017 was the McDonald Garden Center seasonal market in Williamsburg - Monticello, Va. McDonald operates around ten such pop-up markets in the region each year.

See it here: bit.ly/2ui01CY

5 stories in brief

Top industry news from our website

Fresh approach

Shade Home and Garden opens with new owners and vision in former Vineyard Garden Center storefront.
bit.ly/2sR68At

GE petunias update

More plants added to list and more weigh in as USDA investigation into genetically engineered petunia varieties continues.
bit.ly/2t0Qz7z

City tree study

Researchers wonder, “how green are urban trees?” and find surprising answers. 
bit.ly/2sMa1og

New generation

Jessie Jacobson reflects on her first two spring seasons as second-generation owner of Tonkadale Greenhouse. 
bit.ly/2sRxlD1

Women in hort

Leslie Halleck will be the featured speaker at Farwest’s Women in Horticulture networking event. 
bit.ly/2uiudhv