People, Events and News

The Perennial Farm announces partnership with HGTV HOME Plant Collection

The HGTV HOME Plant Collection recently announced its new partnership with The Perennial Farm of Glen Arm, Maryland for 2015.

The Perennial Farm will supply a range of perennials for the 2015 Essential Perennials Collection. HGTV, a leading home and lifestyle brand, works in conjunction with Agricola Management Group to develop its various Plant Collections.

“The Perennial Farm is an excellent example of the exceptional growers we select as strategic growing partners,” said Maria Zampini, Agricola Management’s director of plant development. “Perennial Farm consistently delivers high quality plants at value prices to markets in their extensive territory – from the Carolinas to Maine. They are recognized as a leading powerhouse perennial grower and they join our team of more than 30 growers in the U.S. and Canada for 2015.”

“We also look forward to partnering with Perennial Farm for another important reason - sustainability. In addition to the seasonal beauty offered by our Expressions Annuals, our customers increasingly want the sustainability of quality perennials that are landscape anchors offering hardiness, color and reliable performance, year after year,” said Zampini. “Agricola Management continues to seek high-quality growers to partner with us in our exciting growth opportunities.”

“We are pleased to be a new strategic grower partner for the HGTV HOME Plant Collection. Our customers tell us they want the highest quality plant material at a good price value, delivered when they need it most,” says Tom Watson, product manager with The Perennial Farm.

For more information, visit www.perennialfarm.com.

For more information on HGTV HOME Plant Collection, visit www.hgtvhomeplants.com or contact info@agricolamanagement.com.

All-America Selections announces the first vegetatively propagated AAS winners

After more than eighty years of trialing only seed-propagated varieties, All-America Selections (AAS) began trialing vegetatively propagated varieties early this year. With the 2014 trial season now completed, AAS has granted AAS Winner status to two impatiens that performed exceptionally well in the AAS container trials for vegetatively propagated annuals.

The two Vegetative Winners are:

• Impatiens SunPatiens Spreading Shell Pink
• Impatiens Bounce Pink Flame PPAF ‘Balboufink’
   

In addition, there are ten seed varieties that have earned the AAS Winner designation:

Regional Winners are:

• Pepper Hot Sunset F1 (Southeast, Heartland and Great Lakes)
• Tomato Chef’s Choice Pink F1 (Southeast and Great Lakes)
   

National Winners are:

• Basil Dolce Fresca
• Pepper Emerald Fire F1
• Pepper Flaming Flare F1
• Pepper Pretty N Sweet F1
• Squash Bossa Nova F1
• Squash Butterscotch F1
• Petunia Trilogy Red F1
• Salvia Summer Jewel White
   

“The AAS Judges, Board of Directors and staff are extremely excited to enter this new phase where we are now representing a wider cross section of the horticulture industry. This ushers in a whole new facet of our national trialing program.” states AAS President Ron Cramer.

With this announcement, these varieties become available for immediate sale. You will find these Winners for sale in the coming months as supply becomes available from suppliers. AAS Winners will also be available as young plants in lawn and garden retail stores next spring, in time for the 2015 gardening season.

A complete list of trial grounds and judges can be found here.

A complete list of all AAS Winners since 1932 can be found here. Note that the AAS Winners are now sortable by Flowers from Seed, Flowers from Cuttings and Vegetables.

GrowIt! wins mobile app award

The co-founders of the GrowIt! Garden Socially app, along with their programmers Eight Bit Studios have announced GrowIt! was recognized as a Gold Winner in the Home & Garden market category for the design100 2014 US Mobile & App Design Awards.

Launched this summer, GrowIt! is the only social app that helps gardeners find plants to fit their lifestyle, and connect them with other local gardeners. The app uses geolocation and user ratings to help gardeners discover flowers, vegetables and herbs that work in their areas for the best chance of success. GrowIt! engages the next generation of gardeners, while offering experienced gardeners a chance to share their knowledge.

“We are thrilled to accept the Gold Winner award for GrowIt! This recognition gives a boost to our belief that GrowIt! connects gardeners to gardeners like never before,” says Mason Day, co-founder of GrowIt! Garden Socially. “We look forward to the next growing season, and providing more local gardening information to our users.”

GrowIt! is available for free on iOS devices in the Apple App Store. A version for Android devices is coming soon.

For more information, visit www.growitmobile.com.

Scholarship available for students pursuing green industry careers

Greenhouse Management magazine has opened the application period for its annual scholarship program.

Greenhouse Management, along with sister publications Lawn & Landscape, Golf Course Industry, Nursery Management and Garden Center, is offering two awards for $2,500 each. The Richard Foster Award is available to students planning careers in a landscape, lawn care or horticulture business. The Stanley Zontek Award is available for students planning careers in the golf course maintenance business.

To be eligible, students must be enrolled at a recognized two- or four-year college or university working toward a degree in horticulture, turfgrass management or other field related to the green industry.

Applications are due April 15, 2015, and can be downloaded at www.gardencentermag.com/horticultural-scholarship.aspx.

Dow adds ornamental products to rebate program

Dow AgroSciences’ 2014-15 Power of MORE rebate program kicks off with several new additions for the turf and ornamental market. XXpire WG insecticide and Gallery SC specialty herbicide join more than 60 products eligible for cash rebates. Customers also can submit rebate forms and track purchases online at PowerOfMORE.com. The enhanced site includes a fresh look, updated navigation and other added features for a more streamlined submission process.

Customers earn cash back when they purchase Dow AgroSciences products and products containing Dow AgroSciences active ingredients, including formulator brands and on-fertilizer formulations. Based on the total rebate amount earned, customers also can earn bonus rebates.

“The Power of MORE program is easy to understand. The more you purchase, the more you earn,” says Maureen Clark, product manager with Dow AgroSciences Turf & Ornamental. “Customers can purchase the products they need when they need them and track their purchases throughout the year.”

Qualifying products must be invoiced during the purchase period, Sept. 1, 2014, through Aug. 31, 2015. Completed rebate forms and invoices must be submitted by Jan. 15, 2015, to receive a check in March or by Sept. 30, 2015, to receive a check in December. Qualifying products, program guidelines and submission forms are available at PowerOfMORE.com. Customers can contact their local distributor sales representative or a Dow AgroSciences sales representative for more information.

 
Pleasant View Gardens ceases use of neonicotinoid insecticides in liner production

Pleasant View Gardens will no longer be using neonicotinoid insecticides in its liner production.

“While data is conflicting as to neonicotinoids’ impact, we are sensitive to consumer awareness of their use,” says Henry Huntington, president. “We were actually using so few neonicotinoids in our production that the decision required very little change.”

With an integrated IPM and scouting program in place, Pleasant View will be able to effectively keep any insect population under control using traditional practices. Additional existing efforts including the use of beneficial insects in ornamental grass production also go toward effective controls.

“This is something we’re happy to do for our customers, to help them appeal to their customers,” says Henry.

For more information about any of Pleasant View Gardens’ programs, call 603-435-8361.

Garden Media Group releases trends report

Garden Media Group released its annual garden trends report for 2015. “Unearthing the Best Life” identifies nine consumer trends that will shape the garden industry and resonate in the coming year.

The report finds that gardening goes hand-in-hand with a healthy lifestyle. People see both outdoor and indoor spaces as extensions of themselves and are making conscious decisions to use plants and garden products as “tools” to increase their overall well-being and lead a sustainable lifestyle.“Now, more than ever, the garden is an extension of yourself,” says Susan McCoy, trend spotter and president of Garden Media. “What you cultivate and grow, either inside or out, reflects your personality and the healthy lifestyle you have chosen to live.

The report says brands are being held to higher standards, as customers demand that products are not only reliable but have a positive impact on the planet. Brands that help consumers make positive environmental, personal and community impacts will pull ahead.

Consumers are also working to change laws, the report notes. As organic, local food remains the basis for a sustainable, healthy lifestyle, people are changing the system to allow for more gardens.

According to the report, the idea of “going green” takes on a dual meaning in 2015. As more states decriminalize marijuana, consumers will also invest time in “growing their own.”

The report notes that the face of the new consumer is changing and calls out three distinctive groups who are gardening: Millennials, Hispanics and young men.