Bluebird Nursery offers prized selections from across the globe

Harlan and Shirley Hamernik founded Bluebird Nursery in Clarkson, Neb., 50 years ago as an extension of their gardening hobby. The one-time backyard business has morphed into one of the Midwest’s largest perennial growers that houses award-winning plants and international oddities.

Harlan joined the International Plant Propagators’ Society in the early ’60s which helped fuel a fire to be more than a grower, but also an explorer.

Harlan’s adventurous spirit took him out of the greenhouse and across the globe for plant and seed exchanges in places like China and Australia. He’s still getting his passport stamped and bringing back plants ranging from unusual to colorful to hardy. And while he’s still actively involved in the business, his sons Tom, Chuck and Mike now operate the nursery.

Quarts boost sales

Bluebird Nursery sells more than 2,000 varieties in its catalog and offers custom growing services for additional varieties. Bluebird ships its material throughout the U.S. and Canada to garden centers, growers, landscapers, mail-order firms, botanic gardens, parks and zoos.

Sizes range from trays (18-, 32- and 72-count) to quarts to No. 1 nursery pots. Although the 32-count tray still make up the majority of Bluebird’s sales, the nursery is offering more varieties in quarts and No. 1 nursery containers than ever before, said Mike Hamernik, executive vice president of marketing and sales.

“Quart perennials offer great shelf life and are easy to care for in the garden center,” he said. “[They allow for] efficient and economical shipping, because they fit existing shipping and display methods, and allow the garden center to carry a wide selection of varieties in a relatively small area.

“With the rising cost fuel, shipping costs are more important that ever. The quarts also offer good price points for the retailer and a good value for the retail customer.”

Bluebird introductions

The majority of Bluebird’s material is propagated in-house. Plants are propagated from seed, cuttings, layers, division and tissue culture.

The nursery releases many of its own varieties. Heuchera sanguinea ‘Snow Angel’ was introduced in 1994, and continues to be in high demand, said Jane Hey, account representative at Bluebird. ‘Snow Angel’ features mounds of highly variegated, light-green leaves with a creamy mottled appearance and spikes of cerise-red bell flowers.

In 2007, the nursery released Origanum x ‘Amethyst Falls,’ a Bluebird exclusive. It was named for the amethyst flowers on ornamental hop-like cones. It’s a drought-tolerant variety and works well cascading over a hanging basket or combo planter.

Bluebird released Clematis hexapetala ‘Mongolian Snowflakes’ in 2008. The 1 1/2-inch, white flowers are followed by feathery, bright silver seed in late spring.

The nursery does not rush varieties to the market and doesn’t introduce plants for the sake of having a new plant.

“We are focusing on finding a few truly outstanding new perennials each year,” Hey said. “We want to make sure that when we add something to our catalog, it is really something special and worthy of our customers’ interest and purchasing dollar.”

The nursery is cutting back on speculative growing and concentrating on more early orders. Bluebird also adjusted its catalog release from December to July to accommodate early orders.

Beyond perennials

There’s no doubt the Hamerniks are an authority on perennials, especially hardy ones. The nursery’s motto is, “If they’ll grow in Nebraska, they’ll grow anywhere.” But it’s tough to quell a plantsman’s passion for outstanding varieties just because they won’t overwinter in colder climates. That’s why Bluebird sells temperennials -- plants that are typically hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 or higher. These varieties work well for container gardens and seasonal beds.

Bluebird defines temperennials as: “Any of a number of great garden plants, essential to creative gardeners, which may not be ‘perennial’ or long-lived in difficult climates, but which are considered necessary components of the broad palette desired for outstanding plantings.”

Temperennial production requires additional heat and light to get crops ready for spring and summer shipments to customers.

Some examples: Unusual succulents for trough gardens; Alternanthera ‘Party Time,’ Laurentia fluviatilis; and Cyperus albostriatus ‘Variegatus.’

Trial gardens attract travelers

Harlan and Shirley Hamernik started a trial garden more than 30 years ago. The 2-acre garden serves as a testing ground for future Bluebird introductions, a seed and cutting source for the nursery and a tourist attraction for the town of Clarkson.

It also serves as a trial site for other breeders and an All America Selections testing garden.

Green roof interest steps up sedum production

Bluebird Nursery has boosted its sedum numbers to accommodate the popularity of green roofs in commercial development.

The nursery is also a Weston GreenGrid supplier.

Most green roof orders call for sedum, but that’s likely to change, said Mike Hamernik, the nursery’s executive vice president of marketing and sales.

“Future buildings will be designed with the green roof as a more integral, visible part of the project forcing people to look at a more diverse mix of plant material,” he said.

Bluebird Nursery

Founded: In 1958 by Harlan and Shirley Hamernik.

Location: Clarkson, Neb.

Production area: 10 acres.

Crops: Perennials, herbs, grasses and wildflowers in flats (18- 32- and 72-count), quarts and No. 1s.

Market: Growers, landscapers, garden centers, mail-order companies and botanical gardens in North America.

Motto: If they’ll grow in Nebraska, they’ll grow anywhere!

For more: Bluebird Nursery, (800) 356-9164; www.bluebirdnursery.com.

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- Kelli Rodda

August 2008