OHP has announced key changes to Pedestal Insecticide, an insect growth regulator against thrips and other pests. Effective immediately, Pedestal will have a new EPA registration number, new product code, and be available in OHP packaging.

Package size, use rates, Restricted Entry Interval (REI 12 hours), and controlled insects remain the same.

Pedestal, with the active ingredient novaluron, is a suspension concentrate formulation labeled for use on ornamentals and tomatoes grown in greenhouses and nurseries. Among the insects controlled are not only thrips, but whiteflies, armyworms, stink bugs and more. California registration is currently pending.

For more information on OHP, visit its site here.

Do your garden center bathrooms get your customers talking? They could win you a special honor in Garden Centers of America’s (GCA) 2019 Best Garden Center Bathroom Awards this summer. The Gold Award winner will receive an honorary plaque to display in-store, as well as one free registration to next year’s GCA Summer Tour. Additional recognition includes Silver Awards and Awards of Merit.

The awards, now in their ninth year, recognize Independent Garden Center (IGC) retailers whose restrooms contribute to the store’s favorable shopping experience. Any IGC is encouraged to submit their garden center bathrooms, including, but not limited to, recent renovations and remodels, for the competition.

The deadline for entries is Friday, July 5, midnight EDT.

To enter the competition, garden centers should send several photos of their store bathrooms, saved in jpeg file format, along with a brief paragraph about the bathrooms, the concept behind the designs and their benefits to the garden center. This information, along with the name of the store and key contact, address, phone and e-mail address, should be e-mailed to BestBathrooms@GardenCentersofAmerica.com.

For more information on the Independent Garden Center Show, visit their site here. 

The Farwest Show announced June 30, 2019, is the final deadline to submit entries for the New Varieties Showcase. The New Varieties Showcase will highlight cutting-edge plant varieties from around the world. Industry experts and show attendees will judge the featured plants, singling out their favorites for Best in Show and People’s Choice awards. This year’s Farwest Show is Aug. 21–23 at the Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Ore.

To have a plant variety considered for inclusion in the Showcase, fill out an entry form that is available for download (PDF) here. Return the completed New Varieties Showcase entry form by June 30 to Zen Landis at zlandis@oan.org or FAX it to 503-682-5099. Accepted entries will be invoiced $75 per variety.

To qualify for approved entry, plants must exhibit qualities such as greater hardiness, increased bloom time, more vibrant color, improved habit or better disease resistance. Entries must be new-to-market introductions for 2019 or 2020. Also, entries must be available for purchase from a designated grower or supplier exhibiting at the 2019 show. Approved entries will also be featured online at www.FarwestShow.com and displayed in the New Varieties Showcase on the floor with Macore plant tag labels.

Previously at the 2018 show, 60 varieties were on display, including annuals, grasses, perennials, shrubs and trees. For questions, contact Zen Landis at zlandis@oan.org or 503-582-2011.

NewGen Boxwood, marketed by Saunders Genetics, LLC, will unveil the first two introductions in its boxwood program at Cultivate'19, July 13-16, 2019, in Columbus, Ohio. The two exclusive varieties will be available in the marketplace beginning in early 2020. The revolutionary aspect of the brand-new introductions is reflected in the given names — Buxus NewGen Independence ‘SB108’ and Buxus NewGen Freedom.

Years in the making, NewGen Boxwood began with research and development by Saunders Brothers Nursery in Piney River, Va. as a response to heightened disease and pest challenges to boxwood beginning in the early 2000s. A process of testing and selection has resulted in a new standard for modern boxwood characterized by demonstrated better tolerance of Boxwood Blight, better resistance to Leafminer and WOW factor in the garden. NewGen Independence and NewGen Freedom are the first introductions to be released. Saunders Genetics, LLC is an outgrowth of these efforts, created to pursue R&D of new boxwood genetics and the production and sale of the NewGen brand.

“We’re excited to be able to offer these introductions to the industry and consumers,” says Bennett Saunders, General Manager of Saunders Genetics. “The discovery of Boxwood Blight in 2011 and the spread of Leafminer before that signaled a need to raise the bar in boxwood genetics. After these initial years of work, we think we’re on the track to a new era for boxwood.”

© NewGen | website.com

NewGen Independence is a very deep green medium-sized boxwood that holds its rich color all winter. It is rated for Zone 5B-8 with further testing underway. With a medium growth rate, Independence will be 3’ tall x 3’ wide in 15 years and 4.5’ tall x 4.5’ wide in 25 years. It performs well in sun, part sun, and shade. Strong branching withstands moderate to heavy snows. Recommended uses would be informal plantings where a medium-sized plant is desired including as a replacement for English Boxwood in foundation plantings.

NewGen Freedom is a relatively vigorous rounded cultivar, slightly taller than it is wide. With a fast growth rate of 3 to 5 inches per year, it reaches 4’’ tall x 3.5’ wide in 15 years and 5.5’ tall x 5’ wide in 25 years. Freedom is rated for Zone 5-8 with further testing underway. It performs well in sun, part sun, and shade. Beautiful glossy green foliage paired with a uniform and tight habit make it an excellent choice for more formal and residential landscapes as a medium specimen, hedge, or foundation plant.

Both varieties meet the NewGen requirements for high tolerance to Boxwood Blight, better resistance to leafminer and performance in the garden. 

In addition to Saunders Brothers Nursery, three NewGen licensees have signed on to grow and distribute the product line in 2020. They include:

• Overdevest Nurseries, N.J.
• Prides Corner Farms, Conn.
• Willoway Nurseries, Ohio

Other licensees will be added in 2020 and 2021 for wider availability across the country and internationally.