Marketplace News

Scientific Certification Systems launches VeriFlora Preferred Retailer program
The VeriFlora Preferred Retailer Program is now available to florists and garden center retailers interested in promoting the sale of VeriFlora Certified Sustainably Grown cut flowers, greens and potted plants. Under the program, Scientific Certification Systems trains retail staff about the environmental, social and quality requirements that must be met by growers and handlers of certified flowers and plants. Once this training is completed, stores are advised in the implementation of quality-control measures such as cold-chain management, guided in proper labeling, supplied with merchandising materials, and listed on the VeriFlora Web site, www.veriflora.com.

Bayer Advanced to offer 25 scholarships to ANLA Management Clinic
Bayer Advanced will present 25 scholarships allowing retailers to attend American Nursery & Landscape Association’s 2010 Management Clinic, Jan. 31 to Feb. 3 in Louisville, Ky. The scholarship package will include a full registration to the clinic, a Muggets networking badge and a private evening networking reception with ANLA leadership. (Attendee is responsible for transportation to/from and housing at the event.) Recipients will be selected based on geographic and business size diversity, creativity of responses, need, and a specific outlook/plan for making the most of business in spring 2010. Businesses must be primarily a retail garden center to qualify. For more details, visit www.anla.org.

America in Bloom announces 2009 award winners
Six communities were recognized for their beautification efforts at the America in Bloom (AIB) Symposium and Awards Program held Oct. 3 in Hershey, Pa. AIB is a national campaign and contest that promotes enhancing communities through beautification. Communities are matched by population and evaluated on their efforts related to floral displays, urban forestry, landscaped areas, turf and groundcover, tidiness, environmental awareness, heritage conservation and community involvement. AIB’s 2009 population category winners are:

• 4,000 or less: Echo, Ore.
• 4,001 to 10,000: Charles City, Iowa
• 10,001 to 20,000: River Falls, Wis.
• 20,001 to 50,000: Collierville, Tenn.
• 50,001 to 100,00: Lompoc Valley, Calif.
• 100,001 or more: Milwaukee, Wis.
• Plans are underway for the 2010 edition of AIB. Communities can register to participate at www.americainbloom.org.
   

Organization warns against weeds in nursery container-grown ornamentals
The Weed Science Society of America, a nonprofit professional society, is spreading word about a study showing the dangers posed by weeds in container-grown plants. A two-year study conducted in Alaska by USDA Agricultural Research Service examined a variety of container-grown plants. More than two dozen plants were purchased from each of 29 nurseries selling to the Alaska market—including four from within the state and 25 from the western U.S. and Canada. Researchers found 54 weeds or invasive plants had been transported alongside the container-grown ornamentals. “Based on the Alaska data, it is clear that container plants play a role in the spread of weeds that can be a risk to native plants and wildlife habitats,” said Lee Van Wychen, science policy director for the Weed Science Society of America.

Study shows Encore Azalea varieties resistant to lace bugs
In a recent USDA study, 11 varieties of Encore Azalea were found to be resistant or moderately resistant to lace bugs, a major landscaping pest that can lead to loss of leaves and plant vigor as well as to pesticide use. The study, conducted at the USDA-ARS Thad Cochran Horticultural Research Laboratory in Poplarville, Miss., studied 19 varieties of Encore Azalea and 14 standard cultivars for host plant resistance to lace bugs. Encore Azalea cultivars found to be resistant included: Autumn Amethyst, Autumn Twist, Autumn Royalty, Autumn Sangria, Autumn Cheer and Autumn Rouge. Cultivars showing moderate resistance were Autumn Embers, Autumn Bravo, Autumn Starlite, Autumn Ruby and Autumn Princess. Researchers are hopeful that this new knowledge will lead eventually to the breeding of pest-free cultivars.

New ornamental peppers add spice to the garden
Two new pepper cultivars developed by USDA Agriculture Research Service scientists promise to provide striking color contrasts in the summer and fall garden. Unique fruit shapes and orange fruit color provide compelling seasonal interest, especially for fall gardens during Halloween and Thanksgiving. The pepper cultivars are trademarked Lil’ Pumpkin (pictured) and Pepper Jack. The patented Lil’ Pumpkin produces unique black foliage and orange pumpkin-like fruit, and the patent-pending Pepper Jack bears greenish-black foliage and a mix of both orange and black, small, cone-shaped fruit. Lil’ Pumpkin and Pepper Jack have been licensed for retail sale by McCorkle Nurseries Inc. in Dearing, Ga. The plants are scheduled to become available in garden centers and retail stores nationwide in 2010.

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WHO'S NEWS?

New positions
Barbara Cregan to product development coordinator; Todd Niemeyer to vice president of sales; Sarah Nixon to marketing coordinator, Blossom Bucket, Lawrence, Ohio.

Business changes
Dosatron International, Clearwater, Fla., has partnered with Dosa Distributions, Oakland, Calif., to create modular, ready-to-install panel systems for the hydroponic and boutique garden markets.

Scotts Miracle-Gro, Marysville, Ohio, is expanding its existing manufacturing plant and has purchased a distribution facility in Orrville, Ohio. The new expansion will create about 100 additional jobs.

Brandtender Marketing, Minneapolis, has partnered with Display Sales, Bloomington, Minn., to increase sales through effective marketing.

Honors
David Wright, owner of Wright’s Nursery and Greenhouse, Plantersville, Ala., named 2009 Southeastern Alabama Farmer of the Year from Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo.

Mahoney’s Garden Centers, Tewksbury, Mass., celebrates 50 years in business. The company has eight full-service garden centers and a state-of-the-art growing facility.

Watters Gardens, Prescott, Ariz., received the 2009 Best of Prescott Award in the Nursery Stock, Seeds & Bulbs category by the U.S. Commerce Association.

Johnson’s Nursery, Menononee, Wis., celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Associations
John Hoffman, Hoffman Nursery, Rougemont, N.C., to president; John Friel, Green Leaf Plants, Lancaster, Pa., to President-Elect; Gary Lewis, Phoenix Perennials & Specialty Plants, Richmond, British Columbia, to Canada Region Director; Janet Draper, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C., to MidAtlantic Region Director; Jimmy Turner, Dallas Arboretum, Dallas, to Southern Region Director, Perennial Plant Association, Hilliard, Ohio.

CALENDAR

November 2009
16-19, Garden Centers of America Holiday Tour, Cleveland, Ohio; gardencentersofamerica.org

January 2010
3-4, WESTERN Annual Meeting & Trade Show, Overland Park, Kan.; wnla.org

6-8, Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show, Baltimore; mants.com

6-8, Northern Green Expo, Minneapolis; NorthernGreenExpo.org

8-9, Birdwatch America, Atlanta, Ga.; birdwatchamerica.com

12-13, Mid-States Horticultural Expo, Louisville, Ky.; mshe.org

12-14, Landscape Ontario Congress, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; locongress.com

15-16, 2010 WALP/WSNLA Conference, Grand Mound, Wash.; wsnla.org

15-19, Minneapolis Mart Gift, Home & Accessory Show, Minneapolis, Minn.; mplsmart.com

27-29, WinterGreen, Duluth, Ga.; ggia.org

20-22, Mid-America Horticultural Trade Show, Chicago; midam.org

31-Feb. 3, ANLA Management Clinic, Louisville, Ky.; anla.org

February 2010
3-4, Chesapeake Green Horticulture Symposium, Linthicum, Md.; chesapeakegreen.org

8-10, ProGreen Expo, Denver, Colo.; progreenexpo.com

9-12, Southern Nursery Association Forum 2010, Atlanta, Ga.; sna.org
16-19, Cut Flower Short Course, Beltsville, Md.; (301) 596-9413

March 2010
4, Greenhouse Conference, Easton, Md.; (410) 822-1244

April 2010
10-11, Progressive Gardening Trade Association Annual Meeting, San Antonio, Texas; pgta.org

10-17, California Spring Trials, various locations; ngb.org