American Beauties Native Plants creates endowment for native plant research

Hockessin, Del., January 2018 – Since the inception of American Beauties Native Plants in 2006, the brand has looked to fund causes that promote native plants in the landscape. Environmental research and education are at the very core of the company's mission. Through the effort and support of its grower network, Carolina Native Nursery, Civano Nursery, Midwest Groundcovers, Prides Corner Farms, Willoway Nurseries, and its online retailer, Garden Crossings, they have made strides toward realizing this mission through the selling of regionally important native plants to independent garden centers and to landscapers in each grower’s selling area.

To further their research and education mission, American Beauties has created a $25,000 endowment to fund native plant research at the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI).  HRI is the research affiliate of AmericanHort, the national organization supported by growers, retailers and landscapers across the country whose mission is to promote and advance the green industry in America. The creation of the American Beauties Native Plants endowment fund occurred at the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) reception at the 2018 MANTS trade show in Baltimore, with a $5000 commitment over 5 years to fully fund the endowment.

Editor's note: Watch for more on this research partnership in the February issue of Nursery Management.

“Native plants are critically important to our environment and are a cornerstone in maintaining the balance of life on our planet. Without them, life as we know it would cease to exist. American Beauties Native Plants is determined to make the public aware of the critical role native plants play in our lives, as well the lives of the animals that depend on them. American Beauties Native Plants is working with nurseries to increase the awareness and availability of native plants in garden centers, home gardens, and public landscapes throughout America,” says Steve Castorani, co-owner of American Beauties Native Plants.

Steve Castorani (L) of North Creek Nurseries and Mark Sellew (R) of Prides Corner Farms, owners of the American Beauties Native Plants brand, hold the plaque commemorating the founding of the American Beauties Native Plant Research Endowment.