ANLA tour highlights landscape distribution

American Nursery & Landscape Association’s annual Landscape Distribution Tour visited Detroit on Sept. 12-15, 2007. I was fortunate enough to be a bus captain on the Imperial bus for the trip, which stopped at six sites in Michigan.

The tightening market and rising competition from overseas for domestic automakers have crippled new housing development and residents’ income in the state. This severely impacted landscapers and the distribution chain. To combat these extremes, landscape distribution centers are changing and adapting to the marketplace.

Here’s a snapshot of the tour. (Click here for PDF with pictures).

Transportation expands business

Phoenix Stone Co., Mount Clemens

The first stop was Phoenix Stone Co. The company, which has been in business for 35 years at this site, has a premium location. A railway system runs into its yard. “Moving aggregates by rail has helped to put Southeast Michigan as one of the nation’s largest hardscape areas,” shipping and receiving manager Richard Ladzinski said.

For more: Phoenix Stone Co., (586) 465-6255; www.phoenixstoneco.com.

Perennial beauty

Marine City Nursery Co., China

Marine City Nursery Co. has been in business for 61 years in this location (and 78 years overall). It displays its perennials neatly for landscaper customers.

For more: Marine City Nursery, (810) 765-5533; www.marinecitynursery.com.

Drip action

Marine City Nursery Co., China

Marine City Nursery grows a lot of its own stock. It heels in trees on cement blocks and runs drip lines for irrigation.

For more: Marine City Nursery, (810) 765-5533; www.marinecitynursery.com.

Top potters

Ray Weigand’s Nursery Inc., Macomb

The seven-woman perennial team at Ray Weigand’s Nursery Inc. move an amazing number of perennials. In spring, an average of 5,000 plants are potted per day.

For more: Ray Weigand’s Nursery Inc., (800) 955-3658; www.weigandsnursery.com.

Tarp station

John Deere Landscapes, Armada

John Deere Landscapes #224 has been in business for four years. It built a nifty tarping station to help cover inventory in trucks. This location is part of a nationwide chain that offers customers credit through a corporate system.

For more: John Deere Landscapes, (586) 752-1400; www.johndeerelandscapes.com.

Auguring in for protection

Milarch Nursery, New Hudson

Day two of the tour started with a visit to family-owned Milarch Nursery. The company uses an auger to dig holes for trees. This allows trees on the rewholesale lot to be protected from the elements in the ground.

For more: Milarch Nursery, (248) 437-2094; www.milarchnursery.com.

Inventory beyond the norm

Christensen’s Plant Center, Plymouth

Christensen’s Plant Center is a landscape-distribution-only business that does no retail. It still offers cool items like this topiary deer.

For more: Christensen’s Plant Center, (888) 454-1400.

Good signs

Christensen’s Plant Center, Plymouth

Even though its only customers are landscapers, Christensen’s places signs that detail plants’ attributes.

For more: Christensen’s Plant Center, (888) 454-1400.

Tagged for 10

Landscape Supply Inc., Taylor

Landscape Supply Inc. is a family-run 56-year-old business. It heels in trees on cement blocks and runs individual drip lines to them. The company will hold tagged material for 10 days.

For more: Landscape Supply Inc., (800) 732-7000; www.landscapesupplyinc.com.

High watering act

Landscape Supply Inc., Taylor

Landscape Supply’s pastoral setting is heavenly. Overhead irrigation is sometimes used to water larger trees.

For more: Landscape Supply Inc., (800) 732-7000; www.landscapesupplyinc.com.

Industrial green

Ford Rouge Factory, Dearborn

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The tour ended at the Ford Rouge Factory. This plant has the largest living roof in the world: it’s a 10.4-acre garden. The factory uses solar panels to collect alternative energy.

- Jyme Mariani

- February 2008