Hosted by Dr. Michael Dirr, the Sweet Melissa Fashion Show at the 2011 National Green Centre will feature the newest
plants from the top breeders and growers in the United States.
Select plants will be presented on the runway (think lights, cameras, music!) by professional models. Show officials are urging breeders and growers to sign up to put their plants on the runway with new introductions such as Ball Horticultural Company’s Petunia Black Velvet and Bailey Nurseries’ new pink mophead Hydrangea arborescens Bella Anna (developed by Dr. Michael Dirr and Plant Introductions, Inc.).
The fashion show will be Sunday, Jan. 9 on the trade show floor. It will benefit Dr. Michael Dirr’s charity of choice:
the Sweet Melissa Fund. The Sweet Melissa Fund at the University of North Carolina Hospital provides financial assistance to lung transplant recipients and their families.
Following the fashion show some of the top breeders and growers will discuss their marketing strategies for the new
plant introductions displayed in the fashion show. They will discuss the rationale for branding and how to make it work.
They’ll also talk about breeding aspects and how to secure licenses.
A limited number of new plants will be featured in the fashion show. To nominate your new plant for consideration, plant breeders and growers should contact Sarah by email: exhibits@nationalgreencentre.org.
Join independent garden center owners, landscape contractors, landscape architects and designers, growers, and other green industry professionals as the industry gathers Jan. 9-10 in St. Louis at the 2011 National Green Centre. -- the next generation green industry event.
The National Green Centre is presented by the Western Nursery and Landscape Association. In years prior it was known as The WESTERN but its move to St. Louis coincides with a desire to grow the show to national status. Watch www.nationalgreencentre.org for more information about the 2011 show and sign up for our weekly e-newsletter
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