HortWest 2011-10

B. C. L A N D S C A P E & N U R S E R Y A S S O C I A T I O N P U B L I C A T I O N • O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1

Photo Contest Winners In Focus Q&A with Executive Director: Plants and People Gen Y Says NO to Flowers

H K W

H Y D 6 H 2012 'DW

HortWest

OCTOBER 2011

VANCOUVER CONVENTION CENTRE (WEST)

SHOW: SEPTEMBER 19 – 20, 2012 TOURS & EQUIPMENT DEMO DAY: SEPTEMBER 21, 2012

WWW.CANWESTHORTSHOW.COM FOR BOOTH SPACE CONTACT: SUVAN BREEN, SBREEN@BCLNA.COM; 604.575-3516

EDITOR Sheila Keenan DESIGNER Uniquity Design ADVERTISING Suvan Breen Tel: 604.575.3516 HortWest is the newsletter of the BC Landscape & Nursery Association.

For further information, contact us at: Suite 102, 5783-176A Street Surrey, BC, Canada V3S 6S6 Tel: 604.574.7772 Fax: 604.574.7773 HortWest is owned by the BC Landscape & Nursery Association, and is published 10 times a year. Views expressed inside do not necessarily reflect the attitudes of the Association, but are those of the writer concerned.

Material may not be reprinted from this magazine without consent of the publisher.

All advertising and editorial material are to be received one month in advance of mail out date.

HortWest is mailed under Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement N. 0288608. This magazine is printed in Canada by Hemlock Printers.

BCLNA DIRECTORY BARB NELSON Special Events / CanWest Assistant Manager | 604.575.3503 / bnelson@bclna.com Contact for: CanWest Hort Show, auction, golf tournament, AGM

DAVID ADKINS Landscape Industry Development Coordinator | 604.575.3510 / dadkins@bclna.com Contact for: Landscape issues including standards and bylaws, landscape certification programs, Landscape Awards of Excellence

HEDY DYCK Industry Development Manager 604.575.3505 / hdyck@bclna.com

Contact for: Grower issues, education and labour, environmental farm planning, P. ramorum certification

HEIDI HENDERSON Membership Administrator 604.575.3502 / hhenderson@bclna.com

Contact for: Membership services, CRM administration (Membee), CanWest registration

JOY DEMELO Landscape & Certification Administrator | 604.575.3501 / jdemelo@bclna.com Contact for: certification registration, landscape commodity events and meetings, Landscape Awards of Excellence

KAREN DE JONG CanWest Hort Show / Marketing & Communications Manager 604.575.3504 / kdejong@bclna.com

Contact for: CanWest Hort Show, general marketing

LESLEY TANNEN Executive Director 604.575.3506 / ltannen@bclna.com Contact for: Board of Directors

MARVYN BROWN Finance Manager 604.575.3507 / mbrown@bclna.com MICHELLE LINFORD Program Administration Assistant | 604.575.3511 / mlinford@bclna.com Contact for: Canadian Nursery Certification Institute

SUVAN BREEN Sales Associate 604.575.3516 / sbreen@bclna.com

Contact for: HortWest ad sales, CanWest Hort Show booth sales, event sponsorship

SVETLANA EDWARDS Accounting Assistant 604.575.3513 / sedwards@bclna.com

HortWest October 2011 Iotron Technologies.indd 1

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Message from the President

In Challenging Times, Focus on Staff If you don’t like dealing with change this last year will have played pretty heavily on your heart. I have been in the industry my whole life and I have never seen such dramatic change forced on our industry as in the last three years. I hope we are arriving at a time of some stability.

We as Canadians are often accused of looking south more than we look east or west, but as a buyer how I buy has dramatically changed.

Sitting down to work out my next year’s plan has been challenging to say the least.

We are not immune from our biggest trading partner’s woes.

People at all levels of the horticulture industry manage these decisions every day, so we had better hire the right people.

As an industry we have to adjust to lower inventory levels in all supply chains and store shelves. Not having the right product to sell can cost more than the original price of product so, a balance must be achieved – the right product at the right price, when the customer is ready to buy.

I would suggest you spend your money wisely by making sure the staff who make decisions throughout your organization know what your goals are and are committed to getting there. If you add people to your team, make sure they have a history of accomplishing their goals.

Hire with care.

Sandy Mathies, President B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association

Board Synopsis

Monday, September 19, 2011 BCLNA representatives shared industry concerns with the Minister of Agriculture, Don McRae, and other Ministry of Agriculture officials, at recent meetings. The meetings, held in conjunction with the BC Agriculture Council (BCAC), explored a range of issues including nursery-specific issues, the effect of the carbon tax, minimum wage increases, and the return to the PST. The BCLNA will continue to meet with ministry official to ensure member concerns are heard by government.

With a provincial election not so far in the future, individual members are also encouraged to contact their MLAs to discuss issues of concern to the horticultural industry.

Watch for new developments on the BCLNA website. The Association’s website, www.bclna.com, is being revamped. BCLNA has also acquired the

rights to landscapebc.com. It will be the new home of the “Green for Life” website landscapebritishcolumbia.com by the end of October. This easy-to-remember and type web address will improve BCLNA’s efforts to get consumers who are looking for landscaping and horticultural services and products to use the site.

HortEducation BC, which was leasing space in the BCLNA office, moved into a new office at the beginning of October.

Their new address is #182 - 5489 Byrne Rd. in Burnaby. Check their website, www.horteducationbc.com, for their new phone number, which was not available by HortWest’s press time.

Starting in 2012, CNLA dues will increase 1.5 per cent per year over the next three years. The total increase for BCLNA is approximately $1,500 (less than $3.12 per member). CNLA uses

dues from the provincial associations for general operating expenses.

The BCLNA Board of Directors has a new Island representative. Lee Smith of Lee Smith Landscaping was elected to the position at the September meeting of the Island Chapter. Smith replaces outgoing representative Tony Bobbitt. The Board thanks Bobbitt for his service on the board and to the Association.

B. C. L A N D S C A P E & N U R S E R Y A S S O C I A T I O N P U B L I C A T I O N • J U L Y 2 0 1 1

On the cover: A honey bee feasting on the blooms of Sedum 'Autumn Joy,' one of the entries in HortWest's photo contest. See the winners on pages 4 & 5.

Photo by Rob van Zanten.

HortWest October 2011

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BCLNA News Bulletins

BCLNA Staff Spotlight

In Memoriam

This summer BLCLNA was fortunate to have a practicum student working with us on the CanWest Hort Show.

A year has come and gone since the passing of long time Rakes and Ladders employee Pierangelo Dal Magro. Even when he was being treated for cancer he continued to work for the exercise, which was credited for the high state of fitness that enabled him to live twoand-a-half years longer than originally expected.

Amanda Burger, a CDI College student completing her certification in Event Coordination, started her six-week practicum in early July and has since completed her required 240 hours of work.

Her duties revolved around CanWest and included creating the manual for the CanWest Demo Day, updating surveys for seminars, reviewing the CanWest website, editing the brochure, creating a list of possible themes for the next year, and contacting guest speakers regarding specific needs and booking their hotel accommodation. While Burger’s practicum is finished, she returned in early September to help things run smoothly during the CanWest Hort Show at the end of the month.

Pierangelo Dal Magro May 16, 1968 - September 2, 2010

Pier was somewhat of a renaissance man—an academic, sportsman, manabout-town and soldier. He had a BA in Archeology and was working towards a Master’s degree in Classical Archeology.

He served over 14 years in the British Columbia Regiment and reached the rank of Sergeant. He is dearly missed by all that knew and loved him.

Photo Contest Winners HortWest is pleased to announce the winner of its inaugural photo contest: Polly Coad, Horticulture Supervisor for the City of Port Moody.

Photos were judged based on how well the photo fit the category, composition, creativity, technical quality and overall impression.

Overall Winner (based on total points): Polly Coad, Horticulture Supervisor for the City of Port Moody Category Winners Close-up: Polly Coad, Horticulture Supervisor for the City of Port Moody People: Rob van Zanten, Director, Pan American Nursery Products Inc. Landscape: Tony Van Oort, Partner, Qualitree

2011 ENVIROMENTAL

STEWARDSHIP

AWARDS

ENTER YOUR PROJECT TODAY! The Environmental Stewardship Award seeks to recognize excellence and effort for outstanding achievement in maintaining or promoting a sustainable, healthy environment.

Find an application form on our website www.bclna.com or contact Joy Demelo at jdemelo@bclna.com or direct line 604.575.3501.

Registration deadline is Thursday, October 27

HortWest October 2011

Photo: 2010 winner, City of Coquitlam for its Invasive Plant Management Strategy

Overall and Close-up Winner: Large flowering Striped Beauty crocus, from one of approximately 21,000 bulbs the City of Port Moody plants each year in city parks. Photo by Polly Coad

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BCLNA News Bulletins

The three winners received a free seminar to CanWest. In addition to celebrating excellence in photography, the aim of the photo contest was to build up a stock photo library for HortWest.

Landscape winner: A propagation house surrounded by a cover crop of winter wheat, while in the background an autumn haze clouds the Mount Cheam mountain range. Photo by Tony Van Oort

People winner: Mark Stephens, BC Head Grower, and Kulwinder Kalkat, Picking Crew Captain, inspecting flowering shrub liners for June 2011 potting production at Pan American Nursery Products’ Surrey nursery. Photo by Rob van Zanten

Thanks to all the contest entrants for contributing to this valuable resource: Polly Coad, Jane Waters, Susanne Robinson, Carol Colville, Rob van Zanten, Tony Van Oort, Ruth Wilkinson.

Look for their photos in upcoming issues of HortWest.

Thank you to the photo contest judges: Ruth Olde, BCLNA Past President; David Adkins, BCLNA Landscape Industry Development Coordinator; Douglas Justice, Associate Director and Curator of Collections, UBC Botanical Garden; Sheila Keenan, HortWest Editor.

HortWest October 2011

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Made in Canada by Agrium Advanced Technologies® For all your nutritional needs visit us at www.prohort.ca Contact us at 1-855-228-2828 or prohort@agriumat.com Agrium Advanced Technologies, 10 Craig Street, Brantford, ON N3R 7J1 © 2011 Agrium Advanced Technologies (U.S.) Inc. DIRECT SOLUTIONS, AGRIUM ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES and designs are trademarks owned by Agrium Inc. POLYON is a trademark of Agrium Advanced Technologies.

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7

Focus on: New Trends

Stop Customers From Clicking Away

By John Stanley, John Stanley Associates Over the last few months I have been working in over 15 countries with retailers. Each country has its unusual retail quirks, but there are clear trends taking place we all need to be aware of.

Those trends include: 1. ONLINE RETAILING Even a year ago many traditional retailers were saying that online retailing would not be part of the retail mix. But how wrong they were. Online is the fastest developing retail trend at the moment and all retailers need to integrate online retailing into the in-store retailing experience. I am presenting at a number of conferences on online retailing this year; it is one of the hot topics.

"Bricks and Clicks" is the future. John Lewis in the UK have the best formula for now. They encourage their customers to buy online and then collect in store. The customer may not find it the ideal solution, but we need to integrate online retailing with in-store retailing before non-traditional retailers take the market away from in-store retailers.

2. LOCAL GOVERNMENT RETAIL APPRECIATION Retailing is changing so rapidly it is a challenge for many to keep up.

One example of this is that many local governments are involved in planning shopping areas, but are not keeping up with the changes in the community. There is a need for more retail presentations to be made to local government officials to ensure they

understand the rapidly changing marketplace. An example of this is the role of the "Main Street" in many towns.

If we are not careful, they could disappear completely as the consumer sees shopping centres as their main destination. continued on page 8

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HortWest October 2011

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Focus on: New Trends continued from page 7

Having said that, many shopping centres are incorporating "Main Streets" into their complexes to bring the feel of traditional community spirit into the centre.

Municipal councils need to debate what is required of their “Main Street” shopping areas to build community into the future.

3. CUSTOMER SERVICE The British Retail Conference this year highlighted that customer service is one of the key areas retailers need to focus on.

Consumers believe that customer service has declined over the last few years and this is one reason that online shopping has increased.

4. MANUFACTURERS ARE THE HEROES Every 10 years Jones Lang La Salle produces a retail report and the latest one has just been released. The report highlights that the retailers dominated the supply chain over the last few years, but that has now changed. Today the manufacturer now dominates the supply chain and has the capability to communicate directly with the consumer.

The consumer that ventures into a store should receive exceptional customer service, but this is not occurring. Basic customer service skills are lacking in many stores. I am seeing an increased interest in the need for customer service training.

I have been asked recently to run a number of training workshops that address customer service. To move forward retailers need to go back and focus on those basic skills.

This means retailers are seeing a shift in the balance and must provide added value offers and services to be relevant in the future.

5. TOO MANY TEMPLES In the past, some architects were guilty of designing purpose-made experiences for customers in shopping areas. Those spaces are not flexible. Since the space can’t be changed, consumers eventually get bored with the space and move on.

The architects of today need to design spaces where people can create their own experiences. This will keep shopping areas fresh and extend the life of the area. A quote from Katherine Heiberg from Team Denmark at the European Shopping Centre Conference in Istanbul sums it up. "Our business will change from managing installations to managing people’s experiences.” That word— experiences—keeps coming up.

If retailers do not provide experiences, the customer will shop online.

John Stanley is a coach, consultant, author, speaker and trainer. He has been described as the “Retail Guru” and as the leading horticultural consultant in the world.

Visit his website at www.johnstanley.com.au.

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HortWest October 2011 Sumas Gro-Media.indd 1

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BCMA Report

Gen X Says Yes to Flowers, Gen Y Asks Why?

By Dave Woodske, Industry Specialist, BCMA Generations X and Y Attitudes toward Fresh Flowers as Gifts: Implications for the Floral Industry (HortScience 46(5):736-743) – The study collected data from a questionnaire completed by 226 people in the Minnesota and Michigan areas and from focus groups. Participants were grouped into two age groups: 18 to 32 (Gen Y) and 33 to 50 years (Gen X). The study determined that Gen X participants had a positive attitude towards floral products as gifts whereas Gen Y participants had a more negative attitude.

Gen Y’s negative attitude was related to the perishability of floral products and the perception that their friends would not prefer a floral gift. Gen Y consumers prefer more practical, long-lasting, sentimental gifts.

Based on these points, it is not surprising that Gen Y participants were found to spend less on floral gifts than the Gen X participants. It was found that 13 per cent of Gen Y and 33 per cent of Gen X participants purchased floral products more than six times a year. One reason suggested for the increase in the frequency of floral purchases for the older Gen X participants is they experience more opportunities to give flowers (e.g. get well and funeral occasions).

The attitudes of Gen X and Y participants towards flowering potted plants were quite different. Gen X participants preferred potted plants because they last longer, whereas Gen Y are less interested in them because of the perceived greater responsibility to maintain the plant and the feeling of guilt if the plant dies.

Gen Y participants preferred cut flowers to potted flowering plants. The study also investigated options that would increase the participant’s likelihood of purchasing a floral gift. The top options identified were: offer special discounts,

improved flower longevity, more price ranges, and more unique and customized products. However, Gen Y participants felt that dyed flowers and other gimmicks only cheapen the product. Selling floral products in combination with another gift (e.g. gift card, DVD/book) would address concerns related to longevity, practicality and uniqueness, which could improve demand for floral gifts. Overall, it was concluded that Gen X has a more positive attitude about floral gifts in comparison to Gen Y. Effect of Container Color on Substrate Temperatures and Growth of Red Maple and Redbud (HortScience 46(5):721-726) – One-year-old bareroot seedlings were transplanted in mid-May into pots that contained a soilless substrate. Five pot colours were used, including black, green, gloss white, flat white, and silver. The latter three colours were spray-painted on to black pots.

flat and gloss white pots relative to the black and green pots, while the silver pots had an intermediate level of growth. The growth of red maple was strongly reduced by the higher soil temperatures that occurred with the black and green pots.

Redbud trees were also included in the study. Redbud is a heat-tolerant plant and the impact of pot color on plant growth was less dramatic than for red maple.

Redbud root density on the south side of the flat and gloss white pots was 2.2 to 2.8 times greater than for the silver and green pots. Above-ground growth was variable and there were no clear patterns.

However, plant growth was consistently lowest for redbuds grown in the black pots relative to the other pot colors tested.

The pots were spaced five feet apart in an outdoor production bed. Substrate temperature was measured at a depth of five-cm at the centre and south side of the pot. The average substrate temperature was highest on the south side of the pots and was 4.9 C to 7.7 C higher in the black and green pots relative to the other containers. The maximum temperatures recorded were 55.2 C for the black pots and 54.6 C for the green pots, which exceed the lethal temperature for red maple root tissue of 51.2 C to 53.8 C. As would be expected, root density on the south side of the pots was 2.7 to 6.1 times greater for the maples grown in flat white, gloss white, and silver pots relative to the black and green pots. Root density was also 2.3 to 3.8 times greater on the north side of the light-coloured versus the black and green pots.

The number of branches, stem caliper, and shoot dry weight were greater in the HortWest October 2011

10

Connecting Plants & People

Q & A with Executive Director Lesley Tannen BCLNA Executive Director Lesley Tannen started her position in May 2010. HortWest decided to check in with Tannen and find out how things were going after her first year on the job.

Q: What did you find to be the biggest challenge when you started at BCLNA? A: One of the first challenges was that BCLNA does a lot of things. So getting a handle on the three different commodities, events, partnerships, and individual member issues was certainly a challenge. Because there’s a committed staff and an engaged board, it really helped me settle in.

One of the other challenges that, to be frank, is unique to BCLNA as an industry organization is based on the fact of having three commodities. It’s a strength as well as a challenge.

18598 Advent Road Pitt Meadows, BC Canada, V3Y 2G8 Toll Free 1-800-471-4448 Phone: 604-465-7122 Fax: 604-465-8100 inquiry@specimentrees.com

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Q: How so?

A: As an organization we understand the supply chain. On the other hand, issues such as the HST (referendum) made it really obvious that there are different opinions around any issue and not all our members share the same point of view. So we need to make sure that we acknowledge diversity of opinion and remember that what people want is information, not advice.

Q: Was there anything that surprised you about BCLNA, anything you didn’t expect?

A: I think that what surprised me is the fact that there are many landscape companies in B.C. that either aren’t aware of BCLNA or have not yet become members. So I’m really glad that David Adkins (BCLNA’s new Landscape Development Coordinator) has joined us so that he can use his skill and energy to help us increase our landscape membership.

Q: I know you just completed your CLP designation in July through the Landscape Industry Certified program. Why did you take the CLP? A: I wanted to experience what members are being asked to participate in and to show my commitment to professionalism in the industry. There’s a lot of really skilled and bright people who, understanding the process, could take these exams and pass. For people in the industry it’s a way to demonstrate to their clients their commitment to best practices.

Q: I’ve heard you and BCLNA staff and members refer to horticulture as “the original green industry.” What does that mean to you?

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Connecting Plants & People

A: Labelling things as “green” is fraught with all kinds of problems.

We don’t want to ever be accused of greenwashing or being in the company of organizations that pay lip service to greening the environment and acting in an environmentally responsible way. The long-term sustainability of the industry will require members to increasingly walk the walk and to be part of the solution instead of being dragged in kicking into the future.

CON

As an association, BCLNA needs to deal with the skeptics within our own membership and help provide services and programs that make it easier for them to adopt, economically, prudent green practices.

Our biggest challenge is to get from the discretionary to the necessary side of the ledger.

Q: The industry has experienced economically challenging times recently. Other than green practices, how can economic challenges be addressed?

A: We have to make plants essential, in the same way people have to have a certain brand of coffee or shoes.

A: The challenge is, for much of the industry, the products and services are not always considered essential.

Landscapers are well aware the cost of a large installation can be more than the cost of a new car. Retailers will tell you they’re competing against a new dress or restaurant meal.

Y

NTL E I N E V

Q: How can the horticulture industry and the BCLNA do that?

It’s not branding an individual product.

It’s branding plants as necessary to your well-being and your sense of self.

We have to connect our industry with what matters most in people’s lives. We need to broaden our view of how plants fit in to the lives of clients. And then individual members need to figure out how to take advantage of that.

Join the BCLNA at its Industry Christmas Party for all three commodities on DECEMBER 8, 2011 Delta Burnaby Hotel & Conference Centre The Landscape Awards of Excellence and Environmental Stewardship Award will be presented at this all-commodity party.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE Contact Suvan Breen at 604.575.3516 or sbreen@bclna.com.

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Connecting Plants & People

Creating Healthier Environments with Plants

By Chris Karl

Recently I met with an architect who designs healthcare facilities. He relayed how he absolutely detests the use of live plants in the properties he designs.

“I don’t like that I can’t control the life cycle of the plant and how it continually changes its look,” he said with obvious disdain. I believe this architect has become, like so many people, so far removed from nature and healthy living that he has forgotten the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and being in the company of greenery.

Here is a man who designs for a population that is predominately sick and unable to control their own surroundings that have been forced to rely on an out-oftouch designer who does not understand the healing power of nature.

More and more companies today are reducing or eliminating plants in the workplace to save money. They fail to realize, however, that this cost-cutting measure is short-term thinking that will compromise their employees’ well-being.

A growing body of research demonstrates that access to a natural environment indoors, where many spend the majority of their waking hours, may improve health and well-being. As a design professional, I have seen first-hand the healing and calming benefits of plants in the workplace.

Human beings are hard-wired to appreciate nature. Being around plants reduces stress and engenders a feeling of well-being and improved energy in most people; a benefit that is even more acute if correct lighting is in place. Because plants have a large surface area and exchange water and gases with their surroundings, they have a unique ability to tackle and improve many environmental problems.

HortWest October 2011

“There is now general agreement within the scientific community that plants improve the indoor environment, and are useful weapons in the fight against the modern phenomenon known as sick building syndrome (SBS),” says Kenneth Freeman, International Technical Director at Ambius, who has led many research initiatives on the benefits of plants in the workplace.

Plants can reduce levels of carbon dioxide, which can accumulate in buildings from the breathing of its occupants and the by-products of heating systems and electrical equipment. Plants also increase the relative humidity and reduce levels of certain pollutant gases, such as formaldehyde, benzene and nitrogen dioxide as well as airborne dust levels.

Plants also reduce air temperatures and background noise levels.

Here are my selections for the top five plants, which not only heighten and satisfy our senses with their funky and trendy style, but also help to keep our workplace environments happier and healthier.

DRACAENA JANET CRAIG COMPACTA Dracaena is a genus of forty species of subtropical, evergreen, woody plants grown for their statuesque form and ornamental foliage. They are sometimes mistakenly identified as palms but are actually more closely related to lilies.

DRACAENA MARGINATA CHARACTER – Originally from Madagascar, Dracaena are known for their visually arresting ornamental foliage. An increasingly popular indoor plant in the modern workplace, the plant, which can grow up to 15 feet in height, is supported by an aged and knobby trunk which gives it a unique character.

PHILODENDRON RED CONGO – The Philodendron Red Congo is a new and distinct cultivar of Philodendron. It is a product of the cross or breeding between Philodendron ‘Imperial Red’ as the female parent and an unidentified cultivar of the Philodendron tatei. This plant grows vigorously in an upright but spreading or open manner.

FICUS PANDURATA - The Ficus Pandurata or Fiddleleaf Fig grows best in a high to medium high light environment and is an interesting variation on the standard well known Ficus elastica rubber plant. The large leaves can add a striking accent to the home or office.

POLYSCIAS FABIAN – A native of Brazil, Polyscias or Geranium-leaf Aralia or Arilia Favian is an evergreen shrub or small tree with a compact habit. While it is widely used as for hedges in the tropics, it can be used as a beautiful, eco-friendly border as well as a captivating stand-alone “look at me” tree.

philodendron red congo

events

Industry 13

and programs

Connecting Plants & People

October 15-16 UBC Botanical Garden

Apple Festival www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/apple-festival

18-21 Pesticide Applicator’s Certificate Course for Agriculture BC Ministry of Agriculture, Abbotsford

Contact David Nguyen: 604.996.0927 or david.nguyen@farsha.bc.ca to register.

dracaena janet craig compacta

19-20 Landscape Ontario’s Expo

Toronto Congress Centre www.gardenexpo.ca

polyscias fabian

21-22 Certification Exams

(CLT, CHT, CLP, CLD) Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Langley www.bclna.com/certified.htm

27 Sidewalks and Trees Workshop

Led by Gordon Mann Rotary Centre for the Arts, Kelowna bc14sidewalks.eventbrite.com

27 Deadline for Environmental Stewardship Award

Download application form from www.bclna.com Contact: Joy Demelo at jdemelo@bclna.com or direct line 604.575.3501.

November dracaena marginata character

17-18 Green Industry Show and Conference EXPO Centre at Northlands, Edmonton www.greenindustryshow.com

ficus pandurata

Chris Karl is a Design Specialist for Ambius, a division of Rentokil Initial, which offers a full spectrum of services to enhance the interior space for the hospitality, healthcare, retail, and commercial industries. Chris’ design savvy was recognized with an Award of Excellence from the Plantscape Industry Alliance (PIA) for his horticultural work in the Beckman Coulter lobby in Orange County, California. He can be reached at christopher.karl@ambius.com.

18-19 Certification Exams

Horticulture Centre of the Pacific, Victoria www.bclna.com/certified.htm

December 8 Industry Christmas Party

Delta Burnaby Hotel & Conference Centre

HortWest October 2011

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Cold Frame . Freestanding . Herculon Open Roof . Venlo . Benches . Heating

Focus on: New Trends

Potting Plants in New Ways The annual National Plastics Recycling Event provides one way for the public and horticultural businesses to deal with gardening-related plastic through recycling. A relatively new product on the market, the Root Pouch fabric pot, provides another eco-friendly option.

While there are other fabric pots on the market, Root Pouch’s pots are degradable. The pots can be re-used and the degradable fabric, made from natural fibres and recycled plastic bottles, is designed to break down over time (in four to five years) once the pot is planted in the ground. Sizes range from one to 600 gallons Greenstar Plant Products, a distributor of the product in B.C., displayed the Root Pouch at the recent CanWest Hort Show.

According to Alana O'Connor, Greenstar’s National Sales Manager, many nurseries in the U.S. and Europe are already successfully using Root Pouch pots for large production.

HortWest October 2011

NEW BCLNA

marketplace

members

LANDSCAPE SUPPLIES Final Approval

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SALES

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The BCLNA welcomes the following new members as of the September 19, 2011, board meeting:

RENTALS

604-327-1915 Everything for the Landscape Pro

Lemar Tree Spades, Les Poffenroth, Airdrie, Out of Province

Trimmers, Blowers, Hedgers, Aerators, Spreaders, Edgers, Fertilizer, Tools, Parts & More.

Authorized Dealers for: Exmark, Toro, Shindaiwa, Echo, Redmax, Kohler, Kawasaki B&S, Maruyama, Ryan, Stihl, Bluebird and More.

11620 Twigg Place, Richmond ¡ Open: Mon-Fri

www.northwestmower.com

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Call us for all your native and ornamental plant needs

Brightside Landscaping Ltd., Robin Scrimger, Surrey, Active Landscaper (Interim) Elemental Creations Designs & Landscapes, Ellen Coburn, Victoria, Active Landscaper

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SSL Enterprises Inc., Ali Liakat, Richmond, Active Landscaper

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LINNAEA

Advertise in our Market Place.

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classified For Hire Wholesale tree nursery in Chilliwack, BC is looking for an experienced full-time sales person. The successful candidate must be career minded, have excellent customer service skills and good plant knowledge. Duties include maintaining existing customer base, sourcing new customers and increasing sales. Please email resume to timloewen@telus.net or fax to 604-824-8727.

The following companies will become BCLNA members at the next board meeting unless a member provides a valid reason for not accepting the application: Amcore Enterprises Inc., Jeffrey Pan, Surrey, Associate

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Tentative Approval

Tel: 604-533-8281 Fax: 604-533-8246 1-888-327-7705 email: linnaea@telus.net

Contact Suvan Breen at 604.575.3516 or sbreen@bclna.com

3666 - 224th Street, Langley, BC V2Z 2G7 Canada

Grower required for Langley based Nursery for permanent full-time position. The successful individual will have 5 years experience in production planning, crop protection, staff management, propagation, pest management, and computer skills.

Experience with perennials is an asset.

This key position requires someone who is highly organized, and detail oriented, with the ability to see the BIG picture.

Please fax resume with cover letter to 604-532-1897 or email info@pacificwestperennials.com No phone calls please.

Senior Landscape Designer / Sales Professional Are you the best of the best? Edmonton's premier Landscape Design/Build company is growing again.

If you provide exceptional designs for clients, have a killer sense of organization, a freakish commitment to customer care, a great sense of humor, and already earn $80K/year (and are interested in expending that), we want to hear from you. Please send your detailed resume, plus a cover letter describing how you feel you fit with our awesome team, to careers@salisburylandscaping.ca.

For Sale Established tree nursery for sale located in Nipawin, SK. Includes all tree inventory and nursery equipment. Contact Morwenna Sutter - Lane Realty Corp.

(306) 327-7129.

HortWest October 2011

Improving the

landscape.

For 75 years Brandt has proven we understand your business by providing the most versatile landscaping equipment available today – like the 318D and 320D-Series Skid Steers. Maneuver into tight spots with 100% more front glass, 50% larger top window, and lower side windows for best-in-class visibility. The two-speed transmission provides both the torque for heavy lifting, and speed for faster low-load maneuvering. And, with easy-switching Worksite ProTM Attachments you can make quick work of all your multi-season projects. With 21 locations across Western Canada, and Brandt’s uncompromising commitment to after-sales support, you’ll have a machine as reliable as the company that sold it to you.

Powerful Value. Delivered.

Call 1-888-2BRANDT for a demo or visit www.brandttractor.com for more information on our products and financing options.