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2012 VNLA Officers & Directors OFFICERS
2 YR DIRECTORS
President
CHERYL LAJOIE Certification ‘09 Lancaster Farms 5800 Knotts Neck Rd Suffolk VA 23435-1353 757-484-4421 Fax: 7575-686-8637 Cheryl@lancasterfarms.com
STEVE GRIGG - Education Grigg Design Inc ‘09 8193 Euclid Ct #A Manassas Park, VA 20111-4810 703-368-7539 Fax:703-368-2894 sgrigg@gdiva.com Vice President MATT SAWYER - Research Bennett’s Creek Nursery ‘07 5635 Shoulders Hill Rd Suffolk, VA 23435-1807 757-483-1425 Fax: 757-483-9058 Matt@bcnursery.com Secretary/ Treasurer MATT SHRECKHISE Communications ‘08 Shreckhise Nurseries PO Box 428 Grottoes, VA 24441-0428 540-249-5761 fax:540-249-5762 Matthew@shreckhise.com
Ex-Officio Past President MARK MASLOW Resource Development Southern Landscape Group PO Box 397 Evington VA 24550-0397 434-821-6004 Fax: 434-821-2133 mark@soscapes.com Executive Director JEFFREY B. MILLER Horticulture Management Associates LLC 383 Coal Hollow Road Christiansburg, VA 24073-6721 1-800-476-0055 Fax: 540-382-2716 info@vnla.org
VNLA Newsletter
VNLA Newsletter
1 YR DIRECTORS SONYA L. WESTERVELT Public Relations ‘10 Saunders Brothers Inc 2717 Tye Brook Highway Piney River, VA 22964 (434) 277-5455 fax: (434) 277-5394 sonya@saundersbrothers.com
JOHN BARBIERI Membership ‘08 Riverbend Nursery 5408 Meadow Chase Rd Midlothian, VA 23112-6316 804-363-6758 Fax: 804-639-5905 john@riverbendnursery.com
VIRGINIA ROCKWELL Legislation ‘12 Gentle Gardener Green Design PO Box 418 Gordonsville, VA 22942-0418 540-832-7031 (cell) 434-531-0467 Virginia@GentleGardener.com
Educational Advisors DR. ROGER HARRIS VA Tech Horticulture Dept. Head Saunders Hall (0327) Blacksburg, VA 24061-0001 540-231-5451 Fax: 540-231-3083 rharris@vt.edu Dr. Jim Owen HARAREC 1444 Diamond Springs Rd Virginia Beach, VA 23455-3351 (757) 363-3804 jim.owen@vt.edu
TOM THOMPSON, Environmental Affairs ‘10 Natural Art Landscaping 3540 S Belmont Rd Richmond VA 23234-2912 (804) 674-5703 Naturalartlandscaping@yahoo.com DOUG HENSEL Beautiful Gardens ‘08 Great Big Greenhouse & Nrsy 2051 Huguenot Rd Richmond, VA 23235-4305 804-320-1317 FAX: 804-320-9580 doug@greatbiggreenhouse.com
MANTS’ DIRECTORS
JOHN LANCASTER‘02 Bennett’s Creek Nursery 3613 Bridge Road Suffolk, VA 23435-1807 757-483-1425 FAX: 757-483-9058 TOM SAUNDERS ’96 Saunders’ Brothers Inc. 2508 Tye Brook Hwy Piney River, VA 22964-2301 804-277-5455 FAX: 804-277-8010
Beautiful Gardens® Plant Introduction Program LISA LIPSEY Program Coordinator VA Tech Dept of Horticulture (0327) Blacksburg, VA 24061 540-231- 6961 Fax: 540-231-3083 llipsey@vt.edu
DANNY SHRECKHISE Shreckhise Nurseries ‘12 PO Box 428 Grottoes, VA 24441-0428 540-249-5761 fax:540-249-5762 Danny@shreckhise.com
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January/February/March 2012
REGIONAL ASSOCIATIONS Central Virginia Nursery & Landscape Assoc Jim Hassold 804-377-1977
Jim@glenallennursery.com
Eastern Shore Nurserymen’s Association John Owen 757-442-6717 jkgrowen@verizon.net Hampton Roads Nursery & Landscape Assoc Cheryl Lajoie (757) 484-4421 cheryl@lancasterfarms.com Northern Virginia Nursery & Landscape Assoc Paul Eden (703) 327-5161 x299 peden@ southridingnurseries.com Piedmont Landscape Assoc Jessica Primm 434-882-0520 info@piedmontlandscape.org Shenandoah Valley Nursery & Greenhouse Assoc Matt Shreckhise 540-249-5761 matthew@shreckhise.com
Directors at Large Mike Hildebrand ‘12 James River Nurseries 13244 Ashland Rd Ashland VA 23005-7504 804-798-2020 Fax: 804-798-2802 mchildebrand@ jamesrivernurseries.com Dawn Lerch ‘12 Associate 1701 Ducatus Dr Midlothian VA 23113-4067 804-690-1374 (cell) Dawn50Lerch@verizon.net Bill Gouldin ‘12 Strange’s Florist/Garden Centers 3313 Mechanicsville Pike Richmond VA 23223 804-321-2200x331 wjg@stranges.com
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Table of Contents Ad - Beautiful Gardens ‘VT Spirit’ Daylily ........... 2 Ad - Bennett’s Creek Nursery............................... 13 Ad - Bremo Trees.................................................. 68 Ad - Buds & Blooms Nursery ............................... 26 Ad - BuyNCPlants.com ........................................ 54 Ad - Cam Too Camellia Nursery .......................... 11 Ad - Carolina Bark Products ................................. 51 Ad - Colonial Farm Credit .................................... 68 Ad - Eastern Shore Nursery of Virginia ............... 21 Ad - Fair View Nursery ........................................ 51 Ad - Goodson & Associates .................................. 45 Ad - Gossett’s Landscape Nursery ....................... 52 Ad - Guthrie Nursery ............................................ 35 Ad - Hanover Farms................................................ 7 Ad - Hardwood Mulch .......................................... 64 Ad - Hawksridge Farm.......................................... 63 Ad - Hortica Insurance & Employee Benefits ...... 29 Ad - Johnston County Nursery Marketing Association .............................................. 64 Ad - Lancaster Farms ............................................ 56 Ad - Landscape Supply ......................................... 43 Ad - Lilley Farms & Nursery ................................ 28 Ad - Maryland Plants & Supplies ......................... 49 Ad - Mid-Atlantic Solutions ................................. 37 Ad - OHP Biathlon................................................ 19 Ad - Pender Nurseries ........................................... 67 Ad - PLANTSOURCE, N.C. ................................ 39 Ad - Plantworks Nursery ...................................... 41 Ad - Shreckhise Nurseries .................................... 27 Ad - Sitelight Id .................................................... 33 Ad - Tankard Nurseries ......................................... 23 Ad - Turtle Creek Nursery .................................... 31 Ad - Virginia Turfgrass Council ........................... 62 Ad - Waynesboro Nurseries .................................... 9 Ad - Wetlands Guide .............................................. 7 Ad - Willow Springs Tree Farms .......................... 17 Ad - Winfall Nurseries .......................................... 17 Editorial - What Do You Know About Water? ...... 9 Events - Upcoming ............................................... 66 Events - Waynesboro Plant Symposium ............... 65 Legislation - How to Contact Congress .................. 6
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Legislation - Invasive Species Legislation ........... 33 Legislative - ANLA Update .................................. 34 News - 2012 SNA Award Winners ....................... 20 News – ANLA: What is the future of the ANLA Clinic? ........ 30 News - ANLA and OFA Launch Joint Venture.... 30 News - Briggs Plant Propagators Announces New COO: J. Guy .................................. 31 News - Environmental Steward Award ................ 10 News - Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden ................ 32 News - New Specialty License Plate Supports Trees ........................................................................... 57 News - USDA Unveils New Plant Hardiness Zone Map ................................................ 48 News - VA Tech Alan McDaniel Recognized ...... 18 News - VA Horticultural Foundation Thanks 2012 Expo Participants ................ 31 News -Wayne Sawyer Nursery Grower ................ 13 Profile - Steve Grigg, VNLA President ................ 25 Research Progress Report - Urea Hydrolysis in Pine Tree Substrate ............................ 51 Tips - BMPs for Box Blight .................................. 24 Tips - Sustainable Practices for Designed Landscapes (Part 2 of 3) .......................... 35 Tips - The Anatomy of an Outdoor Pizza Oven ... 53 VNLA - ‘VT Spirit’ Daylily Introduced 2012 ...... 23 VNLA - Winter Board Meeting Minutes .............. 55 VNLA - Annual Membership Minutes ................. 58 VNLA - Breakfast Sponsor Thanks ...................... 63 VNLA - Certification Quiz #59 ............................ 47 VNLA - Certification Quiz Article #59 ................ 35 VNLA - Field Day ................................................ 27 VNLA - MANTS Service Recognition - Doug Hensel............................ 12 VNLA - Newsletter Changes ................................ 60 VNLA - THANKS Breakfast Meeting Sponsors.. 61 VNLA - Photo Contest Winner & Rules .............. 15 VNLA - Photo Contest Winners ........................... 14 VNLA - Professional of the Year Award: Harris . 11 VNLA - Research Funded for 2012 ...................... 50 VNLA - Website Upgrade ................................ 8, 12
January / February 2012 January/February/March 2012
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dee2@sangresundance.net www.sangresundance.net dee2@sangresundance.net • www.sangresundance.net
PO Box 81402••970-240-0743 970-240-0743 January / February 2012 September/October PO Box1895 1895• •Montrose, Montrose, CO CO 81402 January/February/March 2012 2011 55 5 July/August 2006 2006 January/February
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Vol. 82, No.1; January/February/March 2012 Editor: Jeff Miller
Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc. 383 Coal Hollow Road; Christiansburg, VA 24073-6721 Internet E-mail Address: info@vnla.org www.vnla.org (Association Info) www.VirginiaGardening.com (Consumer Info) Telephone: 540-382-0943 or 1-800-476-0055 Fax: 540-382-2716 Disclaimer: Published for your information, this newsletter is not an endorsement for individual products or editorial comments.
VNLA President’s Message As we get ready to take on a new year, I look forward to working with the members of the VNLA and members of the VNLA Board. We have added additional experience to the Board to compliment the impressive talent we already have serving. Like most of us have done recently in business, the VNLA Board has taken a hard look at who we are and how we do it. We met in Lynchburg for 2 days to establish a Strategic Plan. We discussed how to have the most impact on all areas that affect our Industry. This is a tall order. It is not a job for just one person. It is a job that will take the talents and commitment of many people. It also will not happen overnight. Plus, 90% of success is showing up, so we will have to participate to achieve the results we hope to have and stay the course.
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We plan on focusing on 3 main areas: Industry Advocacy; Publications and Communications and Research and Education. We will also prioritize issues in each area.
How to Contact Congress To contact your congressman and senator, go the www.vnla.org and click in the legislation tab/button, and then click on the “Legislative Update” or go directly to: http://capwiz.com/anla/va/home/ Here, you can find your congressman and senators’ contact info and can email them directly from this link. There are also summaries of current issues and sample letters. “The squeaky wheel gets the oil!”
One constant theme though that I have felt, is to make sure we are doing what is best for the Industry. This is a moving target and will vary over time. All people will not agree on what is best. However, as long as we as an Industry and Trade Association are viewed as the professional and experts by the public, all of us will be doing our jobs. I wish you all a healthy and prosperous year. Steve Grigg, VNLA President 2012
Support VNLA Member Growers! online @ www.vnla.org/ For a print copy, contact the VNLA Office at 800-476-0055
January / February 2012 January/February/March 2012
Newsletter VNLAVNLA Newsletter
again nest year for out 8th Annual Legislative gold Tournament.
Letters th
Thank you for supporting our 7 Annual Legislative Golf Tournament on June 12 at Mattaponi Springs Golf Club. We had a terrific response with 112 players including a number of elected and appointed state officials, 18-hole sponsors, three food and beverage sponsors and numerous sponsors of gifts and prizes. This is a substantial increase from past years thanks to your efforts. This event is not only a very enjoyable way to promote agribusiness to all participants, but it also contributes to the Council’s ability to represent our industry’s interest throughout the year with the General Assembly, Governor’s office state agencies, congressional delegation and the general public. Our significant accomplishments are attributable to the support you provide. Thank you.
Sincerely, Virginia Agribusiness Council Editor’s Note: The VNLA was a team sponsor, prize and give away contributor and a hole sponsor.
Arbor Day Thanks Many thanks for the wonderful Swamp White Oak that was donated to Lorton Library for Arbor Day this year. It’s doing well and sprouting new growth even as I write. An article about the ceremony was featured on the library website www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/ lo/oaktreeplanting.htm. It was a lovely
day and I know our neighbors will enjoy the tree for many years. Sincerely, Lorton County Library Editor’s Note: Vice-Presiden,, Lou Kobus, provided the tree on behalf of VNLA. VNLA MANTS Exhibit with
VNLA –Summer Board Meeting Minutes Friday, June 23, 2006; 9:00 am to 12:30 pm Virginia Room, Hampton Inn, Front Royal, VA 9:00 a.m. Call to Order – Richard Johnson, President called the meeting to order with the following people present: Lizzy Pine, Lesley Pine, Jeff Miller, Bonnie Appleton, Duane Shumaker, Butch Gaddy, and Billy Crigler. Guest Introductions – Bill Dutcher, President of the CVNLA, was introduced and welcomed to the meeting. Secretary’s Report, Butch Gaddy reported that the minutes had been printed in the VNLA Newsletter and emailed to the Board. A motion was made to accept the minutes, seconded and passed.
We look forward to your joining us Hensel, Rick Baker, Elizabeth Thompson, and Sandy Miller Doug helping staff the booth, distribute materials and answer questions
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January/February/March 2012 2012 January / February July/August 2006
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VNLA - Website Upgrade
The VNLA website has had a complete overhaul with a new design, re-organized info tabs and updated information. •
You can now log in and set up your user name and password.
•
Access and update your contact information
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See the CEU’s that are recorded for your Virginia Certified Horticulturist credits
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Use the online store to order Certification supplies
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Renew your membership
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Additional capabilities will be added on an ongoing basis
How to Log in Go to www.vnla.org/ Click on “Activate” in the right column Enter your email address. If you have an email address in the database, it will email your login info and let you setup a user name and password. Return to the main screen and login with your user name and password. Go to “My VNLA” and you can see your contact information, sales history, etc. If you do not have an email in the database, you can activate a new account and enter your information.
Support VNLA Member Growers! online @ www.vnla.org/ For a print copy, contact the VNLA Office at 800-476-0055
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January / February2012 2012 January/February/March
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What Do You Know About Water?
When I was a kid we had three channels plus PBS on the television, but that was okay since there really wasn’t much to watch anyway news, soap operas, more news, Wild Kingdom, baseball on Saturday afternoons, Disney on Sunday evenings. Because there wasn’t usually much to watch, when something special came on, it was really something. I got to see man take his first step on the moon. I watched the Watergate hearings - briefly, very briefly. But what
we really looked forward to were the National Geographic specials and the Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau. I have read every copy of National Geographic since 1968 and I even wore a red knit hat for a while, but I think you have to be French to pull that one off. My first glimpse of a world bigger than our woods and the complexity of that world came through a box that was just a little smaller than and just about as heavy as a freezer chest. Back then the EPA was in its infancy, Love Canal was just another neighborhood in Niagara Falls, Virginia had about half as many people living here and you could still see the bottom of the Chesapeake Bay. But then the Cuyahoga River caught fire in Cleveland in 1970 (not for the first time), the Clean Water Act (the EPA’s defining moment) was passed in 1972 and the environmental movement started gaining momentum. By the time Virginia passed the
Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act in 1988, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation was already 21 years old. At some point in time, in the years between the Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau and the Bay Act, I became an on again-off again Greenie Weenie (www.urbandictionary.com). At times I’ve been a member of the Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, the World Wildlife Fund, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Cousteau Society and the NRA. I even gave GreenPeace a try. Currently I’m a member of the Sierra Club (good refreshments at their meetings!). Now the story is water quality, specifically cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay, TMDL’s, nutrient management plans and storm water runoff. I’m like just about everyone else in that I take water for granted. I turn the valve and the water flows. I drink it, bathe in it, use it for recreation and basically ignore it until I either don’t have enough or have too much of it. But
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water is some pretty fascinating stuff and water trivia is pretty interesting. For example, did you know that all the water on Earth has been here since the Earth was formed and it was delivered in the same form as it’s in now - unchanged. The water that was drunk by the dinosaurs millions of years ago is the same water that falls as rain today. Water can’t be destroyed or made so dirty that it can’t be cleaned enough to use again. In fact water can be cleaned to such a level that it is actually poisonous. We have all been taught that water exists in three states - frozen, liquid and gaseous, but did you know it also exists in a fourth state? There is a vast reservoir of water locked in rock in the Earth’s mantle about 255 miles below your feet; maybe as much as flows in all the Earth’s oceans. The more I’ve learned about water, the less I’ve taken it for granted - thanks again, National Geographic. This year’s winner of the Environmental Steward Award - Eastern Shore Nursery of Virginia - has won numerous awards for the way it handles water. For the most part, here in Virginia, our industry takes care of the water we use. This has not always been the case in other parts of the US, or the rest of the world for that matter. In California there is a toxic stew of a lake called the Salton Sea which was accidentally formed in the early 20th century. Currently it is no more than a fetid puddle; the catch basin for the agricultural runoff from the Imperial Valley, but at least it still has water in it. In Central Asia what’s left of the Aral Sea lies between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. This lake was once the fourth largest lake in the world. It had a fishing industry, resorts, cities and wildlife. Then, in the 50’s, the Soviet Union decided that cotton was white gold and it diverted the two rivers that fed the Aral Sea for irrigation purposes. Since then the lake has shrunk to just a quarter of its historic size. There are fishing boats sitting in the sand that was once the lake bottom, miles from water, rusting .The towns have died and the wind now kicks up dust storms that carry salt 10 10
and sand for miles. So, I guess maybe the TMDL’s and storm water runoff regulations aren’t such a bad idea after all. Sure beats the alternative. So, what now? I wish I knew. Scientists say that our weather patterns are going to change - some places are going to get dryer while others are going to get wetter. They say that when it does rain, the rain will fall harder than usual; storms will get stronger. Of course, we all trust the weather man to be accurate, right? Whether it rains a lot or not much at all, there are things we can do. We can plant green roofs, rain gardens and bio-retention swales to catch storm water runoff (www.rainsmartsolutions.com ). We can install porous paving on patios, sidewalks and parking areas to allow water to soak into the ground to recharge the aquifer. Or we can harvest the rainwater and use it in the landscape when rain is scarce (www.conservationtechnology.com ), and using gray water for landscape irrigation of non-edible plants is becoming fashionable everywhere but Virginia. For such a simple molecule, water sure is complex. Historically it’s been treated badly, at times criminally and it certainly hasn’t been used wisely, but that appears to be changing largely due to the activities of the environmental movement making people aware of its importance - the squeaky wheel gets the oil, so to speak. I realize that the new rules that are being more or less pushed on us by the EPA will be, at times, inconvenient, but they aren’t necessarily bad. Eastern Shore Nursery has proven that one can partner with the environmentalists and still make money. Maybe we should too. Tom Thompson, Chair VNLA Environmental Affairs
January / February2012 2012 January/February/March
News - Environmental Steward Award Eastern Shore Nursery of Virginia
Robin Rinaca receives the Environmental Steward Award from VNLA Director Tom Thompson
Last November I attended the strategic planning seminar with the VNLA board. During one of the breaks in the action, I was talking with Mark Maslow and Cheryl Lajoie about the plastic recycling program, specifically how I could never make the numbers work; how large scale plastic recycling in Virginia just didn’t make sense economically. Cheryl responded that sometimes it’s not about the money; sometimes you have to do something just because it’s the right thing to do. This year’s recipient of the Environmental Steward Award has been doing things because it’s the right thing to do for years. They have been featured in Nursery Management Magazine, Horticulture magazine, Garden Center Magazine and on AmericanFarm.com. They were one of the first nurseries in Virginia to develop a nutrient management plan, long before the EPA made nutrient management plans mandatory. In 2009 they won the Ground Water Award from the Virginia Eastern Shore Regional Ground Water Commission. They have partnered with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, which, in my opinion, qualifies them for sainthood, not just the Environmental Steward Award, to launch the Greener Plants brand. Among other plants, they sell fruit and nut trees and fruiting shrubs Newsletter VNLAVNLA Newsletter
under the Hollybrook Orchards brand. For proving that you can run a nursery Environmental AffairsupReport AND work toward cleaning the Bay, for showing us that it IS possible to x Water withdrawal regulations workfrom withlive an environmental organizabodies of water is still tion , for just doing the right thing, this ongoing. We will keep memberyear’s Environmental Steward Award ship posted as new details goes to - Eastern Shore Nursery of Viremerge. ginia. x Working on tiger baler folks to Tom Thompson, Chair, VNLA consider coming to Committee field day this Environmental Affairs year to show us what machine is capable of.
VNLA - Professional of x Need to stay vigilant on keeping the Year Award up with all areas of the state to
The keep VNLAtabs Professional the year for on any of water restric2011tions has been actively engaged in the that may be imposed in arhorticulture industry since first receiveas with insufficient rainfall. ing his B.S. at Georgia Tech in 1973. After working therequests industryto forgovermore x Have sent in two thannor fifteen years, 11 of those as the Kaine’s office to pass an exchiefecutive horticulturist for the largest landorder to continue the scape contractor in Northern work of the invasive plantsFlorida, counthis person returned to Virginia Tech in cil in Richmond. 1993 as an associate professor of hortix Green industry recycling culture. After obtaining his PhDarticle from as reminder on plastic and poly Cornell University in Urban Horticul-
ture, he focused much of his professional research on tree establishment recycling in newsletand root growthstill andrunning has authored more ters to remind members of option than 60 manuscripts in scientific jourTIMONIUM, MD. other publinals,inalong with numerous cations.Submitted He has also advised more than by: Rich Johnson, a dozen graduate students on their reChair Of Environmental Affairs search, theses, and dissertations.
Legislative Committee Lou Kobus, Chair
Around the Commonwealth The crops had been planted, summer arrived, school was let out, but the Legislature labored on. The regular session was adjourned on March 11th, but Gov. Kaine called the General Assembly back into special session on the 27th to address the budget and transportation issues. Finally on Duane Shumaker (2010 recipient) June19th the Senate approved presents Dr. Roger Harris with the the VNLA Professional of theconcurring Year Awardon budget, with the House th the 20 . Gov. Kaine has up to seven His the horticulture indusdaysdedication to offer toamendments, veto, or try has led to many positive transforveto specific provisions, after which mations including the creation of two the General Assembly will reconvene horticultural research positions at to consider his recommendations and
Hampton Roads AREC in Virginia Beach and the Eastern Shore AREC in take a While final vote. However, Painter. working feverishlyGov. on Kaine is requesting the lawmakers to the research side, he has never lost return in August to re-address the sight of his number one goal at Virginia transportation In His the actions meanTech, to educateissues. students. time, alouder review of words. legislation considspeak than He recently ered in the session follows. created theregular Horticulture Advisory Board for the department to ensure that AGRITOURISM all his students are receiving the knowledge PASSED they need to be successful in the industry. Not only has he inSB38 limiting the liability of persons creased enrollment in the department, engaged in the business of but he has increased industryproviding involveagri-tourism public ment as well activities creating a for verytheengaged when certainHeconditions are metofsuch department. is also member the as postingSociety a warning notice, ensuring American for Horticultural Scithat no ence, the dangerous Internationalconditions Society ofexist, Arand the owner is not negligent. RePaboriculture, and the Arboriculture search and Reynolds Education (D-Henry) Academy. tron: Sen. So, please join me in recognizing Dr. BIO-FUELS Roger Harris, Head of Virginia Tech PASSED of Horticulture as the Department VNLA of the Year! HB680Professional &1423 establishing the BiofuelsDuane Production Incentive Grant ProShumaker, 2010 Recipient gram & Fund for ten years which provides grants to producers of bio-
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VNLA Newsletter 14 VNLA Newsletter
January / February July/August 2006 2012 January/February/March 2012
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VNLA - MANTS Service Recognition - Doug Hensel
I have the distinguished honor today to recognize, and thank Doug Hensel, for his 20+ years of service as one of three VNLA Directors on the MANTS Board. The MANTS Trade Show is owned equally by Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland and provides a major portion of our revenue to support the work of the VNLA. As a businessman, Doug has shown leadership. He applied for employment at The Great Big Greenhouse in 1977 and has been there ever since. He worked himself up the ranks of management and became President of the company in 1999. During his 35 years there, he committed himself to hard work and demonstrated his loyalty to the company by bringing The Great Big Greenhouse to be one of the outstanding garden centers in the state of Virginia.
vice in every area of activity. As President in 2004, Doug continued to use his quiet leadership style to provide excellent direction to the association and volunteered to be the new Vice-Chairman of the Plant Introduction Program.
Thank you Doug for being you and working so hard at promoting our industry! Please come forward to accept this token of our appreciation of your service! Presented by Mark Maslow, 2011 VNLA President
VNLA - Website Upgrade
Name: Bennett’s Creek Nursery. Locations: Headquarters and distribution center in Suffolk, Va. Main growing facility is in Smithfield, Va. Other distribution centers are located in Williamsburg and Virginia Beach, Va., and Powells Point, N.C. Founded: 1974 by Art Lancaster Production: More than 200 acres of container production including trees, shrubs, color and pot-in-pot production. Employment: Peaks at 120, reducing to about 85 in the off-season. Sawyer family: His son Matthew, daughter Katie and daughter-in-law Lauren are actively involved in the business.
Log on to the new upgraded VNLA website with online store and member login to update your information.
In 1997 Doug was elected to the Board of the VNLA, serving as President. Throughout his term on the VNLA Board, he has demonstrated leadership by contributing sound ad12 12
By Nursery Management Magazine
I’m feeling tired just talking about all of this, but we’ve still not reached the end of all of the work Doug has been doing in order to benefit you and the industry, which brings us to this special recognition today. Since 1991, Doug has been on the MANTS Board, serving as President in 1995 and in 2004. Note that this was also the year that he was president of the VNLA. MANTS has become one of the top horticultural trade shows in the nation, and that didn’t happen by accident. Doug’s hard work and leadership, along with that of many other board members, has allowed all of us to reap the benefits.
Doug has shown commitment and leadership to our industry groups as well. And as he has served, he has carried out the responsibilities entrusted to him with the highest degree of honesty, dignity and old-fashioned hard work! In 1992 he was elected to the board of the Central Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association and served as President in 1997.
News -Wayne Sawyer Nursery Grower of the Year
January / February2012 2012 January/February/March
Bennett's Creek Nursery, headquartered in Suffolk, Va., entered the year with a very distinct directive. "What we've done is say we're going to take this on as a challenge and make it work," said president Wayne Sawyer. "One of our slogans around the nursery is, 'failure is not an option,' and we're working hard on a day-to-day basis to make sure that doesn't happen." Newsletter VNLAVNLA Newsletter
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Nursery a LandscapeaDesign or installation a Nursery a you Plantthink Landscape Design or installation any Green aIndustry object would make a great a Landscape Design or installation a Nursery any Green Industry objectphoto you think would make a great any Green Industry object you think would make a great a Landscape Design or installation photo VNLA – Photo Contest any Green Industry objectphoto you think would make a great photo
August 2011 - Jennifer Seay
Insert previous photo winner from Mar/Apr issue, page 13 “Iris sibirica”
June 2011 - Kelly Connoley-Phillips
Photo folder: IrisDSCF8271_edited1.jpg
October 2011 - Dwayne Jones
VNLA Photo Contest VNLA Photo Contest A winner and prize for each bi-monthly VNLA newsletter VNLA Photo Contest A winner and prize for – 6each totalbi-monthly per year. VNLA newsletter A winner and prize for each bi-monthly VNLA newsletter VNLA Photo Contest 6 total per year. One Grand Prize –winner chosen at the end of the year.
February 2011 - Brian D. Ross, Sr
December 2011 - Michele Fletcher
April 2011 - Jane O’Keeffe
–winner 6each total per year. A winner and prize bi-monthly VNLA One Grand Prizefor chosen at the end of thenewsletter year. One Grand Prize – winner chosen at the end of the year. 6 total per year. Details at: www.vnla.org/AboutVNLA/photography_contest.htm DetailsGrand at: www.vnla.org/AboutVNLA/photography_contest.htm One Prize winner chosen at the end of the year. Details at: www.vnla.org/AboutVNLA/photography_contest.htm
Details at: www.vnla.org/AboutVNLA/photography_contest.htm
Winner of the Jan/Feb. 2012 Photo Contest
Photo Winner: Katie Klages
Four Seasons Nursery, Virginia Beach, VA
Win $50, submit your photos! Good Luck and Happy Photographing!
April/May/June Issue will be for the “Landscape Designs�
VNLA - Photo Contest Rules 1. The contest is open to any photographer (amateur and professional) except members of Board of Directors of VNLA and their families. Entries are limited to VNLA members and their staff. 2. Each photographer may enter up to three (3) digital images per Newsletter deadline (see #6). Email images to info@vnla.org. Include your name, phone number and occupation. . One winning entry per photographer per year. You may re-enter non-winning entries. 3. Please e-mail images separately. Feel free to elaborate on any story surrounding the photograph. Photos should be 300 dpi high resolution. 4. All photographs submitted must have been taken within the past five years. 5. All photographs must be related to the Green Industry. The subject can be located in a nursery, back yard, or in a landscape--just so it is obviously related to the green industry profession. 6. Deadline for submission is 5:00 p.m. on the Newsletter Copy Deadline, which is the 15th of January, March, May, July, September and November. All submissions become the property of the VNLA. 7. Model Release forms are required with each photograph which contains a clearly identifiable person. Release forms are available from the VNLA office, on request, and are also available for download from the VNLA website at Model release in MS Word format or Adobe PDF format. Judging done by the VNLA Communication Committee. All decisions are final.
Caption error from the Nov/Dec 2011 issue, the winning photo by Michele Fletcher was actually taken at Milmont Greenhouses is Stuarts Draft, VA
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[Nursery Pro continued from p. 12] The mantra has been a success. In fiscal 2011, which ended Sept. 30, the company had increased revenues 16 percent over the previous year. This comes after a three-year period where Bennett's Creek had seen total sales drop 30 percent. For his leadership and focusing on adapting to market conditions, Wayne Sawyer has been named the 2011 Nursery Grower of the Year. In addition to increased revenues, becoming more labor efficient and adapting what crops to grow have been equally important to Bennett's Creek. "We've had to change the way we do production. We've had to change the plant mix we've had — the things that we grow," Sawyer said. "We're targeting local landscape companies along with our garden center customers to see what they're using in their landscapes, and what people are asking for in their stores. We're checking out gardening magazines to keep us abreast of what is going on. "We've had to look at the labor aspect of it and cut back on our labor costs. So it's been the whole gamut. We've had to look at this whole nursery situation of what we need to do to be relevant today."
Color change
"In the early days we were all green goods. It was hollies and ligustrums and pyracanthas, and now it's all about color," Sawyer said. "It's roses. It's pansies. It's a whole array of spring color, It's hydrangeas. It's working with other growers that are patenting material." The change in crops is directly related to consumers, and their buying preferences. "It's all about the color, texture, blooming and things that make your landscape stand out and different," Sawyer said. "It used to be back in the old days you'd put 10 hollies in front of your house. Nowadays they want nandinas and 'Gold Mops' cypress and Drift roses and Knock Out roses." Out of this need for color, and a need to differentiate Bennett's Creek product, the company developed the Blooming & Beautiful line of plants. In this program, annuals and perennials are sold in 6-inch white pots with the Blooming & Beautiful logo. The idea is to give consumers a recognizable product that will perform well once planted in the landscape. "When a customer enters into a garden center they can go after our plants, and hopefully they've had a good experience with them in the past. We want to differentiate ourselves with size. Everybody seems to be cutting down on the size of their pots [on annuals and perennials], so ours is a true 6-inch pot," Sawyer said. The larger container allows Blooming & Beautiful plants to develop larger root systems, and Bennett's Creek also incorporates control-release fertilizer into the potting medium.
One of the most evident changes at the nursery is the crops grown. Watching the market demand for blooming and color products go up, Bennett's Creek has cut back on its production of evergreens. 16
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"We're hearing from our customers that people come into their stores and say, 'I want that white pot that says Blooming & Beautiful on it. I really had great luck with those and I really like the quality of those plants,'" Sawyer said. January / February 2012 January/February/March 2012
In the future the company plans to expand Blooming & Beautiful to include 8-inch, 1-gallon and 2-gallon plants, and incorporate other crops such as flowering shrubs and fruit trees. "For fruit trees, I could even see us expanding the program to include 7gallon containers," Sawyer said.
Showroom on wheels
The company also developed a "rolling showroom" - the Blooming & Beautiful van, which spends days on the road visiting garden center clients. "The driver shows off what is looking good and what is blooming and beautiful at Bennett's Creek Nursery right now," said Wayne's son, vice president Matt Sawyer. "Customers love it. We see a direct correlation from when we started to use it and customers picking up their sales. When times were tough and we cut back on sending the van down the road, we saw those customers stop purchasing." The company also sees a spike in sales on the products showcased in the Blooming & Beautiful van, driven by Janie Moody. "I have a schedule where I visit all the local garden centers in the immediate area. I see their buyers normally and show them what we have and explain anything new," Moody said. A great deal of the success of the Blooming & Beautiful van lies with Moody and the relationships she has with her clients. Moody said she has the best job at the nursery.
Newsletter VNLAVNLA Newsletter
Distribution partnership News - Shorts enhances products
Garden supply dealers Bennett's Creek Nursery operates post record June gains landscape distribution facilities in The latest report from the National ReSuffolk, Williamsburg and Virginia tailBeach, Federation shows building material Va., and Powells Point, N.C. and garden supply dealers posted These sites last offer a wide rangeunof steady growth month, up 8.4% plants, mulches and other supplies to adjusted from the previous June. Howlandscapers, municipalities and other ever, seasonally adjusted comparisons wholesale buyers.month But a show relationship from the previous a 1% with Turf & Garden has allowed the decline. This is in line with the overall company to offer customers a whole retail sales for June, which show strong range of hard goods and supplies. year-over-year increases but flat month-to-month gains. Sales rose 6.7% "When we started the distribution over last year, but increased only 0.2% concept, we didn't have the full capiseasonally adjusted over May. “After tal to of get speculation, into irrigation, lighting, fermonths consumers are tilizer and grass seed, and one ofchief our beginning to pull back,” said NRF customers was into that," Sawyer economist Roasalind Wells. “Retailers "And we asked if they'd cansaid. expect thesosecond halfthem of the year like to join with us and take on partthe of to show moderate gains due to this building that we were constructslowdown in the housing market and ingeconomic for our new distribution center, other factors.” and they did. So we can be a true onestop shop where a landscaper can come in and get his plants, his mulch, his topsoil, his irrigation supplies, his
Ad
lighting supplies,Target his grass seed, hand now second retailer tools, whatevermost-shopped he needs."
Connecticut, he said. Many garden cenLabor difficulties ters still have their yards filled with Over the past year the Area company has spring inventories. landscapers worked hard to eliminate labor costs, report more stable, steady business. but Sawyer said 2012 will be even New tax deduction more challenging. could apply to growers The company has participated in the A new tax deduction could apply H-2B program to secure migrants to to nursery crops, ANLA has announced. work at the company's distribution The deduction, partchanges of the in American centers. But proposed HJobs Creation Act, applies to 2B will make that program moregross ex- receipts of any sale, exchange or other pensive next year. The company disposition of qualifying production could resort to H-2A workers (deproperty grown or extracted in the US. signed for agricultural migrant The deduction was phased in workat 3% and ers) but that decision is still in the air. will increase to 9% by 2009. One re-
Target is now second onlyare to Wal-mart, The Turf & Garden stores currentaccording Forward’s recent ly located to at Retail Bennett's Creek's SufShopperScape report. folk and Powells Point One-quarter locations, but of all U.S. said primary household shoppers Sawyer he hopes to someday visit a Target, Target Greatland have them at all four facilities. or SuperTarget store monthly. The report One found key to the success is that, also retailer rackslike up Benrepeat nett's Creek, Turf & Garden an 6visitors. Two-thirds of Target’shas past equivalent reputation for good cusmonth customer base returns to its tomer service. stores on a regular basis. Children’s apparel, decorative home fashions, "They've always had a good reputasmall housewares and appliances and tion and we thought it was a goodamong fit. toys generate the most interest A lot of their guysand we've known for shoppers. Target Wal-Mart typistriction is that deduction cannot years and they're known for theirshows. ex"All the [labor] cost the saving that we've cally share customers, the report exceed 50% of wages paid by the cellent customer service." been able to cut out, with eliminating taxWeekly Dirt, Carol Miller, payer thatmiddle year. The deductionand is also some of the management, "They're all happy to see me," she cmiller@branchsmith.com available to individuals via their changing the way we were doing adsaid. "With most of them we've dejusted gross income.that ANLA helped some of our production, increase England summer velopedNew a good relationship over time secure the new tax deduction for [in H-2A and H-2B wages] would eatnursretailthem salesmy slide and I consider friends. It's cooperation with the allery that growers right up,"inSawyer said. "We're me sharing my love of plants with my Small business Legislative in After a strong April, garden center still looking at what we're goingCouncil to do friends who love plants." 2004. sales across new England hit a decline next year, whether we're going to pardue to a stretch of rainy weekend, said Science a shot ticipate in the H-2Atakes program, whethBob Heffernan, Conn. Nursery & landat dormant weed seeds of er we're going to do a combination scape Association Executive Secretary. andcontrol H-2B,can but be thetricky, labor especially costs Weed Soggy gardening H-2A considering weed seeds can lie dormant conditions were for years waiting for favorable condiproblematic Ad – Winfall Nurseries - Willow Springs Tree Farms Adthe - Winfall Nurseries tions. USDA scientists are looking at enough for developing fungi and bacteria that will Boston Globe to target these banks of thousands of milrun an article on lion of dormant seeds. The concept is to the situation in bolster the activity of beneficial miJune. Sale were crobes that already exist in the soil. particularly bad This concept could be considered “prenorth of pre-emergence control,” as traditional pre-emergence herbicides kill weed seeds just at the stage of germination when tiny seedlings are emerging from seeds. Weekly Nursery E-Mail, Todd Davis,
tdavis@branchsmith.com
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alone for our particular company are going to increase around $10,000 every two weeks. Over a course of the year, we're probably looking at an increase of $225,000 to $250,000 if we keep doing things the way we do now." Bennett's Creek has become more active in recruiting from the local labor pool. But Sawyer knows that he needs to make nursery field work more attractive to domestic workers. One option is alternative schedules that may involve people working half days, or at least fewer hours in the day. "I don't have the answers today, but we're looking at what could make our work a little more fun," Sawyer said. "Everybody wants to work at a nursery, work at a greenhouse. It looks fun being outdoors. But what can we do on the production end to make it so it's not a grueling job, but something that's more enjoyable? "We're going to have to do like the hospitals and other industries and look at full-time equivalents. We may have a 20 percent increase in employees, but everybody not working as many hours. We have a number of employees that say, 'I enjoy this work, I just don't want to work 10 hours a day during the busy part of the year and I don't want to work six days a week. I wouldn't mind working four to five days a week, but that's it.' So we're going to have to change our way of thinking when it comes to labor, but I think we're going to get there." Overwintering made simpler Compiling and covering container crops for overwintering is always a daunting task. Through trial and error, Bennett's Creek Nursery has simplified the process while not losing any more crops to the cold. In fact, the quality has improved with the new system.
ered with plastic and shade cloth for winter protection. Charlie Baines, vice president of production, said the company decided to experiment to see if the plants could survive with less protection.
News - VA Tech Horticulture Retired Faculty Recognized: Alan McDaniel
After several years of trialing, many crops are now covered with only shade cloth, and coming out of winter with no problems, Baines said. And now they're even leaving shrubs spaced through winter as a way to save labor. "And what we're seeing is that our crops look even better in the spring. Because when spacing happens in the spring, it's when everything is happening at once," Baines said. "If it gets to be mid-May and things aren't spaced, then we might see some leaves start dropping. Now we see things coming into spring even sweeter and without the leaf drop problem."
Lemons to Lemonade? Try Culls to Profits For the past several years, Bennett’s Creek Nursery has found a way to turn culled and dumped plant materials into revenues. The company takes old and culled plants and dumps them into windrows. After an aging period, Bennett’s Creek runs the material through a rented grinder, and it is allowed to age more into finished compost which is sold in bulk to customers as a product called Bed Enhancer. Bennett’s Creek also allows landscape customers to bring their green waste to its distribution centers and that material ultimately becomes Bed Enhancer too. Customers are allowed to dump green waste for free, and after dumping the material, they find themselves at a Bennett’s Creek location with an empty trailer ready to load up plants, mulch or other products. Reprinted with permission from NURSERY MANAGEMENT magazine, December 2011, Vol. 27, No. 12 www.NurseryManagementOnline.com
McDaniel received the National FFA VIP Award
BLACKSBURG, Va., Dec. 6, 2011 The National FFA Organization (also known as Future Farmers of America) honored Virginia Tech faculty members Alan McDaniel at its national convention, held Oct. 19-22 in Indianapolis. “The VIP citation recognizes the dedicated individuals who contribute to the FFA mission of student success through their hard work and cooperation,” said National FFA Organization CEO Dwight Armstrong. “Without such strong and outstanding commitment, FFA would not be able to help build strong character in its members, who in turn build strong families, communities, and industries.” McDaniel has been a horticulture professor for more than 25 years in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He has taught classes in floral design, controlled plant environment, and vegetable crops and has served as an academic advisor for numerous students. The National FFA VIP Award is one of the most prestigious honors given by the organization.
In the past, container plants on shrub beds were packed can tight, then cov18 18
January / February2012 2012 January/February/March
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McDaniel received his bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University and his doctorate from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Winston received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Virginia Tech. The National FFA Organization uses agricultural education programs to promote leadership, scholarship, personal growth, and career success in the lives of students. The organization supports local and state FFA associations through research and support. Nationally ranked among the top research institutions of its kind, Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences focuses on the science and business of living systems through learning, discovery, and engagement. The college’s comprehensive curriculum gives more than 2,400 students in a dozen academic departments a balanced education that ranges from food and fiber production to economics to human health. Students learn from the world’s leading agricultural scientists, who bring the latest science and technology into the classroom.
awards were presented to the following individuals.
Honorary Memberships The SNA Board of Directors honors individuals that have served the association and the nursery industry in various capacities throughout the years and have made outstanding contributions during their active participation in the Southern Nursery Association. This year, the following members were awarded honorary membership for their dedication to SNA and the field of horticulture: Thomas E.“Buddy” Martin, Martin's Nursery, Semmes, AL
ACWORTH, GA January 20, 2012 The SNA (Southern Nursery Association), a nonprofit, professional trade association representing the horticultural industry in the southern U.S., announced today its 2012 award winners. SNA recognize professionals who have demonstrated their commitment to the Southern Nursery Association and the industry through these annual awards. The 2012 SNA 20 20
B.S. First Place - $500 S. Evan Wilson, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Development of an Elevated Dissolved Oxygen Treatment System M.S. First Place - $500 Irene E. Palmer, North Carolina State University Biomass Yield and Nitrogen Response of Perennial Bioenergy Grasses in North Carolina M.S. Second Place - $300
Charles H. “Charlie” Parkerson, Lancaster Farms, Suffolk, VA
Jason B. Lattier, North Carolina State University
Dr. Sandra M. Reed, Retired Research Geneticist, U.S. National Arboretum, Atlanta, GA
In Vitro Regenration and Polyploid Induction of Acer platanoides L. 'Cromson Sentry'
William D. “Bill” Reese, Greenbriar Nurseries, Ocala, FL
M.S. Third Place - $200 Rebecca L. Pledger, North Carolina State University In Bed with Rain Gardens PhD First Place - $500 Matthew S. Wilson, Kansas State University
Written by Kelly Robinson, a senior majoring in communications and international studies and an intern for the Office of Communications and Marketing in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
News - 2012 SNA Award Winners
Awards were presented by M.S., B.S., and PhD categories as follows:
Feeding Preference of Southern Pine Sawyer Beetle for Four Species of Pine Danny Summers, SNA, presents an honorary membership to Charlie Parkerson, Lancaster Farms
PhD Second Place - $300
Bryson L. James Student Research Competition Awards:
Factors Affecting Early Seedling Development in Whole Pine Tree Substrates
Seven students from five universities were presented cash awards during the Bryson L. James Student Research Competition that took place at the 114th Annual SNA Research Conference in Mobile, AL, on January 18, 2012. Bennett’s Creek Wholesale Nursery, Suffolk, VA and Lancaster Farms, Suffolk, VA, sponsors of the student competition, made these awards possible. January / February2012 2012 January/February/March
Anthony L. Witcher, University of Southern Mississippi
PhD Third Place - $200 Adam F. Newby, Ohio State University Effects of Managed Substrate Moisture Content on Zinnia Growth Under Zero and Near-Zero Leachate Treatments In addition to the cash awards for excellence in written and oral presentaNewsletter VNLAVNLA Newsletter
tions for their respective research projects, each student was presented with a plaque. Student involvement in the SNA Research Conference is vital to the future of horticulture. SNA acknowledges the efforts of these students and looks forward to their horticultural research contributions in the future. SNA supports horticultural research through various industry programs and services.
invited speaker at numerous regional, crops is nationally recognized in acanational, and international meetings demia and among the horticultural of various industry-related associaclientele he serves. His major retions and organizations. He is particusearch, teaching, & extension areas of larly known for the enthusiasm, passpecialization include strategic mansion, and intensity he exhibits when agement, market situation/outlook, speaking. cost accounting, and financial analyESN-117 45 Industry Years/4.5x7.25 10:15 AM Page 1 sis for Green firms. He is8/30/04 an Dr. Hall is an Honorary Lifetime
Ad - Eastern Shore Nursery of Virginia
Porter Henegar Memorial Award: In 1969, an Award of Merit was created to honor those individuals who has made outstanding contributions to ornamental horticultural research and, more specifically, to SNA. In 1972, the SNA Board of Directors resolved that the Award of Merit would be renamed the Porter Henegar Memorial Award for Horticultural Research in memory of the late Porter Henegar, Past Executive Secretary of SNA (1959 - 1972), to commemorate his years of tireless effort and service to this association. The recipient is selected annually by fellow research workers for his/her concern and work toward improving the nursery industry. This year's Porter Henegar Memorial Award winner is Dr. Charles R. Hall. A native of North Carolina, Dr. Hall received his B.S. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Tennessee in 1984 and his Master’s Degree in Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Design from the University of Tennessee in 1986. He then obtained his Ph.D. from Mississippi State University in 1988 and began his academic career at Texas A&M University in 1988, where he spent 13 years on the faculty before joining the faculty at the University of Tennessee in 2002. In August 2007, Dr. Hall returned to Texas A&M University as Professor and Ellison Chair in International Floriculture. Dr. Hall’s expertise in the production and marketing of Green Industry VNLA Newsletter VNLA Newsletter
WH O C A R E S T H AT W E ’ V E KEPT OUR NAME GROWING FOR OVER 45 YEARS? Maybe you should care. Chances are, you can think of many businesses that have come and gone over the past four decades. We’ve been here through it all—putting down strong roots and branching out to provide our customers with quality plants year after year. And cultivating the expertise that can help Eastern your bottom line grow today and tomorrow. Shore Call Eastern Shore Nursery of Virginia Nursery Of and order plants from a company with a Virginia long history of excellence. Keller, Virginia • 1-800-323-3008 • www.esnursery.com
January / February January/February/March 2012 2012
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Member of the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association and has received TNLA’s Award for Outstanding Service to the Nursery Industry. He is also a member of the Hall of Fame and Honorary Lifetime Member of the Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association. In academia, Dr. Hall has received Texas A&M University’s Association of Former Students’ Distinguished Achievement Award in Teaching and the Vice Chancellor’s Award in Excellence for Student Counseling and Relations. Various Extension awards include the Outstanding Extension Publication Award from the American Society of Horticultural Science; and the Certificate of Meritorious Service and the State Early Career Award, both presented by Epsilon Sigma Phi, the professional society of the National Extension Service. He is a member of Alpha Gamma Rho agricultural fraternity and has received their Grand Presidents Award and Brother of the Century designation. David E. Laird, Sr. Memorial Award: Established in 1974 by David E. Laird, Jr., in memory of his father, SNA Past President David E. Laird, Sr., this award is presented each year to recognize qualified young men and women for outstanding service in the field of environmental horticulture and to offer inspiration for others starting out in the field. The recipient must be 39 years of age or younger and must be a member of his/her state nursery association. Nominations are made by the SNA Participating State Association with final selection by the SNA Board of Directors. Halsey W. Beshears was born on November 27, 1971 in Winter Park, Florida. His family moved to Monticello, Florida in 1973, when he was two. He attended Aucilla Christian Academy in Monticello and graduated from Brookwood School in Thomasville, GA in 1989. He received his B.S. in Social Science from Florida State University and his M.S. in Entrepreneurship from the University of Florida. Halsey began his career in the nursery industry in 1997 at his family business, Simpson 22 22
Nurseries, a wholesale container growing operation servicing the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Regions, and today is Vice President. Halsey’s has participated in and received the following awards: Wedgeworth Leadership Institute Graduate Class V (2002- 2008), Wedgeworth Leadership Board of Directors (20022008), President, FNGLA Big Bend Chapter (2002-2004), FNGLA Board of Directors (2003-2008), President of Tallahassee Young Entrepreneurs Organization (2008), Farm Bureau Family of Jefferson County (2009), FNGLA Young Nursery Professional of the Year (2009), Board of Advisors Farmers & Merchants Bank (2007-2011), FNGLA President (2011-Present), Jefferson County Farm Bureau Board of Advi- sors (2009-Present). He is an active member of Presbyterian Church of Monticello and the Tallahassee Young Entrepreneurs Organization. He has been a Private Instrument Rated Pilot since 2000 with over 1000 hours as PIC. Slater Wight Memorial Award: In 1956, the late John B. Wight, Sr., suggested to the officers of the Southern Nursery Association that an award be offered annually to the person of their selection who, in their opinion, had contributed most to the advancement of the industry in the South and to the welfare of the Southern Nursery Association. The award was named the Slater Wight Memorial Award in memory of the late J. Slater Wight, brother of the late John B. Wight, Sr. Nomination and selection is made by the SNA Board of Directors. Joseph Claude Kinney was born on April 23, 1946, in Gainesville, GA. After graduating from Gainesville High School he attended the University of Georgia (1964-1965) and Gainesville State College (1968-1970). He served in the U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne Division from 1965-1968. In 1972, Joe began his career in the nursery industry at Gro-Plant (known as Simpson Nursery) as an “on the road” salesman. He worked for Baucom’s Nursery (19731975) and later became sales manager January / February2012 2012 January/February/March
of Flow- erwood Nursery. In July 1988, he founded Kinney Nursery (65 acres) and today produces a general line of container-grown nursery stock with emphasis on camellia, fruit and nut trees, fruiting vines and bushes, and stock not common to the trade. Joe’s business goal remains the same after 24 years - to produce high quality nursery stock, provide excellent customer service and treat employees, customers, and suppliers with respect. Joe received the Alabama Nursery & Landscape Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. He was the found- ing President of the GSHE (1998-1999). He is a member of Alabama Nursery & Landscape Association and served as President (19992000), a member of the American Nursery & Landscape Association and served as Senator (2006-2010), a member of the Georgia Green Industry Association, the Mississippi Nursery & Landscape Association, the Southern Nursery Association, the South Alabama Nursery Associa- tion, the Tennessee Nursery & Landscape Association, and the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association. He is also member of American Azalea Society, the American Camellia Society, and the International Plant Propagators Society. The Southern Nursery Association is a non-profit, professional trade association representing the horticultural industry in the southern U.S. SNA provides member services to wholesale growers, brokers, retailers, landscape contractors, landscape architects, grounds maintenance contractors, interiorscapers and allied suppliers. Established in 1899, the SNA strives to provide educational, marketing and networking opportunities essential to the survival of the horticultural industry. For more information, contact the Southern Nursery Association, Inc., PO Box 801454, Acworth, GA 30101, Tel: 678809-9992, Fax: 678-809-9993, mail@sna.org, or visit the SNA Website at www.sna.org.
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VNLA - ‘VT Spirit’ Daylily Introduced 2012 First New Introduction by the Beautiful Gardens Plant Introduction Program
January 1, 2012 - The Beautiful Gardens Plant Introduction Program is proud to announce the release of its first new plant, the VT Spirit daylily. VT Spirit is named for Virginia Tech and is a wonderful representation of the school colors of maroon and orange. It is hardy in all Virginia growing zones and boasts a longer than average bloom season for daylilies.
This plant was bred by Virginia Tech graduate Linda Pinkham and donated to the Beautiful Gardens program for evaluation and introduction. The VT Spirit daylily is available from Brent & Becky’s Bulbs in Gloucester, VA and can be purchased on line or through their catalog. We suggest that you order this spring while supplies last. Beautiful Gardens was initiated in 2004 as a project of the Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association to find, develop and introduce exciting new ornamental plants to the public and stimulate expanded production and profits for Virginia growers. A committee representing all facets of the Virginia horticulture industry was formed to guide and participate in the set up and running of the Beautiful Gardens program. Plants were selected for review at evaluation sites strategically located in the different climatic areas of Virginia. Plants are reviewed for several years and ana-
lyzed for hardiness to heat and cold, resistance to insects, susceptibility to disease and their visual appeal - beauty. Plants passing these tests are then propagated by tissue culture or traditional methods of vegetative or seed reproduction. When the appropriate method has been selected and it is found that the plant can be reproduced in a timely and economic manner the committee selects that plant for commercial production by a Virginia grower or growers. Beautiful Gardens program partners include: Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association, Virginia Tech Department of Horticulture, Virginia Department of Agriculture and consumer Services, Virginia Cooperative Extension - Master Gardener Program, Institute for Sustainable and Renewable Resources, Claytor Nature Center of Lynchburg College, Norfolk Botanical Gardens, J. Sargeant Reynolds CC and the support of numerous individuals active in
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the Virginia horticulture industry. Each has played an important role in creating the research, administration and marketing functions of this business entity. New plants scheduled for introduction over the next several years include azaleas, hellebores, daylilies and more. A listing of ‘plants of distinction’ - plants of real value in the Virginia garden but not well known - can be found on the Beautiful Gardens website at www.beautifulgardens.org. Contact for more information: Rick Baker, VDACS - Domestic Sales and Marketing, 301-275-2077 (cell)
Tips - BMPs for Avoidance and Mitigation of Box Blight in Wholesale Nurseries
of an accidental introduction. Handling of incoming plant materials 1. Be aware of the risk associated with bringing plant materials of the family Buxaceae and other ornamental plants to the nursery. Delivery trucks may carry infected plants. They also could be contaminated from previous infected shipments. Every delivery increases the risk of box blight introduction. 2. Reduce both diversity and volume of buy-for-resale plants to the minimum. 3. Stay tuned with reports on the development of box blight in Virginia and other states (http://www.ppws.vt.edu/~clinic/al erts.php ). Avoid buying plants from infested areas. Carefully select vendors based on the previous purchase experience. Stay away from those heavily relying upon chemical protection since fungicides may hold the disease in check on infected plants. 4. Ask for inclusion of the most recent fungicide treatment information in the shipment package. This information should include fungicide name, application rate and time.
Box blight is a new disease to the U.S. This disease was first found in North Carolina in late October 2011. It has recently been found in seven other states (CT, MA, MD, NY, OR, RI, VA) but the number of infested locations within each state is limited. In Virginia, this pathogen was detected in only two production fields. Box blight has already devastated some horticultural businesses. This pathogen spreads via trade of infected plant materials. It also may spread through contaminated tools, vehicles, boots, etc. The following information outlines some best management practices for avoiding introduction of box blight into the nursery. These practices also will slow down the local spread in the event 24 24
5. Inspect incoming plants at delivery. If box blight is detected, immediately report to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The contact number is 804-371-5086. If plants are suspected to have box blight, send a sample to the Virginia Tech Plant Disease Clinic via your county extension office. 6. Keep incoming plants in a corner at the plant center. Hold them for 3 weeks to allow existing chemical protection to wear off. Then inspect plants again before resale. 7. NEVER mix incoming plants with locally-grown boxwood plants. 8. Buy tissue culture-propagated boxwood materials for production if absolutely necessary. January / February2012 2012 January/February/March
9. Place incoming liners in isolated locations away from production areas of boxwood propagated on-site. 10. NEVER move plants from the plant center back to production areas. 11. NEVER recycle any plant or planting materials from the plant center. These include plastic containers, potting mixes, etc. 12. Designate one set of tools for use in the plant center only, separating from those used in production. Disinfest these tools routinely as practical and at the very least daily. Propagating boxwood using plant materials on-site 1. Locate propagation in an isolated area. Limit access to essential personnel only. Use footbaths at the entrances to the area. 2. Clean, then disinfest all work surfaces prior to and after each propagation task. These include benches, walls, floors, trays, tools, etc. 3. Select mother plants from carefully inspected, healthy-looking materials. Selected mother plants should not have received any fungicides for at least 4 weeks. 4. Surface-sterilize all cuttings before rooting them. Disinfectants could be bleach, hydrogen peroxide or quaternary ammonia. 5. Use only new flats, containers, fresh potting mix or sterilized media for propagation. 6. Disinfest all tools before starting propagation of each cultivar. 7. Ensure that propagators wear disposable nitrile exam gloves. They also should change the gloves between cultivars. 8. Watch for symptomatic liners. Remove them on their first detection. Updates are posted at www.vnla.org as they become available. By Chuan Hong, Virginia Tech, Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Virginia Beach, VA 23455
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Designer and a Maryland Licensed Tree Expert.
Profile - Steve Grigg
The business was started in January 1986 by Steve & Juanita Grigg. Juanita joined full time in the fall of 1991. The business was located in Burke, VA and quickly moved to Chantilly, followed by a move to Manassas Park. They built an office and property yard in July of 1997 and have been located in this Manassas Park location since. Steve Grigg, 2012 VNLA President, is the owner of Grigg Design Inc, in Manassas, Virginia along with his wife, Juanita. He is a 1976 graduate of Virginia Tech, after a stint in the U.S. Marine Corps. He started his business in 1986 and is now 100% residential landscape design/build. His business philosophy is remembering that each project is unique to each client even though you may have done it a thousand times.
Originally, they offered design build and complete maintenance to residential and commercial accounts, but now concentrate only on residential landscape design build. About 65% of all of their sales are hardscapes and about 70% of sales are repeat/referral work.
Favorite Quote: “Never, never, never, never, never give in” Winston Churchill Aspirations: To accomplish something positive every day. Hardest Part of Your Workday: Wrapping up at the end of the day. Best Part of Your Workday: Mornings after the crews have left for the job site. Helpful Hint When Handling Employees: be firm, but fair; acknowledge superior work, but correct mistakes right away.
How or Why Your Company Managed to Stay in Business So Long? By staying in tune with the business of the business. Being willing and able to adapt without sacrificing you core business values.
Favorite Flower Color: Red
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Hero: Parents and wife
Best Advice Ever Received: “No Snivelling” Motto of the Green Parrot Bar in Key West, Fl. (Misspelling intended by the Green Parrot)
Favorite Plant: October Glory maple
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Dream Vacation: Always the next one!!!
Hottest Upcoming Trend: using sub-contractors more, rather than expanding payroll/staff size
Participation in industry organizations have been a priority during his career. Not forgetting his Virginia Tech roots, he is currently on the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture Leadership Council and the Virginia Tech Department of Horticulture Advisory Council. Trade associations that he’s involved in are the Virginia Society of Landscape Designers, International Society of Arboriculture, PLANET, and of course the VNLA.
His business has received multiple Keep Virginia Beautiful Awards and was named the Virginia Tech Outstanding Alumnus for the Department of Horticulture for 2009/10. He is also a Virginia Certified Landscape
Hobbies: Guitar playing/collecting; sporting clays; hiking; fishing; reading
Dislikes: In general, people who approach every encounter as if someone is trying to cheat them. I get “negative vibes” from this life philosophy. Best Habit: “check/double check” to make sure that everyone is on the same page.
Biggest Challenge, Obstacle or Disaster in Business History. The extended recession. It has made it difficult to make any decisions or plans with confidence. Who is your most significant mentor and why? Probably the U S Marine Corps (1972/74). They teach that a lot of people have worked hard and made sacrifices so you can have opportunities. Respect that and perform at your best every day.
Worst Habit: Not handling personnel issues right away.
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At Buds & Blooms we put in a lot of effort to grow stronger, healthier & the most beautiful plants. We also put in a lot of effort to deliver them to you in perfect condition. That’s why we have our own fleet of shelved delivery trucks. Every order you get from us arrives at your door in better shape, with informative color picture tags ready for your customers. Call us today & see how better grown plants from Buds & Blooms will help grow your sales!
Bloom After Bloom, Year After Year.
1-800-772-2837 budbloom@bellsouth.net Brown Summit, NC 26
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Future Plans: Personal ---- to try new things and to not get complacent. Business--- stay tuned in to what is going on and to avoid surprises. How has the industry changed since you started in business? It has matured in what we can provide the client under our design build umbrella. What was considered out of the realm of offering is now standard. The image of the industry has improved tremendously in the eye of the public. Plus, if you present yourself as a professional and expert, the client will respond to it. If you do not value your time/knowledge, neither will the client.
Where do you think the green industry is going in the next 10 years?
VNLA - Field Day
I think that housing will be built more on a human scale and that the “McMansions” will be dinosaurs. Open fluid green/landscape spaces will become a more integral part of the home and not viewed as separate. The home and landscape will be viewed as one. Landscape Design/Build that does not include extensive or excessive maintenance will be a driving force. This is due to the aging population, time constraints and people not wanting to be tied down.
What do you know now, that you would have liked to know when you started in business? I would have liked to have had the benefit of 30 years of experience to use at the start, not only in horticulture, but in small business management.
2011 Field Day at Ingleside Plantation Nurseries (photo by Michele Fletcher)
If you missed the VNLA Field Day in 2011, see what you missed below and plan on attending the 2012 VNLA Field Day and Summer Tour with an equally impressive/informative event in Central Virginia in August 2012. Hopefully you were able to attend this year’s VNLA Field Day at Ingleside Plantation Nurseries and Vineyards. It was a wonderful time! Either
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way, here is a recap of the day. It was one of those rare August days when the temperature is perfect and just when you think it’s getting warm, a cool breeze comes along. Ingleside graciously provided a beautiful venue in the winery’s courtyard under mature trees. They were incredible hosts and as a result, this year’s Field Day was one of the best yet! The VNLA would like to thank to the entire Ingleside team for opening their winery, nursery, and for a lucky few, even their home. In addition, the tours, speakers, and vendors were fantastic - a job well done by all! There were several options for how to spend your day, but since I found myself with the speakers for the majority of the time, I’ll share some highlights from their presentations. In the first session, Chris Beytes (Editor & Publisher of GrowerTalks and Green Profit magazine) shared
his expertise with “Social Media 101”. He discussed multiple ways to connect with audiences from retail consumers to wholesale buyers through Facebook, Twitter, and even simple updates to a company’s website. One of the main take away points for me was that when communicating through these methods it’s important to create a relationship with the end user, not just make a sales pitch. Sure, using these venues to announce sales or present coupons is valuable, but first the end user should feel like you’re including them in the business, not just trying to sell them something. Chris mentioned the importance of selecting an individual for these communications that #1 ENJOYs social media and #2 resonates with your audience. This persons’ interest and enthusiasm will shine through - it should be fun, not a chore. And if folks can connect with a person at your place of business, they are more likely to feel like part of the
family and buy from you! Next, changing gears for the plant geeks in the crowd, Dr. Paul Cappiello (Executive Director of Yew Dell Botanical Gardens in Crestwood, KY) shared “Extraordinary Plants; the next generation!” with the group. This talk was chock full of cool plants, so I’ll just point out a few of my favs. The first, Buddleia ‘Purple Haze’, developed by Dr. Dennis Werner of NC State, is the newest edition in the Lo and Behold Series. There are several great characteristics to this plant but the biggies are that it’s sterile (!) and has HUGE blooms compared to ‘Blue Chip’. It does get a bit larger than ‘Blue Chip’, but if you have the space, it seems like a winner! A stumper, Peltoboykinia watanabei, is a super cool plant with GIGANTIC leaves for the shade garden. Its interesting texture and toughness make it a plant you might consider. And last but not least, an old favorite that you just don’t see
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Specializing in field grown shade, ornamental & evergreen trees in Chesapeake and Suffolk , Virginia since 1987
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enough of, Schizophragma hydrangeoides. I want them all! We had a great break for lunch, wine tasting, tours, and bidding on silent auction items to benefit the Virginia Society of Landscape Designers. We also checked out some stellar vendors and associations, and of course, visited with our peers from across the state. With all of that excitement, it was hard to sit back down for the afternoon talks, but they proved worth it! For the first afternoon session, Chris Beytes joined us again to discuss “Tracking the Hot Trends” in our industry. Chris does a remarkable job of this and covers many other topics on a weekly basis in his AcresOnline newsletter. If you haven’t subscribed to the email blast do it! (www.ballpublishing.com look at the bottom left for a link) It’s a quick and enjoyable read keeping you up to date with what’s happening across the industry. One overarching
idea was the use of color. Whether it’s the Pantone “Color of the Year” or what’s on the front cover of Pottery Barn’s Catalog, color themes are trends that folks identify with. Chris encouraged us to look at how we use color in displays and marketing as it makes a difference. Also, take a gander at marketing in other sectors. National brands have marketing dollars that many of us do not, so use what they’re doing (examples included Trader Joes, Starbucks, Whole Foods, Williams and Sonoma, and Pottery Barn as well as lifestyle magazines) to reel customers in. The final session of the day was again with the ever captivating Dr. Paul Cappiello. He led an exciting presentation and exchange on native plants titled, “Taming the Native Debate”. Paul said, “native needs a modifier” and that also seems to me where we all get hung up. He broke it into four groups: Local Native (10-20 miles-ish), Close-Regional Native
(50-75 miles-ish), Broad-Regional Native (75+ miles within the same geographical system), and Continental Native (anywhere on the continent). With definitions like these, we’re reminded to make sure we’re on the same page before beginning a native discussion or work with clients. We didn’t come to any definitive conclusions, but the discussion was of course lively and I think we all learned something new by listening to each other’s perspectives and experiences. The day finished up with more wine and a lovely dinner at Ingleside kicking off the 2011 Summer Tour. So much fun! I’m already working to come up with a list of exciting speakers for next year so please send any suggestions my way (sonya@saundersbrothers.com ) and I hope to see you this August in Central Virginia! Sonya Lepper Westervelt, Public Relations Chair
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News - ANLA: What is the future of the ANLA Clinic?
Washington, D.C.— The conclusion of ANLA’s successful 2012 Clinic has been surrounded by industry buzz asking, “What’s next?” Rumors ranging from a new location to the end of the Clinic’s four decade-long run as the industry’s premier education event have circulated at tradeshows and in the trade press. According to Skip Shorb, ANLA Treasurer, and Chairman of the Board of American Plant garden centers, “Clinic was, by most measures, a resounding success. It remains the top event where our industry’s owners, top managers and future leaders gather to learn, strategize and share the ideas that make our businesses successful. Clinic remains relevant and important to the future of our company and those of my peers.” Shorb clarifies that Clinic cannot move forward exactly the way it is today. “The Clinic we know and love, at the Galt House in Kentucky, is built for 750 - 1100 attendees. Our industry is not supporting that right now and the meeting has to change, just as we have changed our garden center to reflect the current economy.”
During Clinic’s closing general session in Louisville, ANLA executive vice president Bob Dolibois stated, “Clinic today looks very different from Clinic two years ago. We have radically changed the format to meet the rapidly changing needs of our attendees. Clinic 2013 will again differ from Clinic 2012. What will not change is the creativity, innovative education and community - the strong sense of family - that makes Clinic so unique, and so special to our industry.” What is next for ANLA’s Clinic? ANLA and OFA’s boards of directors are meeting jointly, later this month. Their goal is to come out of that meeting with a framework for a new meeting that allows the organizations to engage their memberships in building a new event for 2013. Stay tuned. ANLA, a Washington, DC-based trade association, represents green industry business professionals seeking market leadership through advocacy with our nation’s government, a community of industry innovators and experts, and unique, profitabilityfocused programming, products and services. Through the Lighthouse Program, a partnership with green industry state and regional associations, ANLA represents more than 15,000 businesses before Congress and to the White House. For additional information contact: Jonathan Bardzik, Director of Marketing and Industry Relations, 202-789-2900
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On behalf of ANLA and OFA, Bob Dolibois and I are pleased to announce that our two associations are launching a joint venture. This joint venture will initially focus on business education and advocacy. Both associations have unique strengths and those strengths reside in different areas of association work. Working together means building on those differing capabilities for the benefit of our members and the industry. It means avoiding duplication and competition for industry resources and member participation. In several years, if our organizations see the joint venture as a value to our members and they can benefit from further collaboration to better serve them and the industry, it is our intention to form a new, single premier horticulture organization serving North America. The most important thing to focus on now is having a successful joint venture. This initiative is the product of a visionary OFA/ANLA Working Group of elected leaders. Both association boards have adopted a resolution forming the joint venture and a vision statement of what the initiative is intended to achieve. Copies of those documents are available at www.ofa.org and www.anla.org. You’ll also find an FAQ document there that provides more details. Bob and I are very supportive of this move and excited about the benefits it can bring to our members and the industry. We look forward to seeing you in San Antonio and discussing this further.
ANLA President, Bob Lyons, owner of Sunleaf Nursery, adds, “ANLA also has a new partner in OFA - The Association of Horticulture Professionals. Clinic 2013 needs to reflect that partnership and serve the educational needs of our joint memberships.” 30
News - ANLA and OFA Launch Joint Venture
Michael V. Geary, CAE, Chief Executive Officer, OFA - The Association of Horticulture Professionals, mgeary@ofa.org
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News - Briggs Plant Propagators Announces New COO: J. Guy ELMA, WA. DECEMBER 5, 2011: It is with great pleasure Briggs Plant Propagators, LLC, announces James `J' Guy. He joins the Briggs team as the Chief Operating Officer. Many in the industry will know `J' as an individual with a long history of innovation and success in the nursery industry, and former owner of Carolina Nurseries, Moncks Corner, SC.
at the corporate office in Elma, WA. About Briggs Plant Propagators: Briggs is a leading grower and supplier in North America of plantlets produced in its state-of-the-art tissue culture laboratory in Elma, Washington. Briggs utilizes 85 proprietary protocols in its production facility to serve its customer base in the U.S. and overseas. Originally concentrating on ornamental plants, Briggs more recently has broadened its business mission to include serving viticulture and forest seedling markets. Contact: Dave Jarzynka, President & CEO • (800) 444-1515
News - Va. Horticultural Foundation Thanks 2012 Expo Participants (Virginia Beach, VA) -- The Virginia Horticultural Foundation would like to thank its sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, attendees and everyone else who supported and participated in the 2012 Virginia Flower & Garden Expo. 2012 Landscape Displays
"We are excited to have J Guy join us in a leadership position and work with our talented staff at Briggs. His experience and energy will add to the momentum in the business and help us grow to serve a greater number of customers," said Dave Jarzynka, President & CEO of Briggs.
The majority of J's time will be spent
Dreamscape Designers Beach Groundworks (Winner, American Horticultural Society Environmental Award and Bronze Award for Excellence for “The Earth Gardener”) Conceptual Outdoor Design Jack Frost Landscapes (Winner, Virginia Society of
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Landscape Designers Award for Best Landscape Design, and Silver Award for Excellence for “Staycation”) K&D Round’s Landscape Services, Inc. (Winner, Best in Show, People’s Choice Winner and Silver Award for Excellence for “The Entertainer’s Garden”) Coastal Landscapes Xteriors of Virginia Beach (Silver Award For Excellence for “Rooftop Retreat”) William Becker Enterprises (Bronze Award for Excellence for “Backyard Paradise”) Home Projects, Inc. Brad Morgan, Back East Landscaping
Many Thanks to: Bennett’s Creek Nursery Lancaster Farms White’s Old Mill Garden Center Paramount Greenhouse Batchelder & Collins Baillio Sand Ultimate Hardscapes Riverside Turf Land & Coates K&D Round’s Landscape Services, Inc. DSD Landscaping Dr. Dan’s Landscaping & Architectural Design Bartlett Tree Good Earth Landscape Co. Basnight Land & Lawn Strawbridge Lawn & Landscape Atlantic Garden Center Jack Frost Landscape & Garden Center Turf & Garden Yorktown Materials Maxwell Landscape Services Renaissance Outdoor Contracting For more information about the 2013 Virginia Flower & Garden Expo, scheduled for Jan 25-27 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, contact Laurie Fox at 757.284.6139 or www.vafgs.org . 32 32
News - Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Left to right: Director Frank Robinson, Cokie Roberts, Community Member Chris Cosello, Board Chair Bill King, and Susan Hildreth.
The Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden has been selected as one of only five recipients of 2011 National Medal for Museum Service. Established in 1984, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden encompasses some 60 acres of landscaped gardens, a children’s garden, visitor’s center, greenhouses, an education and library complex, and a glass-domed conservatory. Visitors of all ages enjoy access to a wide variety of educational resources in these living classrooms where they study home gardening, landscape design, botanical art, nature photography, climate change, early childhood nature education, urban gardening, and sustainable landscape design. The garden also feeds the needy through its Community Kitchen Garden in partnership with FeedMore, an umbrella organization for organizations who provide meals in community kitchens. A corps of dedicated volunteers (including high school students) help plant, cultivate, harvest, and deliver some 9,000 pounds of fresh nutritious food annually. In partnership with Henrico County, the gardens are also working on phase one of a comprehensive water management plan aimed at conserving and purifying water flowing through the gardens to the Chesapeake Bay.
Community Member: January / February2012 2012 January/February/March
Chris Corsello Chris Corsello is a young man with autism who has been volunteering at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden for nearly two years with his aide Lisa Watts. Chris has worked in the Rose Garden, helps with the garden’s semi-annual plant sales, and was instrumental in the construction of Diamonds in the Rough, a towering stick sculpture designed by worldfamous artist Patrick Dougherty and built on-site at the garden in May of 2011. Chris enjoys making a meaningful contribution to the garden and appreciates the community he has found there. U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D_VA), who nominated the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden: "I am proud that the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden has been selected as one of only five recipients of 2011 National Medal for Museum Service. The Ginter Botanical Garden is a gorgeous facility that serves Central Virginia through public education, research and by hosting great community events. I congratulate Lewis Ginter for receiving a much-deserved award for its extraordinary role in public service to the community." Press Contact: Beth Monroe, bethm@lewisginter.org, 804-262-9887, ext. 316, Web Site: www.lewisginter.org
Legislation - Invasive Species Legislation The recent unpleasantries over invasive species at this years’ General Assembly tells us three things: first, “A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals….” (Agent ‘K’, from MIB); second, politicians are not very bright; third, outside of our own industry, not many people know about us. This past January, Delegate Patrick Hope, on behalf of a Reston homeowners’ association, proposed legisNewsletter VNLAVNLA Newsletter
lation for the control of invasive plants, never mind that an invasive species law has been on the books for about eight years. As the story goes, the good people of Reston, either not knowing about, or not caring about the current invasive species laws, and wanting stricter regulations on invasive plants in their part of Virginia, had Delegate Hope introduce House Bill #396. Nobody saw this coming until it was introduced and, luckily, we dodged the bullet - the bill was carried over until next year.
public and private. In the past, I think a lot of us have considered these groups to be pests, if not the enemy. I know that, if they think about us at all, they consider us, the nursery and landscape industry, to be environmentally un-friendly. They don’t know us. We need to change their perception of us; we need to make them allies rather than the enemy.
I propose that the VNLA (VGIC, VAC, VTC, etc.) become a member of these organizations (Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, etc.), and that we There isn’t much we can do about the invite them to become associate first two things, but we can certainly members of the VNLA as well. But, do something about letting people in order to change how these organiknow who we are. Since I have been zations and the public perceive us, we on the VNLA’s board I have folmust become active members. Somelowed three main subjects; plastics one from the VNLA - certainly inrecycling, the Chesapeake Bay cleancluding but not limited to Board up and the problems caused by invamembers - needs to attend their meetsive species. Both the Bay clean-up ings. We not only need to attend their and invasive species legislation have, meetings to listen to what their memmore or less, been pushed forward by bers (and 12:24 our potential customers) are various environmental both10/20/2004 SiteLight .5 pg bw 3adsgroups, 10-04.qxd PM Page 3
concerned about, we need to attend to put a face on the VNLA and, perhaps, we can even give them input from a different perspective. We should also invite them to have a booth at our Field Day, maybe even a link on our website to theirs (hopefully they will reciprocate). The members of the VNLA are just as concerned with the environment as any of the environmental groups out there, if not more so. I don’t think the public realizes that fact, so we have to do more. At one of the Virginia Invasive Species Working Group meetings that I attended, one of the members proposed forming fast acting groups loosely based on the Smoke Jumper crews that battle forest fires out west, to combat invasive plants. I thought that was a really good idea. The state doesn’t have the money to fund this program but that leaves us with an opportunity - why can’t we do something like that. Purely voluntary, the VNLA could work with the
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regional nursery and landscape groups (one of the goals from our strategic planning seminar last fall) to coordinate with the local chapter of whatever environmental group, and go out and fight the problem where it grows. We could organize one of these volunteer days quarterly somewhere in the state - less frequently, if that works better - and show that we are as serious as anyone about the problem of invasive plants. Add an article of clothing (hat, t-shirt, polo shirt, whatever) to identify us as VNLA (VGIC, VAC, VTC, etc) members and you have succeeded in putting a face on the VNLA. This might also serve to let the public know about how important our Certified Horticulturist Program is. The biggest question on everyone’s mind is: What’s in it for me? Why should I be bothered with spending my free time grubbing up invasive plants? There is value in volunteering. Since the economy went bad, Natural Art Landscaping has easily put in 200 volunteer hours each year some for various professional organizations, but most for public projects where we live. Those volunteer hours have paid us back handsomely by introducing us to potential customers. Good will is priceless. In this case we would be working with people who are actively lobbying their elected representatives to propose legislation that could potentially impact quite a few of our businesses negatively. There is no timetable for any of this; it would certainly take time to get any of the volunteer work going, if that is even an option the Board would like to discuss. But at the very least we should consider joining a few of the environmental groups’ state chapters as soon as we can. Tom Thompson, VNLA Chair Environmental Affairs
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Legislative - ANLA Update President Signs Spending Package Including H2B Relief Measure On December 23, President Obama signed into law H.R. 2055, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012. This approximately $1 trillion omnibus spending package includes funding for the Department of Labor, Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies. The American Nursery & Landscape Association (ANLA) is happy to announce that the bill prohibits implementation of the Department of Labor's (DOL) H2B wage rule for the remainder of fiscal year 2012, which runs through September 30, 2012. Had it gone into effect on January 1, the rule would have forced employers using the H2B program to pay massively higher wages to their H2B workers. ANLA will continue to push for a more permanent prohibition against the wage rule, which is also the subject of a promising court challenge in federal district court in northern Florida. Congress' action is a double-edged sword; while it brings near-term clarity and relief, it may delay the court's consideration of the issue. On balance though, this bit of news is good news.
NLRB Issues New Union Election Rules The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on December 22 issued new rules governing union elections. Referred to by the pro-business Coalition for a Democratic Workforce as the "ambush election" rules, the NLRB's action has been challenged both in Congress and in the courts. For the NLRB's own description of January / February2012 2012 January/February/March
the new rules, visit http://www.nlrb.gov/node/3240 . For an ANLA overview of the NLRB and its latest action, visit www.ANLA.org.
New Trucking "Hours Of Service" Rules The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a final rule revising the hours-ofservice (HOS) requirements for commercial truck drivers. The department was under a court supervised settlement agreement to issue a final rule by July 26, 2011. They missed that date. The effective date for most of the changes is July 1, 2013. A brief summary of aspects of the rule most likely to affect green industry businesses is posted at www.ANLA.org .
New H2A Wages Published As Other Challenges Loom On December 22, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published new "Adverse Effect Wage Rates" (AEWRs) for the H2A agricultural guest worker program, for the 2012 year. Most states will see increases ranging as high as $0.40 per hour, or 4.3%, in North Carolina and Virginia. The national average increase is $0.14 per hour, or 1.4%. A few areas will see modest decreases the AEWR will drop 2.5% in Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey. More information is posted at http://www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov. While the increases will trouble many users and prospective users, other problems are being reported, ranging from the Labor Department and state workforce agencies rejecting employers' requirements for prior experience, and even challenging employers' right to insist upon mandatory drug testing. This article is provided VNLA and ANLA as a Lighthouse Program partner benefit.
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Tips - Sustainable Practices for Designed Landscapes (Part 2 of 3) VNLA - Certification Quiz Article #59
Quiz Article Sustainable Practices for Designed Landscapes Part 2 of 3 VII. Vegetation
If you are a Virginia Certified Horticulturist, read this article and answer the quiz questions on page 47, fax/mail the Quiz Answer postcard and get 1 CEU towards your re-certification requirements.
Appropriate vegetation provides ecosystem services such as pollutant interception and water management as well as habitat for desirable pollinator species. Plants that are adapted to regional conditions and climate, and that meet design intent ultimately require fewer resources and less maintenance. The use of native and appropriate non-native plants can enhance biodiversity, reduce pesticide use, conserve water, and reduce energy costs. Vegetation can have a positive impact on response to local climate stress, such as providing heat energy savings when used as wind-
break and cooling benefits through shading and evapotranspiration and mitigating the effects of urban heat islands. In addition, native plants can provide habitats for wildlife that support recreational and ecotourism activities, such as fishing and bird watching, and opportunities for environmental education. Native and appropriate non-native plants also support important pollinator species that are necessary for plant reproduction, including cultivation of crops. Up to 80% of the world’s food plant species are dependent on pollination by animals. A healthy vegetation cover will also inhibit the establishment of invasive plants. Invasive species compete with and harm plant and animal communities. Approximately 5,000 plant species (approximately 60% from horticulture) have escaped into natural ecosystems, resulting in billions of dollars in damage, loss of
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productivity and control costs. Correct management of plants and plant products reduces risks to local ecosystems, property, and human life. In wildfire prone areas for example, designing a defensible space around structures protects facilities from damage by reducing flame heights and making fires easier to extinguish. When addressing vegetation issues as part of sustainable landscape practices agencies should consider the following actions.
for disposal of invasive plant materials to prevent spread. Invasive and/or non-invasive plants may be a character-defining part of a historic landscape or planting. If invasive non-native plants are to be maintained for historic reasons, they should be actively managed so that they do not spread or cause harm to the region.
A. Preserve existing native vegetation: especially mature trees, to the extent possible. The functions of mature trees are difficult to replace with new plantings that will not reach maturity for several years. B. Use appropriate, non-invasive plants: Plants that are noninvasive and appropriate for local site conditions, climate, and design intent should be used to improve landscape performance and reduce resource use. Plants/seeds that are appropriate for site conditions, climate, and design intent and are nursery grown, legally harvested, or salvaged for reuse should be used. C. Prevent, detect, control, and manage invasive plants: As feasible, identify and remove all invasive species on-site and develop and implement an active management plan to prevent new introductions. Develop a comprehensive invasive plant management plan (either as a separate plan or as part of a larger natural resources or operations management plan) that addresses early detection, removal, prevention, and long-term management. This plan should also incorporate Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPM) practices and guidelines including treatments, long-term control (including monitoring), and best management practices 36
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provide habitat for native wildlife should be conserved. As feasible, the area containing native plant communities within VSPZ should be protected and habitat corridors connecting to off-site natural areas or buffers adjacent to off-site natural areas for migrating wildlife should also be protected. H. Restore plant communities native to the ecoregion: As feasible, restoration of the vegetated area should be pursued. Restoration of plants and plant communities native to the ecoregion of the site contributes to regional diversity of flora and provides habitat for native wildlife. I.
Use vegetation to minimize building heating and cooling requirements: Vegetation and/or vegetated structures should be placed in strategic locations to shade buildings during the cooling season, thereby reducing energy consumption associated with indoor climate control. Windbreaks for buildings should be established to effectively block wind, but also not result in winter shading. Staggered rows of trees and dense shrubs that extend for the full length of the building’s walls facing the prevailing winter wind should be considered. Strategically placed vegetation can lower energy use associated with indoor climate control. Deciduous vegetation or vegetated structures can shade surface areas of the west, southwest, southeast, and east walls and the roof area during summer months.
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Use trees and other vegetation to offset emissions of greenhouse gases from operations: Trees and other vegetation should be planted to promote long-term storage of carbon.
D. Maintain existing historic landscapes and plantings: Existing plantings and landscapes should be maintained if they are historic in their existing form and/or protect historic properties, extend the life cycle of existing stock, conserve resources, or reduce waste. In some cases invasive plants may have cultural or historic value and are appropriate to be used in a new design, but should be actively managed to prevent spread. During construction protect using VSPZ methods. E. Use native plants: Where practicable, use vegetation native to the ecoregion. F. Protect and preserve all vegetation designated as special status: Identify, protect, and preserve all vegetation designated as special status by local, state, or Federal entities, including historic designation and protect using VSPZ methods. G. Conserve plant communities native to the ecoregion: Plant communities’ native to the ecoregion of the site that contribute to regional diversity of flora and January / February 2012 January/February/March 2012
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K. Reduce urban heat island effects: Use vegetation to reduce heat island effect, minimizing effects on microclimate. Design options in addition to vegetative shade include covering structures with solar photovoltaic panels, installing vegetated roofs and/or surfaces with a solar reflectance index (SRI) of at least 29, using paving materials with an SRI of at least 29, and using an opengrid pavement system (e.g. concrete-grass lattice).
and in adjacent landscapes, the management of potential fuels should be considered in the design, building, and maintenance of site landscaping. Design, build, and maintain sites to manage fuels to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire both on site and in adjacent landscapes. Although used for residential landscapes, the Firewise™ Guide to Landscape and Construction can be used as a guide for these purposes.
L. Reuse salvaged materials and plants: Salvaged materials and appropriate plants (where feasible) should be reused to conserve resources. Recycle useful materials to divert waste from landfills. M. Support sustainable practices in plant production: Where practicable, plants and materials should be purchased from businesses and providers that reduce resource consumption and waste and employ sustainable practices including, but not limited to, use of sustainable soil amendments, reduced irrigation runoff, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, reduced energy consumption, use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices, reduced water consumption, reduced waste, and recycling of all organic matter. N. Use regional materials: When acquiring and using materials, plants, soils, select those that are grown or produced locally or within the geographic region of the project in order to reduce energy use for transportation and increase demand for local goods. Source materials, plants, and soils within distances specified (soils 50 miles, aggregate - 50 miles, plants - 250 miles, all other materials - 500 miles) should be considered. O. Reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire: To reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire both on-site 38
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P. Use vegetation to promote community/employee morale and well-being activities: Rooftop gardens, community gardens, and vertical gardens inside or outside of buildings, adjacent or connecting to the landscape should be considered in order to promote educational programs, food access, and gardening activities for morale and community engagement. Q. Allow space for proper growth: When placement of landscaping is determined, allow for full mature growth of the species to permit the natural beauty of the plant and diminish the possibility of disease.
VIII. Materials Selection Sustainable materials management promotes the use of material resources in a manner that protects economic growth, environmental quality, and social development throughout the life-cycle of the product. This means ensuring materials are sourced and managed sustainably and used January / February 2012 January/February/March 2012
efficiently throughout their life-cycle, including considering wastes as potential resources that can be used as inputs for new products. Sustainable materials management helps reduce the negative environmental impacts associated with the production, consumption, and end-of life management of material resources. While the following recommendations aim to increase the use and management of sustainable materials, Federal agencies must work within Federal and agency procurement specifications, criteria and regulations (see http://www.fedcenter.gov/programs/b uygreen/). When addressing materials management issues as part of sustainable landscape practices agencies should consider the following actions. A. Reuse salvaged materials: Where feasible, a minimum of 20% of all materials (including plants) used on-site for landscaping should be salvaged materials. Check within your own facility, installation, or agency for materials that may already be available and/or excess. For modernization or renovation projects, it may be feasible to reuse many of the existing materials on-site for landscaping, which reduces the project cost by cutting down on the amount of waste being trucked off-site. Contact the General Services Administration (GSA) or the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service to determine if excess Federal materials are available for transfer or purchase. B. Use regional materials: Where feasible, materials, plants, and soils should be sourced within the distances specified in the following list. Soils - 50 miles, aggregate - 50 miles, plants - 250 miles, all other materials - 500 miles.
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C. Use sustainably harvested, certified wood: Do not use wood species listed as threatened or endangered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and the International Union for Conservation of Nature Use wood that is harvested in a sustainable manner.
users, which is important for human health, while providing quiet outdoor spaces for site users to enjoy. Moreover, such features can enhance employee morale and retention.
D. Maintain existing structures: Where feasible, maintain or reuse in their existing form existing structures, hardscapes, and landscape amenities on-site. E. Design for deconstruction: Design material assemblies, products, and/or product components used for construction to facilitate reuse and deconstruction. F. Use recycled content materials: The Comprehensive Procurement Guideline requires Federal agencies to buy products containing recovered materials. For nonCPG designated items, materials with recycled content should be used. While compost and fertilizer made from recovered organic materials are included in this element, plants and soils are not. G. Develop and implement a materials waste management plan: Encourage the salvage and recycling of all construction, demolition, land clearing, and operational waste. For example, existing vegetation that is removed from a site can be mulched and added back as a soil amendment.
IX. Human Health and Well-Being In addition to environmental functions, sustainable landscapes provide restorative value and health benefits to the user. Outdoor physical activity contributes to overall health and can help people control obesity and associated chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and high blood pressure. Outdoor spaces that encourage social interaction can promote social connection among site 40
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Massey Cancer Center Healing Garden, Richmond
Incorporating natural systems and garden settings should be a goal for integrated site design. Single sites in a built setting can serve both social and environmental functions. Knowledge about the microclimates of a space (where and when the sun hits, amount of rainfall, the natural water levels, soil types, wind, and exposure to sound and light pollution) can be used to achieve ecological design goals, enhance human comfort, and provide a restorative setting. For instance, rain gardens for stormwater management can be designed to create a social space, or a roof garden can serve as a break room. Other human health considerations should include access to transit and affordable housing as well as promotion of the ability to walk and bike to and around the site. When addressing human health issues January / February 2012 January/February/March 2012
as part of sustainable landscape practices agencies should consider the following actions. A. Promote equitable site development and use: Where appropriate, agencies should engage with the local communities and stakeholders (e.g., residents, users, agency employees) to identify and develop options for sharing economic and social benefits of the site’s landscape development. Select options that allow development of the site to benefit a wide range of users, beyond the primary user groups. B. Enhance community development: Quality landscape design that enables positive effects for local residents can promote the long-term economic stability of local families and businesses. Providing community accessibility and on-site facilities that address the needs of local residents is recommended when feasible (e.g., farmer’s markets, community gardens). The development of a community benefits agreement for post-construction site use can be a helpful way to engage with the local community. Community events should not interfere with agency mission or public safety or lead to damage of the landscape. Rooftop gardens, community gardens, and vertical gardens inside or outside of buildings, adjacent or connecting to the landscape should be considered in order to promote educational programs, food access, and gardening activities for morale and community engagement. C. Review parking and design: Where feasible, locate parking areas in underground parking structures in order to reduce impervious surface stormwater runoff. Moreover, underground parking provides opportunities for green space, gardens, park space, or a facility on top of the strucNewsletter VNLAVNLA Newsletter
ture, providing good urban design and efficient use of the land and built environment. Alternative parking structures, such as above grade parking garages should blend aesthetically with the built environment and as feasible, incorporate green roofs and/or solar panels. If surface parking must be built, trees and grass or other types of vegetation and sustainable materials should be incorporated to mitigate impervious surface stormwater runoff. D. Promote sustainability education: Consider developing interpretation programs and activities to educate site users and the public about the sustainability of the landscaping and site. Programs could include talks, demonstrations, web sites, on-site descriptive signage etc. Consider partnerships to extend sustainability education to local community groups or schools.
E. Increase user ability to understand and safely access outdoor spaces: Optimum site accessibility, safety, and wayfinding should be provided for all users, including those with disabilities, without compromising sensitive site features such as wetlands, archaeological sites, or heritage trees. Wayfinding should be implemented to create an environment that makes it easy and intuitive for all users to orient themselves and navigate from place to place. Where feasible, incorporate accessibility into site selection, planning, design, and development so that all elements and features, including paths, trails, facilities, and signage, are equally usable by people with physical, sensory, cognitive, or developmental disabilities. F. Encourage outdoor activities: On-site amenities such as community gardens, bike trails, play-
grounds, and workout stations should be provided to encourage outdoor activities. Appropriate support services, such as drinking fountains, emergency call boxes, and safety lighting should also be included. To the extent possible, on-site systems, such as trails and paths, should be connected to local and regional systems and access to parks and open space within 0.25 mile. G. Create quiet outdoor spaces for relaxation and restoration, small group interaction, and views: Creating visual and physical connections to the outdoors optimizes the well-being of site users. Plantings that use rich species diversity should be utilized in the landscape design. Where possible, seating areas with unique or beautiful views and minimal noise should be provided, while taking into consideration an understanding of the mi-
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croclimate and other site-specific conditions (e.g., sun, shade, wind, etc.). In addition, outdoor gathering spaces should accommodate groups for the purpose of education, building community and improving social ties. H. Reduce light pollution: “Light trespass” from landscaping on Federal sites should be minimized to reduce sky-glow, increase nighttime visibility, minimize negative effects on nocturnal animals, and improve human health and functioning. Site lighting criteria should be formulated to minimize energy use and to avoid off-site lighting and sky pollution, while maintaining safe light levels. The direction and spread of light can be controlled by choosing appropriate light fixtures.
objects. direction on site significance and treatment will inform all aspects of management, operations, and maintenance. For example, a CLR will include a list of features that are historically significant and denote which landscape features are not contributing to the historic significance. Where appropriate, a landscape architect specializing in historic preservation should be consulted in order to assist in meeting sustainability goals while protecting the integrity of the cultural landscape. For more information on landscape preservation, see the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for the Treatment of Cultural Landscapes.35 When evaluating existing and historic facilities as part of sustainable landscape practices, agencies should consider the following recommendations.
Create a safe environment: Gardens and landscaping located around the perimeter of a Federal facility can double as a security measure to help protect workers and visitors inside the building. Incorporate permanent hardscape features such as benches and raised planters to help deter unwanted access to the building. Agencies should consider principles and strategies developed from Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design.
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X. Existing Historic Facilities and Cultural Landscapes When working with historic or cultural landscapes it is critical to understand the characteristics that make the site historic or give it cultural significance. Changes to the characteristics and features of the site should only occur after careful consideration of whether the change will affect the site’s cultural and historic integrity. This may require a Cultural Landscape Report with analysis of characteristics such as spatial organization, vegetation, circulation, water features, structures, site furnishings, and 42
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Native buffer drainage at Wetland Solutions, Gainesville, VA
Water For cultural landscapes, it is important to reduce water usage by focusing irrigation on significant vegetation features, using native plants for replacement plantings as necessary and appropriate, and upgrading irrigation systems. When preserving or restoring riparian, wetland, and shoreline buffers, it is necessary to work January / February 2012 January/February/March 2012
with preservation specialists to determine whether and how this goal can be implemented without adversely effecting site integrity. Water features should be maintained in cultural landscapes using sustainable nonpotable water forces for required make-up water. Vegetation In the cultural or historic setting, plants often provide a historic connection indicating a sense of place or regional identity. Maintaining cultural integrity through cultural landscapes, including historic properties, is an important consideration when designing sustainable landscapes. While the recommendations included in the Vegetation section are generally applicable, additional recommendations are required when dealing with a cultural landscape. Plant materials in cultural landscapes and designed historic sites may be nonnative, naturalized and in some cases managed invasive species. Plants that are character-defining features of a cultural landscape should be preserved. On tribal lands, special consideration should be given to culturally significant species. When replacement of character-defining vegetation is necessary, a historical landscape architect should be involved in order to determine whether a change to native species is appropriate. Additionally, potential changes should be communicated to the public to allow for stakeholder input. Any existing plants and plantings that have been determined to have special status should be maintained, such as state champion trees, rare species (i.e. American chestnut), threatened and endangered species, trees with other special status or especially desirable characteristics (e.g., National Park Service’s “witness trees” and diseaseresistant elms on the National Mall), and all vegetation that contributes to a cultural landscape, including controllable invasive plants.
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XI. Construction Construction practices at Federal facilities should reflect the goals outlined below and other goals outlined in this document. An Integrated Design Team, made up of architects, landscape architects, horticulturalists, designers, specification writers, and contracting officers, should use the following recommendations during the design process and apply them through construction specifications and contractor bidding requirements process. A. Control and retain construction pollutants: The discharge of construction site pollutants and materials should be prevented to protect receiving waters (including surface water, groundwater, and combined sewers or stormwater systems), air quality, and public safety. A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan and Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan should be developed for all construction activities and implemented per applicable EPA and/or location regulations. The project should conform at a minimum to erosion and sedimentation requirements of the most current EPA Construction General Permit or local erosion and sedimentation control standards and codes, whichever is more stringent. In addition, agency policy should encourage designers to incorporate long-term, postconstruction stormwater pollution and sedimentation control measures into site designs to both enhance this goal and assist in meeting goals for water and vegetation. B. Restore soils disturbed during construction: Soils disturbed during construction should be restored to pre-development conditions for organic matter, compaction, infiltration rates, soil biological function, and soil chemical characteristics to ensure the abil44
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ity to support healthy plants, biological communities, and water storage and infiltration. C. Restore soils disturbed by previous development: Where possible, soil function in areas of previously disturbed topsoil and subsoil should be restored to support healthy plants, biological communities, and water storage and infiltration. For areas to be re-vegetated, consider a benchmark of at least 90% restoration of the total surface area of soil disturbed by previous development or use. D. Divert construction and demolition materials from waste stream: Divert construction and demolition (C&D) materials generated by site development from disposal in landfills and/or combustion in non-energy producing incinerators. As feasible, all nonhazardous structural materials and infrastructure/road materials should be recycled, reused, and/or salvaged and coordinated between designers and contractors. Designers should be aware of this goal during initial design phases of a project, to support the objective of a zero-waste site.
Merrifield Garden Center, Gainesville, recycling concrete, brush, soil
Reuse or recycle vegetation, rocks, and soil generated during construction: Reuse or recycle vegetation, soils, and mineral/rock waste generated during construction to achieve a zero-waste site. To the extent practicable, materials from on-site land clearing activities with the exception of contaminated soils and diseased January / February 2012 January/February/March 2012
and/or invasive plant materials, should be retained and reused on-site. Site design should encourage balance of cut and fill wherever possible. All excess vegetation and recyclable materials shall be taken to composting and/or recycling sites.
XII. Operations and Maintenance Ongoing landscape maintenance can have a significant impact on the environment. Federal agencies should work to reduce intensive landscape maintenance operations with the goal of having a self-sustaining landscape where possible. Federal agencies should implement sustainable landscape practices both contractually and in-house when performing facility operations and maintenance. When addressing operations and maintenance as part of sustainable landscape practices, agencies should consider the following actions. A. Plan for ongoing sustainable landscape improvements: A development strategy for the site to meet the goals listed in this Guidance document should be prepared with an outline and identification of the long-term strategies (10-year desired outcome) and short-term actions to achieve sustainable design goals. B. Monitor performance of sustainable design practices: Sustainable design practices should be monitored and documented in order to evaluate performance over time and improve the body of knowledge on long-term site sustainability. The design team should monitor and evaluate results such as water consumption, chemical usage, and fossil fuelintensive maintenance. Overall plant vigor should be monitored on at least an annual basis to provide a measure of sustainable landscape planting success. The review and research of new practices in the landscape industry can assist Federal agencies in Newsletter VNLAVNLA Newsletter
maintaining cost effectiveness and becoming leaders in sustainability. C. Implement sustainable site maintenance: Prepare a site maintenance plan and ensure that site managers and any maintenance contracts commit to educating maintenance personnel on the goals and implementation of the plan. Examples of plan actions include, but are not limited to, mandating an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach and use of organic fertilizer (consider using BioPreferred fertilizer and pesticides), seasonal performance-based mowing (spring 3”, summer 4-5”, fall 4”), and annual pruning practices as opposed to regular shearing. IPM plans should be put in place for maintenance, so that risks from both pests and pesticides are minimized. In addition, maintenance staff should consider and address
excessive and/or poorly timed watering and frequent mowing. When maintaining historic or cultural landscapes, the maintenance plan should also address managing historic resources to prevent loss of integrity. Staff and contractors should be required to attend annual training on sustainable practices. D. Recycle organic matter generated during site operations and maintenance: The site maintenance plan should incorporate composting and/or recycling 100% of vegetation trimmings and appropriate compostable organics on-site, where feasible. Proper composting of materials from the recycling of vegetation trimmings and, where appropriate, food waste supports nutrient cycling, improves soil health, and reduces transportation costs and materials going to landfills.
E. Reduce outdoor energy consumption for all landscape operations: In new construction, energy-efficient outdoor fixtures, vehicles, and equipment should be selected to reduce environmental impacts and costs associated with site operations. The following actions can help Federal agencies reduce petroleum use associated with landscaping operations.
Increase fuel economy through acquisition of smaller vehicles, hybrid-electric vehicles, and alternative fuels vehicles and landscape equipment.
Employ efficiency strategies in landscape equipment, such as low-rolling resistance tires, synthetic oil, and other technologies.
Conduct annual evaluation of vehicle and equipment prac-
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tices. Continue to improve program by keeping abreast of new technology advances.
Utilize energy-efficient light bulbs (including LEDs), lighting fixtures, and other means to minimize electricity use.
F. Use renewable and energy efficient sources for landscape electricity and power needs: As feasible, agency operations and outside contractors should use on-site renewable energy sources and greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies to minimize air pollution, habitat destruction, and pollution from fossil fuel-based energy production from landscape operations. Agencies can use:
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Energy Star and Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP)-designated energyefficient products. Water-efficient products, including those meeting EPA’s Water Sense standards; iobased products designated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the BioPreferred program;
Environmentally preferable products and services, including Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) registered electronic products and Energy Star energy efficient electronic products;
Alternative fuel vehicles and alternative fuels required by the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct);
Products with low or no toxic or hazardous components;
Sustainable products for plant production and lawn care;
Alternative fuel vehicles and alternative fuels required by
the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct); and
Products with low or no toxic or hazardous constituents.
G. Maintenance activities should minimize localized air pollutants and greenhouse gas by specifying in the site maintenance plan that power maintenance equipment is powered without the use of gasoline and/or meets emission levels in the U.S. EPA’s Emission Standards for New Non-road Spark-Ignition Engines. Work periods should be specified for use of power equipment to reflect impact on human health and if possible, maintenance equipment such as mowers, leaf blower, trimmers, should operate during hours that have the least impact on building occupants and neighboring communities.
End of part 2 of 3
Complete the Quiz on page 47 and get 1 CEU for your Virginia Certified Horticulturist re-certification!
Guidance for Federal Agencies on Sustainable Practices for Designed Landscapes On October 5, 2009, President Obama signed Executive Order (E.O.) 13514, “Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy and Economic Performance.” The E.O. states that it is “the policy of the United States that Federal agencies shall increase energy efficiency; measure, report, and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions from direct and indirect activities; conserve and protect water resources through efficiency, reuse, and stormwater management; eliminate waste, recycle, and prevent pollution;…[and] strengthen the vitality and livability of the communities in which Federal facilities are located.” To help achieve these policy goals, this document provides guidance to improve the sustainability of Federal landscape practices. This guidance should be used by Federal agencies for landscape practices when constructing new, or rehabilitating existing, owned or leased facilities or when landscaping improvements are otherwise planned. The Federal government controls or owns more than 41 million acres of land2 and 429,000 building assets, comprising 3.34 billion square feet of space in the United States.3 Consequently, landscaping practices by Federal agencies can have significant impacts on the environment. Decisions regarding the development and maintenance of Federal real property under Federal control and jurisdiction can provide an opportunity to promote the sustainable use of water and land, conserve soils and vegetation, support natural ecosystem functions, conserve materials, promote human health and well-being, and ensure accessibility for all users, including those with disabilities. The complete version of this info is available as a PDF file from the VNLA office. Info@vnla.org, 1-800-476-0055
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4. When maintaining historic
VNLA - Certification Quiz #59 If you are a Virginia Certified Horticulturist, answer the following questions from the previous article, mark your answers on the card insert to the left and mail or fax back to the VNLA office towards your recertification CEU’s for your Virginia Certified Horticulturist.
Prepared by: Nanette Rider Whitt
Guidance for Federal Agencies on Sustainable Practices for Designed Landscapes Quiz 2 of 3 - Site Selection & Planning, Soils, Water Prepared by: Nanette R. Whitt
1. How much of the world’s food plant species are dependent on pollution by animals?
a. 20 % b. 40% c. 60% d. 80%
2. The use of native and nonnative plants can enhance: a. Reduced energy costs b. Water conservation c. Reduced pesticide use d. All of the above 3. Only native plants should be used in a sustainable landscape. a. True b. False
VNLA Newsletter
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landscapes one should: a. Remove all invasive plant species. b. Keep all existing plant materials where possible. c. Replace old landscaping with native materials. d. All of the above.
5. To be considered as a regional source material plants should be acquired within: a. 150 miles b. 200 miles c. 250 miles d. 300 miles 6. To be considered as a regional source material, soils should be acquired within: a. 50 miles b. 75 miles c. 100 miles d. 125 miles 7. Sustainable materials management helps reduce negative environmental impacts on: a. Product production b. End of life material management c. Product consumption d. All of the above 8. Sustainable landscapes provide restorative value to the user. a. True b. False 9. Which is NOT a goal for integrated site design: a. To use only native plant materials b. To incorporate natural systems c. To incorporate garden settings
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10. Underground parking is the best way to eliminate surface storm water runoff. a. True b. False 11. A report used when working on historic landscapes is called a:
a. Conservation Landscape Report b. Cultural Landscape Report c. Cohesive Landscape Report
12. Federal agencies should never implement self-sustaining landscapes to reduce landscape maintenance operations. a. True b. False 13. For the purpose of this article, IPM plans are: a. Integrated Pest Management plans b. Invasive Plant Management plants c. Integrated Plant Management plans d. Invasive Pest Management plans 14. Using synthetic oil, low- rolling resistance tires and other technologies is one way to reduce outdoor energy consumption for landscape operations a. True b. False 15. Plant materials in designated historic sites may be:
a. Naturalized b. Non-native c. Managed invasive species d. None of the above e. All of the above
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News - USDA Unveils New Plant Hardiness Zone Map The new USDA Zone Map is more accurate than any developed.
Plant Hardiness sophisticated and other previously
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today released the new version of its Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PHZM), updating a useful tool for gardeners and researchers for the first time since 1990 with greater accuracy and detail. The new map—jointly developed by USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Oregon State University's (OSU) PRISM Climate Group—is available online at www.planthardiness.ars.usda.gov. ARS is the chief intramural scientific research agency of USDA.
For the first time, the new map offers a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based interactive format and is specifically designed to be Internetfriendly. The map website also incorporates a "find your zone by ZIP code" function. Static images of national, regional and state maps also have been included to ensure the map is readily accessible to those who lack broadband Internet access. "This is the most sophisticated Plant Hardiness Zone Map yet for the United States," said Catherine Woteki, USDA Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics. "The increases in accuracy and detail that this map represents will be extremely useful for gardeners and researchers." Plant hardiness zone designations represent the average annual extreme minimum temperatures at a given location during a particular time period. They do not reflect the coldest it has ever been or ever will be at a specific location, but simply the average
lowest winter temperature for the location over a specified time. Low temperature during the winter is a crucial factor in the survival of plants at specific locations. The new version of the map includes 13 zones, with the addition for the first time of zones 12 (50-60 degrees Fahrenheit) and 13 (60-70 degrees Fahrenheit). Each zone is a 10-degree Fahrenheit band, further divided into 5-degree Fahrenheit zones "A" and "B." To help develop the new map, USDA and OSU requested that horticultural and climatic experts review the zones in their geographic area, and trial versions of the new map were revised based on their expert input. Compared to the 1990 version, zone boundaries in this edition of the map have shifted in many areas. The new map is generally one 5-degree Fahrenheit half-zone warmer than the previous map throughout much of the United States. This is mostly a result of using temperature data from a longer and more recent time period; the new map uses data measured at weather stations during the 30-year period 19762005. In contrast, the 1990 map was based on temperature data from only a 13-year period of 19741986. However, some of the changes in the zones are a result of new,
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more sophisticated methods for mapping zones between weather stations. These include algorithms that considered for the first time such factors as changes in elevation, nearness to large bodies of water, and position on the terrain, such as valley bottoms and ridge tops. Also, the new map used temperature data from many more stations than did the 1990 map. These advances greatly improved the accuracy and detail of the map, especially in mountainous regions of the western United States. In some cases, they resulted in changes to cooler, rather than warmer, zones. While about 80 million American gardeners, as well as those who grow and breed plants, are the largest users of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, many others need this hardiness zone information. For example, the USDA Risk Management Agency uses the USDA plant hardiness zone designations to set some crop insurance standards. Scientists use the
plant hardiness zones as a data layer in many research models such as modeling the spread of exotic weeds and insects. Although a poster-sized version of this map will not be available for purchase from the government as in the past, anyone may download the map free of charge from the Internet onto their personal computer and print copies of the map as needed. As USDA's chief scientific research agency, ARS is leading America towards a better future through agricultural research and information. ARS conducts research to develop and transfer solutions to help answer agricultural questions that impact Americans every day.
sustain a competitive agricultural economy;
enhance the natural resource base and the environment; and
provide economic opportunities for rural citizens, communities and society as a whole.
By Kim Kaplan, January 25, 2012; ARS News Service, Information Staff, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville MD;
NewsService@ars.usda.gov www.ars.usda.gov/news Phone (301) 504-1636 | fax (301) 504-1486
ARS research helps to:
ensure high-quality, safe food and other agricultural products;
assess the nutritional needs of Americans;
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VNLA - Research Funded for 2012 Researcher Jeff Derr Jeff Derr Laurie Fox
Grant Title New Technologies for Preemergence Weed Management in Nursery Production Potential For Weed Control in Enclosed Structures Evaluation of Floating Wetlands for Nutrient Runoff Management Identification and pathogenicity of Species of Pythium Causing Begonia Root Rot
$6,000
$6,000
$4,000
$4,000
$5,000
$2,500
$3,600
$3,600
Ping Kong
$5,000
Joyce Latimer
Improving Production of Containerized Peonies, Bleeding Heart, Daylily with Plant Growth Regulators
$5,000
$5,750
$5,750
$5,000
$3,000
$6,050
$0
$750
$750
$750
$750
$2,900
$0
$3,488
$0
$2,541
$2,900
$50,829
$34,250
Joyce Latimer Alex Niemiera Pete Schultz Pete Schultz Paul Sheridan
Paul Sheridan Wiseman & Fox
Increasing Successful Propagation of Sedum spp. With Plant Growth Regulators Development of VT Logo Planters and VT Logo Planting Templates (3Yr $11,650 6,050/$4,450/$1,150) Evaluation of Flowering Annuals for Virginia Landscapes Evaluation of Flowering Perennials for Virginia Landscapes Scoring Color, Pattern, Height, and Shape Traits in Sarracenia Pitcher Plants (2Yr $2,900ea) Testing Improved Cultivation of Sarracenia Pitcher Plants With a Novel Hydroponic System (2Yr - $3,487.50ea) Evaluation of Small Stature, Utility Compatible Trees in Virginia (3Yr $347/$2,541/$2,541) Total:
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Awarded
Assessment of CO2 as Irrigation Water Disinfectant and Acidifier for Plant Disease Management
Chuanxue Hong
50
Requested
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Research Progress Report - Urea Hydrolysis in Pine Tree Substrate
Project Objective: The objective of this two year research project was to determine how various production factors (lime rate, urea rate, etc.) influenced the conversion of urea (an inexpensive high nitrogen content fertilizer) was converted to ammonium (a form of nitrogen used by plants) in pine tree substrate (PTS); this conversion is termed urea hydrolysis. Urea application to PTS (a relatively new-to-the-trade substrate that is less expensive than peat moss and just as effective as pine bark) requires more nitrogen than conventional substrates due a greater microbial uptake of nitrogen compared to other substrates. Thus, the factors that affect urea hydrolysis also influence the amount of nitrogen that is available to plants as well as the amount that will be taken up by microbes.
Progress: This past year I investigated the influence of lime rate on urea hydrolysis. Methodology: In this experiment we amended PTS, PTS amended with peat (PTSP with four lime rates (zero, low, medium, and high) that produced a range of substrate pH values (5.0 to 7.0). A peat-lite (a peat-perlite mix amended with a conventional lime rate) was also included in this experiment to serve as control treatment. One 1 mg of urea was added to samples of each substrate-lime treatment (3 replications per treatment) and the amount of urea that was converted to ammonium was measured at time 0, 36, 72, and 108 hours. We used a separate set of containers with the above substrate (with and without urea) to measure how the pH of substrates was influenced by urea hydrolysis since urea hydrolysis is a reaction that increases substrate pH.
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Results: Urea hydrolysis There were no consistent trends on the influence of lime rate on urea hydrolysis over time (Figure 1). For PTS and PTSP (PTS amended with peat), 80% of the applied urea was hydrolyzed within 36 hours and 100% of urea was hydrolyzed within 72 hours. However, only 30% of urea was hydrolyzed in 36 hours and 80% was hydrolyzed in 108 hours.
Substrate pH as influenced by urea hydrolysis For PTS for the zero, low, medium, and high lime rates there was a respective 1.5, 1.2, 1.0 and 0.1 unit increase in substrate pH over 108 hours. For PTSP, for the zero, low, medium, and high lime rates there was a respective 1.0, 0.8, 0.6, and 0.4 unit increase in substrate pH over 108 hours. For the peat-lite treatment (at the conventional lime rate) there was a 0.2 pH unit increase in substrate pH over 108 hours.
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Conclusions Urea is rapidly hydrolyzed in PTS and PTSP. Thus, urea is a suitable nitrogen source for PTS to compensate for the nitrogen taken up by microbes as well as to supply plants with nitrogen. Lime rate had essentially no marked influence on the hydrolysis rate and hydrolysis will proceed regardless of PTS and PTSP pH. Substrate pH was influenced by urea hydrolysis. At the zero lime rate, the pH increase in PTS and PTSP due to urea hydrolysis was 1.5 and 1.0, respectively. In contrast, at lime rate increased, pH increases due to hydrolysis of both substrates was incrementally smaller.
Significance to the Nursery Industry This study showed that urea hydrolysis occurs rapidly in a PTS substrate, regardless of lime rate. Urea, the most economical form of nitrogen for plants, is therefore a suitable and low cost source of nitrogen for plants grown in PTS. Growers can expect an
increase in PTS pH with urea use with the highest increases occurring at relatively low (or no) lime addition rates.
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Future Studies The next set of experiments will document how urea rate and substrate moisture content influences urea hydrolysis rate. We will also determine how much urea can be added to PTS to lower the carbon to nitrogen rate that will satisfy microbial uptake over an extended period of time and if this rate is nontoxic to plants. The research was conducted in the summer of 2011 by Mr. Jake Shreckhise, an undergraduate student partaking in an undergraduate research project. The work was initially planned to be undertaken by a Ph.D. student but this student left Virginia Tech. Jake has done an excellent job and will be employed to continue the research in the summer of 2012. Alex X. Niemiera, Department of Horticulture, Virginia Tech, niemiera@vt.edu
In 16th century Naples, a type of flat, round or free-formed, crusty flatbread was referred to as a pizza. What was
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then primarily sold by street vendors, regarded as a dish for poor people, and not considered a kitchen recipe for quite a long time thereafter, has now become the latest cooking rage in lavish, well-appointed American outdoor kitchens. Earlier followers of this new culinary trend had outdoor pizza ovens custom built by hardscape designers and contractors, which replicated, to lesser and greater degrees, those used in European and Middle Eastern countries where outdoor cooking in wood-fired ovens was commonplace. Here, ovens were often imported to assure their authenticity, the chimneys and flues were erected to exacting specifications, and the structures themselves were designed to include traditional firewood storage boxes. Many manufacturers of hardscape materials have jumped on the outdoor lifestyle bandwagon and are producing modular components or installation kits with workings needed to construct fully functional pizza ovens. Although not completely true to their old world predecessors, gas-burning models are also available. Depending on the source of the equipment and ingredients used, both will bake pizza pies as well as bread and other roasted foods in genuine Neopolitan and/or mideast style. “Many contractors are hesitant to respond to homeowner demands for an outdoor pizza oven out of fear of the unknown,” says Charles H. Gamarekian, president/CEO of Cambridge Pavers Inc, manufacturers of a full line of patio kitchen amenities including pizza ovens in three styles. “Our pre-cut/pre-packaged kits are complete packages, ready to install, which take the guesswork out of the design/build factors associated with making the sale; for example, no cutting is necessary”. Responsible domestic pizza oven manufacturers such as Cambridge are careful to pay homage to the integrity of the cooking process as well. The hearths of European-inspired, VNLA Newsletter
VNLA Newsletter
wood-burning pizza ovens, indoor or outdoor varieties alike, have domed roofs. The mathematically calculated, parabolic surface intersects with the vertical side planes to produce ellipses, designed to reflect the heat downward. Pizza baking is a dynamic process in which the hearth stays open while the cook places, turns, and removes the pizzas using a pizza peel — a wide, flat tool with a long handle used by professional pizza chefs. The circular shape of the floor provides adequate workspace for this. “Professional-quality peels are part of a 6-piece Care & Cooking Package included with our Cambridge kits,” adds Gamarekian. The wood fire must be maintained so that the oven remains consistently hot. A single orange tongue of flame within the oven works best. The circular floor also allows the cook to keep the fire to one side where the ceiling slopes down, leaving most of the floor area free for pizzas and other foods being prepared such as baking bread and roasting vegetables. A good example of better than adequate roominess are the 31”-diameter floors of the Cambridge ovens. As a point of reference, the full dimensions of the entire pizza oven units from Cambridge vary depending on the style — 64 1/4” and 68” long; 72” and 72 3/4” deep; and 98” and 105” high. The ovens will heat up to 800 degrees in forty-five minutes, which will cook pizza in about ninety seconds. After some practice, users can raise and lower cooking levels and easily hold the temperature for several hours, enabling the cooking of multiple foods at the same gathering. Within the chimney is a smoke stack (flue), which is strategically placed on the oven’s collar. Chase flashing is used along with a termination cap that sits over the chimney pipe. The cap prevents debris from entering the chimney. Proper placement of these elements is also assured by using a Cambridge kit. A decorative metal door (included) encloses the opening
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when the oven is not in use. Although pizza ovens can be of simpler-looking design, most homeowners opt for more visually appealing and dimensional models such as the ones offered by Cambridge. Available in different wallstone and color choices, they also feature standard cast stone surrounds in bluestone and chestnut shades, similar to those found as options on their outdoor fireplaces. For added convenience, built-in storage space for wood is provided under the oven on Cambridge kits. Typically any hardwood is acceptable such as oak, apple, cherry and hickory. Varying aromas and flavors can result from the firewood chosen. As do other pizza ovens made of hardscape materials, Cambridge pizza ovens must undergo a “breaking in” period. This will dry-out any pockets of moisture present in the walls after the installation. Installation, curing and cooking instructions in English and Spanish are included with Cambridge pre-packaged kits. When designing in a pizza oven, choose a brand you can trust like Cambridge. And when marketing your expertise in patio design and outdoor living products, remember to enter your designs in the Cambridge Photo Contest for contractors. Consider incorporating Cambridge Pavingstones with ArmorTec® and Cambridge Wallstones for a totally colorcoordinated design. You can win a prize, receive some well-deserved recognition and wind up with a powerful sales aid. For contest rules, an entry form and prize details, go online to www.cambridgepavers.com/photoconte st . Contact: Charles H. Gamarekian, Chairman / CEO, Cambridge Pavers Inc., P.O. Box 157, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071l; Ph 201.933.5000 Fx 201.933.5532, cgamarekian@cambridgepavers.com
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Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
last meeting minutes. It was moved to approve the minutes, seconded and passed. Treasurer’s Report - Matt Sawyer reviewed the financial reports which had been emailed to the board prior to the meeting and reviewed the 2012 budget presentation for the membership meeting on Thursday.
VNLA - 2012 Winter Board Meeting Minutes Baltimore Convention Center, Room 334, Tuesday, January 10, 2012 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Mission Statement: To enhance and promote Virginia’s nursery and landscape industry Vision Statement: To be the leader and resource for the Virginia nursery and landscape industry Meeting Was Called to Order by Mark Maslow, Pres. with the following present: Steve Grigg, Matt Shreckhise, Cheryl Lajoie, John Barbieri, Sonya Westervelt, Tom Thompson, Virginia Rockwell, Mike Hildebrand, Dawn Lerch, Bill Gouldin and Jeff Miller. Absent: Steve Moore and Ed Tankard.
Executive Director Update - Jeff Miller, Report was e-mailed and attached. Certification Report - Cheryl Lajoie, see attached
Issue
Current VCH Count VCH Count 1 Year ago
542 612
Total Income YTD Budget
$378,993 $372,245
Total Expenses YTD Budget
$332,123 $383,904
Secretary’s Report - Matt Sawyer by Mark Maslow, who reviewed the VNLA Newsletter
MANTS Director Appointment Mark reported that Danny Shreckhise had agreed to serve on the MANTS board for a 3-year term to file the position that Doug Hensel has held. The board has developed a plan for the process of selecting directors for a 3year term and they can be reappointed. The VNLA President makes the appointment based on input from current board members and the VNLA Executive Committee.
Communications - Matt Shreckhise provided the following schedule for transition to a quarterly VNLA Newsletter.
VNLA Dashboard Metrics Current Membership 585 Membership 1 year ago 574 Peak Membership 626
VNLA Newsletter
President’s Update - Mark Maslow welcomed the new incoming board members: Virginia Rockwell, Dawn Lerch, Bill Gouldin and Mike Hildebrand the board would value the input from the new board members.
Jan/Feb/Mar Apr/May/Ju n Jul/Aug/Sep Oct/Nov/De c
Deadline Jan 15
Publication date Feb 28
Apr 15
May 30
Jul 15
Aug 30
Oct 15
Nov 30
requested the board to approve VNLA participation in the Salem Home and Garden Show with the VSLD and fund 50% of the booth costs. It was moved to approve, seconded and passed. MANTS Update - Doug Hensel reported that there were 105 new exhibitors, 22% returning from past for a total of 974 exhibitors, with the show being sold out. Attendee preregistration was 7,240 compared to 6,700 last year. There are 33 sponsor companies generating $15,700 and hotel room nights through the MANTS Housing Bureau are 4,800, down slightly from last year. He noted that the Union is not involved in the show. This show takes longer to setup and take down than most shows.
New Business Boxwood Blight - Tom Saunders has two separate requests from Dr. Kelly Ivors (NCSU) and Dr. Chuan Hong (VA Tech Hampton Roads AREC), and he has tried to get a consolidation of research. They want tests of varietal susceptibility to disease. The goal is to not have to get private funding, but use associations to fund the proposed research. The researchers have be given these parameters: this is how much money we have ($50,000 available from 4 states: Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina), these are the results needed, what can you do? There are plans for a board with representatives from each state and both researchers. The research needs to get started as soon as possible. Chemical companies are also doing research on effectiveness of the fungicides currently on the market, but it is also good to have independent research. A proposal will be made at the membership meeting for funding of $12,500.
Public Relations - Sonya Westervelt
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CRITICAL ACTION ITEMS (based on strategic plan) TASK LIST FOR NEXT MEETING: 1a. Discussion of Boxwood Blight Research and Funding - Tom Saunders VNLA Board is onboard for support of resolving this issue, and just need more information together to decide the level of funding. 1b. Field Day 2012 - Sonya Westervelt, Virginia Rockwell - Central Virginia area has been selected for the Field Day location. Virginia has contacted and researched several sites in the area. The committee will follow up with Battlefield Farms as the host site. 2. Enhance certification program - Cheryl Lajoie, Tom Thompson, Matt Sawyer
a. Online reviews (film some of the review classes to make available online.) b. CEU verification online c. Standardized testing format and CEU forms across professional organizations 3. Identify VNLA Legislative Priorities and Agendas Virginia Rockwell, Matt Shreckhise, Steve Grigg a. Identify areas of concern for membership (Matt Shreckhise will compile a summary for the Jan/Feb Newsletter.) b. Proactively educate legislators on the size/impact of green industry c. Solicit VAC for aide in legislative issues d. Network with our legislators e. VNLA has plan for continuity of attendance at the VAC banquet. f. Chesapeake Bay, urban nutri-
ent planning g. Invasive Plant bills - none yet, draft position statement on invasive plants - proactively supports….. Virginia Rockwell position sent to VAC, which she reviewed for the board. 4. Public Relations and Communications - Mark Maslow, Sonya Westervelt, Jeff Miller a. Streamline Newsletter publications quantities and layout b. Reduce e-blasts and re-format to be easier to read c. Increase participation in the grower’s guide and enhance the publication Being no other business the meeting was adjourned 4:20 p.m. Respectively submitted, Jeff Miller, Exec. Dir.
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Executive Director’s Report
Certification Report
Growers Guide - Approximate 3,500 copies of the Guide were mailed the week after Christmas.
Membership dues income was up slightly in 2011 vs. 2010
Certification - Pre-registration for VCH review classes and manual orders is currently much stronger than this time last year. The dashboard report shows VCH numbers down some, but some of that is due to being able to have more accurate information and reports in the new system.
Website - The VNLA website has been completely switched over and integrated with the JL System NOAH software. Members can now register on the website and setup a user name and password, view/edit their contact information, order certification supplies and access other resource information. Dues payment will be available online soon; the programing has been somewhat complicated, since our dues form asks for more information than normal, specific rules had to be set up to stop membership for non-dues renewal (5/30/12). The new website has not been officially announced to members, but some have accessed it and setup access.
All information has not been moved yet. We are trying to edit, improve layout and determine need and location on the new site. Please let me know if you have any suggestions on layout, content, location of content, links, organization etc. Some things are PDF files and some pasted from the old website, but will be converted to HTML content as we proceed. QuickBooks - I am meeting with a QuickBooks CPA on January 16, to review legacy issues in QB and to be sure we are on track to correctly transferring income from NOAH into our QB accounting. Jeff Miller, Exec. Dir.
VNLA Newsletter
VNLA Newsletter
*Testing coming up at the Mid Atlantic Hort. Short Course, Monday, Jan. 30th from 6pm 9pm The HRNLA review class in the Tidewater area will again be held, starting Feb 7th 2012, for 6 consecutive weeks - 6-9pm. Testing will be March 17th, 2012 @ 8am. Leslie Sewell has continued to organize and teach a review for the Charlottesville area, currently in progress @ PVCC. Classes are Tue & Thur 5:30 - 8:30 pm. Mike Wallace is again proctoring the testing portion. He has offered to help update the VCH Plant List this and water quality chapters along with further refinement of Landscape chapter will be included in our goals for 2012. On line registration? Ability to check certification info? Crew Chief Program info - Training based program introducing basic botany, fertilizer, soils, nutrition, pruning, safety, pesticides, leadership values and how this all relates to everyday job experience and performance. Equipment introduction and safety, and teamwork building skills are all covered. HRNLA is scheduled to introduce this program in 2012 and will be held at Hampton Roads AREC on Diamond Springs Road. Total program is 5 days. This program earns a certificate (or participation reward) and readies employees to understand expectations as related to job reality. VNLA, DCR, HRNLA, Nutrient Management officially recognizes this program for CEU's. Ongoing -video review classes for on line review - I have no expertise in this area and will welcome all suggestions!
License Plate Supporting Community Trees Available for Pre-order
A new specialty license plate is available for pre-order in Virginia. The Virginia Loves Trees license plate features a community skyline enhanced by trees (with one tree even featuring a swing) in eye-catching blues and greens and is designed to raise awareness of the value of community trees in Virginia. In Virginia, 450 plates must be presold before the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will put the proposed plate into production. Pre-sales of the Virginia Loves Trees plate began October 1, 2011. After 450 are sold, funds are turned over to the DMV and plates will be available at any DMV location. Plates can be ordered online, or in the mail using forms downloaded from the Virginia Loves Trees website (www.valovestrees.org ). Supporting organizations include the urban forestry program at Virginia Tech in the College of Natural Resources & Environment, Trees Virginia, the Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association, the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture, and the Virginia Green Industry Council.
Respectfully submitted, Cheryl Lajoie, Certification Committee
News - New Specialty January / February 2012 January/February/March 2012
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2012 Annual Membership Meeting Minutes
Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel, Harbor View Room Thursday, January 12, 2012 7-9 a.m. Mission Statement: To enhance and promote Virginia’s nursery and landscape industry Vision Statement: To be the leader and resource for the Virginia nursery and landscape industry Meeting Call to Order - Mark Maslow, Pres. Called the meeting to order at 7:35 a.m. ANLA - Ed Tankard, VNLA Senator to ANLA introduced Bob Dolibois, ANLA EVP, who thanked the VNLA for their support of the ANLA. He announced a new partnership with OFA as a joint business venture. The ANLA’s strength is in advocacy with 1200 members and the OFA’s strength is in Education with about 2,000 members. Legislatively, Congress with be dealt with one day at a time this year, with their focus primarily in the regulatory area. HRI is looking into possible funding options for the new boxwood blight. SNA - Danny Summers presented an SNA Lifetime membership to Charlie Parkerson, Lancaster Farms, for his participation and leadership for many years. The SNA is re-inventing their association, re-building committees 58
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and they are having their annual meeting at the Gulf States Trade Show. Their Research Proceedings for the last 20 years are now available online with search lookup capabilities. The BMP manual revisions are in the works and will be available online soon at www.sna.org. One of the SNA’s goals is to help support the state associations. Virginia Tech - Roger Harris, who was recently appointed the permanent Horticulture Department Head, noted that student numbers were up some. They have been able to add three new staff positions; Jim Owen has taken a nursery specialist position at the Hampton Roads AREC; there is a new fruit specialist at Winchester and a new rhizosphere biologist at Virginia Tech. He thanked the VNLA for their continued support of the department and research funding. Treasurer’s Report - Matt Sawyer noted that a consolidated Balance Sheet Summary Comparison for 2010 vs. 2011 is at each seat along with a copy of the 2011 year-to-date, 2011 Budget and the proposed 2012 Budget, which had been emailed to members in an E-News with a link to a copy of the budget online. A motion was made to accept the 2012 budget, seconded, and passed. Strategic Plan Review - Mark Maslow reviewed the metrics/dashboard indicators that will measure our progress of the 2012 strategic plan and action items that will be based on the strategic plan. The VNLA Board held a strategic planning meeting in early November in Lynchburg to re-evaluate what the VNLA is doing, what we need to stop and what we need to start. The consensus of the planning was that there should be a consolidated focus on three primary areas: 1) Research & Education; 2) Industry Advocacy; and 3) Publications & Communications.
January / February 2012 January/February/March 2012
VNLA Dashboard Metrics Current Membership 585 Membership 1 year 574 ago Peak Membership 626 Current VCH Count VCH Count 1 Year ago
542 612
Total Income YTD Budget
$378,993 $372,245
Total Expenses YTD Budget
$332,123 $383,904
Committee Reports Executive Committee - Mark Maslow reviewed the background and new protocol for establishing a transition plan for the VNLA’s MANTS Directors. After consulting with the current MANTS directors and the VNLA Executive Committee, Mark announced that he had appointed Danny Shreckhise to begin a 2year term, beginning in February, to fill the slot that Doug Hensel had been serving in for the last 20 years. Membership - John Barbieri, Membership Update, see above metrics. Environmental Affairs - Tom Thompson reported that he is working to coordinate LEED training programs for landscape contractors and designers. These will be additional opportunities for CEUs. Public Relations - Sonya Westervelt reported that plans were underway to finalize the 2012 VNLA Field Day in the central Virginia area. Website - The VNLA has made a major upgrade of the VNLA website and members now have access to pay dues, order certification materials and to update their contact information with additional capabilities being added during the year. Newsletter VNLAVNLA Newsletter
2012 2012VNLA VNLAOfficers Officers&&Directors Directors
(l-r) (l-r)front: front:Mark MarkMaslow, Maslow,Matt MattSawyer, Sawyer,Steve SteveGrigg, Grigg,Matt MattShreckhise, Shreckhise,Virginia VirginiaRockwell Rockwell (l-r) back: Cheryl Lajoie, Doug Hensel, John Barbieri, Mike Hildebrand, Sonya (l-r) back: Cheryl Lajoie, Doug Hensel, John Barbieri, Mike Hildebrand, SonyaWestervelt, Westervelt,Tom Tom Thompson, Thompson,Jeff JeffMiller,; Miller,;(not (notPictured) Pictured)Bill BillGouldin, Gouldin,Dawn DawnLerch Lerch Education - Steve Grigg reported that the 2012 VNLA Summer Tour and Education Program will be developed as soon as the Field Day location is finalized. Communications - Matt Shreckhise noted that the VNLA Newsletter would be changing from bi-monthly to quarterly starting with the April/May/June issue. A Member Survey had been sent to members and he asked everyone to help provide direction for the VNLA by completing the short online survey. Certification - Cheryl Lajoie reported that the committee was looking into taping the certification review classes to make them available online. She reminded members that VCH Stampers were available form VCH to use on their landscape plans. VNLA Newsletter
VNLA Newsletter
Research - Matt Sawyer reported that the Research Foundation had a successful dinner/auction last night at the Tir na Nog Restaurant with entertainment by the Skyla Burrell Band with guest harmonica player, Jack Campbell. Approximately $8,000 was raised to add to the Research Endowment Fund.
this spring. It will be promoted through news releases. Rick noted that successful plant introduction programs take time to develop and Lisa Lipsey has more plants in the pipeline and being tested at three test sites across the state. In 2011, 25 garden centers participated in the Plants of Distinction promotional program.
Research Grants - The Research Committee met Wednesday morning and awarded $31,250 in research grants.
MANTS update - Doug Hensel reported that there were 105 new exhibitors, 22% returning from past, a total of 974 exhibitors with the show sold out, attendee pre-registration was 7,240, up from 6,700 last year. There were 33 sponsor companies generating $15,700, room nights through the housing bureau were 4,800, down from last year.
Beautiful Gardens - Rick Baker reported that the committee has introduced the new “VT Spirit” daylily as the first plant introduction, which was breed by Linda Pinkham and embryo rescue/tissue culture procedures were done at the IALR in Danville. The first 5-800 plants will be sold mail order through Brent & Becky’s Bulbs
January / February 2012 January/February/March 2012
Legislation - Virginia Rockwell reported that the VNLA will be distributing gift plant baskets and VNLA 59
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info to the General Assembly members on February 23. New Business - Boxwood Blight Research Funding - Tom Saunders explained the current status of the Boxwood Blight that has arisen since early October. Dr. Kelly Ivors at NCSU and Dr. Chuan Hong at the VA Tech HARAREC had made preliminary estimates of research costs. He noted that Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina and West Virginia were each being asked to share in an initial research investment of $50,000 with each state providing $12,500. A motion was made for the VNLA to contribute $12,500 from the general funds towards Boxwood Blight research, seconded and passed. It was moved that letters of support for the research would be requested from VNLA growers by Tom Saunders and Pete Schultz, seconded and passed. Awards Presentations Nursery Professional of the Year was presented to Dr. Roger Harris, Virginia Tech Horticulture Department Head by Duane Shumaker, RSG Landscaping, the 2010 recipient. Environmental Steward Award was presented to Robin Rinaca, Eastern Shore Nursery of Virginia by Tom Thompson, VNLA Environmental Affairs Director. MANTS Director Appreciation Award - Mark Maslow presented Doug Hensel plaque/clock in recognition, and appreciation, for his 20 years of service as one of the three VNLA MANTS directors. Nominations - Ed Tankard presented the following slate of officers and there being no other nominations, it was moved that the slate be approved by acclamation, seconded and passed.
Executive Committee President - Steve Grigg - Education, Grigg Design Vice President - Matt Sawyer Research, Bennett’s Creek Nurse60
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ry Secretary Treasurer - Matt Shreckhise - Communications, Shreckhise Nurseries Past President - Mark Maslow, Resource Development, Southern Landscape Group Directors - 1 Year Cheryl Lajoie - Certification, Lancaster Farms John Barbieri, Membership, Riverbend Nursery Directors - 2 Year Sonya Lepper Westervelt - Public Relations, Saunders Brothers Inc Tom Thompson - Environmental Affairs, Natural Art Landscaping Doug Hensel, Beautiful Gardens, The Great Big Greenhouse & Nursery NEW Directors for 2012 Virginia Rockwell - Legislation, Gentle Gardener Green Design Directors at-Large Mike Hildebrand, James River Nurseries Dawn Lerch, Associate Member Bill Gouldin, Strange’s Florist & Garden Centers New Business - Steve Grigg presented Mark Maslow with a past president’s plaque in appreciation of his service and VNLA President in 2011. Adjourn - Being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 a.m. Respectively submitted, Jeff Miller, Exec Dir
What are members problems? How are we going to help them become more successful? STRATEGIC PLAN: “Good to Great” calls this process “Red Flagging”. Build red flag mechanisms that turn information into information that can’t be ignored.
• Our tasks don’t change our outcomes - do our actions make a better VNLA? • Certification implemented online but not matching changes in manual • Not aligning resources with priorities • No pipeline for board or committees
VNLA - Newsletter Changes Effective April 1, 2012, the VNLA Newsletter will change from a bimonthly publication to a quarterly publication to better serve our members and advertisers. Between issues, the Newsletter will be supplemented with electronic E-News updates of information that is time sensitive which have been periodically sent to members by email over the last two years. E-News format will be updated and setup as a short “read” with links when you want more details about listed topics and events. With the move to new association management software and E-News formats, it is even more important that we have your current email on record so you receive member-only information. Please send any suggestions you have for the Newsletter or the ENews to Matt Shreckhise, VNLA Secretary and Chair of the Communications Committee at 540-249-5761 or email Matthew@shreckhise.com . You can also call the VNLA Office at 1-800-476-0055 or info@vnla.org See the next page for the new deadlines for the Newsletter and advertising opportunities.
We will fail if…. • We don’t change our process • No follow-through • No inspect of what we expect January / February 2012 January/February/March 2012
Newsletter VNLAVNLA Newsletter
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VNLA Newsletter
January / February 2012
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September / October 2012 2007 November 2007 January // December February
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March 28 Presented By Waynesboro Parks & Recreation Department in conjunction with Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association Tony Avent
My Favorite 100 Perennials I Wouldn’t Garden Without
Tony launched Plant Delights Nursery, Inc. in Raleigh NC, 24 years ago with the goal of changing the way America gardens by offering the best, the newest, and the strangest fun, garden-worthy perennials to gardeners around the world. With the style of a Southern Baptist preacher and the knowledge of a Google search engine in his back pocket he is truly one of the foremost perennial experts in the world. Fasten your seatbelts this whirlwind tour of both new and overlooked perennials that no gardener should be without.
Steve Aitken
Clara Curtis
Captivating Combinations
At its most basic form, garden design comes down to one thing: which plants look good next to each other? Shelves of books have been written on the art of combining plants. But these books aren’t so helpful when you are stuck at the nursery wondering what to buy or standing in your garden wondering if a plant should go here or there. Fine Gardening editor Steve Aitken is here with some easy-toremember strategies for working with such elements as form, texture, and color. A Master Gardener, Steve is currently carving out beds and borders around his Connecticut home, where he lives with his wife and children.
Brent Heath
Designing with Annuals – What’s HOT in 2012
As Director of Design and Exhibit Assets at The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina, Clara Curtis develops the public garden’s seasonal landscape designs, container gardens, and the Arboretum’s signature Quilt Garden. If you find wading through the sea of new annual names and varieties daunting, Clara’s expertise will guide you through her process of designing vivid, imaginative plant combinations that will have your neighbors abuzz with envy. She will also share her best tips and secrets for creating stunning plant combinations in containers and landscape beds.
Richard E. Bir
The Tropical Paradise Garden
Brent is a third generation bulb grower and co-owner with his wife, Becky, of Brent and Becky’s Bulbs, a wholesale/ retail mail-order flower bulb catalogue and web site business catering to botanical gardens, cities, universities, landscape designers and discriminating gardeners across the country. From the tropical rain forest, the sunny shores of the Mediterranean, the veldt of South Africa and the slopes of the Andes, come bold, lush leaves and a myriad of stunning diverse flowers of summer bulbs. Learn how to weave these spectacular plants into your own relaxing, tropical garden getaway. You will also gather ideas on how to build the ultimate evening garden including luminescent, light colored, fragrant flowers. Let’s plan and plant something different this summer!
Successful Gardening in the Understory: Some Shrubs and a Small Tree or Two
“Dick” as he is known across numerous gardening circles is an award winning author, lecturer, and native plant expert. He retired as the extension horticultural specialist from North Carolina State University at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research & Extension Center in Fletcher, NC. Selecting shade tolerant shrubs can sometimes be a challenge. Dick’s common sense approach and vast experience through travel, research and keen observation will no doubt help you create a richer garden this coming spring. His thousands of presentations and articles have been a valuable resource to all in the horticultural community, from homeowners, to nurserymen to landscapers to academics. With a limited lecture schedule don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of horticulture’s statesmen!
W here Gardening Comes Naturally For More Information: 540-942-6735 • parksandrec@ci.waynesboro.va.us www.waynesboro.va.us
VNLA Newsletter
January / February 2012
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Upcoming Events March 2011, WAYNESBORO GARDENING SYMPOSIUM Contact: Dwayne Jones, Director of Parks & Recreation 540-942-6735 www.waynesboro.va.us March 5-6 through September 10-14, 2012, TRAINING FOR WETLAND PROFESSIONALS (once a month) Contact: www.wetland.org 410-745-9620 March 25-27, 2012, AMERICAN BOXWOOD SOCIETY 52ND ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM Charleston, SC www.SeeCharlestonBoxwood.co m April 15-16, 2012, 66TH COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG GARDEN SYMPOSIUM Beautiful Gardens: Bountiful Options’ Contact: 80-603-0948, www.history.org/conted April 21-28, 2012, HISTORIC GARDEN WEEK IN VA Contact: www.vagardenweek.org
August 23-25, 2012, VIRGINIA CHRISTMAS TREE GROWERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND SHOW Waynesboro Best Western Inn www.VirginiaChristmasTrees.org 540-382-2716
Do you need an official seal for your landscape plans? If you are a VA Certified Horticulturist, order a Stamper from the VNLA Office for $65.95, includes tax and shipping
Virginia Certified Horticulturist Exam Schedule June 13, 2012, Suffolk, 8 a.m.-noon (Basic Exam)
For a Current Calendar of all Green Industry Events, go to:
http://virginiagreen.org/events.htm
April 27, 2012, VIRGINIA & NATIONAL ARBOR DAY Contact: info@vnla.org 800-476-0055 June 9, 2012, VNLA SUMMER BOARD MEETING, Blacksburg www.vnla.org 800-476-0055 June 9, 2012, HAHN HORTICULTURE GARDEN GALA, VA Tech, Blacksburg, 5:30-9 pm Tickets/info: 540-231-5970 www.hort.vt.edu/hhg gala@vt.edu August, 2012, VNLA FIELD DAY AND SUMMER TOUR, Location: Central VA www.vnla.org 800-476-0055 August 8-10, 2012, NCLA SUMMER GREEN ROAD SHOW Hickory Metro Convention Center, Hickory, NC www.ncnla.com, 919-816-9119
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Support VNLA Member Growers! online @ www.vnla.org/ For a print copy, contact the VNLA Office at 800-476-0055
January / February 2012 January/February/March 2012
Newsletter VNLAVNLA Newsletter
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