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April / May / June 2017
VNLA Newsletter
2017 VNLA Officers & Directors OFFICERS President VIRGINIA ROCKWELL ‘12 Gentle Gardener Green Design PO Box 191 Montpelier, VA 22957-0191 (cell) 434-531-0467 gentlegardener@gmail.com Vice President AARON WILLIAMS ‘14 Education Committee Williams Landscape & Design PO Box 7001 Williamsburg VA 23188-7001 757-564-7011 aaron@wldgreen.com Secretary/ Treasurer BRENT HUNSINGER, Legislation’15 Brent's Native Plantings 10715 Hamilton's Crossing Dr Fredericksburg, VA 22408 443-655-3410 brenthunsinger@gmail.com Past President BILL GOULDIN ‘12 Strange’s Florist/Garden Ctrs 12111 W. Broad St. Richmond, VA 23233 804-360-2800 wjg@stranges.com
Executive Director
2 YR DIRECTORS
1 YR DIRECTORS
MATT DEIVERT ‘17 South Riding Nurseries 8010 Industrial Park Ct Bristow, VA 20136-3125 Ofc: 703-479-2701 Cell: 571-220-1483 mdeivert@southridingnurseries.com
JEFFREY HOWE, Certification ‘16 Windridge Landscaping Co 7158 Rockfish Valley Rd Afton, VA 22920-3182 434-361-1588 Cell: (434) 531-1919 jhowe@windridgelandscaping.com
SEANA ANKERS ‘17 Legislation Lee Highway Nursery 5055 Rock Springs Rd Warrenton VA 20187-8950 540-216-7062, Cell: 540-878-0554 Seanankers.lhn@gmail.com MITZI MARKER ‘17 Sandy’s Plants 8011 Bell Creek Rd Mechanicsville VA 23111-3705 804-746-7092 Cell: _____________ mitzi@sandysplants.com PAUL MUNN ‘17 Waynesboro Nurseries PO Box 987 Waynesboro VA 22980-0987 540-946-3800, Cell: ______________ pmunn@waynesboronurseries.com
CECILIA PALMER ‘17 West Winds Nursery/Shade JEFFREY B. MILLER Tree Farm Horticulture Management 5710 Featherbed Ln Associates LLC Sudley Springs VA 20109383 Coal Hollow Road 2004 Christiansburg, VA 24073-6721 703-631-0983, 1-800-476-0055 Cell: 703-906-2769 Fax: 540-382-2716 westwindsn@aol.com info@vnla.org
VNLA Newsletter VNLA Newsletter
SCOTT PRICE, Education ‘16 David Scott Price Design 2772 Earleysville Rd Earlysville, VA 22936-9665 434-466-5656 Cell: scott@dscottprice.com THOMAS BUCKLEY Public Relations ‘16 Riverbend Nursery 1295 Mt Elbert Rd Riner VA 24149-3611 800-638-3362 x102 Cell: 540-850-0420 thomas@riverbendnursery.com DOUG RODES, Membership ‘15 James River Nurseries 13244 Ashland Rd Ashland VA 23005-7504 (804) 798-2020 Cell: (804) 380-5259 drodes@jamesrivernurseries.com CHRISTOPHER BROWN JR
Research Committee ‘13 Lancaster Farms 5800 Knotts Neck Rd Suffolk VA 23435-1353 757-484-4421
Christopher@lancasterfarms.com
January/February/March April / May / June 2017 2017
Educational Advisors
VT/HRAREC Ex-Officio non-voting
DR. JIM OWEN HARAREC 1444 Diamond Springs Rd Virginia Beach, VA 23455 (757) 363-3804 jim.owen@vt.edu DR. LAURIE FOX HRAREC, 1444 Diamond Springs Rd; VA Beach, VA 23455-3363 757-363-3807 Cell: 757-284-6139 ljfox@vt.edu DR. ROGER HARRIS VA Tech Horticulture Dept. Head Saunders Hall (0327) Blacksburg, VA 24061-0001 540-231-5451 rharris@vt.edu
MANTS’ Directors JOHN LANCASTER‘02 Bennett’s Creek Nursery 17497 Benns Church Blvd Smithfield, VA 23430 757-483-1425 john@bcnursery.com ROBIN RINACA - 15 Eastern Shore Nursery of VA PO Box 400 Melfa, VA 23410-0400 757-787-4732 rrinaca@esnursery.com DANNY SHRECKHISE Shreckhise Nurseries ‘12 PO Box 428 Grottoes, VA 24441-0428 540-249-5761 Danny@shreckhise.com
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Table of Contents 2017 VNLA Officers & Directors ............................... 3 Ad - Agri Supply ASC ................................................ 53 Ad - conserVAlandscapes.com ................................... 7 Ad - Eastern Shore Nursery of Virginia ..................... 55 Ad - Gossett’s Landscape Nursery ............................. 59 Ad - Guthrie Nurseries ............................................... 71 Ad - Guthrie Nursery .................................................. 58 Ad - Hanover Farms ................................................... 43 Ad - Hawksridge Farms .............................................. 47 Ad - Johnston County Nursery Marketing Association - JOCOPLANTS ............................................... 73 Ad - Lancaster Farms ................................................. 57 Ad - Pender Nursery ................................................... 51 Ad - Shreckhise Nurseries .......................................... 13 Ad - SiteLight Id ......................................................... 15 Ad - Tankard Nurseries .............................................. 45 Ad - TD Watkins Horticultural Sales ......................... 14 Ad - Turtle Creek Nursery .......................................... 65 Ad - Virginia Conservation Assistance Program ........ 32 Ad - Waynesboro Nurseries ........................................ 9 Ad - Willow Springs Tree Farms ................................ 49 Events - Cultivate Continues to Rise as Top Trade Show & Educational Event ..... 67 Events - MANTS ........................................................ 72 Legislature - Immigration Enforcement in 2017 ....... 44 Letters - Agribusiness Council ................................... 9 News - ARS Leads New Lyme Disease Control Efforts in Howard County, MD ........... 46 News - Bamboo Local Ordinance Bill ........................ 69 News - CBLP Certification Program Updates ........... 14 News - CBLP Level 1 Training - Register Now! ...... 15 News - HRI Publishes Bee-Friendly Plant Lists and Pollinator Health Toolkit ...................... 68 News - McIntire Botanical Garden Forms Partnership 48 News - Richard Veilleux New VA Tech Department of Horticulture .......................... 10 News - The Power of Plants ....................................... 60 News - Trump Winery seeks more foreign workers .. 44 News - Urban Trees A Blessing That Requires Work 23 News - VA Tech Undergraduate NALP Team at National Competition ........................... 22 Obituary - Bill “The Farmer” Meadows ..................... 11 Obituary - Byron Wates .............................................. 11 Obituary - Dr. Bryson James ...................................... 12 Obituary - Harry Delyannis ........................................ 55 Profile - Virginia Rockwell 2017 VNLA President ... 18 Research - New Findings on Exotic Ambrosia Beetle ....................................... 65 Research - Weed control research container nursery production .................... 57
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Tips - 9 Gardening Trends for 2017 ........................... 53 Tips - Evolution or Revolution ?…. The changing face of Indoor Plant Retailing ........................ 56 Tips - Infographic ....................................................... 61 Tips - Non-Billable Time Is Killing You .................... 54 Tips - People Solutions, Pressure Performance, The Best Pressure ............................................ 5 Tips - Sales tax from the Code of Virginia ................. 49 Tips - Employee or Independent Contractor? ............ 50 VNLA - Board Meeting Updates ................................ 71 VNLA - Certification Updates .................................... 12 VNLA - Certified Horticulturist Congratulations ....... 62 VNLA - Certified Horticulturist Congratulations ....... 63 VNLA - Certification Magnet/Sticker Ad ................... 71 VNLA - Field Day Brochure 24-31 VNLA - H2B Program ................................................ 43 VNLA - Jim Owen Recognized for Grozone Tracker App ................................................ 10 VNLA - New Members .............................................. 64 VNLA - Photo Contest Rules .................................... 17 VNLA - Plant Profile: ‘Soft Caress’ mahonia ........... 21 VNLA - President’s Message ...................................... 6 VNLA - Senator Warner Aide Meeting ...................... 16 VNLA - Spring 2017 Legislative/Policy Update ....... 16 VNLA - Survey 2016 .................................................. 8 VNLA - Test Schedule 2017 ...................................... 74 VNLA - Workshop/Field Day/Tour Ad ...................... 5 VNLA - Winner of the Photo Contest ........................ 17
April/May/June 2017 April / May / June 2017
VNLA - MobileFriendly App Guide to Virginia Growers! Look up plant sources, hotlinks to grower email, website and phone! www.vnla.org/Grower-Guide
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SAVE THE DATES! July 19th - 21st
• FlowVision Workshop • Dr. Charlie Hall • Field Day 2017 at Bennett’s Creek Nursery • Summer Tour 2017 • Networking Events Two Evenings
President’s Message Dear VNLA folks: President’s Message
Vol. 87, No.2; Apr/May/Jun 2017 Editor: Jeff Miller Vol. 86, No.4; Oct/Nov/Dec 2016 Editor: Jeff Miller
383 Coal Hollow Road; Christiansburg, VA 24073-6721 Internet E-mail Address: info@vnla.org 383 Coal Hollow Road; Christiansburg, VA 24073-6721 www.vnla.org (Association Info) Internet E-mail Address: info@vnla.org www.vnla.org (Association Info) https://www.facebook.c om/VNLA1932 Twitter: @vnla1932 https://www.facebook.c om/VNLA1932 Telephone: 540-382-0943 @vnla1932 Fax:Twitter: 540-382-2716 Disclaimer:Telephone: Published 540-382-0943 for your information, Fax:is540-382-2716 this newsletter not an endorsement forDisclaimer: individual products orfor editorial comments. Published your information, this newsletter is not an endorsement for individual products or editorial comments.
SAVE THE DATE!!! SAVE THE Field DATE!!! 2017 VNLA Day SAVE THE DATE!!! 2017 VNLA Field 2017 VNLA Field Day Day
Isle of Wight County, Smithfield, VA Isle of Wight County, Smithfield, VA
Isle of Wight County, Smithfield, VA
“MUST HAVEboard SKILLS At our recent meeting in WITH PLANTS - updated Williamsburg, we were AND PEOPLE.” on the succession plan by Sonya Westervelt and so far, are still I imagine you’ve specified thatwecombinaon schedule. The plan is detailed tion when hiring. Your success in growan article, written by Sonya, on ing yourinbusiness often depends on both page 9 of this newsletter. skills. The board decided to authorize the I’m happy to report such success with volrewriting of four Certification unteers for the VNLA. As members, we are blessed to reChapters per year over the next ceive many hours of dedicated service from skilled four years, along with onlinevolunstudy teers, at all hours of the day, night and weekends. seen guides. The board also authorized logo stickers andI’ve magnets more than a few emails, texts, or uploads at 3:50 am, for Virginia Certified Horticulturist (VCH) members. 10:30pm and the like, from volunteers putting together tours Most of ourmonitoring time was spent updatingorthe member application or classes, legislation, coordinating visits to and dues structure, which had not been updated in over twenty elusive legislators and their staffs. These volunteers help years. out Wethe reduced theofnumber of active member categories carry mission the VNLA: and raised the dues amount per category to reflect current dolTo enhance, promote, and advocate lar volumes. We are very fortunate to havefor theVirginia’s revenue from nursery landscape professionals. MANTS every year,and but in light of the upgrades that are being made to the VCH program and the succession planning we felt To enhance professionalism of our members, your Board this was necessary. The plan received unanimous support by volunteer chair for Certification Jeffrey Howe, VCH, the board. VSLD, CBLP helped organize Virginia Certified HorticulFollowing a very successful Field Day at Grelan Nursery turalist prep classes in Charlottesville, Richmond (runthis by past summer; are under way for year. For 2017with we CVNLA), andplans elsewhere around thenext Commonwealth, th will meetcontent at Bennett’s Creekconservation Nursery in Smithfield on July updated regarding landscaping for 20 wa. Our featured speaker will be Dr. Charlieprepared Hall fromfor Texas ter quality. Over 120 students statewide and A&M who will prepare two programs for VNLA Field Day took the VCH exam; two more exam dates for makeups or one for the in and the afternoon. We will be re-takes aremorning availableand in another Leesburg Charlottesville. VCH trying the July date in 2017 because, in the past, we had favorcandidates are also able to prepare using online study modable turnout in July, because August is a favorite vacation ules; those who attend in-person training benefit from netmonth, and schools are starting earlier in August. working and learning from teachers and student colleagues Please respond to AmericanHort Legislative Alerts on continalike. uing labor/immigration issues. You are the meal, if you are not Jim Ph.D., VT and advisor/ex officio at theOwen, table, all the time! YourVCE repeated responses to theVNLA alerts Board member, brings our second year of VNLA & is very important, even though they may seem “Lunch redundant Learn” webinars into a monthly schedule, by working with sometimes. expert presenters for content, and partnering with Virginia Save the dateCouncil for our next Annual VNLA Membership Turf Grass to create more content and shareBreakcosts. fast Meeting at the Sheraton Hotel during MANTS, on ThursOver two hundred folks prepared for Certified Fertilizer Apday, January 12, re-certification 2017. That sameby evening, the Annual Virginia plicator (CFA) enrolling in the February Agribusiness Council’s Legislative Appreciation Reception webinar. As a result, we increased our capacity, so VNLA and Dinner will in be Richmond and I and other members will can now host up to FIVE hundred students per webinar. Rebe representing the VNLA. member to check with VNLA and other organizations for I sincerely appreciate all ofunits the support youearned have given to the continuing education (CEU’s)that to be for each the VNLA and myself this past year and encourage you to conwebinar. tinue your support support and become become even more involved in the To promote Virginia’s nursery and landscape professionals, VNLA programs and events! VNLA Board Vice President and volunteer Education chair Aaron Williams has put together a team to produce three days of education and networking Bill Gouldin,this July 19, 20, and 21. Board members Matt Deivert, Cecilia VNLA President 2016Palmer, and VNLA Bill Gouldin wjg@stranges.com 804-360-2800 VNLA President 2016 wjg@stranges.com 804-360-2800VNLA Newsletter6
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member Matt Sawyer of our host Bennett’s Creek Nursery have a terrific Field Day planned, featuring the big picture and what it means for your business by economist Charlie Hall, Ph.D. of Texas A&M. The FlowVision Seminar on Wednesday, July 19, helps you streamline your landscape, nursery or garden center workflow. Seats are limited. This year VNLA partners with the Virginia Society of Landscape Designers (VSLD) to produce our annual Tour of private gardens and other landscapes, Friday, 19 July, day after Field Day in the Virginia Beach and Norfolk areas. Meg French, VSLD President and others collaborated to create an exquisite tour. Book early for your VCH’s to earn CEU’s for this tour on Friday, 21 July; VSLD Certified designers will earn CEU’s required to maintain certification. To advocate for Virginia’s nursery and landscape professionals, VNLA Board Secretary/Treasurer and Legislative/Policy volunteer Chair Brent Hunsinger, VCH has assembled a team of committed volunteers in various policy areas. Policies regarding both people (H2B visa holder seasonal temporary workers, horticulturalists’ and designers’ ability to practice in Virginia and D.C.) and plants (those good for pollinators, those regulated as noxious weeds) have created a busy first four months. VNLA members of the Board and from membership at large Seana Ankers, Cecilia Palmer, Paul Munn, Matt Deivert, Chapman Williams, Mike Hildebrand, Ricky Hoyback, Ed Tankard, Dan Gregg, Matt Shreckhise, Danny Shreckhise, and Jeff Howe and others have read up on policy, or journeyed to DC, congressional district offices or elsewhere to communicate the impact on businesses of the small but crucial H2B seasonal temporary worker visa program. VNLA Board policy/legislative volunteers have been briefed by House Ag Committee staff through Virginia Agribusiness Council and AmericanHort, given input to national ag policy priorities for Virginia agribusiness, attended Pollinator Protection Plan and Invasive Species Advisory Committee meetings with state agencies, and represented our green industry as stakeholders on groundwater withdrawal planning east of I-95.
Virginia R. Rockwell, VCH, VSLD, CBLP 2017 President, VNLA. PS. Save the dates: 19, 20, 21 July for Workshop, Field Day, and Summer Tour. See detailed info in the center of this Newsletter. All the best, Virginia R. R. Rockwell Rockwell Virginia VCH No. 2363, VSLD No. 097, NMP No. 714 VNLA President, 2017 434-531-0467, gentlegardener@gmail.com Thanks to Aaron Williams Williams Landscape and Design, Inc representing the Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association at the Horticulture Dayz program in Front Royal on Wednesday and Brent Hunsinger, Brent's Native Plantings representing the VNLA Thursday!
Ad - conserVAlandscapes.com
Many more of you have called, emailed, sent postcards and letters to your MoC (Member of Congress), Senators, plus your Commonwealth of Virginia Delegate or Senator. Thank you for letting your voices be heard for nursery and landscape. I am grateful---as a VNLA member and your 2017 President---for the extraordinary passion for people AND plants, and the professionalism of nursery and landscape volunteers for VNLA. There’s something about “plant people” that sets you all apart, and I’m lucky to be a part of this world. Have a happy, healthy summer, and be proud of all you accomplish. To volunteer, call or email info@vnla.org . Cheers! VNLA Newsletter April/May/June 2017 VNLA Newsletter April / May / June 2017
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VNLA - Survey 2016 For several years now we have been trying to put together a Green Industry Survey for the Commonwealth of Virginia. The goal of this survey is to total the economic impact of the entire green industry - nursery, greenhouse, sod producers, sports, golf, landscape, lawn care, retail sales, etc. We have finally gotten commitments for funding from the following groups: Virginia Turfgrass Foundation: $30,000 Virginia Turfgrass Council: $5,000 Virginia Golf Course Superintendents Association: $5,000 Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association: $5,000 There are other groups who have not committed funds at this time, but we certainly want to include them in this survey.
Dr. Amy Thelk, Ph.D., Director of Assessment and Evaluation, at James Madison University (independently of JMU) is managing this project and the expectation is for the survey to be online by September 2016, with a completion date by the winter of 2017. Once the data is compiled from all the various participants, we will distribute the data only for participating association use. The goal is to gain input into information each association would like to gather. For example, the sod producers may want to know the total number of acres of fescue under production in Virginia. So, this question will be asked of the sod producers only in their section of the survey. Another example may be a total square footage of flowers under production in greenhouses in Virginia- this will be asked of the nursery and greenhouse participants. We will certainly be collecting economic data from all participants such as revenue, employees, payroll, equipment purchases, chemical and fertilizer purchases, and more. The current list of groups participating is:
VA Sod Growers Association VA Golf Course Superintendents VA Turf Council VA Sports Managers Association National Association of Landscape Professionals Virginia Nursery and Landscape Professionals (and allied associations) Virginia Recreation and Park Society VA Department of Transportation Virginia Flower Growers Association VA Turfgrass Foundation Virginia Cemetery Association VA Professional Grounds Management Mid-Atlantic Association of ISA (VA only)
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Virginia Christmas Tree Growers The entire survey will be done online. There is a core section asking basic questions and then the industry group specific section.
Why Should You Participate in the Survey? Why Survey? Goal
2008 was last of 5 rotating specialty crop surveys Bay water quality goals due mid-2017 (TMDLs) Prove what you’re doing for Bay water goals and need to do Labor issues at the federal level (Overtime, ACA, H2B, H2A, Immigration) Groundwater resources, especially the Eastern Shore area Bees and Pollinators communications between applicators and beekeepers Nutrient Management in production and urban areas (all golf courses will have NMP by next year) Data will not be extrapolated, which means that totals are based on your input.
Create green industry awareness Establish Industry Benchmarks Support Secretary of Agriculture & Forestry and VDACS Utilize data for communications Develop accurate industry numbers, # jobs, taxes etc. The last statistics available are:
Turf - 2005 $4.6B Golf - 2013 $2.5B Nursery - 2007 $1.2B Total $8.3B From Survey Coordinator, Gil Grattan, Virginia Green Lawn Care, Richmond, gil.grattan@virginiagreen-
April/May/June 2017 April / May / June 2017
lawncare.com 804-285-6200
Complete the Survey Today at http://bit.ly/2gZKDFp
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Letters - Agribusiness Council Thank you again for your support of the Virginia Agribusiness Council's 46th Annual Legislative Appreciation Banquet. We are thrilled with the positive feedback from our guests this year and are thankful for all those whose efforts made it possible. Legislators continue to value the interaction and discussions with our agribusiness industry members, and we know that could not have happened without your support. After 46 years, support and participation from our agribusiness industry continues to grow and evolve. We are pleased that you continue to value this event and the importance of promoting a positive image of agribusiness to our elected decision makers. Each year, we hear from both our elected officials and industry representatives how enjoyable the evening was and how they look forward to it each year. You help make this possible.
was the photo station where attendees could have their pictures taken and uploaded to various social media platforms using a unique event hashtag, #GrowRuralVirginia. Using 4 words or less, participants were asked to write down their dream for rural Virginia on a white board. All photos were then displayed on a live social media wall during the dinner. The photo station was a fun way to engage our guests and come up with inspiring, positive goals to improve the rural areas we cherish. Your participation allows the Council to host these important guests and provide the opportunity for meaningful interaction with industry members. Building these relationships is beneficial as they make policy decisions affecting your business during this 2017 General Assembly session and throughout the year. Thank you again for your support of the Virginia Agribusiness Council. Please mark your calendars for the 47th Annual Legislative Appreciation Banquet on January 11, 2018!
At this year's banquet, we welcomed a sold-out crowd of agribusiness community members and elected officials! We were honored to have Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam in attendance, as well as our Distinguished Friend of Agriculture award recipient, Delegate Kirk Cox. In addition, we were joined by two other statewide gubernatorial candidates, making for an exciting evening! New to our event this year
Katie K. Frazier, VAC President
Ad - Waynesboro Nurseries
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News - Richard Veilleux assumes leadership of the VA Tech Department of Horticulture
Richard Veilleux will assume leadership of the Department of Horticulture at Virginia Tech on May 15, 2017. Richard has been a member of the department since 1981 and has served in numerous capacities in the department over the years, most notably in 2014 when he was interim head while Roger Harris completed his dream of hiking the Appalachian Trail. Richard's expertise is in genetics and breeding of horticultural crops, with emphasis on potato but he has also conducted research projects on various other horticultural crops including strawberry, tomato, Phalaenopsis, eggplant, Coreopsis, tobacco and Streptocarpus. Richard has mentored 41 graduate students over his career, obtaining funding from USDA, NSF, and BARD (Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund), among others, to support his research program. He has published his research in a wide range of plant science journals. He has taught graduate courses in Plant Breeding and Plant Tissue Culture while he continues to lecture occasionally as a guest in undergraduate courses including Plant Propagation. Richard hails from New England originally where he studied Mathematics and Psychology at Tufts University, then completed a Master's degree in Plant Science at the University of British Columbia, followed by a Ph.D. in Horticulture at the University of Minnesota. In his capacity as department head, he will oversee the transition of the Department of Horticulture into the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences.
VNLA - Jim Owen Recognized for Grozone Tracker App Congratulations to Jim Owen, who received the Extension Communication Award for his Grozone Tracker mobile app! Jim Owen received a BlueRibbon Extension Publication Award at the annual meeting of the Southern Region of the American Society for Horticultural Science in February. The award was initiated in 1987 to recognize outstanding contribution to the understanding of horticultural subjects reported in written, video, audio and electronic form, including Internet based formats. The award serves to give those authors of extension publications recognition among their peers and administrators. His research and Extension programs focus on enhanced management of resources in commercial nursery crop production to increase profitability while mitigating environmental impact. The primary objectives are to increase water and nutrient-use efficiency, manage agrichemical on-site effluent and offsite non-point source runoff and investigate improved production systems that can reduce costs or open new markets. Further, the program is to be extramurally funded, will include inter- and intra-departmental interdisciplinary cooperators, will effectively disseminate findings and will have socioeconomic impacts in Virginia and the United States. Check out the new, on-the-go, pour-thru and water quality monitoring mobile website www.grozonetracker.com to record, share and track real time data at your nursery or greenhouse. Download the complete Virginia Cooperative Extension GroZone Tracker Publication at http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/HORT/HORT-227/HORT-227PDF.pdf Dr. Jim Owen, HRAREC, Virginia Beach, jim.owen@vt.edu 757-363-3904
veilleux@vt.edu Richard Veilleux, Interim Head, Virginia Tech Department of Horticulture
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VNLA will be discontinuing the “800” phone number in 2017, Contact phone number is still 540-382-0943 April/May/June 2017 April / May / June 2017
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Obituary Bill “The Farmer” Meadows
Obituary - Byron Wates Byron Ernest Wates Jr. July 9, 1944 March 14, 2017 Resided in Clifton, VA
March 3, 1935 to February 28, 2017
Byron Wates was born July 9, 1944, in Birmingham, Alabama. He attended Fairfax High School and graduated class of 1963. He continued his education at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, graduating in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in landscape horticulture. Byron was President of Area Landscaping in Fairfax Virginia, a residential and commercial design build firm which was started by his father in 1953. He was also a member and past President of or the Northern Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association. Byron was an avid hunter and member of the Appalachian Bowhunters Association. He is survived by his son and spouse, Byron E. Wates III and Tammy Wates of Crofton Maryland, his daughter Amy Ordonez of Burke Virginia, and 5 grandchildren - Tyler Wates, Wynter Wates, Marcela Ordonez, Larissa Ordonez, and Ethan Ordonez. He was preceded in death by his father, Byron E. Wates and mother, Gloris Sayer. Condolences to the Byron Wates Family, friends and the many folks he touched. Byron was a graduate of the Virginia Tech Department of Horticulture and a member of the Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association (VNLA), a Virginia Certified Horticulturist since 1979, and a leader and driving force in the Northern Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association (NVNLA). Area Landscaping, Inc. is a multi-generational, family owned landscaping business. Since 1953, they have specialized in providing landscape design services to both residential and commercial customers throughout the Washington Metropolitan area. Byron was an avid hunter and travelled the world on hunting trips and had a huge collection of impeccably mounted specimens, many of which were on display at his visitation. Charities: Northern Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association, P.O. Box 2155, Centreville, VA 20122
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His life was a colorful tapestry, made up of thousands of threads, woven by the hands of all those whose lives he touched - family, friends, neighbors, students, employees, golfing buddies and waitresses alike. Born in the mining town of Crab Orchard, WV., Farmer “did life” with his childhood sweetheart, Betty Lewis Meadows, whom he married in 1953. After high school, Bill joined the US Army, then graduated from Marshall University and American University on the GI bill. In 1959 the couple came to Fairfax County, VA, where Farmer was a teacher and coach in the Fairfax County Public School system for 10 years, and Betty worked as a librarian. Looking for an opportunity to supplement his teacher’s wages, as well as the earnings of his students, Bill developed a plan for the students to peddle tomatoes doorto-door in the community. This led to the start of Meadows Farms Produce in 1960 (and the forever-nickname of “The Farmer”) which later became the wildly successful garden center chain Meadows Farms Nurseries. Over the course of 50 years The Farmer opened 40 different retail locations, and spearheaded many innovations and expansions, gradually whittling down to the 19 current retail stores and the design-build landscape company which services the entire DC metro area and employs hundreds of managers, laborers, and designers. In addition to the landscaping business, Meadows designed and built the Meadows Farms Championship Golf Course in Spotsylvania County and also tried his hand as a gentleman Farmer of Santa Gertrudis cows, before his (reluctant) semiretirement at his waterfront home in Fredericksburg, VA. Farmer embraced life the way he embraced the people in his life -with the “you only go around once” gusto of someone who truly loved being alive. When people reflect on him, their memories sometimes assume a “larger than life” perspective. They often start by saying, “I’ll never forget the time….” and then go on to relate a story in the most picturesque terms, often using what is fondly called “the Farmer stretch” - a story-telling method using the most outlandish exaggerations to make a point. Farmer is survived by Betty, his wife, business partner, and BFF for more than 60 years. [Their story was captured in the 2003 autobiography, Nearly Perfect]; sons Jay (Doreen), Rocky (Holly), daughter Kate (Dural), grandchildren Miranda, Monica, Mason and Hunter, and is pre-deceased by children William Jay and Cindy Lou, and grandson Chase.
Farmer was a multi-faceted chameleon, sometimes appearing as an overall-clad “aww shucks” bumpkin or a nouveauApril/May/June 2017 11 April / May / June 2017 11
riche Jed Clampett-esque hillbilly-millionaire; at other times he was the shrewd businessman, the philosophical humanitarian, or the “over-grown kid”. He was so many things to so many people, but almost always he is described as “unforgettable”. Though not renowned for especially big feet, no one will ever again fill the Farmer’s shoes.
VNLA - Certification Updates
In Lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Farmer’s name to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund at http://curealz.org/in-
memory/bill-farmer-meadows
Obituary - Dr. Bryson James Dr. Bryson L. James Passes Away at 86 McMinnville resident and Florence, AL native Bryson Lemofoine James, Ph.D. was born September 12, 1930 and died April 29, 2017 at St. Thomas Highlands Hospital in Sparta, TN following an extended illness. Dr. James was a former Professor of Horticulture at the University of North Carolina, former Director of Horticultural Research at the University of Florida and after moving to McMinnville, he became a Consulting Horticulturist with the nursery industry and many other clients. He volunteered as Director of Horticultural Research for the Southern Nursery Association (SNA) and directed its Annual Research Conference for thirty-seven years. He was an honorary member of the SNA. Funeral service was held Tuesday, May 2, 2017 in McMinnville, TN with Charlie Parkerson, Danny Summers and Christopher Young officiating. Burial followed in the Gardens of Memory with full military honors administered by VFW Post 5064 and American Legion Post 173. A full obituary can be found at: http://www.highfuneralhome.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=4210951&fh_id=11416 SNA and the VNLA would like to express our sincere sympathy to the family of Dr. James. We honor the many years of service he so freely gave to the association and the horticulture industry. Provided by the Southern Nursery Association
VCH Exam at Virginia Tech
Certification charges on as we have administered 120 VCH Exams and a total of 72 have passed (60%). Congratulations and thank you for your desire to represent horticulture and the landscape industry with professionalism. For those of you who did not pass please sign up for retake while it is still fresh and free. There are review and study materials now on the Canvas a server and please contact us to sign up for a new Canvas account. Keep studying and get through these photos before new ones replace these slightly outdated ones. The VCH committee reviewed several responses from our impromptu survey about VCH program. It was enough new insight information to make me personally tighten the grip on my steering wheel for a day. At first I drove around angry, then excited and finally motivated to work on and improve the VCH program. It was a good thing I maintained that grip on the steering wheel (for a week or so) because (soon after) I was hit head-on by a teenager, who came across the line while on my way to a CBLP certification exam retake. Thank goodness none of us were hurt badly, and I want to thank everyone for support calls and emails while I was recovering from surgery. Being on “bed rest” for a few weeks gave me time to think about VCH and my other professional certifications. I read lots of various industry certification program mission statements and qualification requirements and I checked out other states programs and websites. I concluded that we at VNLA (VCH) are doing well. I also realized that working
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on certification will be an ongoing challenge. Although I have been a certified VCH since sometime in the last century I have never appreciated what it, or any number of the other certifications I, and a lot of us, holds really means to us and our industry. To be certified is to represent horticulture and landscape by exhibiting professionalism, to be educated, resourceful, friendly and patiently communicative. We are supposed to be the people who practice and give sound scientific advice to users and consumers of horticulture goods and services. As a group, we are supposed uphold standards set forth by our predecessors, learned peers through best practices the skills and methods which have been researched and promoted by our educators and extension services. It is an honor to carry this certification and it is well understood by those within the Nursery and Landscape fields but not too many folks outside these arenas know what it means to hold the Virginia Certified Horticulturist badge. So, it is our goal, as an association, to grow certified members. It is our goal as VCH to enlighten the gardening public and end users of our services of proper horticultural practices and to be leaders in the current best practices. We also have to educate our consumers on the value of our accreditation and why they should use companies who promote and hire VCH staff. This is a challenge. Are we all not
befuddled by the mulch volcanos around ornamental trees that grow taller every year in our local towns? Who removes stakes and guy wires after 2-3-5 years? How can we educate these folks I do not know but if more companies had VCH I bet the mulch rings would be different and stakes would be gone! From the results of the survey we know there is work to do and we are listening by making some changes and continuing improvements and opportunities. As we try to grow and instill meaning to our program, we also have to educate newcomers what it means to stay current. I am talking CEU’s. Let’s consider this the highlight of the comments made from the folks who completed the survey, again thank you. Respondents, as of last year, 31 were in the office and 45 in the field. 30% of you rated your satisfaction with the VCH program as well above average but 45% of you were just satisfied as about average. Here are some of the comments from the VCH survey: I would like to thank the 71% of the companies whose employees are VCH, and took the survey for promoting VCH by actively marketing with the logo and other media. I will also thank 100% of the survey respondents for answering that question twice. It is also encouraging to know that folks who responded would use the logo more on vehicles
Ad - Shreckhise Nurseries
Since 1936 Growers of Quality Trees & Shrubs, Conifers, Flowering Shrubs, Broad Leaf Evergreens, Shade & Flowering Trees, B&B Taxus & Thuja. Specializing in Container Grown Trees Located in the Heart of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
1903 Forest AVE | PO BOX 428 | Grottoes, VA 24441 nursery@shreckhise.com 540-249-5761 | 800-628-5871 | fax 540-249-5762
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VNLA Meet Up in Charlottesville
and uniforms if available. I was surprised to know that so VNLA Mission, News - CBLP VNLA many were not using the logoMission, at the end of the email signaTheThen VNLA has heldObjectives three Happy Hour Meet Up’s this past winter in Charlottesville in conjunction with the Vision and for 2015 tures. I remembered that I just added the logo to mine Certification Program Updates Vision and Objectives for 2014 Richmond in conjunction the out CVNLA Short Course, and Virginia Beach for members and thisPLA year.Seminars, It is a good idea to Mission, have the wordswith written as VNLA often images are toblocked cyberspace. It for is much easier non-members have a in casual gathering a couple of hours. If you are interested in helping host an event in Vision and Objectives forlogo 2014 Develop Expertise than it has been in theDoug past toRodes, use thedrodes@jamesrivernurseries.com actual it looks your area, contact . Statement: To enhance, promote, andand advoMission Statement: To Enhance and VirMission Statement: To Enhance and promote promote Virgreat. We, the VNLA Board, understand we need to make it cate for Virginia’s nursery and landscape professionals. ginia’s nursery and landscape industry. ginia’s nursery and landscape industry. Gain Credibility byon Michele Fletcher as easy as possible for folks to use photos theand logo theirViremail Mission Statement: To Enhance promote Increase your visibility Vision: leader andand resource for VirVision:to tobecome becomethethe leader resource for the signature, name badges andthe wherever ginia’sletterhead, nursery andwebsite, landscape industry. ginia nursery and landscape industry. nursery and landscape industry. elseVirginia comes up. Vision: to become the leader and resource for the VirSustainable Landscapes for a Healthier Bay Objectives Objectives I think that we need saturateindustry. the client with education ginia nursery and to landscape Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) Certification Program onEducated, the program and try to utilizeLabor all the Force above,--on an onAvailable Skilled Goal: Educated, Available Skilled Labor Force Goal: Objectives going basiswill andcontinue encourage others in programs the industry do the VNLA to that VNLA will continue to promote promote programs thattowill will Expand Your Practice same, rather than one big push at one time.Force Educated, Available Skilled Labor - labor Goal: education, train and provide anan available skilled education, train and provide available skilled laVNLA will continue to promote programs that will force. bor force. Get Certified I believe the ability to report CEU's online will be beneeducation, train and provide an available skilled labor ficial to everyone and utilize webinars to obtain CEU's will Effective cblpro.org Effective Communication and and Advocacy Advocacy GOAL: GOAL: force. Communication be VNLA proactive with those thatcommunication have a busy schedule and unable effectively among staff, VNLA will will effepctively communication among staff, Effective and Advocacy GOAL: to board, make itmembers, to theCommunication tradeshows or partners the board, members, partners and andtours. the community. community. We are writing to provide you with an update on the CBLP VNLA will effepctively communication among staff, certification program. It has been a very busy and exciting ForMaximizing people in the Northern VA area, it is very difficult to go and Allocation Resources -- GOAL: Maximizing and partners Allocation Resources GOAL: board, members, and the community. time! to VNLA the CEU education events, especially the ones in the will secure funding diverse VNLA will secure increased increased funding from from diverse Maximizing and Allocation Resources GOAL: Chesapeake Area. sources secure thethe necessary staff,staff, boardboard and comsourcesand and secure necessary and During our 2016 pilot program, we certified 113 Level 1 VNLA will secure increased funding from diverse mittee members to runtoarun dynamic organization. committee members a dynamic organization. landscape professionals from three states and the District of Yes, Yes and Yes...online availability would be apprecisources and secure the necessary staff, board and comColumbia. Of those certified, 21 professionals went on to ated and used. mittee members run a dynamic organization. Expand Membership and -- GOAL: Membership andtoOutreach Outreach GOAL: Expand and and achieve advanced Level 2 credentials in design or installacommunicate the value of communicate the value of membership. I would rather retest every 3membership. years than mess with and CEUs. Membership and Outreach - GOAL: Expand tion, after successfully completing a 3-Day Intensive SemiMost times I feel,-- GOAL: communicate the valueVNLA of membership. Stewardship will Stewardship GOAL: VNLA will promote promote adoption adoption nar in January 2017. You can locate a CBLP-certified proI have passed the test why do I need to prove again of Best Management Practices. of1.Stewardship Best Management Practices. fessional on our website, cblpro.org/directory/. Support VNLA - GOAL: VNLA will promote adoption that I know the material. of Best Management Practices. Member VNLA promote Strategic Marketing GOAL: Strategic Marketing GOAL: VNLA will promote We spent the winter monthsGrowers! evaluating the results and feed2. Credits for CEUs-- often mean verywill little regarding itself as the leader and resource of the green industry. itself as the leader and resource of the green industry. back from the pilot program, and making plans for the next Strategic Marketing VNLA knowledge needed-toGOAL: perform tasks.will promote Online at www.VNLA.org cycle of training, and for our training expansion. In a few asWhat the leader and resource of the agreen 3.itself Most clients have no ideaproblems? what VCHindustry. is or even are members What are members problems? New Nativedates Plant weeks, we will announce andSection! locations for 2017 traincare How are to them What aregoing members problems? How are we we going to help help them become become ing, and registrationFor will be available Support VNLA a print copy on the CBLP website. more successful? As we move forward with upgrades in thethem Virginia Certified How are we going to help become more successful? We plan to offer at least five two-day Level 1 training clasSupport VNLA call 1-800-476-0055 Member Growers! Support VNLA Horticulturist program, please contact the VNLA office at more successful? ses this spring/summer in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Viremail info@vnla.org VCH@vnla.org, 1-540-382-0943 or myself, Jeff Howe, Member Growers! Member Growers! Online at given www.VNLA.org ginia. Level 1 exams will be in fall/winter. Interested jhowe@windridgelandscaping.com 434-361-1588 professionals Online can apply for Level 1 any time at at online www.VNLA.org Online at Plant www.VNLA.org New Native Section! www.cblpro.org/get-certified. Once their application is apNew New Native Plant Section! Plant proved and registration isNative open, professionals will choose For a print copySection! training dates and pay online. More information call 1-800-476-0055 For a For print copycopy about Level a print Fall Review Class and Testinfor 2 certification willcall be available on the website April. Ad - TD Watkins Horticultural Sales email info@vnla.org 1-800-476-0055 call 1-800-476-0055
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email info@vnla.org email info@vnla.org Many individualsCertified and organizations have contributed to the Virginia Horticulturist success of the pilot phase of CBLP development, with over 3,100 volunteer hours logged to VA date. We are deeply grateful Crozet, to all of our advisors, partners, hosts, and funders, and to the Monday’s, 5:30-8:30 p.m. initial cohort certified without whose help WeofWant toprofessionals, Hear From You! we could not possibly20 have–achieved so much in October December 8a relatively Send comments and suggestions to short periodyou of time.
Exam, Saturday, December 13 Location TBA Contact Beth Ginter, beth@chesapeakelandscape.org
info@vnla.org 1-800-476-0055 Visit Website www.chesapeakelandscape.org
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CBLP offers two levels of training and certification:
News - CBLP Level 1 Training - Register Now!
Register Online for 2017 Level 1 Training May 16-17 - Baltimore, MD June 9-10 - Richmond, VA June 20-21 - Annapolis, MD July 17-18 - Virginia Beach, VA July 24-25 - Lancaster, PA
In 2017, Level 1 candidates will choose one of these Level 1 classes:
$425 includes one 2-day class that combines classroom instruction with field work, unlimited access to online webinar series, and examination fee
cblpro.org
Arborists and Foresters • Engineers • Green Infrastructure, Low Impact Development (LID), Stormwater Professionals • Grounds Managers • Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Technicians or Licensed Pesticide Applicators • Landscape Architects & Designers • Horticulturists, Landscape Contractors and Technicians • Nutrient Management Planners or Certified Applicators • Soil and Environmental Scientists • Urban Planners
Registration is now open for 2017 Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) certification. CBLP is a new voluntary, regional credential for professionals who design, install, and maintain sustainable landscapes in the Bay watershed. Visit http://cblpro.org/get-certified/ for information, and to apply for certification. 12/14/2007
Baltimore- May 16-17 Richmond- June 9-10 Annapolis- June 20-21 Virginia Beach- July 17-18 Lancaster, PA- July 24-25
Questions? Contact Beth Ginter at beth@chesapeakelandscape.org
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Level 1 is a baseline certification in design, installation, and maintenance of sustainable landscapes, with emphasis on how to properly maintain stormwater best management practices (BMPs) Level 2 is an advanced credential in design or installation, focusing on stormwater BMPs
Level 1 training consists of one two-day class that combines classroom learning about conservation landscaping and stormwater best management practices, with a fieldbased maintenance practicum. CBLP’s active learning program focuses on critical thinking, problem solving, and collaborative practice. Candidates also receive unlimited access to CBLP’s online webinar series on sustainable landscaping topics, and may participate in a live exam preparation webi-
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nar. Level 1 certification exams will be given in several locations, September 2017-January 2018. The Level 1 package fee is $425. The next Level 2 seminar will be held November 9-11, 2017, in Arlington, VA. Registration will open this summer. A searchable, online directory of over 100 CBLP-certified landscape professionals is available at http://cblpro.org Candidates for Level 1 must have a degree, certificate, or certification in a related field, or have professional experience in landscape design, installation, or maintenance. In order to qualify for Level 2, professionals must first complete Level 1 and demonstrate experience designing or installing stormwater BMPs. For more information, visit http://cblpro.org or contact: Beth Ginter, CBLP Coordinator, beth@chesapeakelandscape.org
VNLA - Senator Warner Aide Meeting
VNLA - Spring 2017 Legislative/Policy Update This winter and spring have been very active with issues that affect VNLA members. Federal Level In Washington DC the Supreme Court will consider the EPA/Army Corps of Engineers’ Waters of the United States rule despite a request from the Trump administration for a pause as the agencies reconsider the rule. The H2B program continues to be the issue of the spring as the 66,000 worker cap was reached in March, leaving many companies without the labor they need. On April 26, 2017 nursery and landscape industry professionals from all over the country will flock to Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress to ask them to reauthorize the returning worker exemption and support the Save our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act. The Trump administrations initial draft budget has eliminated all funding for the Chesapeake Bay Program. Several members of Congress in Virginia have signed a letter asking the administration to restore funding for the Program. State Level
VNLA member representatives meeting with Senator Warner's Ag Aide Jeff Howe, Windridge Landscaping; Chapman Williams, Williams Landscaping; Danny Shreckhise, Shreckhise Nurseries, Ken Johnson, Ag Aide; Mike Hildebrand, James River Nurseries, Brent Hunsinger, Brent's Native Plantings. Seana Ankers, Lee Highway Nursery coordinated this meeting with our partners at AmericanHort and the Virginia Agribusiness Council.
Thanks for your calls/emails with Senator Warner's office and other Virginia Congressional representatives!
The Noxious Weeds Advisory Committee has finished updating noxious weed regulations to bring them into compliance with the amended code passed in 2016 by the General Assembly. The updated regulations will be brought to the VDACS Board in May for approval at which time the Committee will file the required notice of intent to change the regulations. A public comment period will follow. Work on the Virginia Pollinator Protection Strategy continues as habitat and forage issues now are the focus. The Pollinator Protection Plan section has now been completed in regards to reducing pollinator exposure to pesticide applications. The Eastern Virginia Groundwater Management Advisory Committee met April 17, 2017 with the focus of the meeting including discussion of the conclusions reached by the respective sub work groups. In the next few months, the EVGMAC full committee will meet monthly and acting on the recommendations of the sub groups to draft a final report to provide to the General Assembly. The report is expected to include proposed statutory, regulatory and budget changes. DEQ will then issue a response to that report in November 2017. There will likely be legislation in the 2018 General Assembly session resulting from this process. Provided by Brent Hunsinger, VNLA Legislative Director Volunteer, brenthunsinger@gmail.com
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Winner of the Photo Contest
VNLA - Photo Contest Rules 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. 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, company, and email. One winning entry per photographer per year. You may re-enter non-winning entries. Please e-mail images separately. Feel free to elaborate on any story surrounding the photograph. Photos should be 300 dpi high resolution.
A Miner Bee (Genus Andrena) on a Horse Sugar (Symplocos tinctoria) bloom located in the Virginia Native Plant Garden at Norfolk Botanical Garden on April 5, 2017. Photo Winner: Tom Houser Senior Horticulturist, Woodies Team, Norfolk Botanical Garden Shot with Nikon D750 and 200mm Macro Lens
Win $50, submit your photos! Good Luck and Happy Photographing!
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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. Deadline for submission is 5:00 p.m. on the Newsletter Copy Deadline, which is the 15th of January, April, July, and October. All submissions become the property of the VNLA. 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 is done by the VNLA Communication Committee. All decisions are final
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Design with Nature Design with Nature
Profile - Virginia Rockwell 2017 VNLA President
Best Practices for clean water - Photo credit: Gentlegardener.com
The mission of Gentle Gardener Green Design is to support your personal stewardship of the Earth. These principles guide services:
Photo credit: John Magor
Virginia Rockwell was born in Blue Ridge, Georgia. She is married to Robert Bradford; they have a daughter Stella Bradford. Virginia is the 2017 VNLA president.
Approach gardening holistically; provide garden design services, materials and knowledge to harmonize plant, animal and human habitats with healthy soil and water life. Connect people with place in a distinctively American style. Feature American craft, materials and native plants. Reuse and recycle close to the source. Empower the gardener with knowledge of more gentle gardening methods, and encourage mindfulness in the practice of gardening. Encourage biodiversity and create habitats in gardens. Strive toward sustainability in all aspects of business and design, so that the elements of the system work in harmony with each other to minimize waste and work. Create beauty. Call forth body, mind and spirit to, as the Navajo say, "Walk in Beauty."
Nyssa sylvatica - Photo at Glendale
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providing custom plant sourcing for the firm's design clients only.
Virginia trees for clean water - Photo credit: gentlegardener.com Patina in New Orleans - photo credit gentlegardener.com
In a prior incarnation, Virginia worked in advertising and marketing strategy for major brands including Coca-Cola after receiving her MBA from Columbia in New York. Virginia’s commitment to sustainable, green education and enterprise extends to helping husband Robert and daughter Stella on the family cattle and timber farm in Orange County, Virginia.
photo credit gentlegardener.com
Virginia R. Rockwell, VSLD, VCH, is Principal Designer & Owner of Gentle Gardener Green Design. She is certified as a Landscape Designer by the Virginia Society of Landscape Designers, as a Horticulturalist by the Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association, and is an Associate member of APLD (Association of Professional Landscape Designers). Virginia holds a Garden Design Certificate from the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew, London, a Permaculture Design Certificate in ecological and ethical design, and spent a hands-in-dirt apprenticeship at The Findhorn Foundation, Scotland. Virginia is a Landscape for Life Trainer. Gentle Gardener Green Design is a licensed nursery stock dealer,
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Away from the rat race - Photo at Glendale
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Native Plantings - Photo credit gentlegardener.com
Glendale landscape - photo credit: gentlegardener.com
In 1993, Rockwell stepped off the corporate ladder and landed in Scotland. An extended retreat at The Findhorn Foundation became her hands-in-the-dirt apprenticeship in organic gardening.
Hero : Growers of Anything. I am not a grower, and am so grateful to be surrounded by literally the world's finest growers of native plants, trees, green roof sedum carpet, boxwoods, blueberries, fruit trees, perennials, ground covers, sod, annuals, tropicals, orchids, living walls and cut flowers.
She followed her renewed interest to the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew, London. Studying with John Brookes, she earned a Garden Design Certificate.
Hardest part of your Workday: 3 pm indoors. Always better outdoors, even in bad weather
Best Habit, quiet time, rising without an alarm most days, before or over orange juice and coffee early in the morning
Best part of your Workday: writing or design, early in the morning
Worst Habit, multitasking - highly overrated
Helpful Hint When Handling Employees: don’t handle, and if you must, wear gloves. Noticing rather than interpreting helps. I ❤ 🌳🌳 ♠ Bumper sticker I would like to have:
Hobbies, politics and public service. Yes, really!! Entertaining, occasionally inspiring. Travel. Mentoring young’uns.
Favorite quote: To paraphrase my college teacher David Orr; “if it’s not beautiful, it’s not sustainable”.
Aspirations “The plain fact is that the planet does not need more successful people. But it does desperately need more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of every kind. It needs people who live well in their places. It needs people of moral courage willing to join the fight to make the world habitable and humane. And these qualities have little to do with success as we have defined it” - David Orr
Pervious pavers and stone
How or why you company managed to stay in Business so long: “She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.” Mitch McConnell could have been talking about the risks of career switching, using your capital to enter a new industry with no experience. It has been a wonderful journey. People who love plants are especially nice people to be around, even when they prefer plants to people.
Dream Vacation, I’ve been lucky to have had several already: Australia, Bali, Pacific Coast Highway last year, living in Scotland working in gardens, living in London, working & studying at Kew. VNLA Newsletter April/May/June 2017 20 April / May / June 2017
Edited by Sandy Miller
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VNLA - Plant Profile: ‘Soft Caress’ mahonia A gentle evergreen shrub for shade
pinnately-compound leaves with narrow, spineless leaflets. Its graceful, feathery texture—a rarity for temperate broadleaf-evergreen shrubs—can add a tropical accent to Virginia landscapes with mild winters. Vibrant-yellow, sweetscented flowers are borne in terminal spikes in late fall. Flowers are followed by attractive, oval-shaped, blue-black berries (≈0.25” long) that ripen in early spring (a delicious treat for birds). Compared to other mahonia species used in Virginia landscapes, ‘Soft Caress’ mahonia is slower-growing and more compact, maturing at ≈3.5’ tall by 4’ wide. Though often planted in mass, its distinguished, year-round texture also merits its use as a specimen plant.
Photo credit: Gary Knox
Until I came across Mahonia eurybracteata subsp. ganpinensis ‘Soft Caress’ (‘Soft Caress’ mahonia), I had always felt lukewarm about mahonias, and if you’ve ever stepped barefoot on a Mahonia bealei (leatherleaf mahonia) leaflet, you may feel the same way. Mahonia species commonly produced and planted in Virginia (M. bealei, and to a lesser extent, M. ×media and M. aquifolium) are broadleafevergreens with thick, pinnately-compound leaves, bearing sharp spines on the leaflet margins. These mahonia species have a cane growth-habit (upright with few side branches) and can become spindly with age, an undesirable trait for shrubs used in foundation plantings.
‘Soft Caress’ mahonia is deer-resistant and has no serious pest or disease issues. It is drought-tolerant, prefers welldrained soils and requires part to full shade. Wet or windswept locations are not suitable for ‘Soft Caress’ mahonia. Although it is typically listed as a USDA hardiness zone 7a plant, multiple cooperative extension reports throughout the mid-Atlantic have noted considerable winter damage in zone 7a locations. To reduce risk of winter dieback, planting ‘Soft Caress’ mahonia in protected locations is advised, especially in areas that commonly see single-digit winter temperatures. Propagation can be accomplished via division or hardwood cuttings; however, acquiring large quantities of stem cuttings may be a challenge due to its cane growth-habit. Soft Caress mahonia is a welcome and handsome addition to our palette of compact evergreen shrubs. References: Clark, K. Tough, water-wise plants for shade. Oregon State Extension. http://extension.oregonstate.edu/benton/sites/default/files/tough_water_wise_plants.pdf . Dirr, Michael A. 2009. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses, 6th Ed. Stipes. Champaign, IL.
‘Soft Caress’ mahonia, an Asian-native, shares little resemRice, G. 2013. Chelsea plant of the year. The Plantsman blance with the aforementioned, coarse-textured mahonia 12(3):170-177. species. When I first bumped into it at JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State, I nearly mistook for a palm! This 2013 Provided by Jake Shreckhise, PhD Horticulture Student, Virginia Tech Chelsea Plant of the Year winner has lustrous, blue-green, VNLA Newsletter April/May/June 2017 VNLA Newsletter April / May / June 2017
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News - VA Tech Undergraduate NALP Team at National Competition
Joseph Mills & Daniel Milihram, 5th -Landscape Maintenance Operation Kevin Osborne, Maddie Pequigney & Justice Schlemmer, 9th - Landscape Plant Installation Joseph Mills & Justice Schlemmer, 14th - Hardscape Installation Laura Yuhase, William Shelburne, and Justice Schlemmer each received $1000 Scholarship Awards at the NALP Student Scholarship Reception on Wednesday night at the Bean Life Science Museum on BYU campus.
Students had many opportunities to speak with companies and sponsors throughout the week, including at industry sponsored workshops and the NALP Scholarship Reception on Wednesday, the large Career Fair and Trade Show and Event Briefings on
The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) 2017 National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC) at Brigham Young University in Provo, UT was a big success for fifteen Virginia Tech students and their sponsors. Students from the Department of Horticulture, the Agricultural Technology Program, Landscape Architecture, and even the Mathematics Department traveled to Provo on March 14 thru 19 to compete in 29 events against over 60 schools and universities from across the country and Canada. While Blacksburg was suffering through a resurgence of winter, Utah was experiencing one of its mildest months of March on record... the over 650 students in attendance were greeted with sunny skies and temperatures in the 70's for our entire stay! Several notable performances from this year's event propelled the VT Team, smaller than usual in numbers and HUGE in Hokie Spirit, to a 19th Place finish. Congratulations to Justice Schlemmer (HORT 2017) for finishing 4th in the Super Star competition for overall NCLC student performer! This is the third year in a row that VT has placed a student seventh or better in the overall event! Here are other great performances:
Justice Schlemmer, 1st Place - Construction Cost Estimating; 10th Skid Steer Loader Operation Maddie Pequigney, 6th - Sales Presentation "She sold the job!" Alysha Lawless, 6th -Computer Aided Landscape Design Alysha also won a $500 award for designing the 2017 NCLC T-shirt worn by all 672 competitors at this year's event! She also won this contest in 2015! Joseph Mills, 9th - Maintenance Cost Estimating Harley Curran, 11th - 3D Landscape Design Daniel Milihram & William Shelburne, 3rd -Truck & Trailer Operation
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Thursday, and informally in Convention center hallways, hotel lobbies, and all across campus. Students have related many instances of follow-up job interviews and internship offers as a result of their interactions.
Photos by Barbara Leshyn
We would like to thank all of the wonderful Industry leaders and individuals who donated funding toward this year's trip! Without your GENEROUS support the NCLC Provo experience for our team would not have been possible. Thank you also to Ruppert Landscape for hosting the entire team along with team members from 3 other universities for a meal and social on our final night in Provo. Thank you to Mark Maslow and his team from Southern Landscape Group for hosting the VT NCLC 2017 team for a social at PK's Restaurant in Blacksburg after our return. We can't wait to begin planning for the 2018 NCLC Event at Alamance Community College in North Carolina! Barbara Leshyn, Tom Martin, John James; To see more photos, visit: https://blogs.lt.vt.edu/horticulture/
[The VNLA provided a sponsorship of $1,000 to the VA Tech Team]
April/May/June 2017 April / May / June 2017
22 VNLA Newsletter
FlowVision System implemented by Bennett’s Creek Nursery
Growing Smarter
4 Private Gardens - Va Beach Norfolk Botanical Garden Guided Tram Tour Bill and Linda Pinkham’s Garden on the River, Carrollton
Dr. Charlie Hall, Keynote Speaker, tours, exhibitors, networking, business enhancement speakers Bennett’s Creek Nursery
SAVE THE DATES!
Lean Management Workshop:
Summer Tour
Thursday July 20
Field Day
Friday July 21
Friday July 21
Field Day
Thursday July 20
Summer Tour
Dr. Charlie Hall, Keynote Speaker, tours, exhibitors, networking, business enhancement speakers Bennett’s Creek Nursery
4 Private Gardens - Va Beach Norfolk Botanical Garden Guided Tram Tour Bill and Linda Pinkham’s Garden on the River, Carrollton
Lean Management Workshop:
Wednesday July 19
Wednesday July 19
SAVE THE DATES! Growing Smarter
FlowVision System implemented by Bennett’s Creek Nursery
Your Roots Are In Virginia! 383 Coal Hollow Rd Christiansburg, VA 24073-6721 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
SAVE THE SAVE THEDATES! DATES August 10th - 12th, 2016 July 19th - 21st VNLA Workshop, Field Day andSummer SummerTour Tour2017 2016 VNLA Workshop, Field Day, and
Prsrt. Std U.S. Postage PAID Blacksburg, VA Permit No. 107
Claudia 383 CoalWest Hollow Rd. Landscape Design Charrette Christiansburg, VA 24073-6721 Dr. Charles R. Hall Field Day At Grelen Nursery 2017: A Time of Opportunity in the Midst of Uncertainty
Summer Tour
Developing a Value Private Gardens Proposition that Resonates with Future Consumers More details at www.vnla.org
info@vnla.org 800-476-0055 More details at www.vnla.org info@vnla.org | 540-382-0943
Make your hotel reservations at: 757-365-4760, http://bit.ly/2pwSp0H , Code:VNL, RESERVATION CUTOFF: June 30
2017 Field Day and Summer Tour Pre-Registration for All Events Company Name: Address: City:
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Wednesday July 19
(VSLD members get VNLA Member rates)
(page 3)
Thursday July 20
Enter fees for each event you are registering for in the appropriate box(s)
Lean Management Workshop 1-5 pm
Casual Networking Reception Smithfield Station 5:30-7 Station 5:30-7pm pm
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4 CEU
Networking
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On Your Own check if participating
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(Pages 3,4,5)
Field Day at Bennett’s Creek Nursery
Friday July 21
Happy Hour and Dinner at the Smithfield Inn
(page 6)
Tour of
Norfolk Botanical Garden Smithfield & Virginia Beach
24 CEU
$30 (includes buffet dinner and 1 drinkticket ticket) 1 drink and entertainment)
**Does NOTNOT include overnight accommodations, make **Does include overnight accommodations make reservations at the Hampton Inn & Suites reservations at the Hampton Inn & Suites at 1-757-365-4760 ; $119/night http://bit.ly/2pwSp0H
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2 CEUs Tour
At Bennett’s Creek Nursery
Thursday, July 20
4 CEUs Workshop 4 CEUs Field Day 4 CEUs Workshop 44 CEUs CEUs Tour Field Day
8:30 am - 4 pm - Registration Open 9:00 am-3:00 pm -Plant ID Quiz & Earn CEU’s!
2 CEUs Tour
Choose Speaker Sessions or Tours
Field Day
Thursday, July 20 8:30 am - 4 pm - Registration Open 9:00 am-3:00 pm -Plant ID Quiz & Earn CEU’s!
Choose Speaker Sessions or Tours
9 am-10:00 –Tour Bennett’s Creek Nursery OR “Time of Opportunity in Midst of Uncertainty” (Dr. Charlie Hall) 10:00-10:30 am – Network with Exhibitors 10:30-11:30 am – Tour Bennett’s Creek Nursery OR – “Employee Accountability” – (Marcus vandeVliet) 11:30-12:00 pm - Network with Exhibitors 12:00-1:00 pm - Box Lunch under the Tent 1:00–2:00 pm - Tour Grelen Nursery OR SPEAKER” (Tom Shaye) 2:10-3:10 pm - “Developing a Value Proposition that Resonates with Future Customers” - (Dr. Charlie Hall)
9 am-10:00 –Tour Bennett’s Creek Nursery OR “Time of Opportunity in Midst of Uncertainty” (Dr. Charlie Hall) 10:00-10:30 am – Network with Exhibitors 10:30-11:30 am – Tour Bennett’s Creek Nursery OR – “Employee Accountability” – (Marcus vandeVliet) photo by Matthew Babb 11:30-12:00 pm - Network with Exhibitors 12:00-1:00 pm - Box Lunch under the Tent 1:00–2:00 pm - Tour Bennett’s Grelen Nursery Creek Nursery OR SPEAKER” Seasonal Labor – Are You Legal? (Tom Shaye) Member Panel) (Experienced 2:10-3:10 pm - “Developing a Value Proposition that Resonates with Future Customers” - (Dr. Charlie Hall) (Schedule subject to change)
Workshop: Lean Flow in the Green Industry
(Schedule subject to change)
Wednesday, July 19, 1-5 pm
photo by Cecilia Palmer
by Gerson “Gary” Cortes
Location: Smithfield Center
In all industries, being competitive is more vital than ever for survival, with profit margins dwindling. This is especially true in the “Green Industry.” As production costs rise, growers and landscapers need to look for ways to lean out their processes and become more profitable. Recently, the Green Industry has begun to employ Lean and Flow manufacturing practices to reduce costs, eliminate non-value work and improving productivity. FlowVision® is the industry leader in Lean and Flow manufacturing consulting for the Green Industry, we have worked with over 130 growers. Participants learn the exciting techniques for reducing lead-time, improving productivity, planning their labor more efficiently and improving quality. Practical hands-on workshops help the students assimilate the classroom discussions, enabling better understanding of the concepts. Each student gets a printed copy of the instructor’s presentations. Real world examples, and case studies are shared with the students so that they can apply them back at their facility. Topics covered in this workshop include:
✓ Why implement Implement Lean Flow? ✓ Resource Planning and Utilization ✓ ✓ Lean Flow Production Scheduling ✓ Process Flow Charts Matrices ✓ Material Kanban Sizing ✓ Product/Process Matrices ✓ Dock Supermarket Sizing ✓ Standard Operation Worksheets ✓ Takt Time Calculation ✓ Line Management ✓ Line Balancing ✓ Visual Instruction Sheets ✓ ✓ In-Process Kanban (IPK) ✓ Implementation Strategy ✓ Progressive Work ✓ ✓ Sustaining Long-term Success ✓ ✓ One-Piece One-Piece Flow Flow ✓ Resource Planning and Utilization Attendance willFlow be limited to no more than 50 people to make sure everyone gets the opportunity to participate in the ✓ Lean Production Scheduling workshop as interactively as possible. ✓ Material Kanban Sizing ✓ Dock Supermarket Sizing ✓ Line Management
Field Day Speaker Info 2017: A A Time Time of of Opportunity Opportunity 2017: in the the Midst Midst of of Uncertainty Uncertainty in
Recent political events have left the country in state of Recent Recent political political events events have have left left the the country country in in aaa state state of of uncertainty; many suggest more than we've experienced in uncertainty; uncertainty;many manysuggest suggestmore morethan thanwe've we'veexperienced experiencedin in a decade. While few economic red flags exist at the moaa decade. decade. While While few few economic economic red red flags flags exist exist at at the the momoment, there still wait and see kind of atmosphere hangment, ment,there thereisis is still stillaaawait waitand andsee seekind kindof ofatmosphere atmospherehanghanging in the air. Yet there are opportunities across the green ing ing in in the the air. air. Yet Yet there there are are opportunities opportunities across across the the green green industry for above-average profits in 2017. industry industry for for above-average above-average profits profits in in 2017. 2017.
Developing aa Value Value Proposition Proposition that that Developing Resonates Resonates with with Future Future Consumers Consumers
Many current trends and driving forces point to the fact Many Many current current trends trends and and driving driving forces forces point point to to the the fact fact that consumer demand in the green industry marketplace that that consumer consumer demand demand in in the the green green industry industry marketplace marketplace maturing. Assuming this to be the case, strategic reisis is maturing. maturing. Assuming Assuming this this to to be be the the case, case, aaa strategic strategic reresponse is required in order to survive. This session will fosponse sponseisisrequired requiredin inorder orderto tosurvive. survive.This This session sessionwill willfofocus on the three-pronged formula for success for the future cus cuson onthe thethree-pronged three-prongedformula formulafor forsuccess successfor forthe thefuture future value, relevancy, and authenticity and how these foun–– – value, value, relevancy, relevancy, and and authenticity authenticity –– – and and how how these these founfoundational tenants should be incorporated into every stratedational dational tenants tenants should should be be incorporated incorporated into into every every stratestrategic marketing message in the future! gic gic marketing marketing message message in in the the future! future! Dr. Charles R. Professor Hall Dr. Charles R. Hall, Professor Dr. Dr. Charles Charles R. R. Hall, Hall, Professor and Ellison Chair Professor and Ellison and and Ellison Ellison Chair ChairChair in International Floriculture, in in International International Floriculture, Floriculture, Texas A&M University Texas Texas A&M A&M University University His major research, teaching, & His His major major research, research, teaching, teaching, & & extension areas of specialization extension extension areas areas of of specialization specialization include strategic management, include include strategic strategic management, management, market situation/outlook, cost market market situation/outlook, situation/outlook, cost cost accounting, and financial analysis accounting, accounting, and and financial financial analysis analysis for Green Industry firms. for for Green Green Industry Industry firms. firms.
Employee Accountability Accountability Employee
Employee accountability accountability significant challenge for Employee Employee accountability isis is aaa significant significant challenge challenge for for most business owners and managers. It is critical to clearly most mostbusiness businessowners ownersand andmanagers. managers.ItItisiscritical criticalto toclearly clearly define expectations including measurable goals. Setting define define expectations expectations including including measurable measurable goals. goals. Setting Setting goals will improve management consistency and establish goals goals will will improve improve management management consistency consistency and and establish establish employee metrics. Ultimately there needs to be a link beemployee employee metrics. metrics. Ultimately Ultimately there there needs needs to to be be aa link link bebetween performance and consequence. tween tween performance performance and and consequence. consequence. Topics Include: Topics Topics Include: Include: • Job Descriptions and Orientation •• Job Job Descriptions Descriptions and and Orientation Orientation • Setting Goals and Priorities •• Setting Setting Goals Goals and and Priorities Priorities Accountability Metrics ••• Accountability Accountability Metrics Metrics • Performance Based Compensation •• Performance Performance Based Based Compensation Compensation • Employee Reviews •• Employee Employee Reviews Reviews Training & SOPs ••• Training Training & & SOPs SOPs Bio: Marcus Marcus vandeVliet, Company: MV Enterprises Bio: Bio: Marcus vandeVliet, vandeVliet, Company: Company: MV MV Enterprises Enterprises Marcus full-time consultant, primary to the landscape and Marcus Marcus isis is aaa full-time full-time consultant, consultant, primary primary to to the the landscape landscape and and other green industries. Areas of consultation include software other other green green industries. industries. Areas Areas of of consultation consultation include include software software implementation, business management, operations systems, esimplementation, implementation, business business management, management, operations operations systems, systems, esestimating, employee training and strategic timating, timating, employee employee training training and and strategic strategic planning. Marcus has developed and built planning. planning. Marcus Marcus has has developed developed and and built built Construction Metrix, a landscape construcConstruction Construction Metrix, Metrix, aa landscape landscape construcconstruction management software program. tion tion management management software software program. program. Prior to to consulting consulting Marcus Marcus managed managed both both Prior Prior to consulting Marcus managed both small to large landscape construction comsmall small to to large large landscape landscape construction construction comcompanies. Marcus has spoken for several panies. panies. Marcus Marcus has has spoken spoken for for several several National and State Trade Associations National National and and State State Trade Trade Associations Associations throughout the USA and Canada. throughout throughout the the USA USA and and Canada. Canada.
Seasonal Labor Labor –– Are Are You You Legal? Legal? Seasonal
Don’t miss Charlie Hall! Don’t miss Charlie Hall! Don’t miss Charlie Hall!
After growing up on North Carolina After After growing growing up up on on aaa North North Carolina Carolina nursery, Dr. Charlie Hall has become the nursery, nursery, Dr. Dr. Charlie Charlie Hall Hall has has become become the the nation’s foremost green industry econonation’s nation’s foremost foremost green green industry industry econoeconomist. His expertise in the production and mist. mist. His His expertise expertise in in the the production production and and marketing of green industry crops is marketing marketing of of green green industry industry crops crops is is nationally recognized in academia and nationally nationally recognized recognized in in academia academia and and among the horticultural clientele he serves. among among the the horticultural horticultural clientele clientele he he serves. serves. He is particularly known for the He He is is particularly particularly known known for for the the enthusiasm, passion, and intensity enthusiasm, enthusiasm, passion, passion, and and intensity intensity he exhibits when speaking. he he exhibits exhibits when when speaking. speaking. You will NOT go to sleep during his presentation! You You will will NOT NOT go go to to sleep sleep during during his his presentation! presentation!
VNLA Member Panel Discussion on their trials and tribVNLA VNLA Member Member Panel Panel Discussion Discussion on on their their trials trials and and tribtribulations on obtaining legal seasonal labor through the ulations ulations on on obtaining obtaining legal legal seasonal seasonal labor labor through through the the H2A (Production) and H2B (landscape) programs, expeH2A H2A (Production) (Production) and and H2B H2B (landscape) (landscape) programs, programs, expeexpe(Landscape) rience using the E-Verify System, Virginia Employment rience rience using using the the E-Verify E-Verify System, System, Virginia Virginia Employment Employment Commission, and labor contractors. Commission, Commission, and and labor labor contractors. contractors.
About Bennett’s CreekNursery Nursery About Bennett’s Creek
Innovations and Improvements at Bennett’s Creek Nursery •
New automotive shop for complete servicing of eqipment from ATV cart up to a full-sized road trailer, complete with washing bay.
•
The propagation department is moving into a new facility behind the shop building, producing over 750,000 liners per year.
•
The nursery solves problems resourcefully. An enclosed trailer was retrofitted with an RV AC unit, insulation, and a tongue-mounted generator that cools cuttings during collection and transportation. The treat and use around 12 million gallons of water per
•
Their potting facility is a 6,000 sf building area. Duringmonth in the summer. The nursery also developed and peak production the can pot around forty-five 3-gallon implemented wireless network irrigation clocks that can New automotive shop for complete servicing of eqipment from minute they use upwith to 3washing truckloads of be remotely controlled by a mobile device app. ATVcontainers cart up to a per full-sized roadand trailer, complete bark per day. bay.
The propagation department is moving into a new facility behind • the The new Smithfield location encompasses shop building, producing over 750,000 liners per 400 year. acres, with
250 acres currently in production with new areas being
The nursery solves problems resourcefully. An enclosed trailer was added each year. retrofitted with an RV AC unit, insulation, and a tongue-mounted generator that cools cuttings during collection and transportation.
• Their They treat and use around 12 million gallons of water per potting facility is a 6,000 sf building area. During peak monththe incan thepot summer. The nursery alsocontainers developed production around forty-five 3-gallon per and minute and they wireless use up to 3network truckloadsirrigation of bark perclocks day. that can be implemented controlled a mobile 400 device app. Theremotely new Smithfield locationby encompasses acres, with 250
acres currently in production with new areas being added each year
See a detailed article in the June 2017 VNLA Newsletter
See a detailed article in the June 2017 VNLA Newsletter photos: Matthew Babb, Bennett’s Creek Nursery
Thursday Evening, Happy Hour & Sandwich Buffet Dinner In the heart of downtown historic Smithfield at the Smithfield Inn Buffet Dinner and Drink Ticket (see registration registration form) form) (see
Mingle with Field Day and Summer Tour attendees in the Tavern and outside Garden Patio Transportation to and Transportation to and from thefrom Smithfield the Smithfield Inn on your own Inn on your own
VNLA Summer Tour –Friday, July 21 7:45 am Bus Departs for Tours 4:30 pm 4:00 pm Arrive Back at the Hotel SPECIAL NOTE: The Summer Tour will start Friday morning with the bus leaving from the Hampton Inn & Suites, Smithfield, VA
Campbell Campbell Garden Garden
The home of gardener Meg and artist husband Bill Campbell, is a 100 year+ cedar shake beach cottage built along one of the few remaining secondary beach dune lines in the North End of Virginia Beach. The owners purchased the adjacent lot to protect the dune and the ancient Live Oaks that occupy it, and created a unique and magical garden amongst the sprawling live oaks. Bluestone floored outdoor entertaining rooms, elevated deck walks, and enchanting water fall spilling from the shady dune and salt and shade tolerant landscape plantings compliment the site.
Houfek Houfek Garden Garden
The home of Mac and Steve Houfek. Mac is an author of her newly released garden book ‘Reflections on a Coastal Garden” which shares her experiences in the transformation of her overgrown yard into a beautiful welcoming southern and coastal landscape. Their beautiful weathered brick home is surrounded by garden rooms filled with winding garden paths, surprising views, trickling water features and “gardener’s garden plants reminiscent of a Charleston style landscape. p6+7_SummerTour_rev.docxx p6+7_SummerTour_rev.docxx
photos: Meg French, Gentle Rain
If you are staying at another location or driving in for the day, you will be required to ride the bus Friday as all tour stops have limited access. You may park at the Hampton Inn & Suites during the tour.
Eure Eure Garden Garden
The home of Donna and Ray Eure. Donna is an avid horticulturist, plant lover and a bee keeper. Their home is landscaped The home of Donna and Ray Eure. Donna is an avid hortiover a 1.5-acre site in a beautiful rustic style with garden culturist, plant lover and a bee keeper. Their home is landbeds and paths winding though their yard trees. Plant choices scaped over a 1.5-acre site in a beautiful rustic style with garare reflection of her winding love for different and underused dena beds and paths though their yard trees.great Plant garden plants and the rustic garden style befitting their beauchoices are a reflection of her love for different and untiful inland waterfront setting.and Their hasstyle sweeping derused great garden plants the back rusticyard garden befitviews of Linkhorn andwaterfront the low beds are filled ting their beautifulBay inland setting. Theirwith backmany yard unusual plants (native and non-native) to support their loveare of has sweeping views of Linkhorn Bay and the low beds plants, bees and the pollinators. filled with many unusual plants (native and non-native) to supportistheir love of plants, pollinators. Donna a horticulture judgebees withand thethe Garden Club of America. Donna is a horticulture judge with the Garden Club of AmerTour Co-Sponsored by ica.
the Virginia Society of Landscape Designers
Junkin/Nichols Garden
Helen Junkin and Bernie Nichols have been a magical teaming and blending of Helen’s, the exuberant and freestyle artists hand and Bernie’s love for an English style stone, boxwood and a controlled hand. Their home was Helen’s childhood home, and they have loved their journey in creating a delightful landscape that reflects their love for plants, garden rooms, art and good humor!
Norfolk Botanical Garden Norfolk Botanical Garden
Norfolk Botanical Garden includes 175-acres, with 52 themed gardens that can be viewed by tram, boat or by foot. Themed gardens include the Bristow Butterfly Garden, the Sarah Lee Baker Perennial Garden, the Virginia Native Plant Garden and the Bicentennial Rose Garden. Each of these gardens allow guests to see a variety of plants – from the cultivated to the
wild. Norfolk Botanical Garden provides an educational experience while entertaining visitors of all ages. More than twenty thousand children and adults are reached every
year at the Garden by programs, classes and Norfolk Botanical Garden lectures. Volunteers provide more than seventeen thousand hours each year working in all aspects of the Gardens operations. From its humble beginnings as a WPA project to its status as a nationally recognized garden that attracts visitors from around the world, Norfolk Botanical Garden has experienced amazing growth. See a complete history of the Garden at http://norfolkbotanicalgarden.org/about/history/ photos: Norfolk Botanical Gardens
Pinkham Garden
After retiring from owning and operating a design/build landscape firm & garden center for 30 years and creating gardens all over Tidewater, Linda and Bill set out to complete their own garden.
They have a one acre garden on a three-acre (+ 3 acres of marsh) property located on the James River in Isle of Wight County. Their major thrust has been collecting unusual plants and displaying them in a beautiful garden setting while trying to get the maximum show of bloom throughout the year. The garden is somewhat sectioned off into different themes &/or venues including Asian, formal, tropical, shade, pond, bog, flower border, daylily border, and rock garden. They have 2 large “daylily only” beds plus daylilies planted among other perennials. It’s hard to keep track, but they think they have approximately 1500 different cultivars from many different hybridizers. Linda has been hybridizing since 2006. She has registered 2 triploid daylilies after completing a project with VA Tech to determine if sterile daylilies bloomed longer because they were sterile and did not make seeds. The result – some did; some didn’t. But it taught her the joy of making crosses in hopes of creating long blooming garden daylilies. The garden has been featured in newspaper articles and magazines, the latest being BEST OF COUNTRY GARDENS – 10 of Our All-Time Favorite Gardens (spring 2017 issue). It is also the site of many tours, including the National Societies of Boxwood, Camellias, Azaleas/Rhododendron, Daffodils & Daylilies. It was part of the Garden Club of Virginia’s Historic Garden Week in 2010 and will be again in April 2018. photos: Bill Pinkham
Directions to Directions Hampton Inn &toSuites Hampton Inn & Suites
200 Vincents Crossing, Smithfield, VA 23430 200 Vincents Crossing, Smithfield, VA 23430
(As available after this date) (As available after this date)
Directions to Bennett’s Creek Nursery Directions to Bennett’s Nursery from Hampton InnCreek & Suites from Hampton Inn & Suites
Hotel Accommodations Hotel Accommodations
Welcome to Hampton Welcome to Hampton Inn & Suites Smithfield, Inn & Suites Smithfield, located just minutes from located just minutes the Historic District. from the Historic The hotel is District. situated in a The hotel is situated in a tranquil coastal village tranquil coastal village known for its rich history known for its rich history and hospitality. and hospitality. Business center, indoor pool, Free Wi-Fi Internet access, Business indoor available center, throughout thepool, hotel.Free Wi-Fi Internet access, available throughout the hotel.
Ask for the Ask for for the the Ask “Virginia “Virginia “Virginia Nursery & Nursery & & Nursery Landscape Landscape Landscape Association” Association” Association” special rate of special rate of special rate $119.00/room $119.00/room $119.00/room
Hampton Inn & Suites Hampton Inn & Suites
Make your own Make your own reservations at: reservations at:
757-838-1400 757-365-4760 757-838-1400 http://bit.ly/2pwSp0H http://bit.ly/2pwSp0H Code:VNL Code:VNL RESERVATION CUTOFF: RESERVATION June 30CUTOFF: June 30 (As available after this date)
Bennett’s Creek Nursery Bennett’s Creek Nursery
9 minutes – 5.2 miles from Hampton Inn & Suites 9 minutes – 5.2 miles from Hampton Inn & Suites
Additional directions, details and updated information Additional and information available ondirections, the VNLAdetails website at updated http://www.vnla.org available on the VNLA website at http://www.vnla.org
Bennett’s Bennett’sCreek CreekNursery Nursery Bennett’s Creek Nursery
1974 – Started by Art Lancaster 1974––Started Startedby byArt ArtLancaster Lancaster 1974 1988 – Speculating future urbanization of 1988––Speculating Speculating future urbanization Suffolk, BCN Beginsfuture to purchase land near 1988 urbanization ofof Suffolk, BCN Begins to purchase land near Suffolk, BCN Smithfield, Begins to purchase land near VA Smithfield,VA VA Smithfield, 1994 – Wayne Sawyer becomes President 1994––Wayne WayneSawyer Sawyerbecomes becomesPresident President 1994 1999 – First crop is grown at the Smithfield 1999––First Firstcrop cropislocation isgrown grownatatthe theSmithfield Smithfield 1999 location location 1999 – 2008 Smithfield operation expands and more land is acquired 1999 – 2008 Smithfield operation expandsand andmore moreland landisisacquired acquired 1999 – 2008 Smithfield operation expands 2011 – Wayne Sawyer is named “Nursery Grower of the Year” by Nursery Management 2011 – Wayne Sawyer is named “Nursery Grower of the Year” by Nursery Management 2011 – Wayne Sawyer is named “Nursery Grower of the Year” by Nursery Management 2013 – Adjacent retreat center is acquired and renovations begin for the corporate office. Land total reaches 400 acres 2013 – Adjacent retreat center is acquired and renovations begin for the corporate office. Land total reaches 400 acres 2013 – Adjacent retreat center is acquired and renovations begin for the corporate office. Land total reaches 400 acres 2015 – Wayne Sawyer passes away after a lifelong career in horticulture. Matthew Sawyer becomes CEO and John Lancaster is 2015 – Wayne Sawyer passes away after a lifelong career in horticulture. Matthew Sawyer becomes CEO and John Lancaster is 2015 – Wayne Sawyer passes away after a lifelong career in horticulture. Matthew Sawyer becomes CEO and John Lancaster is named President. named President. named President. 2016 – Projects are underway to complete 2016 – Projects are underway to complete the mover fromare theunderway original location, in2016 – Projects to complete the mover from the original location, including the movera from original location, including sales the yard, automotive shop, sales yard, automotive shop, cludingand aa sales yard, automotive propagation facility. shop, and propagation facility. and propagation facility. 2017 – VNLA Field Day 2017 – VNLA Field Day 2017 – VNLA Field Day (left) This Sprayer, delivered in the Fall (left) This Sprayer, delivered in the Fall (left) This Sprayer, delivered inAirtec the Fall of 2016, was custom built by of 2016, was custom by Airtec Sprayers, 72’ coverage, andbuilt will clear of 2016, was custom built by Airtec Sprayers, 72’ coverage, and will Sprayers, 72’up coverage, will 500-gallon clearclear tank with 180 mph air wind speed. 10-50 hoop houses to 15’ inand height. hoop houses up to 12’ in height. 500-gallon p8_HotelsBackPg.docx up to in height. 500-gallon tank with 180 mph gallons per acre withhoop 50%houses reduction in15’ chemical usage. See it intank. action at Field Day!air wind speed. 10-50 gallons per acre reduction in chemical usage. See in action at Field p8_HotelsBackPg.docx 40-60 gallons per acre withwith 50%25% reduction in chemical usage. See it in itaction at Field Day!Day!
News - Urban Trees A Blessing That Requires Work
“We have real science to back up the benefits of urban forest.” Koci pointed specifically to the benefits of trees in sequestering carbon in leaves, trunk and root systems, the absorbing of particulate matter such as harmful chemicals and heavy metals, the absorbing of solar radiation, as well as the reduction of storm water runoff and erosion. An older, more mature tree can collect more than 70 percent of rainfall when in full foliage, according to Koci, plus mitigate up to 14,000 gallons of storm water a year, all while decreasing erosion, a significant polluter of the Chesapeake Bay. Much was made of the proposed removal of more than 40 trees in the Northside after the severe storm that hit the area in June. Koci prefers more of a pruning and maintaining method when possible, rather than removal, and has worked with the city to identify trees that can be saved in the area, noting the number of trees now scheduled for removal in the Northside has dropped to 13. Koci pointed to the work of nonprofits such as Capital Trees’ Lowline project as a great example of what can be accomplished with urban tree planting in Richmond. The Enrichmond Foundation, on whose board I have served for the past several years, is joining the list of nonprofits with a focus on urban tree planting by establishing an Urban TreeLab on the Northside in an abandoned greenhouse.
Mature trees such as this red maple add to the value of the landscape while serving many roles in the environment. For one, they help decrease erosion. It’s easy to get caught up in the daily routines: warming the car, scraping the windshield, loading up and heading to work, tuning in to music or talk radio on the way, arriving in the parking deck, riding the elevator to the 20th floor, beginning the day. Many fail to notice or contemplate the urban forest they drive through along the way, the same one that dominates the landscape when viewed from the 20th floor of the buildings downtown. As a city of considerable age, Richmond is fortunate to have a significant number of older trees in varying densities across the landscape. The importance of these trees, particularly in urban areas, is substantial. “We are way past the hippie, tree-hugger mentality when it comes to the benefits of urban trees,” said Joel Koci, an associate with the Urban Forestry Extension at Virginia State University.
VNLA Newsletter VNLA Newsletter
Enrichmond is working with Dominion, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, The Richmond Tree Stewards, and the Fan Women’s Club as well as the City’s Department of Urban Forestry to grow trees right here in the city that will then be planted in area parks and open spaces. “Enrichmond has always been about supporting the city’s parks and public spaces and is looking into ways we can help more,” said John Sydnor, executive director for the Enrichmond Foundation. “Trees are a way we can enhance parks and beautify the city.” Enrichmond hopes to add additional staff to help with the tree planting initiative and will include workforce development as part of its TreeLab, training youth to help plant and maintain the trees. Enrichmond recently launched a “BuyOne, PlantOne” campaign, pledging to plant 1,000 trees this spring in one of four city parks (Bryan Park, Byrd Park, Chimborazo Park or Forest Hill Park), to be chosen by participants. Planting the proper types of trees in the right areas and avoiding monoculture (planting all the same species) is key, Koci said. “You never plant a tree for yourself. You plant for future generations.” So the next time you are looking out over the urban forest in Richmond while sitting at work, know those trees are working as well. Provided by Joel Koci, Bob Flynn, OUTDOORS COLUMNIST TEE CLARKSON, richmond.com, http://www.richmond.com/outdoors/tee-clark-
son/urban-trees-a-blessing-that-requires-work/article_533b4636-320a-52a4-ad9b-63a848da5848.html
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VNLA - Certification Quiz Article - Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping: Chesapeake Bay Watershed Introduction “Conservation landscaping” refers to landscaping with specific goals of reducing pollution and improving the local environment. In the Chesapeake Bay watershed (the land that drains to the Bay and its many tributaries), this style of landscaping is sometimes called “BayScaping,” or beneficial landscaping. Conservation landscaping provides habitat for local and migratory animals, conserves native plants and improves water quality. Landowners also benefit as this type of landscaping reduces the time and expense of mowing, watering, fertilizing and treating lawn and garden areas, and offers greater visual interest than lawn. Beneficial landscaping can also be used to address areas with problems such as erosion, poor soils, steep slopes, or poor drainage. One of the simplest ways to begin is by replacing lawn areas with locally native trees, shrubs and perennial plants. The structure, leaves, flowers, seeds, berries and other fruits of these plants provide food and shelter for a variety of birds and other wildlife. The roots of these larger plants are also deeper than that of typical lawn grass, and so they are better at holding soil and capturing rainwater.
Americans manage approximately more than 30 million acres of lawn. We spend $750 million per year on grass seed. In managing our yards and gardens, we tend to over-apply products, using 100 million tons of fertilizer and more than 80 million pounds of pesticides annually. The average homeowner spends 40 hours per year behind a power mower, using a quart of gas per hour. Grass clippings consume 25 to 40% of landfill space during a growing season. Per hour of operation, small gas-powered engines used for yard care emit more hydrocarbon than a typical auto (mowers 10 times as much, string trimmers 21 times, blowers 34 times). A yard with 10,000 square feet of turf requires 10,000 gallons of water per summer to stay green; 30% of water consumed on the East Coast goes to watering lawns. The practices described in this guide reduce the amount of intervention necessary to have attractive and functional landscaping. Conventional lawn and garden care contributes to pollution of our air and water and uses up non-renewable resources such as fuel and water. Many typical landscapes receive high inputs of chemicals, fertilizers, water and time, and require a lot of energy (human as well as gas-powered) to maintain. The effects of lawn and landscaping on the environment can be reduced if properties are properly man-
Benefits of conservation landscaping
Ad - Virginia Conservation Assistance Program
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aged by using organic alternatives applied correctly, decreasing the area requiring gas-powered tools, using native species that can be sustained with little watering and care, and using a different approach to maintenance practices. With conservation landscaping, there is often less maintenance over the long term, while still presenting a “maintained” appearance. Conservation landscapes, like any new landscape, will require some upkeep, but these alternative measures are usually less costly and less harmful to the environment. New plants need watering and monitoring during the first season until they become established. Disturbed soil is prone to invasion by weeds - requiring manual removal (pulling) instead of chemical application. Over time, desired plants spread to fill gaps and natural cycles help with pest control. Garden maintenance is reduced to only minimal seasonal cleanup and occasional weeding or plant management. The savings realized by using little or no chemicals, and less water and gas, can more than make up for initial costs of installing the landscaping. Redefining landscaping goals overall and gradually shifting to using native species provide even greater rewards in terms of environmental quality, landscape sustainability, improved aesthetics, cost savings, and bringing wildlife to the property. Why use native plants? Native plants naturally occur in the region in which they evolved. While non-native plants might provide some of the above benefits, native plants have many additional advantages. Because native plants are adapted to local soils and climate conditions, they generally require less watering and fertilizing than non-natives. Natives are often more resistant to insects and disease as well, and so are less likely to need pesticides. Wildlife evolved with plants; therefore, they use native plant communities for food, cover and rearing young. Using native plants helps preserve the balance and beauty of natural ecosystems. This guide provides information about native plants that can be used for landscaping projects as well as large-scale habitat restoration. All of the plants presented are native to the designated areas, however not all of the native species for that area have been included. Rather, plants have been included because they have both ornamental and wildlife value, and are generally available for sale. This guide covers the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed, including south central New York; most of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia; the District of Columbia; Delaware, west of Delaware Bay; and the eastern panhandle of West Virginia.
generations. Individual projects are great, collective measures are even better, yet every action helps no matter what size. Conservation landscaping elements We can incorporate elements of natural systems into the existing areas where we live, work, learn, shop and play. Landscaping provides valuable opportunities to reduce the effects of the built environment. These areas can be both aesthetically pleasing and functional. Use of native species will make your garden or landscaping more environmentally beneficial. By combining plant selection with some of the other concepts below, you can achieve more environmental benefits. Reduce disturbance. Carefully decide where new development will occur to avoid destruction of existing habitat as much as possible. Take advantage of the site’s existing natural features. Reduce lawn or high maintenance areas. Replace turf or ornamental plantings by adding new landscaping beds and/or enlarge existing ones with native plants. Think big, but start small. Draw up a plan for your entire yard but choose one small area for your first effort. Trial and error with the first project will help you learn without being overwhelmed. Phase in the whole project over time. Use native plants. Start by using natives to replace dead or dying non-native plants, or as a substitute for invasive nonnatives in existing gardens or landscaping. Plan to use native plants in new landscaping projects. Avoid invasive species. Non-native plants can be invasive. They have few or no naturally occurring measures to control them, such as insects or competitors. Invasive plants can spread rapidly and smother or out-compete native vegetation. Invasive, non-native plants are not effective in providing quality habitat. A copy of the publication “Plant Invaders of Mid Atlantic Natural Areas” can be downloaded from www.nps.gov/plants/alien/pubs/midatlantic/index.htm. Improve water quality. Native species planted on slopes, along water bodies and along drainage ditches help prevent erosion and pollution by stabilizing the soil and slowing the flow of rainwater runoff. To collect and filter runoff, depressions can be created and planted with native plants suited to temporary wet conditions. These “rain gardens” will capture water and hold it temporarily for a In certain conditions, some native plants can also become aggressive spreaders, though their spread is more limited by natural controls than non-native aggressors. Plants that seed readily (such as black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia species), or that spread by lateral roots (such as mint family plants Monarda or Physostegia species) should be used sparingly or controlled in gardens. Certain native species that are difficult to control or show up uninvited should not be planted, such
The region’s wildlife, plants, habitats and network of streams and rivers leading to the Bay are tremendous resources. As the human population throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed grows and land-use pressures intensify, it is increasingly important to protect our remaining natural areas and wildlife, and restore and create habitat. By working together, these treasures can be conserved for future VNLA Newsletter April/May/June 2017 VNLA Newsletter April / May / June 2017
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as cattail (Typha species). day or two and remove pollutants washing off of the surrounding land. Enhance and create wildlife habitat. An animal’s habitat is the area where it finds food, water, shelter, and breeding or nesting space, in a particular arrangement. If we want our gardens to have the greatest ecological value for wildlife, we need to mimic natural plant groupings and incorporate features that provide as many habitat features as possible. Plants are one of the most important features of an animal’s habitat, because they often provide most, or even all of the animal’s habitat needs. Animals in turn help plants to reproduce through dispersal of pollen, fruits or seeds. Consequently, plants and animals are interdependent and certain plants and animals are often found together. So, it is important that plants be selected, grouped, and planted in a way that is ecologically appropriate. Each plant prefers or tolerates a range of soil, sunlight, moisture, temperature and other conditions, as well as a variety of other factors including disturbance by natural events, animals or human activities. Plants sharing similar requirements are likely to be found together in plant communities that make up different habitat types - particular groupings of plant communities commonly recognized as wetlands, meadows, forests, etc. Some plants may tolerate a wider range of conditions than others, and therefore can be found at more than one type of site, in association with a different set of plants at each. By matching plants with similar soil, sunlight, moisture and other requirements, and planting them to the existing site conditions, the planted landscapes will do a good job of approximating a natural habitat. Instead of isolated plantings, such as a tree in the middle of lawn, group trees, shrubs and perennials to create layers of vegetation. A forest has, for example, a canopy layer (tallest trees), understory layers (various heights of trees and shrubs beneath the canopy) and a ground layer or forest floor. These layers provide the structure and variety needed for shelter, breeding or nesting space for a diversity of wildlife. To provide food and cover for wildlife year-round, include a variety of plants that produce seeds, nuts, berries or other fruits, or nectar; use evergreens as well as deciduous plants (those that lose their leaves); and allow stems and seedheads of flowers and grasses to remain standing throughout fall and winter. All animals need water year-round to survive. Even a small dish of water, changed daily to prevent mosquito growth, will provide for some birds and butterflies. Puddles, pools or a small pond can be a home for amphibians and aquatic insects. A larger pond can provide for waterfowl, such as ducks and geese, and wading birds such as herons. Running or circulating water will attract wildlife, stay cleaner and prevent mosquitoes. VNLA Newsletter 34
Rock walls or piles, stacked wood, or brush piles provide homes for insects, certain birds and small mammals. Fallen logs and leaf litter provide moist places for salamanders, and the many organisms that recycle such organic matter, contributing nutrients to the soil. Standing dead tree trunks benefit cavity-nesting wildlife such as woodpeckers. Consider naturalistic planting, or habitat restoration. It may be feasible to create a more natural landscape instead of a formal one. Naturalistic landscaping uses patterns found in nature, and allows some nature-driven changes to occur. Plants multiply, and succession or gradual replacement of species may take place, with less human intervention. A property located near natural areas, such as forests, wetlands and meadows, is a good candidate for a habitat project. Expand existing forest by planting trees and shrubs along the woods line, using native species that grow in the area, and allow birds and wind to bring the understory plants over time. Wet sites, areas with clay soils, or drainage ditches can be converted to wetlands. An open piece of ground or lawn can be planted as a meadow or grassland. Schools, homes, small businesses, large corporate sites, municipalities, military installations, recreational areas and other public lands can all include habitat plantings. How to choose plants Finding ready information about what plants “go together” for habitat restoration, enhancement, or creation projects is difficult. Often, the professional will examine a nearby natural area and try to mimic the combination of plant species found there. That may not be possible for individuals unfamiliar with natural areas. Fortunately, by following some simple guidelines, you will have garden spaces that grow well on your site and mirror the plant communities found naturally in your area. The plant lists found at the end of this guide will also help give you a start at planting appropriate groupings.
Know your site and plant to the existing site conditions. Check the sun exposure, soil moisture and soil type where you plan to plant, and choose plants that will grow and thrive in those conditions. For a few dollars your state or local cooperative extension office can analyze a small soil sample you send them (for contact information, see your government listings in the phone book). The results will include soil type (sand, clay, loam, etc.), pH and fertility status and recommendations for amending the soil to make it into “average garden soil.” However, by selecting native species that thrive in the existing conditions, you won’t need to add soil, fertilizer, lime or compost. There are a wide variety of plants that will thrive in most conditions, even the driest, poorest soil or very wet clay soil. If, however, the soil test shows extreme pH - very acidic (pH of less than 5) or very basic (pH 8 or above), your plant choices will be fairly limited. In that case, you might
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choose to follow the instructions for making the soil more neutral. If the soil is hard, compacted fill dirt, you might want to improve it by adding organic matter and work the ground so that it can more easily be planted. If you alter the site, then select plants suited to the new conditions. Choose plants native to your region of your state. Along with planting to the existing site conditions, use locally native plants. Use the map on page 9 to identify which physiogeographic region the planting site lies in. If you’re close to a border dividing two regions, you may choose plants from either or both regions. Choose a habitat type. Try to create or emulate a specific habitat, like woods, wetland or meadow, and choose plants that are appropriate to both your site and the habitat. Look through this guide and mark the plants with growth requirements that match conditions at the planting site. This will help improve the success of your planting, the habitat value, and the ecological functioning of the project. This publication will eventually be made available online, in a format that can be electronically sorted by plant characteristics or growth conditions.
Where to find native plants Most nurseries carry some native plants, and some nurseries specialize and carry a greater selection. As the demand for native plants has grown, so has the supply at nurseries. Some plants will be more readily available than others. Here, we’ve focused on species most appropriate for planting and available through the nursery trade. A limited number of species included here are not commonly available but are able to be nursery grown. Take this guide along with you when you visit nurseries and if you need help, ask for nursery staff familiar with native plants. If you see a plant you like, check to see if it’s included in the guide for your state and physiographic region. For those species that are more difficult to find, the hope and intention is that this publication will spark a demand, and hence a greater supply. If you have a favorite plant that you can’t obtain, be sure to ask your local nursery to consider adding it to their stock. A list of some of the many retail and wholesale native plant nurseries in the Chesapeake Bay region is available from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Chesapeake Bay Field Office at www.fws.gov/r5cbfo/bayscapes.htm. For the greatest ecological value, select the “true” native species, especially if planting for wildlife benefit. There are cultivated varieties (cultivars) available for many native plants. These are named using the scientific name (Latin genus and species, such as Rudbeckia fulgida) plus the cultivar name, a third word in single quotation marks (such as Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’). These varieties have been grown to provide plants with certain physical characteristics, perhaps a different flower color, different foliage or a compact shape or size. Although these are suitable for gardening VNLA Newsletter VNLA Newsletter
use, use true species (not cultivars) if you are planning a habitat project to provide food for wildlife. These plants are most suited to use by the native wildlife, and will increase your chances of attracting them. Native plants should never be removed from the wild unless an area is about to be developed. Even then, it is difficult to transplant wild-collected plants and to duplicate their soil and other growth requirements in a home garden. Plants that are grown from seed or cuttings by nurseries have a much greater tolerance for garden conditions. Help to preserve natural areas by purchasing plants that have been grown, not collected. Ask nurseries about the source of the native species sold. Did they come from seed or cuttings of plants found growing locally, or are they from another region? Ideally, the plants you use should come from stock from the same region, say, within about a 200-mile radius in the same physiographic province (coastal plain, Piedmont, or mountain). Differences exist from region to region even in the same plant species, due to differences in climactic conditions between distant locations. For example, a plant grown in Maine may flower at a different time than the same species grown in Maryland. They may have slight physical differences. These characteristics make a difference in designing gardens and they matter to wildlife seeking food sources. The more consumers ask for locally grown plants or seed, the more likely it is that nurseries will carry local stock. Once you begin to explore and experiment with native plants, you’ll soon discover that many of these plants go beyond just replacing worn out selections in your yard. Native plants will eventually reduce your labor and maintenance costs while inviting wildlife to your yard helping to create your own sense of place.
How to use the guide Plant Names and Types Plants are organized within each section alphabetically by scientific name. All scientific plant names used are based on names accepted by ITIS, the Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Plants are indexed at the back of the book by scientific as well as frequently used common names. Scientific names are changed periodically as new information is gathered; for those commonly recognized names that changed during development of this guide, the new names are used here, with a cross reference noted in the index. For example: Aster divaricatus is now Eurybia divaricata, so the plant is listed in the index under both Aster and Eurybia. Plants are grouped by botanical categories: Ferns; Grasses & Grass-like Plants (includes grasses and plants with long slender leaves that may appear similar to a grass); Herbaceous Plants (includes flowers and groundcovers); Herba-
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ceous Emergents (plants that grow in moist to wet soils, wetlands or in standing water with roots and part of their stems below water but with most of the plant above the water); Shrubs; Trees; and Vines. A note about groundcovers: English ivy, periwinkle, creeping lily turf and Japanese pachysandra are some commonly used groundcovers, particularly for shade. However, these species are nonnatives that are invasive in the landscape, so they should be avoided. What native alternatives can be used instead? A groundcover can be any plant that would physically cover or hide the bare ground from view. For the purposes of environmentally beneficial landscaping and habitat enhancement, any plant in the “herbaceous” category would make a good groundcover. For those gardeners and landscapers still seeking a low-growing, creeping, spreading, or clump-forming plant for a groundcover, these plants are marked with a symbol in the Notes column and a list is included at the end of the guide.
like legumes such as partridge pea or wild senna, follicles or other long pod-like capsules such as milkweeds, delphinium, or trumpet creeper; and Winged, such as the samaras of maples or elm
Growth Conditions
Light The amount of sunlight a plant requires is defined as: Full Sun, the site is in direct sunlight for at least six hours a day during the growing season; Partial shade , the site receives approximately three to six hours of direct sunlight; and Shade , the site receives less than three hours of direct sunlight or filtered light.
Moisture The amount of soil moisture a plant requires is defined as: Dry (D), areas where water does not remain after a rain (areas may be in full sun or in a windy location, on a steep slope, or have sandy soil); Moist (M), areas where the soil is damp, and may be occasionally saturated; and Wet (W), areas where the soil is saturated for much of the growing season, except in droughts. Many of the plants designated for wet areas tolerate specific ranges of water depths (see Flood Depth). Plants with the Dry designation can be considered drought tolerant.
Soil pH and Type Many of the native plants listed will tolerate a range of soil types. Soil types are listed here as Organic (O), containing a high amount of organic material such as decayed leaves and bark; Clay or finetextured (C) soils with a high clay content and some silt - very fine soil particles; Loamy or medium-textured (L) soils that contain a mix of mostly silt and sand but may contain some clay; and Sandy or coarsetextured (S) soils with larger particles. Soil information has necessarily been simplified for this guide, and lumped into these main categories, which will suffice for the novice. Soils in actuality are often a mixture or gradations of types, categorized by the percentages they contain of clay, silt or sand, for example clay loam (a certain mix of clay and sand); sandy clay; silt loam; or silty clay loam. For best results, select plants suited to existing site conditions rather than amending the soil. However, be aware that plant selection may be limited if your site has very sandy soil, heavy clay, compacted soil, or extreme soil pH (above 8 or below 5.5). In these cases, seek advice from a nurseryman,
Characteristics
Height and/or Spread The typical mature height or possible range of heights is given in feet, to the nearest half (0.5) foot. Height may vary depending on conditions (e.g., amount of moisture or sun). For trees and vines, spread is also given in feet. For trees, spread is the measurement of the crown of the plant; for vines, spread is the length a vine will grow along a surface. Flowers: bloom period and flower color The typical months in which the plant blooms are given. The exact time and duration of bloom may be shifted by days or weeks for different areas and/or depending on seasonal weather conditions and climactic trends. The basic, overall color of the flower is noted. The color of a flower’s center or throat may not be included due to limited text space. For simplicity, some shades or tones of colors have been grouped, e.g. lavender, pale purple, bluish purple, even fuchsia may have been listed simply as purple; tan, brown, dark brown are all listed as brown; yellows and pinks may be similarly condensed. Fruit: fruiting period, color and type This information is provided for plants with more conspicuous fruits or visually interesting seeds. Terms used include: Achene, a dry flat seed such as in clematis; Berry, which includes small single berries such as blueberry, larger berries such as persimmon, aggregates such as blackberry and hips such as a rose hip; Capsule, including various types and sizes of dry fruits with two or more compartments containing seeds, such as iris, sweet pepperbush, hibiscus, or black-eyed Susan; Cone/ cone-like such as pines, hemlock, or alder; fleshy pomes or drupes such as hawthorn, beach plum, paw paw, passion flower, or cherry; Nut/nut-like, as in acorns (oaks) or hickory; Pod, which may include pea-
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Fall Color The color listed indicates the fall color of the leaves, or of the stems for certain plants such as grasses. Some color shades have been grouped by the basic color, as for flower color. Evergreens, species that retain their leaves throughout the winter (in all plant categories), are designated with a symbol in the Notes column. Evergreens are popular for various landscaping uses and valuable for year-round cover for wildlife.
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Based on the existing literature and expert input, the physiographic regions and states in which each plant species naturally occurs is noted. However, plants do not follow the political boundaries that define our states, so matching ecological boundaries with political ones is difficult. Certain plants may occur in different regions in different states. For example, the range of a species could extend throughout all of Pennsylvania, but be limited to the mountain and Piedmont regions of Maryland. An effort has been made to be as accurate as possible, while erring on the side of inclusion to cover the widest range of possibilities throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed as a whole. This same approach has been used for other characteristics, such as height and bloom period, which may vary slightly from region to region.
horticulturist, botanist, Cooperative Extension agent, or other expert.
Flood Depth Some plants tolerate prolonged standing water, and occur in specific water depths or range of depths. In the Herbaceous Emergents section, the depth of water tolerated is indicated (in inches). Other types of wetland plants that can tolerate only intermittent flooding appear in other sections of the guide, and their flood tolerance information is included in the Notes column. For more complete information on planning and planting wetlands, see the references listed at the end of this guide.
Salt Tolerance Some plants that tolerate prolonged standing water can tolerate saltwater or brackish (partly salty) water. For plants in the Herbaceous Emergents section, the salinity range in which each of these plants will grow is given in parts (of salt) per thousand parts (of water) or ppt, from 0 ppt (fresh water) to the maximum salinity tolerated. For plants in other sections of the guide, the maximum salinity is given in the Notes column. Full seawater is approximately 32 ppt. If salinity is not given, then the plant grows in fresh water only or in drier conditions. Habitat For each plant in this guide, we include a description of habitats in which that plant may be found. Several habitat types may be mentioned as each plant is rarely found in one and only one habitat type. There are dozens of forest types, several types of wetlands including forested wetlands and even wet meadows. The habitats described include those that provide the conditions most preferred by each plant species. To help with planning projects, sample lists of plants to use in certain habitat types, or certain site conditions, are given in the back of this guide. More technically detailed information on plant communities can be found in resources listed in the references section.
Native To (Where To Use) - States and Physiographic Regions From the sandy dunes of the coast to the rocky slopes of the mountains, the rich variety of habitats found throughout the region is strongly linked to its geology, topography and climate. For this guide, the states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed have been divided into three regions or provinces: (1) the coastal plain (C), an area with fairly flat topography and more southern climate; (2) the Piedmont plateau (P), with its rolling hills; and (3) the mountain zone (M), a more northern climate (see map). For simplicity, the mountain category combines all of the more specific higher altitude provinces (Blue Ridge, Ridge and Valley, Allegheny or Appalachian Plateau). Some native plants are common throughout these provinces, while others are adapted to the unique conditions found only in one or two.
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Note: Some species native to a state but not commonly found may be officially designated and legally protected as “rare, threatened, or endangered” (RTE). This may be because the plant is at the edge of its natural range there, or its population has declined due to loss of habitat caused by various natural events and/or human activities in that region. Species that are listed in a state as RTE should generally not be planted there, because importing species from elsewhere could potentially lead to damaging alteration of the gene pool of the remaining population. This guide lists only those states in which a plant is common and recommended for planting. As a general rule of thumb, if a plant you like is not designated in this guide for your state or your region of the state, we strongly encourage you to forego planting that and select another plant suited to your site.
Wildlife Value The notation “high wildlife value” is based mainly on the value of the fruits, seeds and/or nectar used as food for wildlife, and the relative number of species using the plant for food. But remember that animals use leaves, twigs, roots and shoots for food or nesting material, and every plant has value as cover and/or nesting sites. In that respect, although we’ve marked those of higher wildlife (food) value, every plant in this guide has value to wildlife, as well as other environmental values. The types of wildlife noted here are those desirable species that are likely to use the plants for food, including pollinators which are critical to plant reproduction, for gardens, natural areas and agricultural crops. The information here is fairly general. The songbird icon indicates use of a plant by small usually migratory birds, but may include upland game birds. The waterfowl icon may include shorebirds and wading birds along with ducks and geese. The hummingbird icon has been indicated separately because many people are interested specifically in attracting them. The butterfly icon may refer to the adults
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or to the larval stage that uses the plant as a host. The beneficial insect icon, besides butterflies, includes ladybugs, bees (essential pollinators) and other insects that serve as a pest control or other desirable role. The small mammal icon is noted for plants used by any of a variety of small animals, such as raccoons, opossums, foxes, etc., depending upon location and surrounding habitat.
Absent but not forgotten: Certain wildlife species are not represented, due in part to a lack of available information for every plant related to all types of animals. However, these are all likely to inhabit or occasionally visit a native plant garden or habitat planting, and their importance in the web of life should not be underestimated. Many insects have not been represented here, though they certainly use a wide variety of plants throughout their life cycles and are an integral part of the ecosystems we’re trying to protect, conserve and enhance. Reptiles and amphibians, particularly salamanders, frogs and turtles, inhabit our yards as well as natural areas. They use plants for food and cover, and especially need water sources such as lakes, ponds, streams, puddles or even a small dish of water (aerated or changed daily to prevent mosquito breeding). Bats provide a valuable service as insect pest controllers and pollinators.
Notes This catchall includes pertinent information that bears emphasizing or is not reflected in the other categories. It may include additional notes or clarification about the plant’s characteristics, growth, and spread; tips or suggestions on cultivation; cultivars; or general use of the plant.
This is an excerpt of the introduction to “Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping: Chesapeake Bay Watershed” by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The complete publication is available at https://www.nps.gov/plants/pubs/chesapeake/ with an extensive database per the example below. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Complete the Quiz on Complete on page 39 andthe getQuiz 1 CEU page 39for and get 1 CEU your for Certified your Virginia Virginia Certified Horticultureist Horticulturist re-certification! re-certification!
By providing these characteristics for each plant species we hope to provide you with a variety of choices to meet the conditions of your property as well as your personal preferences. Whether you are replacing a few individual plants, designing a new bed or planning for an entirely new look, this guide can help narrow the choices to plants most likely to thrive in your environment and create the landscape you desire.
Below is a sample of the database descriptions.
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VNLA - Certification Quiz # 80 Native plants for Wildlife habitat and Conservation Landscaping: Chesapeake Bay Watershed Guide If you are a Virginia Certified Horticulturist, answer the following questions from the previous article, mark your answers on the card insert and mail, scan or fax back to the VNLA office towards your recertification CEU’s for your Virginia Certified Horticulturist.
7. Growth conditions to consider include A. Soil ph B. Flood Depth C. Salt Tolerance D. All of the above 8. Plants or species that are listed in a state as RTE should generally not be planted there. A. True B. False 9. Bats provide no real service in insect pest control A. True B. False 10. To provide food and cover for wildlife year round include a variety of plants that A. Produce seeds B. Evergreens to provide cover C. A & B
Worker Protection Standards April/May/June 2017 Prepared by: Sandy Miller 1. For the greatest ecological value select the variable native species A. True B. False 2. Invasive species are ok to use in native plants A. True B. False 3. Conservation landscaping elements include A Reduce disturbance B. Use Native plants
11. A property that is located near natural areas are A. Forests B. Cities 12. Conservation landscaping refers to landscaping with specific goals of reducing pollution and improving the local environment A. True B. False 13. We spend $600 million on grass seed A. True B. False 14. A yard with 10,000 square feet of turf requires per summer A. 1,00o gallons of water B. 3,000 gallons of water C. 10,000 gallons of water 15. The practices described in this guide reduce the amount of intervention necessary to have attractive functional landscaping A. True B. False
C. Reduce Lawn D. All of the above 4. Native plants can be found A. Most nurseries carry some B. Nurseries specializing in native plants C. Fruit Stands D. A & B 5. Plants are grouped by zoological categories A. True B. False 6. Characteristics of plants included to consider A. How old they are B. Where they were grown C. None of the Above VNLA Newsletter VNLA Newsletter
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VNLA - NEXT GENERATION Moving ahead Matt Sawyer is guiding Bennett’s Creek Nursery into the future with a steady hand. BY Matt McClellan
Matt Sawyer knew he would eventually take over the family business. But when his father unexpectedly passed away two years ago, the timetable changed.
Matt’s father, Wayne Sawyer, was president and CEO of Bennett’s Creek Nursery, and a tough act to follow. He served as a past president of Southern Nursery Association, and served on multiple boards over the years with Virginia Nursery Landscape Association and the former American Nursery & Landscape Association. This publication named him its 2011 Grower of the Year. Matt Sawyer had been prepared to take the reins. He has been actively involved in the day-to-day operation of the nursery for 14 years. He was the vice president of operations when his father died, and was particularly involved in the distribution center side of the business. “My dad would have turned 60 last year in June,” Sawyer says. “He was going to be ready to start backing off more and more. That was the plan all along, but everything happened quicker than we had anticipated.” Sawyer was comfortable in his niche of the business. He has a strong, capable grasp of the nuances of plant production and nursery operations. He has demonstrated a talent to develop new technology to make the nursery more efficient. But handling plants and handling people require two different skillsets. “Mostly, what’s been new for me is the personnel issues; hiring and planning,” Sawyer says. “Dad always took care of that part. I’ve been learning along the way. It was a challenge I hadn’t anticipated. I always knew it was there, but wasn’t sure what depth you’d be getting involved in. I found that out pretty quick. That’s been the biggest learning curve for me.” 40
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The Smithfield, Va.-based nursery encompasses 400 acres, 250 of which are in production. Bennett Creek’s growing and shipping headquarters is its Isle of Wight farm, several miles removed from the comparative bustle of Suffolk. Its Virginia Beach landscape distribution center houses several greenhouses and produces some annuals. Though the Suffolk location is now a landscape distribution center, it still houses Bennett’s Creek’s propagation facility. Sawyer says the nursery propagates about 750,000 liners per year, mostly woody shrubs. The nursery sells to some independent retailers, but no bigbox stores. Landscapers are Bennett’s Creek’s biggest customers, and the majority of plants are moved through the nursery’s own landscape distribution centers. Sawyer says that business model minimizes the risk of the loss of one particular customer being detrimental to the company. “A lot of what we do is based off trying to be organized for a group of customers that always aren’t,” Sawyer says. “That’s what keeps the distribution centers in business - being there when they come in last minute without a plan and pick from what we have in the yard.” Bennett’s Creek does have many landscape customers that are organized and submit their orders ahead of time. Those customers are treasured, and the nursery rewards them with better pricing if they have plant material delivered straight to their job site. WE’RE TRYING TO STAFF FOR THE NEXT GENERATION. A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HERE 30 OR MORE YEARS AND IT’S TIME TO DO A GENERATION CHANGE.”
“There’s less overhead when we ship it to the job,” Sawyer says. “We’re trying to have business models to suit different needs.”
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Inventory and irrigation innovations Keeping all of those customers happy is no small task. Inventory control is a major challenge for a grower that also manages several landscape distribution centers. Bennett’s Creek has tackled that particular challenge by developing its own mobile order entry system. The old inventory system required a lot more time.
(CRM) software applications, as a leaping off point, with their own modifications to simplify the user interface. Bennett’s Creek Nursery has served the Mid-Atlantic region since 1974. “That’s been the easiest to use so far,” he says. “We didn’t go with a specific app you can find in an app store. It’s just a website with big buttons on it you can use with a touchscreen. We originally created that, and we keep modifying what we already have.” Sawyer is very tech-savvy, and he’s put that knowledge to use improving processes all around the nursery. Last summer, he worked with Airtec to design a custom-built 30-foot boom sprayer. It provides GPS tracking to adjust flow rate based on speed variations, and a “positive charge” to help spray cling to the plants’ surfaces. A few years ago, he designed an automated irrigation monitoring system that allows employees to manage irrigation remotely. The Bennett’s Creek pumping facility was developed and built inhouse to recycle the nursery’s irrigation water while minimizing pathogen and disease issues. Three computer-controlled pumps maintain pressure throughout the nursery. Because the system is variable-speed, Sawyer says it needed to have variable dosages of chlorine.
Custom-built plant rack trailer that lowers to ground level for roll off/on racks
After realizing how much time was being wasted driving back and forth from the field to the dock, Sawyer used Lean principles to improve the order pulling and shipping process. Instead of having several people make multiple trips on Kubota RTVs, one tractor driver hauls eight to 10 trailers at once to the dock. “When a person decides if a plant is ready for sale, they would have to make a note on the availability list, go inside and input those changes to the computer,” Sawyer says. “We want her to do it on the fly using an iPad. If you’re going to make that note, just do it once on a mobile device.” Of course, a system like that doesn’t spring up overnight. The company is on its third iteration of its mobile order entry system. It started with expensive, waterproof, handheld PalmPilot-type tablets. The second attempt used an iPhone or similar newer, lighter-weight mobile device, running a remote desktop with a simplified interface. The third, and current, iteration of the system is basically a webpage. Inventory managers can go to the web address on their device, log in and do all the necessary functions, from updating a plant’s status, ready dates, whether it’s in bloom, has a new flush or growth, berries, winter color - any feature that a customer considers before buying that plant. Sawyer’s team uses Microsoft Dynamics, a line of enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management VNLA Newsletter VNLA Newsletter
The pump house was built in-house, and helps sanitize and recycle irrigation water. The three computer-controlled pumps can also be managed remotely.
“It will turn one pump on slowly and if it can’t keep up with demand, the next one will come on, then the third will come on,” he says. “They have flowmeters attached to them and they change the chlorine flows to sanitize the water.” Bennett’s Creek ensures water quality by checking chlorine levels at the irrigation nozzle.
“Chlorine will bind up to any organic matter and oxidize it and kill it,” Sawyer says. “And if you have no free chlorine at the sprinkler, that means the chlorine got used up in the line before it got there. You need to tweak your chlorine enough that you’re getting 2 parts per million at the sprinkler, then you know you have enough to kill everything it comes in contact with and have just a little left over when it exits.”
Getting lean
Sometimes it’s necessary to ask someone with fresh eyes to help find problems and solutions. Last winter, Sawyer brought FlowVision, a Lean business and supply chain consulting group, in for an evaluation. He’d seen how the group had improved the shipping process at Flowerwood Nursery, and wanted to apply those methods to his own business. The initial workshop introduced 40 key employees and members April/May/June 2017 41 April / May / June 2017 41
of the leadership team to the Lean concepts and terminology. It was important to Sawyer that everyone understand that the goal was to work smarter, not necessarily eliminate jobs. One way the shipping department is embracing Lean is the nursery’s transition to the use of rolling racks, which it will purchase, not lease. Most of Bennett’s Creek’s current trucks are still shelved, but that will change, Sawyer says. “If you crunch the numbers, by the time you lease for two and a half years, you could have bought them,” he says. Sawyer anticipates that by holding on to its own racks throughout the entire process - rolling them off the truck, unloading them at the customer’s facility, and loading them back onto the truck - the nursery will minimize losses of the expensive racks.
job. Sawyer was having trouble finding enough people with the skills for that job, let alone the time to train them.
Register for the FlowVision Workshop the day before the VNLA Field Day at Bennett’s Creek Nursery, and then see this management strategy working at the nursery!
“FlowVision helped us realize that if we break down the work and take the most skilled part of the work and have the people who know how to do it do nothing but that, then we have enough people to cover what we need to do.” Once shipping was sorted, the potting operation was the next target. Sawyer worked with FlowVision to improve the process to keep motion at a minimum.
Once the transition to rolling racks is near completion, Sawyer plans to build a paved loading dock to ease their movement. He sees cost savings with the option of leasing a trailer and just rolling the racks right into it versus building the shelving and support for wooden shelves. “We see that as becoming a requirement because it’s harder to find drivers that want to manually unload trucks of plants and get all the drops done in one day,” he says. “The racks will speed that process up.” Another spot that was ripe for Lean efficiency was the order pulling process.
Competition and collaboration The story of Bennett’s Creek is entwined with its neighboring nursery, Lancaster Farms. The two wholesale nurseries grew up on opposite corners of the same intersection in Suffolk, Va., although both growers have added farm operations outside Suffolk as the area became more developed and land prices increased. The competition is healthy and has pushed the nurseries to be better. Despite competing for customers, the companies are more friendly rivals than bitter enemies. Its growers often share ideas, like the use of posts and cables to reduce blow-over for tree production. While most of Bennett Creek’s tree production is pot-in-pot, its 25-gallon trees are too big for the socket pot in the ground. “This is right out of the Lancaster Farms playbook,” Sawyer says. “I really liked their system. We used to spend a lot of time standing these things up.”
“We learned we waste a lot of time driving back and forth to the dock,” he said. Before, the nursery required a person trained to be able to select plants, then that person was tied up cleaning, tagging, and driving when selecting the plants is the higher-skilled VNLA Newsletter 42
Sawyer started using the system at one of Bennett Creek’s landscape distribution centers for B&B trees of all sizes as a proving ground. It worked so well that in winter 2015-2016, he installed 500 posts and several thousand feet of cable at the Isle of Wight farm. The added stability helps the tree grow straight up, prevents it from falling over, which reduces labor costs and the chance of a damaged tree. Reprinted with permission from NURSERY MANAGEMENT, March 2017, www.NurseryMag.com by Matt McClelland, Managing Editor
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They were asking members of Congress to please immediately pass legislation to re-instate the H2B returning worker exemption that expired on October 1, 2016 as part of the homeland security appropriations bill for the remainder of fiscal 2017 or any other appropriate measure.
VNLA - H2B Program Benefits Seasonal Small Businesses & Their American Workers
Permanent reform legislation is also needed to address burdensome regulatory requirements, legal uncertainties and the arbitrary cap on the number of H2B workers admitted to the U.S. each fiscal year.
The H-2B Program Creates American Jobs
Seana Ankers, Lee Highway Nursery; Chapman Williams, Williams Brothers Tree & Lawn Service; Ricky Hoybach, American Lawn Brothers; Cecilia Palmer, West Winds Nursery; & Dan Gregg, Grelen Nursery, on Capitol Hill April 26, lobbying for a stable H2B Program
The H-2B program is essential for small and seasonal businesses that are committed to hiring a legal workforce but are unable to fill seasonal jobs with American workers despite extensive recruitment efforts. Seasonal industries that use the H-2B program include seafood processing, horse training, hospitality and amusement parks, forestry, landscaping, circuses, carnivals, food concessionaires, swimming pool maintenance, construction and stone quarries. The H-2B program is important to workers. For H-2B workers, the program provides well-paying seasonal jobs that allow them to provide for their families and still maintain their homes in their native countries. This program is also important for American workers whose year-round positions are reliant upon seasonal laborers during peak seasons.
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Every H-2B worker is estimated to create and sustain 4.64 American jobs.
Immediate Cap Relief is Needed In a strong economy, the program's congressionally mandated cap of 66,000 (33,000 for each half of the fiscal year) is inadequate to meet the seasonal needs of small businesses. The cap was hit in 2015 year for the first time in several years, leaving many seasonal employers in the lurch. If Congress had not re-instated the H-2B returning worker exemption for fiscal 2016, many small and seasonal businesses would have had to close their doors and lay off their American workers. For fiscal 2017, the 33,000 cap for the first half of the fiscal year was reached on January 10 and the 33,000 cap for the second half of the fiscal year was reached on March 13. Without relief, many seasonal businesses will be unable to fulfill customer contracts. They will be forced to scale back on equipment and supply purchases, layoff of American workers, and in some cases shut down their entire operations. Congress must renew the H-2B returning worker exemption that was included in the Fiscal Year 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 114-113) and which was also in place from 2005 through 2007. This provision of law exempted from the current year cap H-2B workers who complied with all past visa requirements and worked in the program during one of the preceding three fiscal years. This provision is also included in the FY 2017 Homeland Security bill that was passed by the House Appropriations Committee on June 22, 2016.
Small and Seasonal Businesses Need a Stable H-2B Program
Legislature - Immigration Enforcement in 2017 Homeland Security Secretary Kelly's guidance memo on enforcement priorities (attached) implements the specifics of executive orders signed by President Trump during his first week in office. The orders, and by extension the guidance, dramatically expand the definition of who is a potential priority for immigration enforcement and removal. In short, there is reason to be vigilant, but not for panic. We do expect a return to more intense worksite enforcement, which could potentially include both I-9 audits, and workplace raids. With respect to interaction with employees, employers must avoid putting themselves in a position where they acquire knowledge that a worker or workers are not authorized to work in the U.S. A In terms of "know your rights" resources for immigrant workers, it's best to rely on other organizations (churches, community groups) for such guidance. Click here for more details on the above notes Provided by Davi Horta Bowen, Government Relations & Grassroots Representative AmericanHort®
If you have any issues getting your H2B workers, or I-9 audits or other immigration issues please let the VNLA office know. 540-382-0943, info@vnla.org Brent Hunsinger, VNLA Legislative Director Volunteer, , brenthunsinger@gmail.com
News - Trump Winery
In 2015, the Departments of Homeland Security and Laseeks more foreign workers bor jointly issued a new final wage rule and a new interim final comprehensive program rule. The rules crebut many local vineyards also depend on them ated additional costs and obstacles for seasonal employers on top of existing requirements that employers work As President Donald Trump continues to advocate "buy with four government agencies, undertake extensive reAmerican and hire American," his son's Albemarle County cruitment to find American workers, and pay workers a winery has again applied to hire foreign workers. premium wage. Trump Vineyard Estates, better known as Trump Win The fiscal 2016 omnibus appropriations bill and subseery, has asked to bring in 29 workers this season through quent continuing resolutions provided temporary relief the federal H-2 visa program. The winery initially applied from some of the most onerous provisions of the rules. for six vineyard farm workers in December and applied for The program has been plagued with litigation, program an additional 23 workers in February. shutdowns, constantly changing H-2B regulations and severe processing delays. Seasonal employers cannot It's not the only local vineyard to apply to hire foreign workplan for future business growth when they do not know ers. Horton Vineyards, Early Mountain Vineyards and Barif they will be able to use the program from one year to boursville Winery also have applied for workers this year. the next or if they will be able to keep up with increasing Glass House Winery and Grace Estates Winery didn't apply costs and complexities associated with the program. for workers for this season, but they have utilized the pro S. 792 and H.R. 2004 would provide certainty for seagram in the past. sonal employers, make the program run more efficiently and provide permanent cap relief. Trump Winery did not respond to a request for comment. VNLA Newsletter April/May/June 2017 44 44 April / May / June 2017 VNLA Newsletter
"It's difficult to find people," said Libby Whitley, an attorney who has worked with employers on labor services since 1995. "People these days say there are no workers that will perform seasonal work like agriculture jobs, landscaping, entry level, low skill ... I think that's an overstatement. I don't think there are no people do to it, there's just a deficiency of people to do it." Whitley's firm, based in Lovingston, has worked with all the local vineyards, as well as orchards, nurseries and other farms, that are utilizing the H-2A program. The H-2A program is for agricultural employers who anticipate a shortage of domestic workers to bring foreign workers to the United States to perform agricultural labor or other temporary or seasonal services. The employer must file an application with the Department of Labor stating that there are not sufficient workers in the U.S. who are able, willing, qualified and available to do the work. They must have initially attempted to find American citizens to fill these jobs. The employers also have to engage in "positive recruitment efforts," which include placing a newspaper advertisement on two separate days — one of which must be a Sunday — in a paper serving the area where the workers will be used and in other multistate papers.
"This is a program for employers who typically hire larger numbers of temporary seasonal labor and whose alternative choice would be hiring from the undocumented population," Whitely said. There are limitations to the programs, she said, when it comes to cost, general regulations and the lack of flexibility. "You cannot permit them to do any work that isn't described in the job order," Whitely said. Both job orders for Trump Vineyard Estates say the primary tasks include planting and cultivating vines, adding grow tubes and pruning grape vines. It says workers also may perform general tasks relative to vineyard and winery operations when work in the vineyard is not available. "There's a great deal of flexibility when you have a U.S. worker and ... these temporary workers can only come in the exact same period every year, there's no upward progression potential time," Whitely said. H-2A workers and U.S. workers in corresponding employment must be paid a certain rate — which this year in Virginia is $10.72 an hour for vineyard farm workers — and must be provided housing and transportation to the job site if their employment requires them to be away from their residence overnight.
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Whitely said that with all the media coverage Trump Winery has received for using the H-2A program, she assumed her company would be flooded with people applying for the jobs. "Guess how many applicants we had? ... 13," she said. "And they were all from places like the Philippines, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria. We did not have one American worker apply on [the first job order]." She said there has been more advertising for the Trump jobs than they've had for any H-2A application in decades. They also have received emails from people who are outraged, and others who are curious or puzzled about the program, she said. "I qualify every one of those responses and I say, 'Are you interested in the job? If you are, please get in touch with us immediately,'" Whitely said. Under the program, employers are required to hire any qualified American worker who indicates an interest, regardless of how they found out about the job. "But recognizing the majority don't stay, [employers] have a significant interest in making sure that they can meet the labor needs by using the H-2A program and getting the labor certification so that if the domestic workers don't show, that they then have the ability to recoup the workers that they need," Whitely said. Early Mountain Vineyards applied for 12 workers for this season through the H-2A program. In an emailed statement, General Manager David Kostelnik said Early Mountain employs mostly Virginian workers and many of it H-2A workers have been with the vineyard for more than one season. "We are proud that 85 percent of our team members are from Virginia," Kostelnik said in the email. "The other 15 percent are seasonal workers, most of whom have been with us for multiple growing seasons, who come through the H2A visa program. We value the experience our entire team brings, and are grateful for their dedication to excellence." Kostelnik said that while they cannot comment on the employment practices of others, they believe their practices are consistent with other significant vineyards in the state. Glass House Winery owner Jeff Sanders used the H-2A visa program to hire one worker in 2015 and 2016. "It's hard to find good, local work, very hard for this, and that was true three years ago when the economy wasn't as good," Sanders said. "Now, it's even harder. These aren't high-paying jobs." Because the vineyard is only 12 acres, Sanders said, he typically only has one full-time worker, one H-2A worker and himself working in the vineyard, which works out to about VNLA Newsletter 46
two full-time-equivalents year-round. This year, he lost his full-time worker, so he went a different route. "This year, I hired Vineyard Services of Central Virginia to do a considerable amount of layout, contractual vineyard work over the course of the year, and that replaces my employee and my H-2A worker," Sanders said. "I'm still helping, I'm still out supervising and doing some work, but I basically gave them 80 or 85 percent of the vineyard and I'm keeping 15 percent." BY Allison WRABEL Mar 18, 2017 Get The Daily Progress daily update, Allison Wrabel is a reporter for The Daily Progress. Contact her at (434) 978-7261, awrabel@dailyprogress.com or @craftypanda on Twitter.
News - ARS Leads New Lyme Disease Control Efforts in Howard County, MD BELTSVILLE, MD, Jan. 31, 2017—The LS. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is leading efforts to combat Lyme disease in the Old Line State. Agency scientists are working with the Howard County (Md) Department of Recreation &. Parks (DRP), and the University of Maryland to study new ways to control deer ticks. The size of a sesame seed, deer ticks - via the backs of mice and whiteBlacklegged tick (Ixodes scapu- tailed deer - spread the bactelaris) by Scott Bauer, USDA Agria that cause Lyme disease. ricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org
Beginning in early February, efforts to measure deer tick movement will begin with the capture of white-tailed deer in seven different Howard County locations: Blandair Park, Cedar Lane Park, Centennial Park, David Force Natural Resource Area, Middle Patuxent Environmental Area, Rockburn Park, and Savage Park. After being fitted with a GPS collar, scientists will track the released deer's movement between residential areas and parklands. Understanding deer movement will key further efforts to control tick populations. Our goal is to identify an effective way to reduce tick populations and the associated spread of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses they cause in suburban areas,” said entomologist and project lead Andrew Li with the ARS Invasive Insect Biocontrol & Behavior Laboratory in Beltsville, Md.
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Ultimately, the study will test the effectiveness of single and combined control measures on deer tick numbers and tickborne diseases in locations throughout Howard County. Those control methods will include rodent bait boxes, ARSpatented "4-poster" deer treatment feeders, and bioinsecticide spray. The study is part of a larger, five-year Area-Wide Integrated Tick Management Project under way at ARS.
VNLA - MobileFriendly App Guide to Virginia Growers!
More than 300,000 people contract Lyme disease through tick bites annually in the United States, primarily in the northeast.
Look up plant sources, hotlinks to grower email, website and phone!
The Agricultural Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency. ARS focuses on solutions to agricultural problems affecting Americans every day. By Kim Kaplan, This is one of the news reports that ARS Office of Communications distributes to subscribers on weekdays. Send feedback and questions to the ARS News Service at NewsSer-
www.vnla.org/Grower-Guide
vice@ars.usda.gov
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News - McIntire Botanical Garden Forms Partnership for Lecture Series to Honor Horticulturalist and Raise Funds to Develop the Garden
News - Young Professional Award – Steven Pekary
At the official MOU signing are, seated l to r, Jill Trischman-Marks and Judy Robertson (with FIR) and Dorothy Tompkins (MBG Board President). Standing l to r: Susan B. Viemeister, Buddy Spencer, Katharine Hannigan and Jan Sievers Mahon (with FIR) and Linda Seaman (MBG Board PresidentElect). Not pictured: Robert, James, Matthew and Stuart Robertson (with FIR), and Lesley Sewell and Peter McIntosh (MBG Board members).
Federation of Garden Clubs Landscape Design Institute, and an instructor for Master Gardeners and the Virginia Native Plant Society. The McIntire Botanical Garden is a public landscape garden included in Charlottesville’s Master Plan for the eastern section of McIntire Park. The idea for the Botanical Garden originated 10 years ago with Albemarle County resident and MBG Founder Helen Flamini. In 2008, she formed McIntire Botanical Garden, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) to work in partnership with the City to bring the Garden to fruition. The MBG Board is now raising funds for the design and construction. “We couldn’t be more pleased and grateful about this joint venture,” commented Board PiedmontDorothy LandscapeTompkins, AssociationMBG President at president. large “The garden element will honor Ian’s love of horticulture, and lecture Involvedwill withpay the formation the McIntire Bothe annual tribute toofIan’s commitment to edutanical Garden in Charlottesville cation while creating a revenue source to help create and susVolunteers to give talks at Piedmont Virginia tain the future McIntire Botanical Garden.” Community College and hosts student trips to the
officeIan to tell them about careers inLectureship landscaping is planned The inaugural Robertson Legacy: Coordinates employee field trips to gardensinallCrozet, Virfor Saturday, Sept. 30, at White Hall Vineyards along the east coast to give them fresh ideas and ginia. C. Colston Burrell, twice winner of the American Hortiperspective culture Society Book Award and a classes lecturer thehisDepartment Holds monthly educational forfor all of of Landscape Architecture at the University of Virginia, will teams deliver the keynote address. Burrell is also in Native He has developed internal systems thatprincipal have group efficiencies Landscape greatly Designincreased and Restoration and serves on the MBG Board. Volunteers to give educational talks to local garden clubs
“The lecture series is an for Ian to continue to pro The list goes onopportunity and on. was raised on his family’s farmwho in Orange, moteSteve the love of horticulture to those didn’t Virginia have the pleasandmeeting studied horticulture at Piedmont Virginia Community ure of him in person,” said Jill Trischman-Marks with FIR.College. He has 15 years of experience in the industry and is an Advanced Virginia Certified Horticulturist with the
and Landscape Association as a FIR Virginia memberNursery Judy Robertson added about as herwell husband: “Ian throughlove the International Society of this Ar- advanhad Certified an utter Arborist and complete of horticulture, and biculture. Steve lives in Louisa, Virginia with his wife and tageous partnership with the Botanical Garden creates a lasting three children. legacy for him and his family.”
Charlottesville, VA - The Board of McIntire Botanical Garden (MBG) and the Friends of Ian Robertson (FIR) announce their new partnership to endow an educational lecture series in Robertson’s name and to build a structural element in the future We can’t think of a better person to be considered for the Botanical Garden to honor his contributions to horticulture, Additional details about theYear firstAward lecture will be announced in Young Professional of the landscape design and education. The lecture series will be a coming months. Visitto mcintirebotanicalgarden.org Steve was not able be here today, so the award will or be friendSteven Pekary, Recipient of the VNLA fundraiser for the design and of of thetheGarden on 8.5 sofianrobertson.com forTownsend’s more staff information, or email 2016construction Young Professional Year Award presented to him at J.W. meeting. acres in Charlottesville’s McIntire Park and will help with opinfo@mcintirebotanicalgarden.org . Submitted by Phil O’Frias, J.W. Townsend Inc., Charlottesville PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR erating costs afterYOUNG the Garden opens. The MBG Board and- This FIRaward may be given to a young member (defined as 40 years or Anita Showers, 434.466.3689 or a.azrim1@embarqmail.com formalized their partnership in March by signing a Memoranyounger) of the VNLA to recognize the remarkable achievedum of Understanding. ments thus far in their career. The recipient will be involved in the industry beyond their daily job and will also have conA master horticulturalist, landscape tributed to the success of the member company. The recipidesigner,leadership, educatorinnovative and author whoand enent will demonstrate thinking lived in Charlottesville, Robertson thusiasm for the industry.
passed away in Nov. 2014. He was
Steven Pekary began working at J.W. Townsend Landinternationally for public scapes in March of 2003. In known June of 2007, he was and promoted private garden designs. Among his 6 emto VP and Maintenance Director at which time he had ployees. best-known works are several origi-
Today, hisnal teamgardens is made upatof Richmond’s 35 members andLewis his division Ginter Botanical including has grown by 450% During thisGarden, growth, he added an additional (4) the departments to streamline work flowGarand team Henry M. Flagler Perennial The late Ian Robertson, management. Steve is a true leader and is always the first in den. He was also a lecturer of Hortibeloved horticulturalist, the office and the last one to leave. He is always in a fabudesigner, educator, author culture and Landscape Design at lous mood and truly enjoys what he does for a living. and Charlottesville Piedmont Virginia Community Colindustry expands beyond the resident Steve’s passion lege, for anthis instructor at the well Virginia walls of J.W. Townsend. Following is a sample of his extracurricular industry activities: VNLA Newsletter April/May/June 2017 48 April / May / June 2017 VNLA Newsletter
January/February/March 2017
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Tips - The info below relates to sales tax from the Code of Virginia
items, and as a part of the transaction agrees to transplant them on the land of the purchaser for a lump sum, the tax applies to the total charge. The tax does not apply to the charge for transplanting if the charge is separately stated on the invoice. C. Landscape contractors. Any landscaper, nurseryman, or contractor who goes beyond the sale and planting of shrubbery, sod, etc. and contracts to grade, seed and fertilize lawns or to provide periodic fertilizing or weed killing treatments is deemed to be a consumer of all tangible personal property used in performing such service and must pay the tax on such property at the time of purchase. The charge to the customer for providing the service is not subject to the tax. Statutory Authority § 58.1-203 of the Code of Virginia. Derived from VR630-10-40; revised January 1, 1979; January 1, 1985. Tangible Personal Property
23VAC10-210-610. Florists and nurserymen. (sales tax liabilities) A. Generally. The tax applies to retail sales of flowers, potted plants, shrubbery, nursery stock, sod, wreaths, bouquets, and similar items. B. Transplanting. When a nurseryman, florist or other person makes retail sales of shrubbery and similar
§ 58.1-1103. Exempt professions and businesses; how property used therein taxable. Section 58.1-1100 shall not be construed to apply (i) to any profession which the Commonwealth regulates by law, (ii) to industrial development corporations organized pursuant to the terms of §§ 13.1-981 through 13.1-998, or (iii) to the business of farming, which includes propagating, growing, selling and
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planting, as an incident to the sale, of evergreens, shade trees, shrubs and all other nursery products, ornamental and otherwise, grown by the seller. Property used or employed in such exempt activities shall be taxable in the actual form in which it exists and not as intangible personal property.
Tips: Employee or Independent Contractor?
(Code 1950, § 58-413; 1956, c. 241; 1962, c. 131; 1982, c. 633; 1984, c. 675.) § 3.1-646.1. Definitions. For the purpose of this chapter: 1. "Nursery" means any grounds or premises on or in which nursery stock is being propagated or grown for sale or distribution, including any grounds or premises on or in which nursery stock is being fumigated, treated, packed or stored, or otherwise prepared or offered for sale or movement to other localities. 2. "Nurseryman" means any person engaged in the production of nursery stock for sale or distribution. 3. "Horticulture and floriculture." Whenever the terms "agriculture, agricultural purposes, agricultural uses" or words of similar import are used in any of the statutes of the Commonwealth of Virginia, such terms shall include horticulture and floriculture, horticultural purposes and floricultural purposes, horticultural uses and floricultural uses, and words of similar import applicable to agriculture shall likewise be applicable to horticulture and floriculture. (1968, c. 88.) § 3.1-646.2. Nurseryman producing nursery stock and plants for sale is a fanner. A nurseryman producing nursery stock and plants for sale shall be classified and placed in the same category as any other farmer or person producing agricultural products for market in the interpretation and construction of statutes and laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. § 3.1-646.3. Producer growing certain plants under natural or controlled conditions is a farmer.
Know the Rules The IRS encourages all businesses and business owners to know the rules when it comes to classifying a worker as an employee or an independent contractor. An employer must withhold income taxes and pay Social Security, Medicare taxes and unemployment tax on wages paid to an employee. Employers normally do not have to withhold or pay any taxes on payments to independent contractors. Here are two key points for small business owners to keep in mind when it comes to classifying workers: 1. Control. The relationship between a worker and a business is important. If the business controls what work is accomplished and directs how it is done, it exerts behavioral control. If the business directs or controls financial and certain relevant aspects of a worker’s job, it exercises financial control. This includes:
A producer growing greenhouse plants, flowers, nursery stock, bedding plants, vegetables or vegetable transplants or any other plants grown under natural or controlled conditions, including plants grown in greenhouses, cold frames, plastic houses or slat houses, for sale shall be classified as a farmer and placed in the same category as any other farmer or person producing agricultural products for market in the interpretation and construction of statutes and laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Nothing herein shall be construed to provide an exemption from the sales and use tax for any products sold at retail by any such producer.
This is for informational use, you should consult an attorney and/or CPA for legal advice as this information is subject to change. The info above are excerpts from the Code of Virginia related to nurserymen.
Provided by Jeff Miller, VNLA Exec. Dir., info@vnla.org
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The extent of the worker's investment in the facilities or tools used in performing services The extent to which the worker makes his or her services available to the relevant market How the business pays the worker, and The extent to which the worker can realize a profit or incur a loss
2. Relationship. How the employer and worker perceive their relationship is also important for determining worker status. Key topics to think about include:
Written contracts describing the relationship the parties intended to create Whether the business provides the worker with employee-type benefits, such as insurance, a pension plan, vacation or sick pay The permanency of the relationship, and The extent to which services performed by the worker are a key aspect of the regular business of the company
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The extent to which the worker has unreimbursed business expenses
around. The mission statement becomes the beginning and ending point for positive peer pressure to develop.
The IRS can help employers determine the status of their workers by using form Form SS-8, Determination of Worker Status for Purposes of Federal Employment Taxes and Income Tax Withholding. IRS Publication 15-A, Employer's Supplemental Tax Guide, is also an excellent resource.
Begin to plan. With a goal, vision or destiny determined, an organization can then begin to create the plan in a systematic way that will lead it to its desired outcome. The more people are involved in the planning stage, the more opportunity there will be for ownership of this plan and positive peer pressure to take place.
Share this tip on social media -- Employee or Independent Contractor? Know the Rules. https://go.usa.gov/x58ra#IRS Provided by the IRS
Tips - People Solutions, Pressure Performance, The Best Pressure
Take action. When we introduce the process of Organizational Excitement into a company, we challenge people to
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The greatest coaches, leaders, parents and teachers have the ability to create an atmosphere that will bring out the best in those they are teaching, training, guiding and leading. It is an atmosphere filled with pressure, pressure that will cause individuals to motivate themselves to achievement. It is a great pressure, the best pressure of all, POSITIVE PEER PRESSURE. Positive peer pressure should not be taken lightly. Just as any type of pressure which is not planned and prepared for can turn into stress, creating negative effects, peer pressure can do the same if it is handled in the wrong way. If it is understood and skillfully created, an atmosphere of friendly competition and personal accountability can produce powerful results. That is why those companies and leaders that effectively use the power of positive peer pressure are able to create ongoing and lasting successes within their companies and organizations. The following is an outline on how to begin to consider putting the power of positive peer pressure to work. Create a vision. When a company or organization has set a goal or determined its destiny, whether it's winning a Super Bowl or delighting its customers, the first step in developing positive peer pressure has taken place. This vision is more than a statement that hangs on the wall, but it is a road map for everyone in the organization to follow and center their goals and efforts VNLA Newsletter VNLA Newsletter
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create action steps in key result areas of business focusing on market, teamwork, training, systems, cost control, and rewards. As specific operating principles are developed in each of these six categories and reviewed by an entire organization, the company can then begin to see what specific actions need to be taken in order to achieve the company's mission. Personal Contribution. The planning process continues as the responsibility is taken to the individuals within an organization. One of the things that JP Horizons has been known for through the years is our commitment to helping individuals and teams remain accountable for the objectives that they set. As the series of action steps and corresponding target dates are shared and updated regularly with peers, the motivation of positive peer pressure enters in. Our very nature will not allow us to be the only person not working on the goals.
We can even appreciate the different pressures these tight economic times have created that will surely help us become stronger organizations in the long run. Sales have become the reward of the diligent, the creative and the passionate. Profitability has become the calling card of the smart companies who have found better ways to get the job done. The necessity to draw together and build as a team develops individuals who cover for one another when the pressure is on, as each of us, or all of us, carry that team on any given day. Close families, great organizations, and successful companies all develop when individuals can be tuned into the needs, moods, and limitations of others and happily fill in the gaps when they appear. Builders make the decisions and take the actions that prove a little pressure can be our motivator and inspiration to be the player who steps up to carry the team.
Communication. The very process of following action plans develops an atmosphere of communication. It evolves around understanding and discussing the mission and goals of the company, as well as individual performance goals. As people become more effective at sitting in meetings and communicating, they will become more effective as an integral part of a team working toward a common destiny. Communication and meetings are the heart and soul of positive peer pressure. Execution. The sixth element of positive peer pressure comes in the form of "just do it." The exciting thing is that if you have followed the first five steps, the execution part is already taking place. As more individuals begin to see execution, action, and results, more people will begin to rise to the occasion and develop an even greater energy from positive peer pressure. Just as you'll find in the final seconds of a great basketball game or the final snap of a 90-yard drive to win a football game, positive peer pressure will produce incredible results. But, beware, it's a risk--a risk that puts pressure on the leader of an organization. When you commit to a vision and count on team performance as individuals fulfill their goals, you must be willing to challenge those people to perform and be accountable to their peers. If you are like the great coaches who thrive on pressure, knowing it will achieve positive results, then welcome and nurture the pressure, the best pressure . . . positive peer pressure.
The Builder's Crunch-Time Checklist
Carry the Team How do you feel about pressure? Does it stress you out or drive you to succeed? It seems like a simple question, but if you think about it, our response to pressure could very well define our response to life. Pressure to perform never goes away, and it's safe to say we probably wouldn't want it to. If we are feeling pressure, we are in the game and it's up to us to determine if a little pressure will drive us or bury us ... motivate or depress ... energize or overwhelm. The pressure of caring for an aging parent is a privilege as we recognize the alternative of not being able to do so. The pressure of shuttling children to their host of various activities is a pleasure when we consider how soon they will be driving themselves to places unknown.
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Make sure you have prepared your team to respond, not react in the crunch. Practice The FIVE IMPORTANT THINGS. If you have surrounded yourself with a team of Builders, someone will always carry the team. Humor Rules! Draw from the energy that comes with fun and humor . . . remember to laugh when you want to scream. Breathe when your mind is ready to freeze. Stop and take a break when quality is in the balance. Lavish your team with patience and praise and appreciation. Define and celebrate team wins. JP Horizons Inc., 7245 Mildon Drive, Painesville, OH 44077, Phone: (440) 352-8211, Fax: (440) 352-8225,: jim@jphorizons.com, web site: www.jphorizons.com
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Tips - 9 Gardening Trends for 2017
1.
Smaller-sized luxury As lot sizes shrink but the desire for the luxurious, traditional estate look grows, gardeners will snap up, in record numbers, a slew of new-to-the-market, improved, scaled-down versions of iconic plants such as hydrangeas, roses, berries, conifers and clematis. These easy-care plants are part of a larger "back to basics with a twist" trend we see unfolding.
2.
Floratourism New York's High Line is just the tip of the iceberg. Millennials may have grown up tethered to technology, but as a generation, they're reversing a decade-long trend by choosing nature as their recreational playground. Look for more record-shattering attendance figures at national parks, botanical gardens and arboretums worldwide.
3.
Backyard gardening influenced by "no waste" food movement With about one in three households now growing food, home gardeners, always on the leading edge of mindfulness, are poised to be a critical part of the solution to the urgent social and environmental issues of food waste, and the associated impacts on food security, food transport miles, wasted water and depletion of arable land.
From color-changing conifers to smaller-sized luxury looks, gardens wow with diverse palettes, global influences and extreme naturalism in the new year. Luxury garden elements that come in smaller packages, "floratourism" and the no-waste food movement's influence on the garden are all top gardening trends for 2017, reflecting a yin'yang sort of year in the gardening world, according to Monrovia. "2017 will be a year of surprising contradictions," says Jonathan Pedersen, Plant Development Director at Monrovia. "Humble backyard edible gardens and no-fuss plants have never been so popular. At the same time, there's an increased level of sophistication in landscape design and a rising interest in unique plants with an emphasis on rich, saturated color and a sense of luxury." Pedersen continues, "This year’s trends are also breaking out of the garden, in a way. Globally, 'floratourism' is at an alltime high as travelers seek a respite in a stressful world. We're also seeing the issues of food security and climate change impact what and how home gardeners The top nine trends for 2017 are:
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4.
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Color chameleons Gardeners are seeking more seasonal change in their landscape, even from plants previously prized for consistent year-round beauty. Conifers that morph from shades of summery green to a rainbow of otherworldly hues in winter are leading the charge, selling out of nurseries nationwide. Expect to see a revival in the use of fuss-free conifers in general, and a boost in those that color-up for unexpected winter interest. Extreme naturalism In past years, gardeners have either embraced meadow-filled, freeform, wild gardens or, alternately, landscapes dominated by hard textures and right angles. In 2017, expect to see "extreme naturalism" with gardens that merge these aesthetics by introducing statement- making natural elements such as rocks, boulders and beautifully untouched hedges that impose a more integrated sense of structure. Climate adaptation interest in the possible affects of climate change on our landscapes has accelerated, rapidly leading to a surge on a national rather than regional level-in consumer demand for beautiful landscapes that also save water. Look for ramping-up of rainwater and greywater harvesting systems and more efficient irrigation. And, plant selection will begin to change as predicting success within a USDA zone is no longer as easy to forecast. While it's too soon to make any conclusions about whether plant genetic composition may change in response to the selection pressure of climate change, for sure, something's up. Bright, bold colors Even as more consumers look to their gardens for a respite from a stressful world, they're turning to celebratory color for the sense of vitality it brings, which is a major change from the popularity of last year's tranquil pinks and blues. While serene hues are not going anywhere, we see a pivot toward more saturated colors such as brilliant oranges, feverish reds, neon yellows, vivid purples, deep, dark reds, black-purples and lots of bicolored versions. One-pot wonders Large pots filled with a single impressive statement plant are also on trend for 2017. Plant breeders have made this aesthetic easier to achieve thanks to boxwood that don't require as much shearing, a number of reblooming, compact hydrangeas that only need nipping off of spent blossoms, and new varieties of pomegranates, lavenders, succulents
VNLA Newsletter 54
and berries that do exceptionally well in containers. 9.
Tough and tender mixes Talk about a return to old-school romance! In 2017, we'll see gardeners who spent the last decade loading up on "easy care," bullet-proof plants making room for more delicate specimens that imbue the space with heirloom charm, color and fragrance. Keep an eye out for some perennial icing on shrub borders and more interest in Itoh peonies and wisteria even though they take work to maintain, have a short period of bloom, and can be pricey. Even in places like California, where natives and Xeriscaping are buzzy, people are finding ways to slip in a few of these beauties, if only in a pot or two. Provided by Susan McCoy, Garden Media Group, www.gardenmediagroup.com 610-444-3040
Tips - Non-Billable Time Is Killing You Every service company has to make an assessment of how much unproductive non-billable time their crews will have in a year, and this in effect becomes part of their overhead. Do you track this? If not, you are not alone. Many if not most companies do not track non-billable time and are not aware of just how large it is. Last week, a member of one of my landscape peer groups emailed me and the group with the following discovery: "The last 2 years I started tracking all un-billable hours for our field labor to get the numbers for our new budgets this year. Last year we used 25% as un-billable and after running the numbers found out we are actually at 33.9%. That is a difference of 8.9%. The difference for us works out to $30,335 in missed opportunity..." But the math shows that his opportunity cost is much higher! The gap in hours (the 8.9%) was 2159 hours. If you multiple that by his hourly wage he charges out you get $115,700. Imagine if you had an additional 115k in revenue, and the labor was already paid for? How much of that would fall to the bottom line? If those became productive hours, all you would have to pay for would be the materials, and some other variable costs. Your fixed costs are covered, and even some of your variable costs would already be covered. The rest would be profit. Even if you could recover just half of that, it would be a nice lift to your bottom line.
D11: Because the more productive time you spend at a client's property, the more customer satisfaction and goodwill you create, the more you build your brand, and the more you avoid your clients from hiring someone else to service their needs. To protect your clients from shopping elsewhere, the best defense is a good offense. April/May/June 2017 54 April / May / June 2017 VNLA Newsletter
And there is more: Even if you charge your clients for travel time, you can still aim to decrease travel time and increase productive time spent at a client* location. This will make you more money and make your clients even happier! Jeffrey's Breakthrough Idea: Stop the madness; your non-billable time may be killing you unless you focus on it directly. How much profit is leaking out of your company? Take Action:
Measure it, and start to manage it. Utilize incentives so your crews are constantly brainstorming on how to reduce their non-billable time.
Chapel with a Trisagion service. The funeral service was held in the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 220 Granby St, Norfolk on Tuesday by The Rev. Father George Bessinas. Interment followed in the Eastern Shore Chapel Cemetery in Virginia Beach. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hdoliver.com .
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Obituary - Harry Delyannis November 1, 1963 - May 12, 2017 Born in Washington, D.C. Resided in Virginia Beach, VA Harry Leonidas Delyannis, 53, passed away on May 12, 2017. Harry was born in Washington, D.C. and has lived in Virginia Beach for most of his life. Harry was a loving husband, father, son, brother, cousin, and friend who will be deeply missed. He was the owner of HLD Landscaping, Inc. He was a member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Norfolk, and the Princess Anne Country Club in Virginia Beach. He was an avid sports fan of the Washington Redskins, Capitals, Nationals, and the Maryland Terps. Survivors include his loving wife of 14 years, Kelly Rae Delyannis, and their four children: Leonidas Harry Delyannis, Maria Anna Delyannis, Zoe Symeon Delyannis, and Teddy Harry Delyannis. His mother, Georgia H. Delyannis, his brother, Theodore Leonidas Delyannis, his uncle, Alexander Papademetriou, two cousins, Artemis McDonald, Spyro and Kristen Papademetriou and their families. His in -laws, The Honorable Tony and Barbara Eberwein, his Godson, Christopher John Katsias, as well as extended family members and good friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Leonidas Harry Delyannis. The family received friends on Monday May 15, 2017 at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Laskin Rd
VNLA Newsletter VNLA Newsletter
WH O C A R E S T H AT WE’RE PLANTED ON THE EASTERN SHORE? Maybe you should care. The Eastern Shore of Virginia is unique place – a narrow peninsula between the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. Thanks to the Gulf Stream, we’re blessed with temperate growing conditions, refreshing shore breezes and plenty of sunshine year round. Which gives us the perfect environment Eastern for growing happy, healthy plants. Plus we’re in Shore the ideal location to get our plants to you ASAP. Nursery Of Call Eastern Shore Nursery of Virginia Virginia today to order plants that have the best start in life money can buy. Keller, Virginia • 1-800-323-3008 • www.esnursery.com
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Tips - Evolution or Revolution ?…. The changing face of Indoor Plant Retailing
lack care knowledge. They are motivated to buy if the retailer gets the message across. The message being the benefits of plants being air purifiers, improve mental health and the healing effect. Alas, many retailers miss this opportunity and focus purely on price.
Retailing is constantly changing, that is part of the fun!
Now where do they shop?
Over the last few years we have seen a reduction in the number of florists and traditional garden centers, there are several reasons for this decline, one of them has been the retailer not keeping up with the consumer.
They are looking for a store that is convenient, engages them, inspires them and is non-threatening.
As we start 2017 it is the Millennial consumer that is setting the scene and deciding where to shop and what to buy. Many of these consumers find the traditional florist and garden center forbidding places where they feel “threatened” and often “ignorant” At the same time, indoor plant sales are increasing in popularity and Millennial consumers are prepared to spend. They are doing their homework and discovering that indoor plants are good for their health and wellbeing and they can bring the outdoors indoors. Recent research carried out by Flowers Canada and reported in “Floral Arrangement and House Plant Usage and Attitudes of Millennial Women” made interesting reading. The majority of Millennial women do not recall any advertising of indoor plants, but have a high recall of advertising of wine which is a major competitor to indoor plant buying as indoor plants are considered a gift by many buyers and second to wine as a purchase.
Location is key and the indoor plant retailer as moved back to the Main Street, that is where the consumer is. These retailers have also identified this marketing opportunity and also realize that “ food is fashion” and is part of the retail mix. Local, authentic local refreshments are part of the key to success. The first time I noticed this trend was with Stump Plants, Ohio, USA.(stumpplants.com Their goal is “to educate our customers to ensure that they have a successful experience owning and caring for their plants” They understand it is more than the plant and have a resident potter in-house designing vases to go with the plants. On Sunday’s they arrange brunches with a local chef. In Australia, the leader in the field is Loose Leaf (https://loose-leaf-2.myshopify.com/ ) They have developed a studio and retail complex based on similar concepts and have just released a book on their designs.
Until recently I had thought the trend was a city trends based on a very specific market. That was until I went shopping in In Canada, at least, they are the largest segment of buyers of my local town of Busselton in West Australia. In town was indoor plants, but 22% never purchase indoor plants as they a new retailer on the block. www.imgrum.net/user/leafloveau/2811956311 VNLA Newsletter April/May/June 2017 56 56 April / May / June 2017 VNLA Newsletter
LeafLove combines a plant studio, locally made pottery for plant arrangements and a restaurant /coffee shop. When I visited the store and asked how it was going, the reaction was “we cannot keep up with the plant sales” LeafLove shows that this is a retail trend that understands that to be successful you have to do more than put the plant on a shelf, it is about real engagement and providing an experience. Like many consumers, I visited the store and then put a message on Instagram and Facebook. I became part of their marketing tribe.
Research - Weed control research container nursery production Editors Note: for the complete copy of this research report with charts and photos, go to http://www.vnla.org/Research/Research-Reports
During 2017 we will see more of these style of retail stores appearing around the world. It will be interesting to see whether the “field” will be left to new entrepreneurs entering the market or whether the independent garden centers and florist will look on this as a new opportunity for their own businesses.
John Stanley is a coach, consultant, author, speaker and trainer. John has often been described as the leading horticultural consultant in the world today. That is because his skills in perishable retailing: food, plants, flowers and pets, and creating rapid stock turn, in fact, apply equally to all fields of retailing. john@johnstanley.com.au http://www.johnstanley.com.au/
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Spurge around containers, photo by Jeff Derr
Weed control is an important management issue for container nursery producers. Nurseries predominantly rely on hand weeding and preemergence herbicide application to manage weeds. Through the assistance of Bennett’s Creek Nursery, we were able to conduct several useful research trials on the use of granular and sprayable herbicides as well as mulches at their site. The primary weed at this site was spotted (prostrate) spurge, with lesser amount of longstalked phyllanthus, common groundsel, and flexuous bittercress. The weather conditions last summer were apparently conducive to spotted spurge germination, as we observed very high populations as the summer progressed.
Trial 1. Preemergence weed control in containers with sprayable and granular formulations
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The objective of this trial was to compare effectiveness of sprayable versus granular herbicides. FreeHand and Gallery plus either Barricade or Tower gave the greatest reduction in weed number at 6 weeks after treatment (6WAT) (Table 1). After the first application, Rout and BroadStar gave the greatest reduction in longstalked phyllanthus count, while after the second application Biathlon, Rout, BroadStar, and FreeHand, and Marengo gave the greatest reduction. Snapshot did not control longstalked phyllanthus, while Gallery plus either Barricade or Tower gave poor to fair longstalked phyllanthus control. After the first application, FreeHand, Snapshot, and Gallery plus either Barricade or Tower gave the greatest reduction in spotted spurge numbers. At 5 weeks after the second application (5WAT2), these four treatments gave 90% or greater control of spotted spurge, with FreeHand giving the numerically highest control (98%). Biathlon, Rout, BroadStar, and
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Marengo G gave fair control of spotted spurge (approximately 60 to 70%). Spurge control with all treatments except FreeHand decreased to unacceptable levels by 12 weeks after the second application (12WAT2), while FreeHand gave 88% control at this time. No injury to Burford or Carissa holly was seen in this trial from any treatment.
Trial 2. Evaluation of sprayable herbicides for container weed control The objective of this trial was to compare sprayable Marengo to other sprayable herbicides. Gallery plus Tower and the highest rate of Marengo gave the numerically highest spotted spurge control at 21 DAT2 (94%) (Table 2). Other treatments gave fair to good spotted spurge control. Marengo FLO at all rates gave the numerically greatest reduction in longstalked phyllanthus stand. Marengo FLO at 7.5, 9., and 15.5 fl oz/A (0.036, 0.045, and 0.075 lb ai/A) was the only herbicide to cause holly (Helleri, Needlepoint, Burford) injury and injury increased as the Marengo rate increased, with unacceptable injury to all 3 holly species at the highest rate. After 2 applications, injury to Needlepoint holly was 8, 18, and 30% for Marengo FLO at 0.036, 0.045, and 0.075 lb ai/A, with dead Needlepoint holly plants per plot averaging 1, 4, and 16 at those rates at 72 DAT2. Needlepoint holly is more susceptible to Marengo
FLO injury than the other holly species tested, as the other species were able to outgrow the injury seen at 28 DAT2.
Trial 3. Evaluation of mulches and herbicides for container weed control The objective of this trial was to compare rice hulls and an herbicide-treated mulch to preemergence herbicides. Rice hulls gave excellent spurge control and fair control of longstalked phyllanthus. Penn Mulch Plus (isoxaben + trifluralin) gave poor to fair spurge control but no control of longstalked phyllanthus. Gallery plus either Tower, Barricade, or Dimension gave fair control of longstalked phyllanthus and fair to good spurge control. Dimension applied alone gave fair spurge control but did not control longstalked phyllanthus.
Trial 4. Hand weeding trial The objective of this trial was to compare a 2-week to an 8week handweeding cycle. The theory was that hand weeding every 2 weeks should prevent weeds from reaching the flowering stage while weeds would be able to produce seed if handweeding only occurred every 8 weeks. Pots were handweeded and Snapshot applied at 200 pounds per acre prior to the start of each 8-week period.
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For the second and third 8-week periods, and the total across 24 weeks, hand-weeding time was numerically but not statistically greater for the 8-week compared to the 2-week handweeding cycle (Table 3). Weed count was numerically higher at the second 8-week period and at the 24-week summary for the 8-week compared to the 2-week handweeding cycle but the opposite was seen at the third 8-week period. The major significant difference seen in this study was the much higher weed weight for the 8-week compared to the 2week handweeding cycle in the 24-week summary. Weed weight was also numerically higher in the 8-week hand weeding treatment in each of the three 8-week periods. The higher weed weight seen in the 8-week handweeding treatment should result in much higher weed seed production compared to the 2-week cycle. Besides increasing weed density in those pots in the future, it probably will result in increased weed seed reaching the gravel areas of the nursery, increasing weed density at the nursery the following year. Conclusions The best treatment for spotted (prostrate) spurge control is FreeHand. Gallery combined with Tower or Barricade also provides effective spotted spurge control. The Gallery combinations, including Gallery plus Dimension, though, are less effective on longstalked phyllanthus. The granular products Marengo G, BroadStar, and the oxyfluofen-containing herbicides Rout and Biathlon are more effective on
longstalked phyllanthus but provide less spotted spurge control than FreeHand. The sprayable form of Marengo effectively controls longstalked phyllanthus but is too injurious to use in container production. Herbicide selection therefore must be based on the primary weed species at the site and the nursery crops being grown. Rice hulls have a place for weed control, especially in container-grown species that are sensitive to herbicide applications. Handweeding every 2 weeks dramatically reduced total weed weight but did not result in a significant reduction of total handweeding time over the growing season. The greater weed weight observed in the 8-week handweeding schedule should result in much greater weed seed production, potentially resulting in much greater weed numbers in container production areas the following year compared to a 2-week handweeding cycle. Jeffrey Derr, Jillian Rajevich, and Janet Spencer Jeffrey Derr is a Professor of Weed Science with Virginia Tech, located at the Hampton Roads Ag. Res. and Ext. Center, Jillian Rajevich is a research technician at the Hampton Roads Ag. Res. and Ext. Center, and Janet Spencer is a Unit Coordinator and Extension Agent with Isle of Wight County. jderr@vt.edu
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a new or renovated development, or by nurserymen on Capitol Hill making the case for research, or an environmental engineer arguing for using vegetated plant systems instead of or in conjunction with gray infrastructure.
News - The Power of Plants Enriching Lives, Creating Jobs, Building Wealth, Saving Money Consumer horticulture contributes $196 billion to the U.S. economy and creates more than 2 million jobs Washington, DC (PRWEB) March 30, 2017 - Horticulture positively affects people's lives where they live, work, shop and play, according to a new report from the National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture (NICH). The benefits of consumer horticulture are spotlighted in “#PlantsDoThat, Horticulture: The Art, Science, & Business of Plants.” The infographic (next page) illustrates how consumer horticulture contributes $196 billion to the U.S. economy and creates more than 2 million jobs.
The National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture (NICH) is a consortium of industry leaders who are promoting the benefits and value of horticulture. NICH brings together academia, government, industry, and nonprofits to cultivate the growth and development of a healthy world through landscapes, gardens and plants - indoors and out. The Mission of NICH is to grow a healthy world through plants, gardens, and landscapes. #PlantsDoThat—Horticulture: The Art, Science & Business of Plants is available at the NICH website www.ConsumerHort.org Provided by www.gardenmediagroup.com
“The story doesn’t just stop at direct economic impact,” said Casey Sclar, NICH Chair. “Consumer and society engagement through plants permeates all aspects of our lives, from providing the aesthetic backdrop to directly enriching our health and well-being.” According to the NICH report, plants benefit society in many ways:
Plants in the workplace reduce employee sick time by 14% Well-landscaped homes are more valuable; since homes represent 25% of personal wealth, outdoor plants pack a powerful personal finance punch American’s are growing more of their own food—25% of all Americans grow berries, veggies or fruit trees Shaded roadways save 60% of repaving costs America’s public gardens generate $2.3 billion in tourism spending
The infographic, developed by the NICH Economic Committee, uses data gathered by Dr. Charlie Hall, the Ellison Endowed Chair in International Floriculture at Texas A&M University. It’s the first of a number of infographics to showcase the power of plants to improve life. [Editor’s Note: Charlie Hall will be the keynote speaker at VNLA Field Day on July 20, with two presentations.]
MANTS
®
JANUARY 10-12, 2018
BALTIMORE CONVENTION CENTER
The infographic series is available to companies, institutions and individuals for use in outreach to horticulture industry and non-industry members. “We envision the infographics as a tool showcasing the power of consumer horticulture for the purpose of building support for more plants in our personal and public spaces,” says Debbie Hamrick, NICH Economic Committee chair. For instance, Hamrick says the infographic could be used by a landscaper speaking before a City Council about VNLA Newsletter 60
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P.O. Box 818 Brooklandville, MD 21022 410-296-6959 fax 410-296-8288
@mantsbaltimore #mants @mantsbaltimore
www.mants.com On-line Registration is available 24/7 beginning October 1.
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Sporting Goods
There are 4 million miles of US roadways. Street trees preserve paved surfaces. Shaded roads save up to 60% of repaving costs. Trees also improve driver safety and result in fewer traffic accidents.
1/4 of American homes grow berries, veggies, or fruit trees.
A 25-foot tree reduces annual heating and cooling costs for typical homes by 8-12%.
LIVE
Where We
SHOP
Where We
Horticulture Company
Trails and greenways increase property values and make adjacent homes sell faster.
Stores with landscaped areas have expanded sales resulting from longer shopping occassions and can charge more due to higher perceived quality.
Improvements to your landscape pays off! The return on investment for landscape upgrades is 109%.
Our homes represent 25% of our personal wealth. Well-landscaped homes are more valuable.
Sold
PLAY
Where We
Horticulture creates 2 million jobs across a diverse array of businesses.
Horticulture contributes $196 billion to the US economy across a diverse array of businesses. But the story doesn’t end there. Horticulture benefits the wealth and health of every citizen and every community in the US.
Horticulture: The Art, Science, & Business of Plants
#PlantsDoThat Produced by
Parks provide cities and citizens significant value. In Philadelphia, parks generate $23 million in city revenue, $16 million in municipal cost savings, and $1.1 billion in cost savings for citizens.
America’s public gardens are key tourist destinations and contribute $2.3 billion in community tourism spending.
Upkeep and preservation of urban green habitats creates new jobs, boosts local economies, and adds to community prosperity.
Office plants reduce employee sick time by 14% and improve work productivity and speed.
Green roofs provide beauty and moderate rooftop temperatures, reducing heat loads and lowering energy costs.
WORK
Where We
ConsumerHort.org
National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture
Congratulations to these new Virginia Certified Horticulturists!
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Full Name Jim T Adams, II Seana Ankers Philip Beethoven-Wilson Matthew Berry Consuelo Berry Colton Blackburn Andrea Bowles Scott Brandt Ross Bretches Allen Russell Carter Stacey Conklin Lincoln Cruz Richard Davies Jacquelyn Decker Carly Dove Jeremy Edwards Susan Eggerton Craig Fedro Paul Fian William Flippen III Corey Gallaher Joe Giglio Zach Gills Paul Haden Brandon Hanford Dean Harrell Brent Hassard William Herbert Amber Holden Dylan Howdyshell Nona Kaplan Ryan Kirby Lorraine Klepacz Brandon Layne Gene Lentz Lewis Sarah Mahlandt Sara Marks Jennifer Mazza Linda McBride Jonathan Miller Greg Moeller Brian Montgomery Crystal Morris Andrew Mueller
Company Name Blue Sky Landscaping Lee Highway Nursery ProLawn Dos Amigos Landscaping Tidewater Tree Transplanters Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Student - Bowles Associate - Brandt Ruppert Landscape Associate - Carter HLD Landscaping JW Townsend Inc JW Townsend Inc Associate - Decker Associate - Dove Urban Tree Consulting Associate - Eggerton Reynolds Landscaping Colesville Nursery LandCare Reynolds Landscaping JW Townsend Inc Colesville Nursery Willow Oaks Country Club Robbins Landscaping Bennett's Creek Nursery RVA VT Senior Student - JSR Community College Ruppert Landscape Associate - Kaplan Dos Amigos Landscaping BWS Landscaping JW Townsend Inc Colesville Nursery Basnight Land & Lawn LH Gardens Associate - Marks Student - ACE Center @ Hermitage Associate - McBride Milmont Greenhouses Colesville Nursery Grelen Nursery April / May / June 2017 Snow's Garden Center JW Townsend Inc
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Colesville Nursery Basnight Land & Lawn LH Gardens Associate - Marks Congratulations Studentto- ACE Center these new@ Hermitage Associate - McBride Virginia Certified Milmont Greenhouses Horticulturists! Colesville Nursery Grelen Nursery Snow's Garden Center JW Townsend Inc Company Name Arborscapes LLC Ruppert Landscape JW Townsend Inc 1 of 2 Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Lancaster Farms Primland Strange's VT Senior Associate - Rose Laird Gresham Scholarship Strange's Basnight Land & Lawn Associate - Shiflett VT Senior Lee Highway Nursery Associate - Spilde Basnight Land & Lawn City of Virginia Beach Boulevard Flower Gardens Floyd County High School KTLD Arborscapes LLC Student - Wirth Dos Amigos Landscaping City of Radford RSG Landscaping & Lawn Care VT Senior
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VNLA New Member Welcome Contact 27909 27934 22591 27861 27946 27554 27907 25767 27247 27702 23649 21759 27886 27902 27865 4673 27859 24937 27733 27949 27925 26707 27921 27943 27851 27935 27806 27846 27075 27882 27877 27941 27920 27918 27929 27850 27928 27939
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FirstName Philip Meagan Linda Jacquelyn Jeffrey Wayne Neal Jeff Victoria Michael Ingrid Diane Joseph Scott Kathy Kathleen Kathleen Lucimar Sarah Arthur Kathryn Jamesetta Christian James Brent Michael Jennifer Andrea Robyn Brooke Tom Beth Micah Laura Kyle Elliott William Lorrie
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Company Agri Supply Associate - Barber Associate - Boyer Associate - Decker Associate - Klindienst Associate - Rose Associate - Waddell Cartwright Landscaping City of Radford Commercial Landscaping Services, LLC Country Springs Wholesale Nursery Di-Namic Landscape Design Floyd County High School Frederick Landscaping Inc. Garden Groomer Kathleen Zeren Landscape Design KTLD L W Landscape Design LLC LH Gardens, LLC Mathews Landscapes Moore Designs One Woman and a Shovel Perfect Landscapes Resilient Plant Community RVA Sarah Meeks Ventures Student - ACE Center @ Hermitage Student - Bowles Student - Collegiate School Student - Piedmont Virginia Community College Sublime Country Gardens Town of Blacksburg, VA VT Senior VT Senior VT Senior VT Senior VT Senior Willow Run Greenhouse Corp
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Research - New Findings on Exotic Ambrosia Beetle Figure 1A-B. Two highly destructive ambrosia beetles in nurseries are the (A) black stem borer Xylosandrus germanus and (B) granulate ambrosia beetle Xylosandrus crassiusculus.
very damaging to plants growing in nurseries and landscapes. Two species are of particular concern in nurseries: the granulate ambrosia beetle, Xylosandrus crassiusculus, and the black stem borer, X. germanus. Both species are native to southeastern Asia and have established populations in the US (29 states for the granulate ambrosia beetle and 32 states for the black stem borer). The granulate ambrosia beetle is more common and problematic in the mid-Atlantic and South, while the black stem borer is more abundant in the Midwest and Northeast.
WASHINGTON, DC and COLUMBUS, OH—March 28, 2017— Research funded in part by the Horticultural Research Institute sheds light on ambrosia beetle biology and ecology and management options for growers.
Ambrosia beetles are often overlooked as being a primary cause of plant loss, but research and experience are proving otherwise. “Coming into Willoway, I was unaware of the full extent of the damage this pest can cause. I’ve learned this is definitely a difficult pest for the nursery industry,” notes Matthew Steinkopf, Container Grower for Willoway Nurseries (Huron, OH). “You don’t know that you have a problem with them until it is too late. Usually when a plant dies, we blame it on water in the container, winter damage, or one of the numerous other things that could go wrong in production. When looking over the plant, it’s easy to miss the pinhole damage from the beetle or think it was an aftereffect.”
Ambrosia beetles are not new insects to the US; many native species exist here that are considered minor pest problems. Many exotic species can be found here too, and they can be
A collection of researchers is conducting a multi-year project studying ambrosia beetle biology and ecology, in addition to management options for nurseries. Dr. Chris Ranger,
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USDA-ARS, leads this collaboration of USDA and university entomologists from Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) funded a portion of this research through its general grants program with further support provided by the USDA’s Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative.
Figure 3A-C. (A-B) Adult females tunnel into stems and create galleries (C) where they farm a symbiotic fungus that serves as food for the larvae and adults.
Research on this subject was recently reported in the Journal of Environmental Horticulture (JEH), the publication of HRI. JEH is the only peer-reviewed, scientific journal dedicated to the green industry and serves as the outlet for research pertinent to our industry. Ambrosia beetles tunnel into trees where they create fungal gardens that serve as food for larvae and adults. The telltale sign of toothpick-like strands protruding from host plants often signals infestations. These protrusions consist of sawdust generated as the female burrows into wood. Other symptoms include sap oozing from the tunnel entrances and branch dieback. Adults overwinter within their host tree, emerge in spring, and then search for a new host to attack. Both species are a challenge to control, partly because of their wide host range; over 120 hosts for the granulate ambrosia beetle and 200 hosts for the black stem borer. Thin-barked deciduous trees are often targeted, although conifers can also be attacked. Adults are difficult to control once they have burrowed into a tree. Their fungal symbiont can be problematic for the host VNLA Newsletter 66
tree, and a variety of opportunistic and pathogenic fungi have been isolated from beetle galleries.
Figure 2A-D. (A) Ambrosia beetle attacks can be difficult to detect due to the small size of the tunnel entrance, but symptoms include (B) sawdust-toothpicks, (C) sap oozing from tunnel entrances, and (D) branch dieback.
Mark Shelton, Pesticide Supervisor at Willoway Nurseries (Huron, OH), shares his experience with control of this pest, “We identified our first attack in a block of dogwoods 10 years ago and quickly learned it can attack other species. Ambrosia beetle requires a different control strategy than other chewing insects. Timing of pesticide application to tree trunks is critical because the pesticide needs to be there by the time beetles fly. We currently use a combination of weather monitoring and ethanol traps for guidelines. Additional research to improve timing and reapplication intervals is needed.” Peak flight activity and corresponding attacks occur during spring months. Degree days are not particularly useful for predicting initial flight, but Dr. Michael Reding (USDAARS) determined that spring flight activity increases dramatically after the first two-to-three consecutive days above 70°F. This group of researchers is filling in the gaps of information to ultimately increase control strategies. A key finding to date has been that these two beetles are opportunistic and only attack living but weakened trees. While such trees may
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appear “healthy,” they emit stress-induced ethanol that is wildly attractive to ambrosia beetles. Ethanol is now used as the standard attractant in traps for monitoring purposes.
Steinkopf observes, “A small amount of stress could cause release of a pheromone within the plant that attracts the beetle. While one beetle should not kill the plant, it triggers the plant’s release of more stress pheromones as it feeds and attracts more of its friends. At Willoway, Mark [Shelton] has done an impressive job being ahead of this pest and knows that an emergence is possible even in winter. Knowledge of pesticides and setting traps when three consecutive 68° days has helped. Further research will take this beetle from being a serious problem to a mere nuisance.” This winter in particular has raised concerns to researchers. Dr. Ranger states, “Trees in many regions are currently a month ahead of schedule due to the mild 2016/2017 winter. Possible spring freezes predispose frost intolerant species to attack. Susceptible trees include eastern redbud, Japanese maple, Japanese zelkova, and Japanese snowbell.” Researchers are now considering a new strategy in the form of behavior modification, where beetle repellents are used to protect desirable trees and ethanol-based attractants are used to lure beetles to their death. This option needs optimization but shows promise. HRI and AmericanHort, in conjunction with other interested organizations, supported funding of this research through the USDA-ARS sponsored Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative. Photo credit: Dr. Chris Ranger, USDA-ARS For additional information, please contact Jennifer Gray, HRI Administrator, at 614884-1155 or jenniferg@americanhort.org .
Figure 4A-D. (A) Spring flight activity of ambrosia beetles can be monitored using simple traps baited with ethanol lures and containing soapy-water as a killing agent Traps should be placed low to the ground and near woodlots. Spring beetle activity can also be monitored using (B) stems soaked in ethyl alcohol (ie ethanol) or (C) trees injected with ethanol solutions. (D) Flooding of intolerant trees, such as dogwood, can also be used to monitor attacks. The best control methods focus on keeping trees healthy; beetles do not attack or colonize healthy trees in nursery production. Applications of insecticides can be used, but they do not completely prevent attacks from occurring on stressed trees that are emitting ethanol. Flooding/poor drainage, frost injury, and freezing injury can induce ethanol emissions from plants and trees and have preceded large scale attacks by ambrosia beetles in nurseries. Notably, HRI-funded research by Dr. Steven Frank (NCSU) determined that soil moisture levels should be maintained at <50% to minimize ambrosia beetle attacks on flood-intolerant trees, such as dogwood.
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Events - Cultivate Continues to Rise as Top Trade Show & Educational Event
Columbus, Ohio - AmericanHort’s signature event, Cultivate, long recognized by horticulture professionals as their go-to source for new products, new varieties, and educational sessions to move their business forward is also being recognized by the trade show industry. Cultivate’16 was recently announced as a Trade Show News Network (TSNN) Top 250 Trade Show, moving up from last year to spot #130. With a record number of submissions for this list in 2016, AmericanHort is proud and honored by the achievement.
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Cultivate’17 has also achieved Certified Exhibition status with the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE). This certification recognizes successful implementation of best event practices as set forth by IAEE. Ken Fisher, AmericanHort President and CEO, says, “Cultivate is unique because it’s entirely organized by AmericanHort’s professional staff and volunteers who believe in and are passionate about serving the horticulture industry specifically. To receive an admirable spot on the TSNN Top 250 List and the Certified Exhibition designation from IAEE is a nice accolade to a job well done.” Cultivate’17 is also making news with a sold-out exhibit hall. The Greater Columbus Convention Center has added 30,000 square feet of exhibit space over the past year, and for Cultivate, the space was much needed. Sherry Johnson, Vice President of Business and Knowledge Development, comments, “Exhibitors help make Cultivate the experience that it is. The additional space the renovation provided was quickly utilized to upgrade our New Varieties Zone and allow space for exhibitors who have wanted to expand. We’re immensely grateful for the industry support of this event. It’s where business gets done, and for us and our attendees, it’s the pinnacle of the year.” A waiting list is available for exhibiting at Cultivate’17. Please contact Sherry Johnson at SherryJ@AmericanHort.org for more information. Registration is now open for attendees at AmericanHort.org/Cultivate. In addition to 100+ professional development sessions, Cultivate’17 offers eight add-on experiences including CareerUP, three tours, a biocontrols workshop, and a succession planning workshop. To learn more and explore key sessions for your industry segment (nursery, greenhouse, landscape, retail, and interior plantscape), please visit AmericanHort.org/Cultivate. Cultivate’17 is the national industry event hosted by AmericanHort every July in Columbus, Ohio. This year it is July 15-18. Cultivate owns the niche for gathering the entire industry supply chain in one place for four days of professional development and robust business opportunities with its 675+ exhibitor trade show, 100+ educational sessions, and plentiful networking opportunities. Alicia Rittenhouse, VP - Member & Strategic Engagement, AliciaR@AmericanHort.org , Columbus, OH | Washington, DC,614-487-1117, www.AmericanHort.org
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News - Horticultural Research Institute Publishes Bee-Friendly Plant Lists, New Resource Augments Pollinator Health Toolkit
Photo credit: Tom Houser, Newsletter Photo Contest Winner
WASHINGTON, DC and COLUMBUS, OH—March 1, 2017— The Horticultural Research Institute, the research affiliate of AmericanHort, is pleased to announce the release of “Plants Bees Like Best,” a new publication providing research-based tree and shrub recommendations for supporting bee health. This resource is the most recent addition to the ongoing pollinator-health tools provided by HRI. Making customers feel good about their purchases has a powerful effect on buying decisions. Research shows that cause marketing not only catches the attention of shoppers, it encourages purchasing and turns customers into advocates for your business. Pollinator health is an increasingly important cause for consumers in all demographics. Equipping industry businesses with tools to create awareness and showcase the important role horticulture plays in pollinator health is a great example of how HRI provides value to the industry. “The industry asked us for research-based plant recommendations for pollinator supportive plants,” says Jennifer Gray, research administrator for AmericanHort. “We’re pleased to fill the need for that information in time for spring sales.” HRI encourages green industry businesses to utilize the “Plants Bees Like Best” publication to educate and motivate their customers to purchase and plant pollinatorfriendly materials. Developed by leading scientists at the University of Kentucky and based on research funded by HRI, this publication can help retailers influence purchasing
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habits and connect their customers to a movement that benefits the environment—something the horticultural community has long strived to do. Other resources in the toolkit include: print-on-demand point-of-purchase signs, bench cards, and plant tags sample communications timeline with “best practice” public relations ideas sample social media messages and save-and-use graphics save-and-use consumer flyer best management practices guide for bee health in the horticultural industry Download a print-ready version of “Plants Bees Like Best” and other communications materials from HRI’s pollinator research website at www.GrowWise.org/ChallengeToolkit . Pollinator P.O.P. materials may be viewed and ordered directly through the Garden Center Marketing website at www.gardencentermarketing.com/page/Pollinator-GardenChallenge-Signage.
Contact: Jennifer Gray, Research Programs Administrator, jenniferg@americanhort.org or 614.884.1155
News - Bamboo Local Ordinance Bill Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: That § 15.2-901 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 15.2-901.1 as follows: § 15.2-901. Locality may provide for removal or disposal of trash, cutting of grass, weeds, and running bamboo; penalty in certain counties; penalty. VNLA Newsletter VNLA Newsletter
A. Any locality may, by ordinance, provide that: 1. The owners of property therein shall, at such time or times as the governing body may prescribe, remove therefrom any and all trash, garbage, refuse, litter and other substances which might endanger the health or safety of other residents of such locality; or may, whenever the governing body deems it necessary, after reasonable notice, have such trash, garbage, refuse, litter and other like substances which might endanger the health of other residents of the locality, removed by its own agents or employees, in which event the cost or expenses thereof shall be chargeable to and paid by the owners of such property and may be collected by the locality as taxes are collected; 2. Trash, garbage, refuse, litter and other debris shall be disposed of in personally owned or privately owned receptacles that are provided for such use and for the use of the persons disposing of such matter or in authorized facilities provided for such purpose and in no other manner not authorized by law; 3. The owners of occupied or vacant developed or undeveloped property therein, including such property upon which buildings or other improvements are located, shall cut the grass, weeds and other foreign growth, including running bamboo as defined in § 15.2-901.1, on such property or any part thereof at such time or times as the governing body shall prescribe; or may, whenever the governing body deems it necessary, after reasonable notice as determined by the locality, have such grass, weeds or other foreign growth cut by its agents or employees, in which event the cost and expenses thereof shall be chargeable to and paid by the owner of such property and may be collected by the locality as taxes are collected. For purposes of this provision, one written notice per growing season to the owner of record of the subject property shall be considered reasonable notice. No such ordinance adopted by any county shall have any force and effect within the corporate limits of any town. No such ordinance adopted by any county having a density of population of less than 500 per square mile shall have any force or effect except within the boundaries of platted subdivisions or any other areas zoned for residential, business, commercial or industrial use. No such ordinance shall be applicable to land zoned for or in active farming operation. C. Every charge authorized by this section with which the owner of any such property shall have been assessed and which remains unpaid shall constitute a lien against such property ranking on a parity with liens for unpaid local taxes and enforceable in the same manner as provided in Articles 3 (§ 58.1-3940 et seq.) and 4 (§ 58.1-3965 et seq.) of Chapter 39 of Title 58.1. A locality may waive such liens in order to facilitate the sale of the property.
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Such liens may be waived only as to a purchaser who is unrelated by blood or marriage to the owner and who has no business association with the owner. All such liens shall remain a personal obligation of the owner of the property at the time the liens were imposed. D. The governing body of any locality may by ordinance provide that violations of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty, not to exceed $50 for the first violation, or violations arising from the same set of operative facts.2. The civil penalty for subsequent violations not arising from the same set of operative facts within 12 months of the first violation shall not exceed $200. Each business day during which the same violation is found to have existed shall constitute a separate offense. In no event3. shall a series of specified violations arising from the same set of operative facts result in civil penalties that exceed a total of $3,000 in a 12-month period. E. Except as provided in this subsection, adoption of an ordinance pursuant to subsection C shall be in lieu of criminal penalties and shall preclude prosecution of such vi-4. olation as a misdemeanor. The governing body of any locality may, however, by ordinance provide that such violations shall be a Class 3 misdemeanor in the event three civil penalties have previously been imposed on the same defendant for the same or similar violation, not arising from the same set of operative facts, within a 24month period. Classifying such subsequent violations as criminal offenses shall preclude the imposition of civil penalties for the same violation. 1. § 15.2-901.1. Locality may provide for control of running bamboo; civil penalty. A. For purposes of this section, "running bamboo" means any bamboo that is characterized by aggressive spreading behavior, including species in the genus Phyllostachys. B. Any locality may, by ordinance, provide that: 1. No landowner shall allow running bamboo to grow without proper upkeep and appropriate containment measures, including barriers or trenching; and 2. No landowner shall allow running bamboo to spread from his property to any public right-ofway or adjoining property not owned by the landowner. C. A violation of a running bamboo ordinance authorized by this section shall be subject to a civil penalty, not to exceed $50 for the first violation or violations arising from the same set of operative facts. The civil penalty for subsequent violations not arising from the same set of operative facts within 12 months of the first violation shall not exceed $200. Each business day during which the same violation is found to have existed shall constitute a separate offense. In no event shall a series of specified violaVNLA Newsletter 70
tions arising from the same set of operative facts result in civil penalties that exceed a total of $3,000 in a 12-month period. D. No violation of a running bamboo ordinance arising Vol. 86, No.4; 2016 from the same set ofOct/Nov/Dec operative facts shall be subject to a civil penalty under both (i) an ordinance Editor: Jeff Miller adopted pursuant to this section and (ii) an ordinance adopted pursuant to § 15.2-901. That the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Department of Conservation and Recreation shall, by July 1, 2018, together develop a model running bamboo ordinance for use by localities based on § 15.2-901.1 of the Code of Virginia, as created by this act. That383 the Coal Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Hollow Road; Christiansburg, VA 24073-6721 (VDACS), the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Internet E-mail Address: info@vnla.org and the Department of Forestry shall enter into a Memoranwww.vnla.org (Association Info) dum of Understanding that clarifies the roles of the VDACS noxious weeds regulations and the work of the Virginia Inhttps://www.facebook.c om/VNLA1932 vasive Species Working Group. That the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services @vnla1932 and the Department ofTwitter: Conservation and Recreation shall examine the eligibility of the plants listed Telephone: 540-382-0943 in § 15.2-902 of the Code of Virginia Fax: for designation as noxious weeds and 540-382-2716 shall so designate any such plant determined to be eligible. Disclaimer: Published for your information, this had newsletter is not an on endorsement [The VNLA has representatives the Virginia Invasive forSpecies individual products or editorial Working Group for manycomments. years.]
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Public Relations – Thomas Buckley is reviewing the revenue, expenses and content of the Newsletter.
VNLA - Board Meeting Updates The VNLA Spring Board Meeting was held on March 1, 2017, 10 am – 4 pm at the Orange County Airport meeting room. Legislation - Brent Hunsinger will be representing the VNLA at the VDACS Pollinator Strategy Meeting, and the annual Mission H2O meeting. Seana Ankers will be representing the VNLA at the Noxious Weed Meeting in June. Horticulture Careers was discussed on how to connect kids to horticulture mentors and educate teachers. The NALP is working on a website to promote this and the VNLA is a part of the National Nursery and Landscape Association Executives (NLAE) website on careers at http://www.thelandlovers.org/ through the VNLA link http://www.vnla.org/About/Scholarships-amp-Careers-inthe-Green-Industry Webinars – Aaron Williams and Jim Owen reported on the new partnership with Virginia Turfgrass Council in which the first VTC webinar went over the webinar plan of 100, so Jim Owen changed the plan to the next level with a 500-participant limit, so all the registrants could participate.
Research – Christopher Brown Jr, reported that the committee was working on a letter to solicit donations and a tri-fold brochure to include several research project summaries. Policy Manual and Code of Ethics – Virginia Rockwell is reviewing current policies and the Code of Ethics. Succession Planning Committee – has secured three individuals/firms to head the search process for executive director. The committee is reviewing these proposals and will be making a decision soon. Strategic Planning – Virginia Rockwell has been in contact with Darren Macfee about facilitating the VNLA Strategic Planning Meeting in October after the new executive director is on board. Certification – Jeff Howe reported on the direction/goals/timeline for changing/updating the VCH Manual, updates in review class and testing procedures, Certification brochure and member marketing materials/resources, review of CEU reporting forms, and approval of qualifying programs. The committee is looking on E-Learning platforms for expanded online review classes/videos and other resources, as well as online testing opportunities. They are also reviewing the VCH survey from last fall.
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VNLA Newsletter VNLA Newsletter
April/May/June 2017 April / May / June 2017
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MANTS
®
JANUARY 10-12, 2018
BALTIMORE CONVENTION CENTER
THE MASTERPIECE OF TRADE SHOWS™ Technology has certainly changed our lives, but in the nursery industry there still remains a vital need to conduct business face to face. And MANTS has been fulfilling that need artfully for 48 years now. Over 11,000 attendees, representing over 3,600 buying companies and nearly 1,000 exhibiting companies, attended our most recent show. Buyers and sellers come together at our 300,000 square feet of exhibit space every January to conduct serious business, with no distractions. But when the work day is over, and it is time to unwind and relax, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor offers an impressive list of fine restaurants and attractions. Sure, you can find plenty of important information on the web. But you still need to attend MANTS to get the job done.
Remember, MANTS means business.
www.mants.com
P.O. Box 818 Brooklandville, MD 21022 410-296-6959 800-431-0066 fax 410-296-8288
On-line Registration is available 24/7 beginning October 1.
@mantsbaltimore #mants
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Wednesday July 15, 2015
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July 15, 2015 Trade Show: 9 AMWednesday - 3 PM
Kerr Scott Building NC State Fairgrounds Raleigh, NC
Trade Show: 9 AM - 3 PM Shop 24 Local Nurseries in one Convenient Location! Shop 24 Local Nurseries
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Upcoming Events June 9-10, 2017, AMERICAN CONIFER SOCIETY, SE Region Meeting, Hyatt Place Hotel - Bowling Green, KY June 10, 2017, VNLA Summer Board Meeting, Blacksburg, VA info@vnla.org 1-540-382-0943 June 10, 2017, VA Tech Hahn Horticulture Garden Gala, Blacksburg, VA http://www.hort.vt.edu/hhg/ June 15, 2017, TOOLS & TECHNOLOGIES FOR IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT, JC Raulston Arboretum and 2 nurseries, Raleigh, NC 828-684-3562 Anthony_LeBude@ncsu.edu
August 1-2, 2017, Southern Nursery Association Trade Show, SEGreen The Next Generation, Athens, GA,
www.segreen.org
August 9-11, 2017 Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association Annual Conference and Farm Tour, Wytheville, VA www.VirginiaChristmasTrees.org 540-382-7310
secretary@VirginiaChristmasTreeGrowers.org
August 23-25, 2017, Farwest Trade Show, Portland, OR
www.farwestshow.com/
June 21 - 24, 2017, American Hosta Convention, “From Sea to Shining Sea”, Norfolk, VA,
July 20, 2017, VNLA Webinar: “Emerging Pests” Dr. Pete Schultz, VA Tech HRAREC, VA Beach Noon - 1 pm www.vnla.org 1-540-382-0943
June 25-28, 2017, GARDEN CENTERS OF AMERICA SUMMER TOUR, Newport News, VA http://gardencentersofamerica.org/event-2240320
September 21, 2017, VNLA Webinar: “Invasives” by Jeff Derr and Jacob Barney, VA Tech HRAREC, VA Beach Noon - 1 pm www.vnla.org 1-540-382-0943
http://ahs2017convention.org/
June 29, 2017, MNLGA FIELD DAY, Maryland Nursery, Landscape & Greenhouse Association, hosted at Ruppert Nurseries, Laytonsville, MD office@mnlga.org 410-823-8684 July 15-18, 2017, AmericanHort “Cultivate ’17 - It’s all about You”, Greater Columbus Convention Center, OH www.americanhort.org/Cultivate 614-487-1117 July 12, 2017, JOCOPLANTS 2017 SHOW, Johnston County Nursery Marketing Association, NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh, NC www.jocoplants.com
November 16, 2017, VNLA Webinar: “Rose Rosette / Emerging Pests, by Dr. Chuan Hong, VA Tech HRAREC, VA Beach Noon - 1 pm www.vnla.org 1-540-382-0943 January 10-12, 2018, MANTS Trade Show, Baltimore, MD http://www.mants.com/
VNLA Workshop, Field Day, Summer Tour
Test Schedule 2017
July 19, VNLA NURSERY LEAN MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP, by FlowVision, Suffolk, VA.
www.vnla.org
July 20, 2017, VNLA ANNUAL FIELD DAY Keynote Speaker; Charlie Hall at Bennett’s Creek Nursery, Isle of Wight County, VA (near Smithfield/Suffolk) www.vnla.org
___ Charlottesville, CitySpace, Saturday, June 24, 2017, 9 am-2 pm (Deadline 6/9/17)
For a Current Calendar of all Green Industry
July 21, 2017, VNLA SUMMER TOUR, Hampton Roads area, www.vnla.org
Events, go: http://www.vnla.org/Calendar
July 23-28, 2017, Perennial Plant Symposium, Denver, CO http://www.perennialplant.org/
NEW Interactive Calendar!
July 28-30, 2017, INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ARBORICULTURE ARBOR FAIR, US National Arboretum, Washington, DC, 217-355-9411x217 aolmstead@isa-arbor.com
VNLA 74
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April/May/June 2017 April / May / June 2017
All of these events qualify for VNLA VCH CEUs 74 VNLA Newsletter
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