Free State - Winter 2020 by Maryland Nursery, Landscape, and Greenhouse Association

MARYLAND

N URSERY, L ANDSCAPE AND G REENHOUSE A S S O C I AT I O N , I N C .

Presorted Standard U.S. Postage PAID Baltimore, MD Permit No. 269

P.O. Box 726 Brooklandville, MD 21022

Free State A NEWSLETTER FOR AND ABOUT MNLGA MEMBERS A WINTER 2020 VOL. XLVII NO. 3

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Get Active. Stay Involved. • WINTER 2020 3

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

he nursery just purchased a new piece of equipment. It is a Kubota RTV 500. We like it very much and we are using it to pull wagons of plants.

It got me to thinking, we don’t buy new equipment very often. When your business is started eight months before the Great Depression, a certain conservative mindset occurs. In my forty-years we have bought three new trucks, four tractors, and five utility vehicles, like the Kubota. We seem to save everything as well. We have a ball cart that we still use. I do not know how old it is, but it is pre-WWII. It has a brass ID tag worn smooth. It just got updated with flat-free tires. LARRY HEMMING

Eastern Shore Nurseries

The other side of the coin is all the new lawn and landscaping businesses I see every spring. They come in with brand new everything. I cringe wondering what their debt service must be. Nine times out of ten I do not see them the next spring. I do feel sorry for them. They do not know the ins and outs of this business. They do not know to save for the long winter months. In these trying times we need to continue to be careful. The Kubota replaced a cub cadet that was seventeen years old and had several thousand hours on it. It had gotten to the point of needing a lot of expensive work. The Kubota made sense with its zero percent financing for four years. A lot of businesses are extending great terms of 0% for years hoping to sell their products. Remember winter is coming and don’t overextend yourself. This is especially true since we really do not know what the future will bring. This pandemic has shown us things can change rapidly and not always for the good. A

4 WINTER 2020 • Free State News

Contents 9 13 20 26 30 39 42 52

page 42

page 52

THIS BUSINESS OF OURS Mike Hemming Blessing in Disguise for Our Industry

IT’S TIME FOR SHARING Jerry Faulring No More Spring Panic Here…Maybe

GROWING FORWARD Leslie Hunter Cario Opening the Door to New Online Learning Opportunities

GARDENCOMM Teri Speights Pivoting in Horticulture

FEATURED MEMBER Carol Kinsley Design With Nature, LLC

AMERICANHORT Craig Regelbrugge GROWING WITH EDUCATION Ginny Rosenkranz Camiellias Color the Autumn Landscape

TOTAL PLANT MANAGEMENT Stanton Gill Felted Scales and Native Scales – a Rising Problem

DEPARTMENTS

page 13

page 9

page 30 ON THE COVER: Diane S. Knighton of Design with Nature, LLC.. Our Featured Member, page 30.

4 6 8 8 18 19 24 29 49 50 60 63 65 65

President’s Message Director’s Message Association Officers Directory of Advertisers Obituary New Members History Wye Oak Sponsors Affinity Programs Maryland Green Industry Calendar of Events Press Release MNLGA Mission Statement MNLGA Chairs and Committees MNLGA Board of Directors

Executive Director: Vanessa A. Finney Quercus Management Staff: E. Kelly Finney, Chelsea Bailey, and Michelle Paris Phone: 410-823-8684 | Fax: 410-296-8288 | E-mail: office@mnlga.org Web: mnlga.org | Free State e-mail: freestate@mnlga.org Design: Gregory J. Cannizzaro Graphic Design (contact information page 57) © 2020 Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Association, Inc.

Get Active. Stay Involved. • WINTER 2020 5

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

reetings from the MNLGA office where we are looking forward to closing out a rather unusual 2020.

VANESSA A. FINNEY Executive Director

Despite Covid-19’s impact on our once “normal” everyday lives, much of the green industry has flourished due to renewed [pandemic driven] interest in gardening, DIY home improvements, the need to keep idle hands and minds busy, and stay-cations. To be sure, our industry experienced panic, anxiety, and lost revenues in the early months, but ours is not an industry that blinks when challenged. The MNLGA was overwhelmed by calls and e-mails from businesses across the state, but we adapted and evolved right along with you. We responded by suspending membership dues, creating a comp membership category through the end of year, created the Covid-19 Response Page on mnlga.org and sent daily e-blasts and weekly summaries with the latest news and updates, no matter how often it changed. The MNLGA helps our members find ways to survive and for many, even thrive in the face of extreme adversity. Membership Matters. Looking ahead, we are talking about, but have not fully planned a lot of events for 2021, pending pandemic restrictions. We may all be tiring of virtual events, but we are committed to providing you the education and programs you want and need in the safest manner possible. The education committee will be hosting Chessie Green this winter, for one to two hours a day, from February 15th -19th, virtually, at noon. The focus of programming will be pesticide recertification, to ensure our members have access and the opportunity to maintain their certification. Save the dates now and stay tuned for updates on the program and how to register. (continued on page 54)

Looking ahead, we are talking about, but have not fully planned a lot of events for 2021, pending pandemic restrictions.

6 WINTER 2020 • Free State News

Think Like A Grower We are here with you through every stage of the growing season. When youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ready, give us a call.

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ADVERTISERS Firm Page Affinity Program – MNLGA.................................................................................................................................................................... 58 American Landscape Institute........................................................................................................................................................... 23 Angelica Nurseries, Inc.........................................................................................................................................Outside Back Cover Babikow Greenhouses............................................................................................................................................ Inside Front Cover Cam Too Camelia.................................................................................................................................................................................. 29 Cavano’s Perennials............................................................................................................................................................................... 28 Chesapeake Green Symposium.........................................................................................................................................................22 CPH.............................................................................................................................................................................................................60 Fairview Evergreen Nursery................................................................................................................................................................. 55 Farm Credit..................................................................................................................................................................................................7 Foxborough Nursery.................................................................................................................................................Inside Back Cover Gregory J. Cannizzaro Design..............................................................................................................................................................57 Kollar Nursery........................................................................................................................................................................................... 59 Manor View Farm....................................................................................................................................................................................57 MANTS........................................................................................................................................................................................................66 MD Ag Ed Foundation . ........................................................................................................................................................................64 MNLGA.org............................................................................................................................................................................................... 59 Office Depot............................................................................................................................................................................................. 62 OHP................................................................................................................................................................................................................3 Pender Nursery......................................................................................................................................................................................... 19 Perennial Farm..........................................................................................................................................................................................12 The HC Companies................................................................................................................................................................................ 56 Wye Oak Sponsors................................................................................................................................................................................. 29

Foxborough Nursery, Inc.

MARYLAND

N URSERY, L ANDSCAPE AND G REENHOUSE A S S O C I AT I O N , I N C .

Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Association Officers 2020 President Larry Hemming Eastern Shore Nurseries 410-822-1320 1st Vice President John Murphy Murphy John’s, Inc. 410-928-3029 2nd Vice President Leslie Hunter Cario Chesapeake Horticultural Services 410-924-5847 Secretary Patrick Waldt Griffin Greenhouse Supplies 443-417-3983 Treasurer Carrie Engel Valley View Farms 410-527-0700 Director-at-Large Jessica Todd Clear Ridge Nursery, Inc. 888-226-9226

Kollar Nursery

MNLGA Contact Info: P.O. Box 726 Brooklandville, Maryland 21022 Phone: 410-823-8684 Fax: 410-296-8288 E-mail: office@mnlga.org Free State E-mail: freestate@mnlga.org Website: mnlga.org

G R E G O R Y J.

cannizzaro MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION

8 WINTER 2020 • Free State News

Graphic Design

THIS BUSINESS OF OURS A Mike Hemming

Blessing in Disguise for Our Industry T

he Covid Pandemic seems to be, if not a blessing for our industry, at least it’s not a curse. Of course, if a loved one got it then for sure it’s a curse to you. All the people I’ve talked to are saying it’s been a pretty good year business wise. Our nursery is certainly doing OK. We can get stock we need, and sales are going well. It seems to me I’ve taken more “big” orders this and last month. When I say big, I mean big for us, they might seem paltry to some others. Wholesale is steady with the only complaints I’m hearing is the wet weather, which seems to have abated in the last weeks. The remnants of hurricanes coming up from the Gulf of Mexico haven’t been crazy-wet, with

I look around now and am surprised to realize I am one of what I call the “Grey Beards.” The ones of my youth are now gone, and my contemporaries are going. Yesterday I delivered plants to a waterfront estate I helped landscape 50 years ago.

only some damaging winds. Hurricane Delta however will arrive here later today I’m told. So far large amounts of rain and wind are not predicted from it. In my last two articles I have discussed the Electronic Leaf mist controller. Well, I am going to declare it a great success over what we had, cutting losses due to apparent overwetness to nonexistent. Less dead cuttings and more roots are a good thing. Japanese Hollies, Arborvitae, Azaleas and Crape Myrtles have all benefitted from the new controller. It makes sense a controller that takes into account the moisture on the leaves is going to be better than a timed mist system from day to day or one hour to the next. I suppose some computer whiz banger could come up with a sensor and the (continued on next page) Get Active. Stay Involved. • WINTER 2020 9

THIS BUSINESS OF OURS (Continued)

I give the Electronic Leaf my wholehearted recommendation. I see no reason it couldn’t be used in any nursery large or small. It was such a simple conversion all in all, except for the unattached wire that slowed us down. software to accomplish the same thing. But I can bet you money that way would not cost less than the $300 the Leaf and 2 solenoids cost me. I give the Electronic Leaf my wholehearted recommendation. I see no reason it couldn’t be used in any nursery large or small. It was such a simple conversion all in all, except for the unattached wire that slowed us down. That has to come under the “stuff happens” category. One other thing about how we did our cuttings this year - for some time, Arborvitaes, Chaemcyparis, and Japanese Hollies have had a condition that causes losses. Shortly after they are stuck some flats get a very fine webbing low on the cuttings. This condition is close to unstoppable once it starts. The State Entomologist, aka The Bug Lady, as I affectionally call her, could discover no insect problem after sending samples off for testing. Last year I had sprayed the cuttings after the webbing showed up with a homeowner contact insect spray. The results in some cases were poor. This year I sprayed the cuttings after sticking and again the next day or so. Results this year are much better, only 4 10 WINTER 2020 • Free State News

or 5 flats have high percentage of turning brown/black and dying off. See the photo of two flats of Gold Mop cuttings. They were taken the same day; one sprayed the same day, and the other after symptoms showed. Another change in propagation was the Hortis Water Soluble IBA Salts no longer came in tablet form. I admit I was a bit put off with having to measure out a powder by weight. When the powders came, I got out a 1/4 teaspoon measure and small electronic scale given to me a long time ago by the same company. After measuring a dozen level 1/4 oz teaspoons I was confident that was within a 1/20th of a gram plus or minus. As I was mixing for the midpoint of the recommended rates at 800 ppm I was nowhere near any danger zone as in the past rates I used. The powder mixed better than the tablets sometime did. It was a successful change. Now on to an unsuccessful attempt at using composted yard waste as a growing media. It wasn’t a total failure, but it didn’t do well with all plants and its quality was inconsistent. The Japanese hollies just

wouldn’t root deeply into the surrounding material; they looked good but root systems were small. The Soft Touch and Helleri hollies with this small root ball were repotted into a new pine bark mix. It was a total of about 300 plants, that I really didn’t want to lose. However, time was lost and those will not be ready in time for sale late next spring. Added to this year’s crop we might actually have enough left over to move up into No. 7 containers next fall. The Compacta Japanese Hollies in the same mix did somewhat better so I did not repot those as yet. I may well move those into No.7 containers later this winter. Various deciduous trees and shrubs like Bayberry, Inkberry, Viburnums, Forsythia and Aucuba did OK to well in it. But I haven’t used 2 different mixes for years and I’m not going back to that. Nor am I, at this age in life, going to experiment further with this material. I’m sure it is a usable material, but a consistent quality and supply is needed to make it workable with formal experimentation. Too bad Dr. Frank Gouin is no longer with us, this would be right up his alley. I miss talking to him, well maybe it was more listening to him. The Gordlinia cuttings taken last fall were put in No. 1 containers in January then into No.3 in June have reached 4 to 6 feet and have flowered. I plan to plant one in my backyard to see how well they survive the winter. A landscaper colleague told me he planted five on his property and none survived the first winter. If that happens to me, as well, then I see little future in doing much more with the plant. The fact that Franklinia disappeared from its native habitat by the 1780’s makes it suspect for anyone but plant aficionados. I look around now and am surprised to realize I am one of what I call the “Grey Beards.” The ones of my youth are now gone, and my contemporaries are going. Yesterday I delivered plants to a waterfront estate I helped landscape 50 years ago. I remembered planting a Deodara Cedar at the end of the parking area 6 foot then and over 80 feet now. If the average landscape lasts about 20 years, some of my early ones may have been replaced two times already. When I go by most of them today only the shade trees are left. Interesting that the part of your landscape plan you put

the most thought into lasts the least amount of time. Or, as a grower the shrubs you put most of your effort in to growing may not last as long as you. In this vein a landscaper I’ve known since we met in a landscape design class at the University of Maryland in 1969 has on his truck, “Landscaping, nature barely under control.” Well I would add “And not lasting very long”. Which is not to say it is not important, it is. We add beauty; plants used correctly control erosion and shade and protect our buildings from wind and excessive sun. All are good and necessary things in this time of climate change and uncertainty. Interesting that shade trees and wind breaks are our most important legacy, unless of course the windbreak used Leyland Cypress. A Mike Hemming Eastern Shore Nurseries Inc 410-822-1320 esn@goeaston.net easternshorenurseries.com

Get Active. Stay Involved. • WINTER 2020 11

12 WINTER 2020 â&#x20AC;¢ Free State News

IT 'S TIME FOR SHARING A Jerry Faulring

No More Spring Panic Here… Maybe A

lthough spring can be the best time of year for most of the population, spring at a field production nursery can yield hair on fire anxiety. Every year we go like hell to get the deciduous plants dug before they come into full leaf, and every year the deadline looms at a different date. During the spring of 2020 I decided to do something about the unknown. You will recall in February the headline was spring will be 2-3 weeks early. With our orders up and 2 men missing -boarder issues- panic set in before we got started. I felt we could better understand the issue of spring digging panic if we monitored plant development as a function of degree days. I was really anxious to do this and started to survey 71 different plants on March 20. This was too soon but I was anxious to get started. After 6 weeks, the excitement dropped to “do I have to do this again”? I ended the data collection on April 24. In most years we have dug all the deciduous material by then; this year we were substantially finished on April 10. We continued to dig smaller, local orders (continued on next page)

Cercis cultivars on April 17, 2020. Get Active. Stay Involved. • WINTER 2020 13

IT ’S TIME FOR SHARING (Continued) into May for plants I felt would be fine. Our first general grass mowing started on April 8; about 146 DD. First, you need to know my data collection was subjective for what I saw. Five different data collectors may have come up with five different observations. Yet, I think when it was all done, I collected the data I needed to be useful in future years. Second, all growers have a different threshold for risk taking related to how far we can push the window for digging. Most believe the end of April in typical years marks the end of deciduous digging – plus or minus a week. However, we all have our anecdotal memories of when we got burned and when we did not

for a given genus. About 10 years ago a good landscape contracting customer in New Jersey called in late April requesting two full trailer loads of deciduous shrubs that had to be installed before Memorial Day. We said no; wait until the new flush hardened off - like mid-June. They called every day, begging. I got tired of it and said okay. We finally dug a variety of well over 200 plants in midMay. We treated the plants with Vapor Guard and Bioplex. They lost a total of 2 plants. Third, as you review the observations versus date and degree days, the last column is undecided as to whether it could be dug or not. You may not remember the third full week of April, 2020. Here we had two frosts and the

degree days only increased by 10 for the week. In any event, we had most of our deciduous material dug on April 10 except Hibiscus cultivars which could have been dug through midMay; they were so slow I began to wonder if the buds had frozen. Ilex cultivars were extremely slow to flush. Most terminal buds froze and eventually secondary buds produced one of the best flushes ever. (See photo below right) An old ‘rule of thumb’ is that most plants can be dug in flower and cannot be dug after the flowers are off. I am not sure this is a universal rule for all plants but based on my ratings, it comes close. Our production does not contain many shade trees and therefore this work focuses on shrubs and smaller ornamental flowering trees. Most Buxus cultivars froze on top with new growth noted below on the sides. They never really recovered from the frost and showed uniform but limited growth later in the summer.

Fagus sylvatica on April 17, 2020 14 WINTER 2020 • Free State News

Forth, I do not use the data from the IPM report to determine degree days. I use http://www.greencastonline.com/ growing-degree-days/home because I find it easy to enter beginning and ending dates very easily to compare year over year data. Further, the results come out about the same as the IPM data and I think the model collects data closer to the farm – we are a low spot and tend to be colder. In any event, we are talking about relative values that may not exactly tell us when to stop digging. (See photo page 15)

As you can see from the chart, February and March, 2020 were warmer than 2019 but April 2020 was substantially colder than April, 2019 with frost here on April 8 and 12 and 2 frosts the week of April 20; note below that activity slowed during this period. Therefore the ‘forecasted early spring’ turned out to be late compared to 2019. In the future we can monitor degree days on a weekly basis to predict how developed a particular genus should be. We can then focus digging on the plants that will likely be in front of the line avoiding the panic. Although I had a sense of which plants would develop sooner, I was surprised at how many were delayed compared to my recollection. This is useful information. In the “Degree Days vs. Plant Development” charts on pages 16 - 18, I have indicated hesitancy on Friday, April 24 for many plants. That is I gave some both a ‘no dig’ and ‘dig’ rating. I would risk digging if needed but hold the plants for a week to see what would happen after digging. A Cornus officinalis on March 27, 2020

What did happen to our ‘early spring’ in 2020. Summary of Degree Days 01-Jan-20

01-Jan-19

31-Jan-20

8.5

31-Jan-19

01-Feb-20

8.5

1-Feb-19

29-Feb-20

14.5

28-Jan-19

01-Mar-20

14.5

01-Mar-19

31-Mar-20

96.5

31-Mar-19

49.5

01-Apr-20

96.5

01-Apr-19

49.5

30-Apr-20

204.5

30-Apr-19

329

Jerry Faulring Waverly Farm 1931 Greenfield Road Adamstown, MD 21710 310-874-8300

Get Active. Stay Involved. • WINTER 2020 15

Degree Days vs. Plant Development March 20, 2020

March 27, 2020

April 3, 2020

April 10, 2010

April 17, 2020

April 24, 2020

Plant

28 Degree Days 96.5 Degree Days 96.5 Degree Days 146 Degree Days ok to do not 160.5 Degree Days ok to do not 175.5 Degree Days ok to do not dig dig dig dig dig dig

Acer griseum

tight bud

buds swelling

same

Acer palmatum cvs

slight bud swell

tiny leaves

10% leaves

30% leaves

50% leaves

Acer rubrum

hard bud

same

70% flower

100% seeds/ tiny leaves

100% seeds/tiny leaves

5% leaves

Aesculus

buds swelling

same

20% leaves

same

90% leaves

Amelanchier

hard bud

5% flr

10% flr, tny leaves

20% flr/ 5% leaves

50% leaves

Aronia

5% leaves

10% leaves

20% leaves

50% leaves/ flr show

50% leaves & flrs

Betula

hard bud

some bud show

very tny leaves

tiny leaves

5% leaves

20% leaves

Buxus ‘Green Mountain’

starting to flush

more flush

10-15% flush

same

30% leaves

Buxus ‘Green Velvet’ flowering

same

flush starting

same

10% flrs

Carpinus

buds softening

buds showing

same

tiny leaves

20% leaves

30% leaves

Castane mollissima

hard bud

same

tiny leaves

5% leaves

Cercidiphyllum

Buds swelling

5% leaves

same

10% leaves

50% leaves

Cercis

10% flr

good color

50% flr

full bloom/no leaves

full bloom/tiny leaves

10% leaves & 5% flrs

Chionanthus virginicus

hard bud

same

buds swell

same

Cladrastis

hard bud

same

tiny leaves

leaves frozen

Clethera cvs

hard bud

same

tiny leaves

5% leaves

Cornus alternafolia

5% bud

buds showing

small leaves

5% leaves

20% leaves

30% leaves

Cornus florida

buds swelling

tiny leaves

10% flower

50% flr

Full bloom

Full blm, 10% leaves

Cornus kousa

buds swelling

same

5% leaves

20% leaves

Cornus mas/ officinalis

50% flowers dropped

tiny leaves

same

flrs off/tiny leaves

10% leaves

30% leaves

Cornus ‘Wolf Eyes’

hard bud

same

5% leaves

10% leaves

80% leaves

Cornus x ‘Aurora’

buds swelling

tiny leaves

same

5% leaves

10% leaves

30% leaves, flr forming

Fagus sylvatica cvs

buds softening

same

variable, 50% leaves

Fothergilla

hard bud

same

10% flr/ no leaves x

50% flr/ tiny leaves x

Frost damage, 10% leaves

Ginkgo

hard bud

green buds

tiny leaves

same

10% leaves

50% leaves

Halesia

hard bud

buds swell

tiny leaves

10% leaves/ flr off

same

Hammamelis ‘ cvs

75% flowers dropped

tiny buds

same

flrs off/tiny leaves

20% leaves

Heptacodium

10-20% leaves

20% leaves

30% leaves

50% leaves

75% leaves

90% leaves

Hibiscus syriacus cvs

hard bud

tiny bud swell

tiny buds showing

variable/tiny leaves

same

Hydrangea paniculata cvs

5-10% buds

same

10% leaves

same

variable/10% leaves

30% leaves

16 WINTER 2020 • Free State News

10% leaves x

90% leaves

x x x x

80% leaves

Degree Days vs. Plant Development March 20, 2020

March 27, 2020

April 3, 2020

April 10, 2010

April 17, 2020

April 24, 2020

Plant

28 Degree Days 96.5 Degree Days 96.5 Degree Days 146 Degree Days ok to do not 160.5 Degree Days ok to do not 175.5 Degree Days ok to do not dig dig dig dig dig dig

Hydrangea quercifolia

5% leaves

10-15% leaves

same

20% leaves

30% leaves

50% leaves

Ilex ( blue holly cvs )

hard bud

same

flr bud swell

same

Ligustrum ovalfolium

10% leaves

15% leaves

30% leaves

50% leaves

90% flrs

Magnolia Butterflies hard bud

80% bloom

full blm

full bloom/small leaves

flrs off/ 10% leaves

same

Magnolia ‘Galaxy’

full bloom

same

flr done/tiny leaves

flrs off/ 10% leaves

20% flrs

Magnolia ‘Leonard Messell’

90% flower

dropping flowers

flrs done/small leaves

flrs off/ 5% leaves x

30% leaves

60% flrs

Magnolia Little Girls

50% bloom

no leaves 70% flower

full blm/no leaves

50% flrs off/ small leaves

90% flrs/ 10% leaves

30% leaves, frost damage

Magnolia soulangiana

full bloom

full blm/tiny leaves

flrs off/ 10% leaves

20% leaves

Magnolia stellata cvs

full bloom

holding flrs, no leaves

flush done/small leaves

20% flrs left/ small leaves

30% leaves

50% leaves

Malus ‘Snowdrift’

15% leaves

20% leaves

30% leaves/flrs showing

full bloom/ 50% leaves

full blm/ 80% leaves

full leaves

Malus ‘Tina’

10% leaves

20% leaves

same/some flrs

30% leaves

full blm/ 30% flrs

Flrs off, 20% leaves

Myrica pennsylvanica

10% flowers

same

90% flrs

Parottia

Buds softening

buds showing

tiny leaves

5% leaves

10% leaves

90% flrs

Picea pungens cvs

hard bud

not showing

same

Caps bright

Pinus Thunderhead

hard bud

10% candles

same

60% candle

Platunus

soft bud

swell

same

tiny leaves

Prunus Kwanzan

flowers 80% off - bud swell

no leaves

same/flowers off

60% leaves

Prunus mume

flowers off - bud small leaves swell

same

tiny leaves

Punus Yoshino

20% flower

full bloom no leaves

full blm/sm leaves flrs of/ 50% leaves

Rhamnus frangula ‘Columnaris’

hard bud

buds swell

tiny leaves

Spiraea vanhouttei

5-10% leaves

same

50% leaves/ no fl

50% leaves/ no flr

Styrax japonicus

hard bud

same

5% leaves

Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’

20% flower

same

20% leaves / 50% flower

Syringa preston cvs

buds swelling

fat buds

Syringa reticulata

40% leaves

Syringa vulgaris cvs Taxus cvs

x x

60% candle tiny leaves

90% candles

5% leaves

90% leaves

40% leaves

90% flrs

5% flrs

50% leaves/ no flr

75% leaves, small flr

30% leaves

lLeaves frozen

same

30% leaves/ 50% flrs

50% flrs, 50% kvs

10% leaves

same

50% leaves/ no flr

70% leaves, no flr

50% leaves

70% leaves/ no flr

80% leaves/ no flr

flrs forming

10% flowers

20% leaves flrs showing

50% bloom

75% blm/ 50% leaves

full bloom, 75% leaves

hard bud

same

buds swell

x x

60% leaves/ some flrs 10% leaves

x x

60% leaves/ some flrs

flrs show

Variable, frost damage

x x x x

Get Active. Stay Involved. • WINTER 2020 17

Degree Days vs. Plant Development March 20, 2020

March 27, 2020

April 3, 2020

April 10, 2010

April 17, 2020

April 24, 2020

Plant

28 Degree Days 96.5 Degree Days 96.5 Degree Days 146 Degree Days ok to do not 160.5 Degree Days ok to do not 175.5 Degree Days ok to do not dig dig dig dig dig dig

Viburnum ‘Alleghany’

5-10% flr

tiny leaves

20% flr/ 20% leaves

50% bloom/ 30% x leaves

70% bloom/ 5% leaves

Viburnum carlesii

20% flr

40% flr,/ tiny leaves

30% leaves/ full bloom

full bloom/ 50% leaves

bloom off/ 70% leaves

Viburnum dentaum cvs

hard bud

10% buds

10% leaves

Viburnum ‘Mohawk’

hard bud

10% leaves/ 90% flrs

full bloom/ 20% leaves

full bloom/ 50% leaves

Viburnum plicatum cvs

10-20% leaves

20% leaves flrs

50% leaves

50% flr/ 50% leaves

same w frost damage

Viburnum pragense hard bud

hard bud

5% leaves

Viburnum rhytidophyllum ‘Cree’

flowers swelling

20% flowers

same

Viburnum trilobun ‘Redwing’

10% leaves

20% leaves

30% leaves

Viburnum x burkwoodii

hard bud

10% leaves

Viburnum x ‘Conoy’

hard bud

Viburnum x ‘Nantucket’

full bloom, 50% leaves

90% leaves

50% leaves

75% leaves

50% flrs, 70% leaves

10% leaves/ 50% flr x

same, frost damage

50% flr/ 10% leaves x

70% flrs, 30% leaves

50% leaves

70% leaves, no flr

20% leaves/ 80% flr

full blomm/ 10% leaves

full blm/20% leaves

flrs off, 20% leaves

hard bud

50% flower

full bloom/ small leaves

bloom fade/ 10% leaves

same

hard bud

40% bloom /no leaves

50% flrs/ no leaves

90% bloom/ small leaves

full bloom/ 10% leaves

full bloom, 20% leaves

Viburnum x ‘Winterthur’

hard bud

buds showing

tiny leaves

5% leaves

10% leaves

20% leaves

Vitex

hard bud

same

bud swell

same

x x x

OBITUARY Patrick Neubauer On October 21, 2020 Patrick J. Neubauer, 80, of Elkridge passed peacefully at home surrounded by his children. He was born December 7, 1939 to the late Joseph Patrick, Sr., and Dorothy (O’Donnell) Neubauer. He was preceded in death by his cherished and beloved wife Carol Ann (Sipes) Neubauer and brothers, Joseph, William, Clifford and Roger Neubauer. Mr. Neubauer was the Owner and Co-Founder of more than 50 yrs, with his late wife, of Neu-Valley Nurseries, Inc. He enjoyed working as a Nurseryman and farming in his younger years. He is survived by his loving children, Patricia Ann Neubauer, Patrick John Neubauer and his wife Patricia Lynn, Matthew Lawrence Neubauer and Carol Ann Neubauer, beloved grandchildren; Jacob, Zach, Colton and Luke Neubauer, dear siblings Dorothy “Dottie” Neubauer, Loretta Feeheley and her husband James and Lawrence “Larry” Neubauer and his wife Judy. Services were held on Monday, October 26th. Memorial contributions in Mr. Neubauer’s name may be directed to Cal Farley Boy’s Ranch (http://www.calfarley.org) Gift Processing Center, 600 W. 11th, Amarillo, TX 79101-3228.

18 WINTER 2020 • Free State News

NEW MEMBERS We welcome the following into membership in the MNLGA! The extensive list of “Comp Members” denotes businesses and individual professionals who have joined since the advent of the COVID-19 crisis. The MNLGA granted complimentary memberships through December 31, 2020. All other members have had their dues payments suspended through March 2021. Full contact information may be found within the member portal of the MNLGA website, www.mnlga.org. We encourage you to reach out to your peer members – they may be a valuable business connection for you. EcoBlossoms Farm Aquatic Resource Restoration Company Urban Agrarian Division Street Landscaping, LLC Botanical Trading Company Happy Face Gardener F&M Contractors Gardenfield Stander Associates Rep Agency Welspryng LLC Valley Nursery Jeannes Garden PM Construction Services, Inc. Hubbard Road Tree Farm

YES, I want a subscription to Free State Contact us with your request and we’ll add you to the mailing list. Subscriptions are $35 annually; MNLGA will invoice you upon receipt of your subscription request. (members need not subscribe) Name____________________________________________________________________________ Business______________________________________________________________________ Address_________________________________________________________________________ E-Mail_________________________________________________________________________ City_______________________________________________________________________________ State__________________________________________________________________________ Zip_ ___________________________________________________________________________ Mail/Fax or e-mail: Free State, MNLGA, P.O. Box 726, Brooklandville, MD 21022 or e-mail: freestate@mnlga.org

Rediscover PENDER NURSERY PHONE: 800-942-1648 FAX: 919-773-0904

ONLINE: www.PenderNursery.com 2620 Wall Store Road

•

Garner, NC 27529

Get Active. Stay Involved. • WINTER 2020 19

GROWING FORWARD A Leslie Hunter Cario

Opening the Door to New Online Learning Opportunities I

f it seems like you have found yourself spending more time in front of your computer over this past year, then you are among the many that have needed to adapt their business practices in response to a global pandemic. Our industry as a whole has been fairly fortunate during these times, and thanks to a stronger than ever public interest in gardening and landscape improvements this year, our businesses have managed to keep on rolling and often thrive despite all of the changes. Lately we’ve been busier than ever with navigating the changes this year has provided, along with additional family responsibilities. It may also feel like some time has been handed back to you, with reduced travel for work, both locally and longdistance. So, what have you gained during this time? We’ve learned and adapted, along with having sorted out considerations for our businesses to be deemed essential, for how to best protect employees, and for effective means to fulfill the needs of customers. Now, more than ever, so much of this has happened by way of the internet.

Certainly, meetings of all kinds have shifted to virtual platforms, and while formerly those participating from afar would have called in on a conference line, the surge in popularity of online videoconferencing platforms has made it much easier for participants to join by video. Not only do we see one another clearly (usually!), but we can also easily share our screens when needing to illustrate a point. So many meetings are taking place remotely these days, and business is still getting done without always getting together n person. 20 WINTER 2020 • Free State News

Even if you are all “zoomed out” on meetings, there are so many online learning possibilities to consider. Webinars and online courses offer great learning opportunities to take advantage of, especially now, without even having to spruce up for the camera. No matter your reasons to seek out new information, there is much to be found. Offerings abound to help you navigate changes, strategize, and reposition for moving forward, and increase personal and professional knowledge. Sessions are often recorded and made available for future viewing, so do not assume you’ve missed out if unable to join in at the scheduled time. Here is a sampling of the many green industry-related offerings available to look back on or look forward to in the months ahead. Webinars: The MNLGA has assembled an extraordinary array of COVID-19 resources on a special section of the association’s website. This section includes webinars offered by the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), the Nursery & Landscape Association of Executives (NLAE), and AmericanHort. There are more videos to be found on AmericanHort’s Knowledge Center web page for their members. Combined offerings include information about supplemental funding, legal changes, and creative ways to adapt to virtual or socially-distant retail. The University of Maryland Extension offered webinar series that allowed for more in-depth instruction than one-time sessions. These series included the Climate

and Sustainability Series taught by Dr. Sara Via and the Solar Energy Series taught by Dr. Drew Schiavone. The American Public Gardens Association (APGA) offered webinars on healthy soils and pollinator habitat, among others. For those interested in sustainable landscaping and design, a number of webinars are offered online to members of the Ecological Landscape Alliance (ELA) and Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council (CCLC). The University of Maryland Department of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture has been hosting weekly webinars on a variety of topics. Growers who belong to the Perennial Plant Association (PPA) can take part in monthly “PPA Virtual Edition” webinars. For those with an interest in natural history and the environment, there are many options to consider from the Smithsonian Institution, the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Horn Point Laboratory, the Maryland Native Plant Society, and the Natural History Society of Maryland.

Online Courses:

Continuing education credits are a consideration for many with professional licenses, and with so many in-person training events being cancelled, you can expect an increase in ways to earn credit online. Continue to check the MNLGA and University of Maryland Extension’s websites for future offerings.

With both travel and in-person gatherings greatly limited this year, a number of groups decided to go big online for annual conferences and events. AmericanHort’s “Cultivate’20 Virtual”, the APGA’s “Re-Crafting Gardens for a Changed World 2020”, the Griffin Greenhouse’s “Virtual Expo 2020”, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay’s “Chesapeake Watershed Forum”,

Of course you can always immerse yourself more in-depth through both credit and non-credit online course offerings. If seeking to expand business skills such as working with accounting software, spreadsheets, or web design, check out the community colleges or your local library. The University of Maryland’s Municipal Online Stormwater Training Center (MOST) offers “Landscaping for Resilience in a Changing Climate” at no charge through this winter. Penn State Extension offers online courses such as Pruning and Plant Health Diagnosis for a modest fee. This is really just a starting place- search out what interests you most and you are likely to find an online course offered somewhere. Regardless of where the online course is being offered, location is not a concern, opening up the door to programs in other counties or states. Conferences and Events:

So many meetings are taking place remotely these days, and business is still getting done without always getting together in person.

Get Active. Stay Involved. • WINTER 2020 21

GROWING FORWARD (Continued) and the American Society of Landscape Architects’ (ASLA) “reVISION ASLA 2020” are among those MNLGA members have attended virtually this year. Likely the biggest of event of the year for most of us is the “Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show” (MANTS), which has been transformed into an online Business Hub for the upcoming show in January 2021. In spite of not being able to meet in person, the show’s innovative online format provides exhibitors some distinct advantages in how they can market their products, how connections are made, and for the length of time in which attendees can access their suite of information. Attendees will have new ways to connect with exhibitors and more time to learn about what’s being offered at their convenience. Another event on the horizon that we can look forward to is our association’s annual “Chesapeake Green Symposium” in February 2021. Planning is currently underway at the time of this writing, with the goal of

reshaping the event in a way that will continue to be fun and interactive. So many more opportunities to learn online are here than ever before. Have you not hit the perfect time to dive in yet? Maybe this winter, while working from home or maintaining social distance from co-workers during lunch break, you will find an ideal window of time to kick back, put on your headphones, and tune in to something new! A Leslie Hunter Cario Chesapeake Horticultural Services lesliecario@cheshort.com www.chesapeakehort.com MNLGA board member Leslie Hunter Cario runs Chesapeake Horticultural Services, consulting with nurseries, landscape operations, and non-profit organizations on horticultural and ecological projects. Leslie is a Certified Professional Horticulturist and IPAC board advisor to the MNLGA. She is also licensed as a Nutrient Management Consultant and a Pest/Disease Consultant through the Maryland Department of Agriculture and certified as a Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Level 2 – design/installation

Maryland Nursery, Landscape, and Greenhouse Association and the University of Maryland Extension present

Chesapeake Green AN ANNUAL HORTICULTURE SYMPOSIUM

2021

Save the date - All new digital format. Monday, February 15 to Friday, February 19. Noon until no later than 2:00 each day Full MD Pesticide Recertification including aquatics and Nutrient Management Credits

Virtual live sessions; nothing pre-recorded. More information can be found on the website MNLGA.org Registration opens late-December at www.mnlga.org.

22 WINTER 2020 • Free State News

MARYLAND N URSERY, L ANDSCAPE AND G REENHOUSE A S S O C I A T I O N , I N C.

Get Active. Stay Involved. â&#x20AC;¢ WINTER 2020 23

HISTORY

Certified Professional Horticulturist (CPH) -Three Decades and More

“

t started in the mid-1980s when Ben Williams learned that California and maybe a few other states had certification programs,” recalls Dr. William (Bill) Gimpel. Ben Williams was Executive Secretary for the Maryland Nurserymen’s Association (MNA) at the time. The recession of the early 80s spawned a growing number of pop-up “businesses” providing landscape and horticultural services without the proper training or expertise. Consumers were receiving substandard services that reflected poorly on the profession. MNA leaders recognized a need for a credential that demonstrated a proficiency and commitment to horticultural professional standards. “Ben Williams requested a copy of the California certification exam. This document became the template for developing the Certified Professional Horticulturist (CPH) program in Maryland,” Dr. Gimpel added. Creation of the Maryland CPH program was a collaborative undertaking. Its roots can be traced to the passionate concern and dedicated efforts of many industry leaders, several enthusiastic educators and researchers at the University of Maryland College of Agriculture, and key regulators with the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Office of Plant Industries and Pest Management. In addition to creating an assessment instrument (exam), there was a need for a comprehensive study manual and processes for administering the exams that would be independent of the sponsoring organization. Dr. Francis (Frank) Gouin and his colleagues at the University were instrumental in developing the study manual. MNA leaders including Ed Hogarth, Richard Simon, Ben Williams, and many others helped established the Maryland CPH Board. The Board would provide

24 WINTER 2020 • Free State News

program oversight, review, and management. Dr. Gimple and his colleagues at MDA also contributed to the manual content. MDA also volunteered to be the impartial entity for delivering, proctoring, and grading the exams. This service was, and is, essential for maintaining the integrity of the program. Over three decades following the first CPH exam in 1986 over 1,500 individuals have successfully earned the CPH credential. This is a tremendous legacy for those early pioneers and more importantly, a testament to the value of the CPH credential even today. Adding the student certification in the mid-2000s further expanded the value of CPH. Recognizing a need to accommodate the industry’s growing requests for flexibility in delivering the exams, the CPH Board recently approved online testing. Working with TesTrac, a professional online testing company, the CPH exams have been set-up for online delivery. It has taken several months of planning, formatting, and development to create the final products. A great concern when considering this move was the need to have exemplary images for the plant identification portion of the exam. Each image must project the key identifying features of each plant. Fortunately, Betty Marose with the University of Maryland had taken outstanding photographs of the fresh plant samples MDA collected for an in-person exam. Ms. Marose has generously permitted the use of her plant images for the CPH online exams. Transitioning to online testing required considerable data collection, logistics, and time. The following CPH Board members generously gave of their time, knowledge, skills, and leadership ensuring a complete transition: Jaime Tsambikos, Steven Bell, and Gaye Williams from MDA, Robert Trumbule (MDA retired), Cindy King (The

“Credibility is important for businesses and individuals. The CPH credential provides an enduring level of credibility.” Dr. William (Bill) Gimpel Mill of Kingstown), Jon Vander Vliet (Lawn Wrangler), Steve Black (Raemelton Farm), Steve Dubik (Montgomery College), Martha Pindale (American Landscape Institute), Dr. Andrew Ristvey (Univ. of MD), Ginny Rosenkranz (Univ. of MD), Terrie Shank (MAEF & MD FFA), George Mayo (Green Industry vagabond, retired). With support from Chelsea Bailey & Vanessa Finney (MNLGA staff (Quercus)). Many thanks to the CPH Board, Quercus, and over 1,500 people who have embraced the CPH program. When asked if he, as a CPH founder, thought the CPH program would retain its popularity for over three decades, Dr. Gimpel exclaimed, “Absolutely! Credibility is important for businesses and individuals. The CPH credential provides an enduring level of credibility.” How Online Testing Works

current system. • Test takers will be notified of their exam results within five business days.

Student Qualifying Exams – to be eligible to take the Maryland CPH Basic exam, students are required to pass the qualifying exam. • Teachers register each eligible student in the online testing platform. • Students receive login information and vouchers from their teachers allowing access to the online platform. • Students answer 25 multiple-choice questions and 15 multiple-choice plant ID questions. The test must be completed within 60 minutes. • Teachers will review the scored results and notify each student of their scores. Retesting • Students and adults who passed just one section of the exam will be eligible to retake the missing section at a scheduled date. A

CIRCA 1985

2020

Adult Basic Exam • Candidate applications for the basic CPH exam are received by the MNLGA office and reviewed for eligibility. • Once approved, MNLGA registers the candidates in the online testing platform. • Each approved candidate receives login information and vouchers from MNLGA allowing access the online platform. • Testing periods are only offered during specified windows of time scheduled in advance by MNLGA. • Each basic exam includes 100 multiple-choice questions and 40 plant ID questions. The exam must be completed within three consecutive hours. These are the same standards MDA has followed for decades.

After 35 years, the CPH logo has been “refreshed” in conjunction with the new basic test format.

George Mayo CPH Board Chair Gmayo79@gmail.com 443-243-0063

• The CPH Basic exams will be reviewed and scored by authorized and trained staff at MDA, much like the Get Active. Stay Involved. • WINTER 2020 25

GARDEN COMM A Teresa (Teri) Speight

Pivoting in Horticulture – Long Game Season W

e never imagined that the word pivot would become a part of our reality. This year has made many in the industry rethink what it means for the horticultural community to survive. Pivoting in any business is meant to turn things around after a downturn. In a normal year, seeing a change in business comes in measured portions. In 2020, the horticultural industry had to figure things out overnight. There was no time to plan, unexpected restrictions went into effect, safety during a pandemic, and business survival was heavy on the minds of many. At the time, the quick fixes depended on where you were located. Some states were willing to allow merchants to offer curbside pickup. Some states were not open to this idea at all. Retailers were offering online shopping and free delivery if possible. Some of the smaller businesses merged and hoped for the best as the wait continued. The reality of what to do to survive required many to think about the “long game”. Normally “long game” is used when speaking about football. The ball is 26 WINTER 2020 • Free State News

thrown to a receiving team member to advance the efforts of the team. The industry did not know how to successfully endure a possible unknown timeframe of when things would return to normal. As well attended conferences were cancelled, trade shows began wondering how they would pivot to remain relevant. What measures could be taken to share new products, stay connected with industry professionals and most importantly – how to reach the public. Suddenly, we had to practice social distancing. Realizing that the need to pivot was no longer considered a shortterm reality. To keep the lines of communication open and relevant,

a “long-game” winning strategy was necessary. This strategy had to be able to connect the product to the retailer to the community. Connecting With Community Communicating about new plants, products, and availability involved rethinking how to reach the community. The option of in person seminars and demonstrations was no longer feasible. With social distancing regulations the amount of people allowed in stores and nurseries was limited. Safe staffing became a key part of staying in business. Community outreach had to go where the customers were – at home. The initial pivot was to keep the

plant materials alive, receive nursery goods, and restock the shelves for the customers who could safely visit. On-line shopping with contactless pick-up became a part of daily operations. For the consumer who thought their garden dreams would not be fulfilled, there were tweets and commercials on TV. As time went on there were on-line garden visits, seminars and the importance of garden communicators became evident. Garden communicators were able to connect with the community in a unique way. We know our audience, able to influence trends, and are knowledgeable about the products. Delivering The Message In January, we have traditionally looked forward to MANTS. It has been the best opportunity to connect with other horticultural industry professionals before the season starts. For the first time in its history, it will be a virtual event. MANTS is the Trade Show which continues conversations started last year and helps kick off new ones as well. The challenge for 2021 is how to deliver a long game solution virtually. The opportunity to pivot became a challenge. That is where GardenComm can help. GardenComm membership can help deliver the message to the consumer from experience, with knowledge and confidence. Think about it â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we blog, write for magazines, are engaged in landscaping, have podcasts, and more. In the past, when we connect with the vendors at MANTS, we chat about product information and use. There are usually samples and

some vendors have sent products for trial use, enabling us to honestly share our experiences. Literature is provided which we can use to reference when writing about the product and it allows us to connect with vendors should we have in depth questions. GardenComm has benefits for businesses as well. Small businesses might not have a team of marketers to showcase and sell their products. With GardenComm business to business membership, it is almost like having a team of marketers delivering your product to the consumer in unique ways. As GardenComm members have had to pivot utilizing online opportunities, we have learned as well. The consumer wants to understand products from a trusted resource. When they see a GardenComm member online or read their words in print, that often validates the product. A curated and timely tweet can remind the consumer to order their bulbs for a Spring display. Reminding the consumer that a gift card, a small tool or even a basket of products from a reliable resource can be powerful with the right words from a reliable resource. The power of delivering a message from a respected voice like a GardenComm member is the perfect way to plan for the long game. Relationships Can Be Forever As we continue to learn the rules of surviving during a pandemic, cultivating long lasting relationships are key. GardenComm members

are a part of where they live, they are the community that you want to embrace, educate, and provide shareable product information. GardenComm is here to help -even if we cannot gather in real life. Are you still thinking about short term results? Have you consciously pivoted for the long game? Are you overlooking how connecting with GardenComm can be beneficial for your business? It just might be the perfect time to explore unique ways to develop a relationship with GardenComm. As we continue to face a level of uncertainty, not knowing when the pandemic will be a distant memory, flexible pivoting is essential. Thinking outside the box and extending uniquely curated opportunities often creates long term relationships. With 600+ members around the world, GardenComm is here and waiting to help the wonderful world of horticulture. GardenComm can help the industry as it pivots and reinvents its long game. We are the connection to develop an honest, personal, and long-lasting relationship with the consumer. A Teresa (Teri) Speight is a Garden Communicator and visionary, residing in Prince Georges Cunty, Maryland. As an active member of GardenComm, she currently serves as a Region II Director. She blogs, curates garden walk and talks, as well as podcasts to contribute to an ongoing garden conversation. Connect with Teri at cottageinthecourt.com Get Active. Stay Involved. â&#x20AC;˘ WINTER 2020 27

28 WINTER 2020 â&#x20AC;¢ Free State News

WYE OAK SPONSORS MNLGA would like to thank these companies for their sponsorship and support.

The MNLGA sponsorship Program is designed with your increased visibility in mind. It is a simple straightforward and reward driven program. The recognition opportunities coupled with an MNLGA Sponsorship are unparallelded for a state association. Sponsorship rates and benefits are avaiable on mnlga.org/sponsorship

Get Active. Stay Involved. â&#x20AC;˘ WINTER 2020 29

FEATURED MEMBER A Carol Kinsley

Design with Nature, LLC

30 WINTER 2020 • Free State News

Get Active. Stay Involved. • WINTER 2020 30

n 2011, Diane S. Knighton opened her own landscaping firm, Design with Nature, LLC, putting to work her formal background in landscape architecture and extensive knowledge of plant material. Much of her experience with plants was gained at White House Nursery in Upperco, Md., a company started by her father, Ted Sparks, and grandparents Bud & Judy Sparks, in 1974 on property that had been in the family for generations. The nursery now has 75,000 square feet of covered greenhouse area situated on 30 acres which includes an outdoor irrigated mum field. The firm also operates a tent stand at the Maryland State Fairgrounds. Known as Fresh Flowers, the operation is open from early April through mid-June. Knighton grew up in the nursery and worked there through high school and while earning a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from West Virginia University. She became a Certified Arborist through the International Society of Arboriculture, where she has continued to earn distinctions such as becoming Tree Risk Assessment Qualified. She is a Maryland

Licensed Tree Expert, a Certified Horticulturist through the Maryland Nursery, Landscape, and Greenhouse Association and is a Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator through the Maryland Department of Agriculture. When it came time to start her own company, it was only natural to establish her headquarters at her parents’ nursery. “Design With Nature’s initial focus was on protecting existing mature trees during the site design and the construction process in land development projects,” she said. Then, in addition to making forest conservation plans and tree conservation plans, Knighton’s background and connection with the nursery led her into landscape design. “Installs naturally followed,” she said. Spring and fall clean-up as well as monthly maintenance also are offered. With the help of key personnel, the business has grown to include residential design and installation, drainage projects, hardscaping such as parking pads and outdoor living spaces, trial gardens, meadow installations, and integrative vegetation management. (continued on page 33)

Installation of 200 10-12’ evergreens at Joppatown Substation Get Active. Stay Involved. • WINTER 2020 31

32 WINTER 2020 â&#x20AC;¢ Free State News

FEATURED MEMBER (Continued) “Integrative vegetation management,” she explained, considers all appropriate methods to discourage the growth of unwanted species and promote healthy ecosystems in utility right-of-way areas and along highways. “The desired outcome is to produce results such as greater natural species, diversity along rights-of-way and better control of invasive species,” Knighton said. Clear-cutting may be necessary at first, but thereafter, selective, nontoxic herbicides are a better choice than mowing to eliminate unwanted species. In 2016, Design with Nature became a subcontractor to Baltimore Gas & Electric. Knighton said, “We have completed many projects ranging in scale and type from an arborist report to an extensive large tree installation. While originally intimidated with working for such a large corporation, I have realized as a team of 10 people with a specific skill set, we are able to uniquely fill a need to get the job completed.” Under power lines, where otherwise Mother Nature would take over, the Design with Nature team works to establish a desirable habitat for under power lines and encourages native and pollinator species. Bill Nash, a Marine veteran with a degree in environmental science, oversees all of the company’s work for BG&E. “He is not only knowledgeable about other things surrounding his job but passionate about what he does,” Knighton said. “My husband, Greg, is our go-to for anything involving contracting and construction,” Knighton continued. With more than 10 years of experience in the field, stormwater management and the National Guard, he oversees the team and works with the landscape designer to plan and strategize hardscape layouts.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP OF PAGE 32: Inspecting the Right of Way Backyard project from design to installation Alexander removing tree stakes Diane excited to see such a beautiful Chestnut Leaf Holly Gabriel at Joppatown Substation planting

Knighton said Greg was away this year from March to mid-June when the Maryland National Guard was activated due to COVID-19. It was a challenge, she said, to keep the business going without her manager. “All the guys stepped up and filled in for him. They shared the burden, so I didn’t feel all alone.” (continued on next page) Get Active. Stay Involved. • WINTER 2020 33

FEATURED MEMBER (Continued) Both her mother and her mother-in-law played a major role. “I don’t know if I could have done this spring without their support,” she said. “It was a juggling act. I’d have the kids — Otto, then 3, and Josephine, then a year old — at the shop by 6:45 a.m. to load up the trucks. After the crews left the shop, we would go to the appropriate childcare destination for that day, either my mom (Marilyn Sparks), my mother-in-law (Cheri Knighton), or Little Feet Preschool where the children go three days a week. Little Feet was an approved Essential Workers childcare facility during the early pandemic phase. They are still having in-school programs now, but with much smaller classroom sizes while following the new rules and changes.” Jackie Wesley is the office manager. “She is the first person our clients speak to when they inquire about a project. She is friendly and informative with our customers and has worked with us part-time for four years. Not only does she give us a great first impression, but she also assists with other administrative tasks like accounting and planning,” Knighton said. (continued on next page)

34 WINTER 2020 • Free State News

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP OF PAGE 34:

“Design With Nature’s initial focus was on protecting existing mature trees during the site design and the construction process in land development projects. Then, in addition to making forest conservation plans and tree conservation plans, my background and connection with the nursery led me into landscape design. Installs naturally followed.”

Early cold mornings but we kept moving forward Hillside planting Part of the DWN Team after a full day of work Marilyn Sparks teaching the 4th generation about plants Diane and helpers checking out the root ball

Diane Knighton

Get Active. Stay Involved. • WINTER 2020 35

FEATURED MEMBER (Continued) Carmen Chlada is the firm’s talented landscape designer and horticulturist who handles all residential and landscape work. With more than 35 years’ experience, Chlada has been involved in many different aspects of the landscape industry, including residential landscape designs, landscape installation, managing commercial and residential landscape maintenance, and supervising multiple landscape crews. “Carmen brought a wealth of knowledge to our team,” Knighton said. “She is the foundation of the residential design division of our company. She enjoys interacting with customers, designing and being on site with the crew.” Chlada’ s favorite thing is giving people gardens and watching them come into existence. “It’s magical,” Chalda says. Knighton also has a team of workers who have been aboard for a few years. This year, Cromwell Fiorneza, an American Landscape Institute student, started working with Nash. Cromwell will be in the ALI program (continued on next page)

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Brehms Lane garden Ted Sparks & daughter Diane spending time in the garden.

36 WINTER 2020 • Free State News

Since 2011, Design With Nature has had great opportunities to work on various projects and build a team of talented consulting arborists, professional horticulturists, landscape designers, and nurserymen. Becoming a subcontractor to Baltimore Gas & Electric in 2016, the firm has completed many projects ranging in scale and type from an arborist report to an installation of 200 12-foot ever-green trees as a screen for a BG&E substation. “While originally intimidated with working for such a large corporation,” Diane Knighton said, “I have realized as a team of 10 people with a specific skill set we are able to uniquely fill a need to get the job completed.” One fun project was a sculpture garden designed and installed at the Brehms Lane Campus of the Belair-Edison School in Baltimore. The school wanted to turn an underutilized space where the children wait before school into a garden. Design with Nature used natural tree logs as step-pingstones and large tree trunks as sitting logs. Plants were chosen expressly to awaken the sens-es through smell, texture, and color. To enhance the project, since the garden was visible from classrooms, Design with Nature gave teachers, pro bono, Ideas for Learning in the Garden which could be incorporated into lesson plans.

Get Active. Stay Involved. • WINTER 2020 37

FEATURED MEMBER (Continued)

Field meeting on the ROW

for two more years, and while working at Design with Nature, he will move to different sectors of the company to gain different experiences. Knighton has also worked and volunteered with Urban Roots Apprenticeship, a workforce development program through Center for Urban Families. “I try to stay connected and promote the industry,” she said. Like her parents, she is a member of the MNLGA and a past board member of MAC-ISA, the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture. Knighton said, “We have over six years as a Screened and Approved contractor through Home Advisor with a 4.75 star rating and have received multiple awards, most notable the Best of 2015 Winner.” Staff members are encouraged to have community involvement and are active in groups such as Girl Scouts of America, Maryland Horticulture Society, the VFW and local churches. The team has volunteered time and resources with many community tree plantings, pollinator gardens and clean-up projects. 38 WINTER 2020 • Free State News

Knighton said she always looks forward to MANTS, which she has attended since she was a child. It was a time when she could see faces and catch up with vendors and people she doesn’t see all the time. “But this year, everything is changing. It will be interesting to see how things pan out,” she said. Design with Nature serves primarily Baltimore County, as well as parts of Carroll and Harford counties and northern Baltimore City. For more photos and a list of current services, visit Design with Nature’s website, www.designwithnaturellc.com or check the company’s Instagram or Facebook, both at @designwithnature, or call 410-967-7819. A Carol Kinsley Kinsley Communications. 410-924-3582 cjkinsley@comcast.net

AMERICANHORT A

Agriculture News from the Hill Change Coming to Agriculture Committees The House Agriculture Committee will have entirely new leadership in the 117th Congress. With Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) losing his reelection bid and Ranking Member Mike Conaway (R-TX) retiring, the next two years will be distinctly different. Reps. Jim Costa (D-CA) and David Scott (D-GA) are vying for the top spot, while Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH), once seen as a slight favorite to take the gavel, has pulled out of the race and expressed an interest in being Secretary of Agriculture.

Costa represents a primarily rural district in the San Joaquin Valley that also includes Fresno. He is a thirdgeneration dairy farmer and has been in Congress since 2005. Scott represents a district that is primarily suburban Atlanta and has been in office since 2003. Both are longtime members of the Ag Committee. Across the aisle, the Ranking Member race has coalesced around three members — Austin Scott (R-GA), Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA), and Rick Crawford (continued on next page)

Get Active. Stay Involved. • WINTER 2020 39

AMERICANHORT (Continued) (R-AR). Scott introduced the Agricultural Trucking Relief Act during this Congress, which specifically included our industry in the agricultural commodity definition for transportation, and was backed by AmericanHort PlantPAC this cycle. Thompson brings a lot to the table as well. He has been supportive of numerous industry issues including agricultural labor reform. In the Senate, Senator John Boozman (R-AR) will succeed Sen. Pat Roberts, either as the Chairman or the Ranking Member (depending on the outcome of the Georgia runoffs). Sen. Debbie Stabenow will remain the committee lead for the Democrats. Once leadership is chosen, rank and file member appointments will occur early next year. With such a razor-thin majority, the ratio of Democrats to Republicans is likely to be much smaller than the current Congress. A Tal Coley

45-2099 - Agricultural Workers, Other 53-7064 - Packers and Packagers, Hand Beginning with the 2023 season, the 2020 AEWR will be indexed annually using the Employment Cost Index (ECI), a broad measure of the cost of labor in the overall economy. This approach pretty much guarantees annual increases, though over time the ECI has increased at a slower and more stable, predictable rate than the FLS. For instance, over the five year period ending with 2019, the ECI average annual increase was 2.54 percent, whereas the FLS increased an average of 4.48 percent, with much higher spikes in some regions. Now, the not-so-good news. Job classifications not listed above will be subject to state-level wage determinations from the Occupational Employment Statistics database. Key examples include: 11-9013 - Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers

H-2A Wage Rule: Boon, Bane, or Both?

45-1011 - First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing Workers

As we’ve reported, the Department of Labor has published a new rule modifying how H-2A agricultural visa program wages will be set going forward. The rule is scheduled to take effect December 21. With the caveat that it may be blocked by litigation challenges or may be reconsidered in a Biden administration, summarized below are the key changes.

53-3032 - Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

First, the good news. For job classifications covered by the USDA’s Farm Labor Survey (FLS), the 2020 “adverse effect wage rates” (AEWR) will remain in effect for both the 2021 and 2022 calendar years. FLS occupations include the following: 45-2041 - Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products 45-2091 - Agricultural Equipment Operators 45-2092 - Farmworkers (Crop, Nursery, Greenhouse) 45-2093 - Farmworkers (Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals) 40 WINTER 2020 • Free State News

47-2061 - Construction Laborers

Wage determinations for such job classifications are

likely to be substantially higher than those covered under the AEWR. And, if a worker performs duties that include more than one classification, the highest applicable wage shall apply. This change will have significant implications for how horticulture employers structure job descriptions. In short, the rule looks to be very much a mixed bag for employers. Meanwhile, more changes are expected. We are awaiting publication of yet another rule in the coming weeks relating to modernization and streamlining of the overall H-2A program. Stay tuned. A

The Senate version of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill does not address H-2B cap. The House Appropriations Committee-passed version of the DHS funding bill includes the language in current law that gives DHS the ability to increase that cap by up to about 69,000 visas if it determines that the needs of seasonal businesses cannot be met with American workers. The Senate version of the Department of Labor (DOL) FY 21 funding bill includes the following provisions of current law:

Craig Regelbrugge

• Allows for the use of private wage surveys;

Industry Champion Wins in North Carolina

• Prohibits DOL from enforcing the corresponding employment of ¾ guarantee provisions of its regulations; and

Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) was declared the winner during the week of November 10 in his reelection bid against challenger Cal Cunningham. The race was quite close, with Tillis winning by just under two percentage points. He was backed by AmericanHort PlantPAC this cycle and has received enthusiastic horticulture industry support throughout his first term. Tillis has been one of the most outspoken on the Republican side in the Senate on the need to reform agricultural labor. He has also been a consistent H-2B program advocate, and spoke at the AmericanHort Impact Washington legislative summit in 2017. A Tal Coley & Craig Regelbrugge

H-2B and Appropriations Update Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee released draft Fiscal Year 2021 spending bills on its website to aid in a House-Senate discussions on a final spending package for FY 2021, which began October 1. The federal government is currently operating under a temporary spending bill, or continuing resolution, that runs through December 11. Lawmakers hope to reach an agreement ahead of that deadline on a package to fund the federal government.

• Provides for a maximum of a 10-month season (as opposed to the 9 months provided in regulation). These provisions are not included in the DOL funding bill passed by the House of Representatives. AmericanHort is encouraging Congress to include the H-2B cap language and the DOL regulatory provisions in a final spending bill. We will keep you updated on the status of appropriations negotiations. A Laurie Flanagan & Craig Regelbrugge Craig J. Rugelbrugge Senior Vice President Public Policy and Government Relations 202-789-8111

Tal-Coley Director of Government Affairs 202-789-8112

Laurie Flanagan Executive Vice President DC Legislative and Regulatory Services

Get Active. Stay Involved. • WINTER 2020 41

GROWING WITH EDUCATION A Ginny Rosenkranz

CAMIELLIAS

Color the Autumn Landscape T

he sunny skies and temperatures of summer are gone but that is no reason not to go out and explore to see what is growing, what plants are showing color, and what could be blooming. From September to December the evergreen fall blooming Camellias, Camellia sasanqua, color the landscape with beautiful flowers in shades of white, blush, pink, lavender and red with very colorful yellow stamens in the center. Flower forms range from single, semi double, anemone, peony and rose. The blooms are created with petals and petaloids, which are small petals that intermix with the stamens in the center of the blossom. The flowers of the fall blooming camellias are smaller than those of the spring blooming camellias, expanding only 2-4 inches across, but what they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have in size they make up with sheer numbers, often covering the plants when in full bloom. As soon as the flower is done blooming, the petals fall singly to the ground, showering the mulch with colorful petals and removing the need to deadhead any spent flowers. (continued on next page)

42 WINTER 2020 â&#x20AC;˘ Free State News

Get Active. Stay Involved. â&#x20AC;¢ WINTER 2020 43

GROWING WITH EDUCATION (Continued) Some of the Camellia sasanqua flowers make lovely cut flowers, and all the C. sasanqua flowers stand out beautifully against the glossy green foliage. The evergreen foliage on all Camellias are bright green and glossy, but the Camellia sasanqua’s are more delicate looking and smaller. Camellia japonica and Camellia sasanqua have traditionally been southern plants, thriving well below the Mason Dixon line. After the extreme cold winters in the 1970’s that caused the death of most fall blooming Camellias in Maryland, two plant enthusiast Dr. William Ackerman, a retired plant breeder with USDA and Dr. Clifford Parks, a Botanist with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, worked together to create Camellias that were more cold hardy. The Camellia japonica series by Dr. Parks is titled ‘April’ and the Camellia sasanqua series by Dr. Ackerman is titled ‘Winter’. The ‘Winter’ hybrids were created with interspecific crosses with C. oleifera which offers the most cold tolerance of all Camellias and C. sasanqua,

C. heimalis or C. vernalis. The plants that resulted have proved to be cold hardy to USDA zone 6 b, so they can survive temperatures to -10 degrees. The ‘Winter’ series hosts evergreen shrubs that can grow from USDA zones 6-9 but will still need some protection. Protection starts by planting the Camellia sasanqua in the spring, giving the plants plenty of time for the roots to get established into their new home. Protection comes in many forms but for Camellias, afternoon shade and a north or northwest exposure provides protection from drastic temperature changes an eastern or southern exposure offers, and more consistent winter dormancy. An eastern exposure will create a microclimate with the sun warming up the dark foliage before the air can warm up, causing the leaves to transpire and lose moisture that can’t be replaced if the ground is frozen. Protection by buildings, walls or evergreen hedges from cold winter winds prevents the foliage from getting stripped of its moisture and drying out, especially when the ground is frozen, and the plants are unable to re-hydrate. (continued on next page)

44 WINTER 2020 • Free State News

PAGE 42 Camellia sasanqua with bee. gr. PAGE 44 Camellia sasanqua ‘Polar Ice’. Nat arb. LEFT Camellia sasangua ‘hana-jiman’

John Ruter, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org

BOTTOM Camellia sasanqua ‘Winter’s Charm’. Nat arb.

Get Active. Stay Involved. • WINTER 2020 45

GROWING WITH EDUCATION (Continued) Frost pockets from the flow of cold temperatures often form at the bottom of a hillside and can cause winter damage of both foliage and flowers. Another form of protection is to have the Camellia sasanqua planted in organically rich, acidic, well drained soils and at least an inch of mulch which promote deep roots and protects against freezing. When the top 3 inches of soil are dry, it is time to water to keep the plants hydrated without keeping the soil too wet. These beautiful fall bloomers can be trimmed up to display as a small tree or left as a shrub that can stand as a specimen. They can also be planted up against a wall and trimmed to become an espalier. They can become a part of a tapestry hedge, mixed in with other evergreen or deciduous plants for a winter or summer interest hedge, or planted along with other Camellias or other plants to create a background for landscapes. The flowers and glossy leaves add color and texture to both woodland gardens and cottage gardens. Because

FROM LEFT Camellia sasanqua ‘Winter’s Interlude’ . nat arb. Camellia ‘Kai Mei’s Choice’ Camella sasaqua Autumn Rocket. gr. Iberis sempervirens Alexander’s White. Candytuft close up Convallaria majalis lilly of the valley plants 46 WINTER 2020 • Free State News

they bloom in the fall and winter months, they should be pruned in the springtime. Many of the winter hardy Camellia sasanquas can grow 5 feet tall or even taller but there is one that is almost like a groundcover. Camellia sasanqua ‘Winter Rose’ grows only 2-3 feet tall and wide, but it becomes covered with clear pink rose form flowers, expanding up to 2 inches wide. The rose form flower has 28 overlapping petals that surround a button of golden yellow stamens. Like most of the winter hardy fall blooming Camellias, ‘Winter Rose’ will bloom for 4-6 weeks. Some of the flowers may be frost burned but there will be more flower buds just waiting for better weather to burst into bloom later. The plants grow slowly with a spreading habit. Camellia ‘Polar Ice’ is a slow to medium grower, reaching 5-6 feet tall and wide and is a late blooming plant, flowering in November to December. The anemone form of pure white flowers expand up to 3 -4 inches across and are made up of 12 petals which surround the 89 ruffled petaloid and yellow stamens.

Camellia ‘Winter Star’ grows 4-6 feet tall and 5-7 feet wide, filling in a lovely space in the garden. The pink buds expand to single 3-4 inch wide flowers formed with 6 pinkish violet petals that surround a small button of bright gold stamens. ‘Winter Star’ plants have an added charm with the new foliage emerging in the springtime as a burgundy color that matures to the dark glossy green in summer. Camellia ‘Snow Flurry’ grows vigorously to 5-7 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide and becomes covered with snow white peony formed 3-4 inch flowers. The blooms are created with 12 pure white petals that surround the 18 white petaloids and golden yellow stamens in the center, blooming from October to November.

Camellia ‘Winter Charm’ grows 4-10 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide and is one of the most cold tolerant in the series. The early blooming flowers are in a semi-double peony form, with up to two rows of 14 pink flushed with lavender petals that surround 14 petaloids and bright golden stamens. The plants are densely branched with vigorous upright growth with the flowers blooming at the tips of each branch. (continued on next page)

John Ruter, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org

Camellia ‘Winter’s Interlude’ has moderate growth and reaches a height of 5-8 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide. The clear pink semi double flowers expand to 3 inches across. Blooms are created with 12 pink petals that surround 76 pink petaloids, and flower from November to December.

Don’t let the end of summer end the pleasure of flowers in the garden. Instead, find a Camellia sasanqua that will be the right size fit into your garden and the right colors to enjoy!

Get Active. Stay Involved. • WINTER 2020 47

GROWING WITH EDUCATION (Continued)

There are quite a lot of other ‘Winter’ fall blooming Camellias including ‘Winter Fire’ with red to dark pink semi-double 4 inch flowers, ‘Winter’s Hope’ with 3 inch wide white semi-double flowers, ‘Winter’s Peony’ with light pink 2 inch flowers in a peony form made up of 36 petals and 14 petaloids. ‘Winter Star’ has 3 inch single flowers that are formed with 6 petals that are light reddish purple which surround a bright button of golden yellow stamens, ‘Winter’s Waterlily’ which boasts a 3 inch flower in pure white with 21 petals and

48 WINTER 2020 • Free State News

John Ruter, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org

After the extreme cold winters in the 1970’s that caused the death of most fall blooming Camellias in Maryland, two plant enthusiast Dr. William Ackerman, and Dr. Clifford Parks, worked together to create Camellias that were more cold hardy.

flowers with a button of yellow stamens and dark glossy green foliage.

15 petaloids in an anemone form and ‘Winter’s Snowman’ that has snow white flowers in an anemone form. The Ashton series was created after the ‘Winter’ series and consists of ‘Ashton’s Ballet’ with 2 tone rose pink flowers with 30 petals and 4 petaloids, ‘Ashton’s Snow’ with semi-double white flowers created by 8-12 petals, and ‘Ashton’s Supreme’ with deep pink blushed with lavender petals in a peony form. There are always new plants that have been created to bloom more vigorously, have glossier foliage, or are of a size to fit into different landscapes. The October Magic® series is a Southern Living Plant Collection and has at least 6 new colors to share in the landscape, and a smaller, semi-dwarf form that fits into more compact landscapes. All of the October Magic® are cold hardy to USDA zone 7. October Magic® Ruby™ Camellia has a densely branched, semi-dwarf growth habit growing 3-4 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide. The fully double bright red flowers have the yellow stamens and glossy dark olive green foliage. October Magic® Orchid™ Camellia is covered in the fall with white blushed with orchid pink semi-double

There are a lot of other October Magic® Camellias, including October Magic® Dawn™, which grows 4-6 feet tall and spreads 3-4 feet wide. The flowers of Dawn™ are rose form in shades of pink and looks very much like the C. japonica flowers, and October Magic® Bride™ that grows 4-5 feet tall and spread 3-4 feet wide. The small pure white flowers are fully double with yellow stamens against deep glossy green foliage. There are some larger plants in the October Magic® series including October Magic® Snow™ with frilled, double white petals lightly edged in maroon. As the flowers mature the edging colors up brighter. October Magic® Snow™ grows 5-6 feet tall and wide and can be used in hedges or as a specimen. October Magic® Inspiration™ has double white petals boldly edged in bright magenta and grows 6-8 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide. October Magic® Rose™ grows up to 6-8 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. In the autumn the plants are covered with small double pink flowers that grow in clusters along the branches. Don’t let the end of summer end the pleasure of flowers in the garden. Instead, find a Camellia sasanqua that will be the right size fit into your garden and the right colors to enjoy! A ABOVE Camella sasaqua ‘Winter Star’. N arob. PAGE 48 TOP TO BOTTOM Camellia (Camellia japonica) Camellia October Majic Ruby.gr. camellia sasanqua Orchid October Magic. gr.

Photo credits, Ginny Rosenkrantz or Scott Aker, National Arboretum with their permission, unless otherwise noted.

Ginny Rosenkranz Extension Educator, Commercial Horticulture, University of Maryland Extension, Dorchester, Sommerset, Wicomico and Worchester County 410 749-6141 x106 rosnkrnz@umd.edu

Get Active. Stay Involved. • WINTER 2020 49

2020 MARYLAND Green Industry EVENTS CALENDAR For a full and updated calendar of events, and to find registration information and event links, please visit the MNLGA website at mnlga.org.

January

January 6-8 (and 90 days post show)

MANTS - Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show

January 5-7 and 12-14

Location: Online – Virtual Business Hub Contact: MANTS Office, 410-296-6959 info@mants.com www.mants.com

Advanced Landscape IPM PHC Short Course (Virtual) 7:45 am – 11:00 am Location: Online Contact: Amy Yaich, 301-405-3911 umdentomology@umd.edu https://landscapeipmphc.weebly.com/

January 11

Home Gardener Day (Virtual)

January 6

MNLGA Annual Meeting (Virtual) Breakfast Meeting 8:00 – 9:30 am Location: Online; No charge to attend, but Registration is Required Contact: MNLGA Office, 410-823-8684 office@mnlga.org www.mnlga.org

9:00 am -2:00 pm Location: Online Contact: The VA Hort Foundation, 757-523-4734 info@vahort.org https://cvent.me/wz07zQ

February February 15-19

MARYLAND Chesapeake Green 2021 (Virtual)

N URSERY, L ANDSCAPE AND G REENHOUSE A S S O C I AT I O N , I N C .

Location: Online at noon each day Contact: MNLGA Office, 410-823-8684 office@mnlga.org www.mnlga.org

GET CONNECTED. STAY CONNETED. 410-823-8684 50 WINTER 2020 • Free State News

mnlga.org

office@mnlga.org

May May 25

Turf Nutrient Management Conference Location: Carroll Community College Contact: UMD Ext Office, 301-596-9413 sklick@umd.edu

June June 3

Advanced IPM Pest Management Conference Location: TBD Contact: UMD Ext Office, 301-596-9413 sklick@umd.edu

July July TBD

Nursery and Landscape Field Day Location: TBD Contact: MNLGA Office, 410-823-8684 office@mnlga.org www.mnlga.org July 8

Greenhouse Production Field Day Catoctin Mountain Growers Contact: MNLGA, 410-823-8684 office@mnlga.org www.mnlga.org

Due to the spread of COVID-19, many industry events have been postponed. As we emerge from this challenge, adjust to a new “normal” and events are rescheduled, they will be posted on mnlga.org and announced in our e-news and Free State. Be sure to add office@mnlga.org to your safe senders and bookmark mnlga.org to track important resource updates.

6 1 2 3 4 5 6

good reasons your company should advertise in the MNLGA’s Free State News Free State News is seen by members of Maryland’s Nursery, Landscaping, Greenhouse, Garden Center and Allied Industries and is the leading publication for members of the MNLGA

Free State News enhances your ad with important industry specific content that is educational and informative. And, the digital version gives readers direct access to your website

Free State News helps promote your company and product while providing direct access to readers in Maryland’s Green Industries

Articles are contributed by highly regarded members of the industry, many of whom have a lifetime of knowledge and are frequently published

Free State News is a cost-effective way to help keep your name out in front of the membership and your potential customers

Free State News helps support the association in its endeavors on behalf of the green industry in the state of Maryland

For more information on advertising in the Free State News contact Kelly Finney at MNLGA at 410-823-8684 or e-mail office@mnlga.org

Get Active. Stay Involved. • WINTER 2020 51

TOTAL PLANT MANAGEMENT A Stantion Gill

Felted Scales and Native Scales – a Rising Problem I

n late July Christa Carignan, of HGIC, sent along a picture of a bur oak heavily infested with felted scale, in the superfamily Coccoidea, family Eriococcidae. I used to tell nursery owners that the main scales they needed to watch for were armored scale (Diaspidiae) and soft scale (Coccidae) . We can now include another group to watch out for- the felted scales (Eriococcidae). Why is scale popping up with increasing frequency in the nursery trade? Good question and one with multiple answers. First, in America we keep importing new pests from other countries that travel along with shipments into our ports of entry. Second, scale blend in on plants and many nursery owners just don’t notice them when they bring in a shipment of new liners. Third, many nursery plants are grown vegetatively and propagators often are not noticing scale on the plants being rooted or grafted and accidently introduce the infested plants into the production system. Having knowledge is a powerful tool but you must take action based on this knowledge. As an owner you need to train your employees and reward them when they find a scale population early on so you can act. Oak Eriococcid Scale (type of Felted Scale) to Watch in the Nursery Oak eriococcid scale, Acanthococcus quercus, are very noticeable in early to mid-summer on trunks and branches, which will be covered with the felted egg cases that look like the head of a cotton swab. These scales also produce honeydew which will coat the leaves and surfaces below the trees and can foster

52 WINTER 2020 • Free State News

Oak felted scale on bur oak

black sooty mold. Most of the samples I receive of this species of felted scale come from the Eastern Shore area but occasionally it also shows up in the middle and western part of the State. This summer we received an electronic picture sample from Pennsylvania. The felted scale include some of the scale we are finding more commonly in Maryland in the last couple of years. Felt scales are a family of scales that include azalea bark scale (Acanthococcus azaleae), which has been around for a while in Maryland crape myrtle bark scale (Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae), the new kid on the block in Maryland in 2020, European elm scale (Gossyparia spurius), and oak eriococcid scale (Acanthococcus quercus). The very common characteristic of these scales is that all have a felted covering that is most apparent when adult females are producing eggs. Female oak eriococcid scales are producing eggs in early to midsummer. They produce a fluffy felted egg case with lots of eggs that will hatch in the coming weeks. The crawlers (first instar nymphs) move to new growing branches to feed. They will mature in midsummer and produce a second generation. They often go unnoticed except when the females are producing the white wax in mid-summer.

seems that it might be warranted. It is interesting this is a native scale insect and in forest rarely reaches high enough numbers to cause injury since parasites and predators usually keep it in check. Three years ago I was called to a site to look at 20 ft deciduous magnolia that were dying back . They were loaded with tulip tree scale. We examined the property and found that the homeowner had a large planting of tulip trees installed 4 years earlier and they had a huge population of tuliptree scale. The crawlers were blown to the deciduous magnolia planting and built rapidly. Over the last twenty five years native plant interest has grown tremendously. Many nurseries are growing tulip poplars to move into native landscape plantings. With this increase in popularity we are also seeing an increasing number of scale problems. (continued on next page)

In the summer months, watch for crawlers over the next 2 – 3weeks and use either Distance or Talus insect growth regulator. Native Scale Popping Up – Tulip Tree Scale In late July I received this email from a forester in western Maryland: I am Bob Schwartz, and I’m a forester in Washington County. I’m not sure if this is the way to go about it but a landowner emailed me a picture (attached) of what I believe to be Tulip Tree scale near Leitersburg. It has apparently caused the demise of several sapling sized tulip poplars in a restoration planting on her property over the last 2 weeks. It may have been behind several others that died last year (she did not take pictures of those trees). I’ve looked at UMD’s and Florida’s publications on tulip tree scale/scale management and it seems impractical to use an insecticide in this situation, given that there are numerous affected trees, but given the mortality it also

Tulip tree scale Get Active. Stay Involved. • WINTER 2020 53

TOTAL PLANT MANAGEMENT (Continued) Tulip tree scale, Toumeyella liriodendri, is an important soft scale insect pest of tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) and other species in the family Magnoliaceae. Deciduous magnolia is an excellent host for this scale. The crawlers show up later in the summer. We have a nicely infested deciduous magnolia in a 15 gallon container at CMREC and we will let you know when we see crawlers show up later this summer to early fall. At crawler stage Talus or distance will work well in control. A Stanton Gill, Extension Specialist in Nursery and Greenhouse IPM, Central Maryland Research and Education Center, University of Maryland Extension and Professor with the Landscape Technology Program, Montgomery College

Euroepan bark scale - on elm in DC

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’SMESSAGE (Continued from page 6) MANTS 2021 (January 6-8) will be conducted via an online Business Hub and our annual meeting, traditionally held at the show, will be held virtually January 6th at 8:00 a.m. MANTS is the economic fuel of the MNLGA and as of mid-November, more than 530 exhibitors have signed up to conduct business. Member support of the show, as exhibitors and attendees, is vital to our association. Register at MANTS.com. Three additional educational events are in the works for 2021. One, focused on greenhouse production, will be on July 8th, and we are looking to reschedule the 2020 Field Day at Longwood Gardens for September 2021. And we are working on a nursery field day to be held in late June or early July. In addition to these programs, MNLGA will sponsor several educational events with UME. Updates will be provided as programs are solidified. A particularly significant project undertaken by the MNLGA this year has been the development of an online testing platform for the Certified Professional

54 WINTER 2020 • Free State News

Horticulturist (CPH) program. The CPH Board worked tirelessly to bring this project to fruition. Amongst the benefits of offering the online exam is being able to offer the test more than twice a year. I will be communicating more about this once beta testing on the platform is complete. In closing, I want to thank you all for your commitment and support of each other this year. I think we all know and value the spirit that comprises Maryland’s horticulture industry. Our association’s strength is fueled by your participation and support, by staying active and involved in programs and legislative matters and being present when called upon. Membership Matters. I am proud to represent your businesses and you throughout the State’s wider agriculture community. You all continue to do good work and improve the lives of Marylanders as a whole. Wishing you a safe holiday season and I look forward to seeing you all at our 2021 Annual Meeting on January 6th. Stay well. A

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The MNLGA is constantly figuring out new ways to serve and benefit our membership. One of the ways that we do this is through our comprehensive Member Benefit Affinity Program. The following organizations below have offered exclusive discounts and packages for MNLGA members. For many of these benefits, one order will “pay-back” your annual dues!

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Service First Processing • Savings on credit card and electronic payment processing • Unique savings proposal based on your business needs • 15% of the net processing revenue that SFP generates from your account will be rebated back to you annually • Free equipment loaner program • Free online reporting Landscape Management Network Free LMN Budgeting software license (LMN is the #1 business management software in the industry) • 5% off LMN Professional Software License • Promotional savings off QuickBooks Enterprise subscription • Educational events throughout the year •

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58 WINTER 2020 • Free State News

Questions? mnlga.org has the answers The MNLGA web site is designed for our members and is your single source for the answer to almost any question. The site offers: ■ Searchable Membership Directory

■ CPH program info, basic & advanced test applications and registration ■ Up-to-date industry calendar from around the Mid-Atlantic region for finding CEUs for pesticide, nutrient management recertifications, and general education in horticulture topics

■ Free State Nursery News issues and archives

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■ Chesapeake Green - speaker resources - year round

■ Job Board which members can post and track resumes/responses ■ Business resources ■ CEU forms

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MARYLAND

N URSERY, L ANDSCAPE AND G REENHOUSE A S S O C I AT I O N , I N C .

SPRING ISSUE PUBLICATION NOTICE The deadline for submissions for the fall issue of Free State News is April 1, 2021. We welcome your company news and updates or columns with your professional insight. E-mail any submissions to Free State News at freestate@mnlga.org or mail to:

5200 West Heaps Road, Pylesville, MD 21132

www.kollarnursery.com

(410) 836-0500

Maryland Nursery, Landscape, and Greenhouse Association P.O. Box 726, Brooklandville, MD 21022

Get Active. Stay Involved. • WINTER 2020 59

PRESS RELEASE 10140 N. Port Washington Road Mequon, WI 53092 P: 414-375-1940 | F: 414-375-1945 www.sima.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: SIMA CEO Martin Tirado, 414-375-1940 Mequon, WI (August 27, 2020) — Akehurst Landscape Service of Baltimore, MD recently received national recognition from the Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA) during the 23rd Annual Snow & Ice Symposium Virtual Experience. Akehurst received its second consecutive Best Place to Work in Snow & Ice Award. The Best Place to Work award was created in 2019 to recognize companies in the snow and ice industry that are focused on being a great place to work and promote our industry as one in which people can build successful and rewarding careers. Applicants were judged on demonstrated success in training and professional development and support; company culture managerial effectiveness; personal engagement; team dynamics; and trust in leadership. “SIMA is proud to present the snow & ice industry awards to deserving companies,” says SIMA CEO Martin Tirado, CAE, CEO. “The awards recognize companies that are dedicated to the snow and ice industry through safety, successful business practices, professionalism, and more.” ABOUT SIMA

TH SA E VE DA TE !

The Snow & Ice Management Association is a North American trade association for snow & ice industry professionals based in Milwaukee, WI. Learn more at www.sima.org.

MANTS 2022

January 5-7 • Baltimore Convention Center Be sure to mark your calendar and join us again next January! REMEMBER, MANTS MEANS BUSINESS

www.mants.com

@mantsbaltimore #mants2022 Social icon

Circle Only use blue and/or white. For more details check out our Brand Guidelines.

60 WINTER 2020 • Free State News

I’m Certified... Are You?

“

Earning the CPH certification lets your employer, customers, and professional network know that you have a solid understanding of the major horticultural focus areas. CPH Specialist categories offer a chance to concentrate further on particular areas such as IPM and Plant ID.

”

Leslie Hunter Cario Chesapeake Horticultural Services, LLC

Certified Professional Horticulturists (CPH) provide either “do-it-yourself” or professional landscape installation and maintenance advice. For more information contact the Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Association 410-823-8684 or visit mnlga.org

You only grow the best. Why not offer your customers the best in advice, too! Get Active. Stay Involved. • WINTER 2020 61

62 WINTER 2020 â&#x20AC;¢ Free State News

MARYLAND

MNLGA.org is YOUR Industry Resource Hub

N URSERY, L ANDSCAPE AND G REENHOUSE A S S O C I AT I O N , I N C .

COVID-19 Resource Page

MARYLAND

N URSERY, L ANDSCAPE AND G REENHOUSE A S S O C I AT I O N , I N C .

MISSION STATEMENT The purpose of the Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Association is to promote the use of ornamental plants, products, and services. The association supports all constituent groups of the horticulture industry including landscape, garden centers, interiorscape, grounds maintenance, nursery, greenhouse, and arboriculture. The association communicates the role of the horticulture industry in improving people’s quality of life.

Current members’ dues suspended through March 2021

Access member benefits to save on business operations

SPECIFIC GOALS Promote professionalism through education programs for members and the public and by encouraging enrollment in educational institutions.

Business-to-consumer resources to help build customer communication

Monitor state and local laws relating to horticulture industry.

Make sure office@mnlga.org is on your safe senders list.

Participate actively in legislative and regulatory processes.

Many e-mail communications have been sent to company key contacts since March 16. If you are not receiving them, please check your spam/junk boxes.

Promote the use of environmentally sound practices in the horticulture industry. MNLGA.org

Complimentary memberships are available through mnlga.org, Use “Click here to join!” and select 2020 Comp Org.

Monitor and communicate to members developments in allied industries including agritechnology. Support donations of plant products and services to state and community programs. Support research relevant to the horticulture industry. Participate in Maryland agricultural organizations.

All of this is available at mnlga.org Get Active. Stay Involved. • WINTER 2020 63

CHAIRS AND COMMITTEES

Education Ronda Roemmelt – Chair Angela Burke Dave Clement Hank Doong Stanton Gill Brett Karp Mary Kay Malinoski Brian Mitchell John Murphy Karen Rane Andrew Ristvey Ginny Rosenkranz Chuck Schuster Heather Zindash Nominating Mark Dougherty – Chair Richard J. Watson Finance and Planning Carrie Engel – Chair Larry Hemming John Murphy Leslie Hunter Cario Link/Shanks Scholarship Mark Dougherty – Chair MANTS Jan S. Carter Bernard E Kohl, Jr. William A. M. Verbrugge

Legislative/MaGIC James R. McWilliams– Chair Mark Schlossberg All Officers and Directors Alan Jones Bernie Kohl CPH George Mayo - Chair Steve Bell Steve Black Steve Dubik Cindy King Andrew Ristvey Martha Simon-Pindale Ginny Rosenkranz Bob Trumbule Jaime Tsambikos Jon Vander Vleit Gaye Williams Scholarship Bernie Kohl, Jr. – Chair Hank Doong Leslie Hunter-Cario Jessica Todd George Mayo Mary Claire Walker Historian George Mayo – Chair

Membership Committee Rich Poulin Greg Stacho

ADVISORS TO THE BOARD

Awards - Professional Achievement, Carville M. Akehurst Michael Marshall– Co-Chair Kevin Clark - Co-Chair

Kimberly Rice MD Department of Agriculture

ADVISORS TO OTHERS

Invasive Plant Advisory Committee Brent Cassell Leslie Hunter Cario LEAD Maryland Vanessa Finney Maryland Agriculture Commission Ray Greenstreet Maryland Farm Bureau Larry Hemming Kevin Clark Vanessa Finney MAEF George Mayo Maryland Invasive Species Council (MISC) Alex Betz Brian Mitchell University of Maryland – Dean’s Global Leadership Council Vanessa Finney Young Farmers Advisory Council Vacant

Dr. John Lea-Cox University of Maryland

GET ACTIVE. STAY INVOLVED. Every member of every committee listed above is an individual who volunteers their time in support for the MNLGA and it is with the utmost gratitude and appreciation that we thank you for your selfless endeavors. If your name is not listed above, please consider following the example of those who are. Contact Vanessa at 410-823-8684 with your interest.

MARYLAND

N URSERY, L ANDSCAPE AND G REENHOUSE A S S O C I AT I O N , I N C .

Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Association Board of Directors Terms Expiring January 2021 Alex Betz Kurt Bluemel, Inc. 410-557-7229 Cindy King The Mill at Kingstown 410-778-1551 Brian Mitchell Manor View Farm 410-771-4700 Tyler Van Wingerden Catoctin Mountain Growers 410-775-7833

Terms Expiring January 2022 Will Peace Tideland Gardens 410-778-5787 Martha Pindale American Landscape Institute 410-688-5115 Bryan Schlosser Roseland Nurseries 410-755-6500 Jon Vander Vliet Lawn Wrangler 410-975-5125

MNLGA Contact Info: P.O. Box 726 Brooklandville, Maryland 21022 Phone: 410-823-8684 Fax: 410-296-8288 E-mail: office@mnlga.org Free State E-mail: freestate@mnlga.org Website: mnlga.org

Get Active. Stay Involved. • WINTER 2020 65

I don’t always do business online…

But when I do, I use the MANTS.com Business Hub Don’t spend hours online when one-stop shopping is at your fingertips Access to Over 530 Exhibiting Companies is ONE CLICK AWAY!* The Business Hub is your one-stop resource to replenish inventories, preparefor upcoming seasons, upgrade equipment, and find services. Request a complimentary Buyer’s Guide when registering, available in both print and digital formats.

NTS.com A M 1 2 0 2 e h T is officially b u H s s e in s u B iness. open for bus ay! Register tod

January 6-8, 2021 • Search. Shop. Learn. Connect. Buy. Register today on MANTS.com to create a unique profile tailored to your needs and tell your coworkers about the benefits of one-stop shopping on the Hub. 66 WINTER 2020 News * See the full list• Free of State Exhibiting Companies on MANTS.com

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WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE

GROWING FOR YOU

Foxborough Nursery, Inc. 3611 Miller Rd. / Street, MD 21154 phone 410.836.7023 / fax 410.452.5131

View Photos & Plant Information at www.foxboroughnursery.com