The Buckeye September/October 2021 by OGIA

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 Vol. 32, Issue 5

The Signature Publication of Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association

Inside: Marty Grunder shares advice on training employees Bobbie Schwartz reflects on landscaping for the future ONLA Clay Shoot and other upcoming events

After a year of not meeting in person, ONLA is looking forward to bringing our industry together again! We are eager to reConnect with you by offering a full day of continuing education, certification credit, vendor information, and networking in your backyard.

SCHEDULE 7:45am - Registration 8:30–9:30am - Breakout Sessions 9:45–10:45am - Breakout Sessions

Education sessions will cover these topics and more: • •

Plant ID, plant care, new selections Landscape design and maintenance

11:00am–12:00pm - Breakout Sessions 12:00–1:15 pm - Lunch Break 1:15–2:15pm - Breakout Sessions

Sessions will offer continuing education credits from top accreditation organizations, including OCNT, LA CES, and more.

2:30–3:30pm - Breakout Sessions

THANK YOU, SPONSORS! Visit with our sponsors during lunch and breaks in education sessions. Interested in sponsoring this event? Visit onla.org/professionaldevelopment for details

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER AT ONLA.ORG/PROFESSIONALDEVELOPMENT

DAYTON

COLUMBUS

CLEVELAND

Tuesday, November 2, 2021 Sinclair College Conference Center

Wednesday, November 3, 2021 Quest Conference Center at Polaris

Thursday, November 4, 2021 Cuyahoga Community College in Warrensville

EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS Note: Not all speakers may present at each location. Please check onla.org for detailed schedules.

Lynn Griffith, Plant and Soil Expert, Author pH-What You Probably Don't Know

Maria Zampini, Upshoot LLC More Trees, Please! New Trees to Grow and Sell

Plant Nutrition and Nutrient Deficiencies and Their Corrections

Annuals, Perennials, Edibles, Shrubs and More Coming to a Landscape Near You!

Genevieve R. Mills, Oakland Nursery, Inc. Economics of Biophilic Design

Pat Greeson, Natorp Nursery Modern Trees for the Cityscape

Tom Fryman, Natorp Nursery Plants of Merit, a Landscape Architect's Pet Shrubs and Perennials

Bobbie Schwartz, Bobbie's Green Thumb Planting More Natives in Our Landscapes

Scott Beuerlein, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden If Some is Good, More is Better, Plant Diversity Forever!

Steve Foltz, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Trialing Perennials at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden: What's All the Buzz About?

Venerable Trees of Cincinnati (And What They Can Teach Us)

Which Plants are Native and Why Should I Care?

Jane Beggs-Joles & Josh Roggenbuck, Proven Winners Trends in Ornamental Plant Breeding

Ann Chanon, The Ohio State University Small Flowering Trees for the Residential Landscape

Plants With a Purpose: Organizing Some Amazing Perennials by the Solutions They Provide in the Landscape

Jim Funai Ph.D., Cuyahoga Community College Beyond Hydrangea - Did You Know There are Other Flowering Shrubs?

TWO HANDS-ON SESSIONS! Wolf Creek Company Session 1: Irrigation Electrical Service | Session 2: Landscape Lighting 102

Last Chance to Join Us! Tuesday, September 21, 2021 Safari Golf Course, Powell, OH REGISTER BY SEPTEMBER 10 ONLA.ORG/GOLFOUTING

Thank you, Sponsors! Your success19th Hole Sponsor: brightens our day... and night.

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Contest Sponsors: At Cascade Lighting, your success is our top priority and it’s been that way since we set up shop over 20 years ago. We’ll partner with you to provide expert advice on the best lighting solution to fit your project and budget. Our team also offers design and technical support at no additional cost. And to ensure the job gets done on time, our warehouse stocks a huge inventory of products ready for same day shipment.

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Providing over 40 lines of outdoor and

September/October 2021 Vol. 32, Issue 5

The Buckeye is published six times per year by Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc. 72 Dorchester Square, Westerville, OH 43081 614.899.1195 | www.onla.org

EDITORIAL / ADVERTISING ISSN 1536-7940 Subscriptions: $75/year sara@onla.org OFFICERS Devon Stanley, President Benchmark Landscape Construction, Inc. Emily Showalter, Immediate Past President Willoway Nurseries, Inc. Molly John, President-Elect M.J. Design Associates, Inc. DIRECTORS Jason Cromley Hidden Creek Landscaping, Inc. Patrick Greeson W. A. Natorp Corp. Michael Hall Harrell's LLC Fred Higginbotham Millcreek Gardens LLC Scott Knowles Wolf Creek Company Genevieve Reiner Mills Oakland Nursery, Inc. Steve O’Neal Columbus State Community College

STAFF Tracy Schiefferle, Executive Director Sara Cantees, Communications Roni Petersen, Membership & Certification

THE FINE PRINT The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, directors or staff and do not constitute an endorsement of the products or featured services. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or their identification as members of the ONLA does not constitute an endorsement of the products or featured services.

CONTENTS 5

Executive Director's Message

President's Perspective

FEATURE STORIES 11

Training Employees at Grunder Landscaping Co.

by Marty Grunder

Looking to the Future by Bobbie Schwartz

Member Spotlight: Score for EMI

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 2

ONLA Golf Classic

ONLA Clay Shoot

10 49th Annual Landscape Awards Call for Entries 16

In Memoriam

Ohio Green Industry Advocacy Day

Calendar of Events, Classifieds

Advertising Index

ON THE COVER:

Chrysanthemums, a quintessential fall flower. Photo credit: Pixabay

onla.org

September/October 2021

Check us out on the web at www.davistreefarm.com sales@davistreefarm.com

6126 Neff Rd. Valley City, OH PH: 330-483-3324 Fax: 330-483-4483

Welcome New Members!

These companies and individuals have been approved for ONLA membership, pending the completion of the application process, which includes requesting comments from the current ONLA membership regarding the qualifications and/or dues classifications of applicants within three weeks following receipt of this issue.

The following companies are applying for ACTIVE membership: Adam Gerhart A & J Landscape and Lawn Care LLC 1313 Washington North Rd Mansfield, Ohio 44903 Dineen Speer Grasshuggers 2843 Norwood St. Columbus, Ohio 43224 Mears Green Tucker Green Girl Garden, LLC 975 Anderson Hills Dr Cincinnati, Ohio 45230 4 The Buckeye

Grant Douglas Wells Manufacturing 280 W Main St New Vienna, Ohio 45159

The following individual is applying for STUDENT membership: Luke Spegal, Otterbein University

Join us for 2022! Learn more about ONLA membership at onla.org/join

onla.org

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE Tracy Schiefferle, ONLA Executive Director, tracy@onla.org Fall is my favorite season. As I write this column it is early August and almost 90 degrees outside but once August hits, I start to look forward to fall. Cooler temperatures, backyard fires, sweaters, the smell of leaves, the start of school and sports. I also find it to be an energizing time – a time to look forward to plans for the new year as 2022 slowly starts to creep closer. I am excited about what ONLA has to offer our members for the remainder of 2021. I hope that you have planned to attend one of our upcoming events – the ONLA Golf Outing, a Diagnostic Walkabout, the Clay Shoot, or reConnect conferences in November. But I can’t wait to show you what ONLA has in store for 2022.

see an increased effort to promote the green industry profession and our members to the community. Our advocacy efforts will be an important part of that message as well as the spotlighting the value of this industry to Ohio. As an organization we want to not only create new programming and expand opportunities for our members but to facilitate long-term growth for ONLA. As we get closer to year-end, look for more details as we move forward together. As always, I welcome your input and thank you for your membership and investment in your profession.

Your ONLA staff and Board of Directors has been discussing and planning education and networking events, member resources and programming, and ways to better communicate with and serve ONLA members. We are excited to be bringing many of these ideas to fruition and to better engage and assist our members and the profession. Our vision includes connecting ONLA members with each other, the industry partners, and the community by creating more on-demand resources for our members as well as enhancing our in-person education and networking. You will

Tracy can be contacted at tracy@onla.org

WELCOME, SARA CANTEES! I would like to welcome Sara Cantees to the ONLA staff. Sara is ONLA’s communications guru. I have had the honor of working with Sara for three years prior to her coming on board. Her design talents and communication ideas will help to drive a new direction for ONLA. Sara most recently worked for the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio where she led communications and design efforts. Prior to the BIA, Sara attended West Virginia State University where she studied digital art and communications. She interned with the West Virginia Food & Farm Association for two semesters as a graphic designer, and also interned with an

association management firm, Homestead Communications. A native of West Virginia, Sara is a recent newlywed to husband John. They have three cats and a dog, and they love to travel. “I am very excited to have joined the team,” Sara says. “I can’t wait to start working on new initiatives with the awesome ONLA staff and to expand on our strong marketing efforts to meet our goals for 2022 and beyond.” Sara is part of our small but mighty team here at the ONLA, that working with our Board and our membership, are eager to be taking the next steps forward together. B

DIAGNOSTIC WALKABOUTS Discuss how to find, diagnose, and control landscape pests during early mornings walks. Discussions are tailored to the audience, weather and time of year, and characteristics of the location—no two walkabouts are ever the same.

Join us for our last Walkabout of the season! Sunset Memorial Park North Olmsted Thursday, September 30

Learn more at onla.org/walkabouts

EvergreenSeedSupply.com EvergreenBowie.com 6 The Buckeye

7463 West Ridge Road P.O. Box 189 Fairview PA 16415 800.458.2234 Fax 800.343.6819 e-mail: info@FairviewEvergreen.com FairviewEvergreen.com

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PRESIDENT'S PERSPECTIVE Devon Stanley, Benchmark Landscape Construction Inc. Every year at the end of July my family enjoys a week at the county fair. For us, the county fair is the culmination of months of preparation— our kids participate in 4-H and FFA by showing market hogs—and ends up being one of the most enjoyable weeks of our year. This year, as I was thinking about an article for this issue, I kept coming back to the comparisons of my children's livestock project and how we run our businesses. You may find this to be a stretch of a comparison, but bear with me. The livestock project starts off by selecting an animal to raise and prepare to present in front of a judge at the fair. One might select their animal based on knowledge of the judge and their known judging criteria and opinions about the particular species being shown, and it all comes down to genetics. What are the desired attributes and traits of the animal? In our businesses, our "DNA" is our culture and business model. We decide how our business operates based on our preferences and the preferences of our potential customer base. What services do we choose to offer? Do we carry a certain line of products or plants for specific reasons? After choosing an animal, the livestock project is then dependent on resource inputs, e.g. feed choices and care of the animal. Layered on top of the animal's genetics, things like protein percentages in feed, supplements, and exercise can drastically alter outcomes. Our businesses use personnel, equipment, and operation processes to enhance the base DNA of who we are. With my children's 4-H projects, we consult experts such as the breeder and a veterinarian to make sure our decisions on care and development are on track with our end goals. In business, we may use a consultant or our state/local trade organization to gain information/resources to help. These are the inputs which drive the ship and allow us to operate to an end goal efficiently and with limited risk. County fair week is where the thought and planned out processes culminate into my daughters' opportunities to be successful. They learn proper show techniques to keep the animal in constant lines of site for the judge to determine their worth/ value in comparison to a national meat industry standard as well as the other animals in the ring with them. In business, this relates to project performance, which ultimately means profitability and accolades. Our employees' "performance" of communication, trade skills, technical onla.org

knowledge, CRM among others during the project become valued through judgements of clients and other potential customers who view or hear about our work. Our business show arena is the work performance at a site/sale or delivered product and ultimately the satisfaction of a client’s expectations being realized. Fair week ends with the livestock auction. The auction is framed around support of our youth and their dedication to their projects. The review is a life lesson on the real world and provides information on how to improve next year. My daughters learn that inputs to achieve success have a cost and there is a delicate balance of profitability or loss based on allocation of resources. In business our "auction" is the historical review of estimated vs. actual. Was profitability achieved? What went right and what went wrong and how do we learn from the errors? Businesses that don’t track numbers and know where improvement can be achieved don’t reach their full potential in the marketplace. Businesses that review job profitability with their employees seem to gain a better relational working environment for all due to transparency and communicating a common end goal. Outside of the actual show days, the best part of the fair for our family spending time at the camper eating lunches and dinners with other fair families and networking with people that have a common love of the 4-H/FFA Life. In business, that is why most successful companies spend hours and dollars giving their employees the opportunity to attend networking events and play an active role in a trade organization such as ONLA or NALP. The ability to share ideas and learn about others' experiences is invaluable. I'm grateful for my daughters' experiences with 4-H, and hope they carry the lessons they've learned with them into adulthood, no matter which career path they choose. And for this simpleminded man, I've enjoyed drawing the comparisons to our businesses. I hope you also have a chance to reflect on how your businesses are operating as we head into the last quarter of the year. B Devon can be contacted at dstanley@benchmarkohio.com September/October 2021

AVON | BROADVIEW | HILLIARD

ONLA

Clay Shoot

Thursday, October 28 The Cardinal Center 616 State Route 61 • Exit 140 off of I-71 12:30pm check in • 1:00-4:00pm shooting • refreshments post-shoot

Supporting the Industry’s Advocacy Efforts Sponsor Post Event Sponsor- $1,000 (3 available) • Included sponsorship of post-event food & beverages • Company logo on koozies • Company logo on table signage • Social media/website/The Buckeye recognition • May include promotional item provided by sponsor Cart Sponsor - $750 (exclusive) • Company logo on signage on golf carts • Social media/website/The Buckeye recognition • May include promotional item provided by sponsor Snack Sponsor - $500 (4 available) • Company logo on food & beverages bag provided to each attendee • Social media/website/The Buckeye recognition Station Sponsor - $50 (16 available) • Company logo on signage at one station • Social media/website/The Buckeye recognition

Attend $85 PAC donation per person. Pre-registration is required. Registration deadline: October 22 Four person teams. Individual shooters will be placed on a team.

Enjoy a day with friends and get to know your fellow colleagues while raising money for the Ohio Green Industry Alliance Political Action Committee. Afternoon includes 100 rounds at a 16-station clay shoot course, 4-person cart, post-shoot food & beverages, and team and individual prizes. Bring your own gun and ammunition. Ammunition may also be available to purchase onsite. Eye and ear protection are mandatory and are also available for purchase.

What is the OGIA? Ohio’s green industry can’t take a passive approach to advocacy. The Ohio Green Industry Alliance strengthens our collective story with proactive leadership. The PAC financially supports political candidates who have shown a commitment to understanding our industry and the challenges our businesses face. These candidates can beneficially influence legislative issues related to Ohio’s green industry. Consider your PAC donation an important investment to protect your business and ensure our continued successes. A strong PAC means a larger impact. Learn more at: onla.org/OGIAPAC

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September/October 2021

4 9 TH A N N U A L L A N D S C A P E AWA R D S

CALL FOR ENTRIES TO APPLY Your hard work deserves recognition. ONLA’s Landscape Awards program honors skilled professionals who are going above and beyond with their outstanding workmanship. Eligible Projects Include: • Residential or Commercial, Design/Build or Maintenance • Seasonal Color, Container or Perennial Gardens • Theme Gardens or Retail Displays DEADLINE: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2021 Learn more and submit your entry at onla.org/landscapeawards

TIPS FOR A WINNING ENTRY Invest in high quality photography. The only way judges can evaluate your project is through photos, so make sure to submit the highest quality images possible. Hire a professional if needed. Tell a captivating story. Write your description as a narrative. Describe the project, your inspiration, the design and installation process, or the quirks or conditions imposed by the client and your creative solutions to issues. Plant selection matters. Materials should be well adapted and properly used. For example, a plant requiring full sun used in shade is an obvious flaw.

RECOGNITION Award winners will be notified by ONLA in November, 2021. All award winners will be recognized through print or digital displays at ONLA events, in the March/April 2022 Buckeye magazine, and promoted through ONLA’s social media and regional consumer and trade media outreach.

Consider past projects. Projects may be up to five years old at submission. In general, a more mature job will make a better display. Client driven designs. Client objectives are an important component in landscape design/build and judges take into account how you have incorporated your client’s wishes. Submit projects in multiple categories If you enter the same project in more than one category, tailor your photos and written description. You are encouraged to reuse your application to submit entries in other state and national competitions

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY!

Not a landscaper? Support the program that rewards your customers! Sponsors receive logo recognition on print and digital promotional materials and help present awards to winning companies. For more details, visit onla.org/landscapeawards

Pictured: 48th Annual Landscape Awards Project of the Year by LWB Designs

10 The Buckeye

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TRAINING EMPLOYEES AT GRUNDER LANDSCAPING CO. Marty Grunder, Grunder Landscaping Co. As landscape professionals, we know that our jobs go beyond just doing the usual work outside. We're experts and professionals solving problems clients may not even realize they have. A challenge everyone is having right now is having enough professionals on their team to do the work they already have sold. Hiring based on experience isn't always possible, so instead we hire for attitude and train for knowledge and skill. There are correct—and incorrect—techniques in our industry, and if we expect our team members to know what they are we must train them on it. At Grunder Landscaping Co., we set our training schedule for the year before the season starts, but we always leave room for topics that we may need to cover because of mistakes or incidents later. No matter what, each year we cover:

Weekly Safety Trainings We want our team to be safe in everything they do. Each year we cover safety issues that we know are common, either in our area or even unfortunately among our team. Common topics include identifying poisonous plants, heat and sun safety, driving and spotting, and what protective equipment is needed for different tasks or equipment.

When Setting Your Own Schedule, Ask: Some team members may be shy or not speak the same language as your clients; Can you help your team know what to say if a client or neighbor approaches them? We think we’re pretty good at training our team at Grunder Landscaping Co., but we also know that we can’t teach everything in-house. It’s important for our team to attend industry events and hear new ideas and perspectives from other experts. That’s why leaders from GLC were at the NALP Field Trip in September at Ruppert Landscape, and why my own team will attend and teach sessions at the GROW! Annual Conference in Nashville, TN February 23-25. We’re always trying to improve the way we do business, and that means taking a bit from what others are doing well, applying it to our business at GLC, and improving it to meet our own needs. That cycle of constant improvement is key to staying ahead of the competition, and we’re looking forward to another busy fall and winter spent learning and preparing for Spring 2022. We have upcoming training, both virtual and in-person available for landscape pros on a variety of topics. Learn more and register online: growgroupinc.com/upcoming-events B

When Setting Your Own Schedule, Ask: What’s something negative that just happened in the last week that you wish you had trained on. What is your most common worker's comp claim? Can you do a training that would help prevent that injury in the future?

Operations Trainings With our team leaders, we cover topics that will help them be more efficient and effective on a jobsite. Common topics include where to park a truck to save the most time, how to start a job, how to use the hours you are given, and how to manage tasks on the site.

When Setting Your Own Schedule, Ask: Your managers may have more operational experience than those in the field. How can we best pass that knowledge on to our team?

Customer Service Trainings Our crews are our ambassadors to the community and can be our best salespeople, their conduct on the jobsite sells the next job. Trainings on customer service include reminding our crews to be friendly on jobsites, teaching how to interact with a client or neighbor, how to handle an unhappy client or neighbor, and to be courteous drivers on the roads. onla.org

Contact Marty at marty.grunder@ grunderlandscaping.com September/October 2021

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Looking to the Future CREATING ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY LANDSCAPES THAT LAST By Bobbie Schwartz, FAPLD

When reading a newspaper or articles online or watching social media, much of the thrust is about the future, mostly focused on climate change and its effects on the environment. However, few are approaching the future with a landscape designer’s lens. Those of us in the green industry know we play an important role and we are learning to adapt to these changes.

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September/October 2021

Right Plant, Right Place All too often, when consulting with new clients, what we see are trees and shrubs that were sited without regard to their mature size. How many times have you seen trees planted so close to the house that they eventually hide the house or the branches scrape the house and the roof? I don’t have enough fingers to count the number of times that Forsythia and Burning Bush are planted as a hedge along a driveway. Both plants want to be huge and look unbelievably ugly when pruned. Instead of barbaric pruning, the solution should be bifold: removal and then replacement with an appropriate plant. To garden center owners, I say that I realize you have staffing problems and that some of your employees are not horticulturally educated. Perhaps consider asking patrons where they are planning to site plants that will become quite large. Ultimately, plants that are installed in the wrong place will have to be removed, an unnecessary expenditure for the buyer and a loss to the environment, particularly trees that take so long to reach maturity. The combination of global warming and insect infestations are decimating our forests, urban canopies, and tree lawns. Sadly, we are not replacing trees equally with the number being removed. If every property would plant at least one tree, that would help counter this trend. Not all spaces are large enough to encompass an oak, but this genus is the most important one 14 The Buckeye

for hosting the caterpillars of beneficial insects and butterflies. I love crabapples and there is a multiplicity from which to choose. They are not natives but, during many winters, I have watched robins feast on the fruits. Many shrubs have been hybridized or have different species and cultivars. The multitude of offerings can be confusing so education is crucial. The range of heights, colors, aggressiveness, and the ability to bloom in sun or part shade should all be considered in siting. If a homeowner wants screening, dwarf cultivars of Hydrangea arborescens like ‘Wee White’ or ‘Mini Mauvette’ will not be appropriate. However, Hydrangea arborescens ssp.radiata will grow at least six feet tall and wide; it becomes quite woody so needs little maintenance. An asset of a deciduous shrub as a screener is the ability to withstand heavy snow load unlike many conifers that often end up bent or disfigured. Global warming means that while we may have milder winters overall, we will still encounter weather extremes like heavy snowfalls.

A Diverse Landscape During the pandemic, many homeowners have started gardening. The same issues that I am raising with selection and siting of trees and shrubs also pertain to perennials and ornamental grasses. In the past few years, I have become a devotee of Pycnanthemum muticum (Mountain Mint). When I purchased it, I was aware of its aggressive nature but, unlike onla.org

many other rhizomatous perennials, I can easily pull unwanted stems. Why am a fan of this particular perennial? Because it is a pollinator heaven. I see more bees, wasps, and butterflies on this plant than any other in my garden. I also happen to love the silver foliage and bracts. I mentioned insect infestations above but I need to tell you about a lecture that I accessed through the Perennial Plant Assocation virtual conference at the end of July. One of the speakers was Joe Boggs, an assistant professor of entomology at The Ohio State University. Entitled “Connect the Dots”: Plant Diversity, Pollinators, and Pest Management”, his talk validated my belief that if you have a diverse garden, it will be full of pollinators even as the media is decrying the loss of pollinators. As Joe said: “Flower power equals natural enemies.” Not everyone has the space or the interest for over a thousand genera, species, and cultivars of plants (yes, I’m a plant-a-holic) but monoculture is a disaster for insects. We want to invite those who are predators into our gardens and landscapes. How? By supplying them with as many sources of nectar as possible. What are those sources? Flowers and lots of them. It’s not just perennials and shrubs that have flowers; many trees, such as Cercis (Redbud), Catalpa, Aesculus (Horsechestnut or Buckeye), and Amelanchier (Serviceberry) flower in the spring when the insects get the energy they need from the nectar of these flowers. Those who use herbicides and pesticides are destroying the good guys as well as the bad ones. Doesn’t it make more sense to use the good guys for pest management? Yes, it will mean that some leaves are not perfect but that is a small price to pay. Think of pollinator gardens, so trendy, as pest management gardens. So, enough preaching. Just remember that we can create beautiful, diverse landscapes that will help the environment and be there for our children and grandchildren to enjoy. B Bobbie may be contacted at bobbie@bgthumb.com. Photos courtesy of Bobbie Schwartz. Photos: Opposit Page: The trees on this property are planted to close to the house that they let in little light and are probably damaging the façade and roof of the house. Top: These Forsythia have been brutally pruned because they have been planted too close to the driveway. Middle: This “beehive” of activity on Pycnanthemum muticum includes wasps and other pollinators as well. Bottom: As this photo demonstrates, screening does not need to be a monoculture: Veronicastrum 'Fascination', Clematis 'Rooguchi', Hydrangea arborescens ssp. radiata, foliage of Amorpha fruticosa onla.org

September/October 2021

In Memoriam Karen Elizabeth Colini (nee Robbins), age 62, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family on August 6, 2021. Karen was born on August 27, 1958, graduated from East Liverpool High School in 1976 and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture from The Ohio State University in 1980.Beloved wife of Tony Colini; loving mother of Anna (Steve) Kandra, Erin (Mitch) Salsbery, Mary (Paul) Suvak and Katie (Chuck) Cenkus and dearest Mimi to fourteen beautiful grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Claire and Emma Jeanne (nee Reed) Robbins and her brother, Kenneth Robbins. She is also survived by her sister, Kathleen (James) Orr and brother, John (Carla) Robbins, and many nieces, nephews and extended family members.A landscape designer, horticulturist, flower farmer and observer of nature, she was a member of the Chagrin Valley Herb Society, Design Network, Shaker Lakes Garden Club, Dahlia Society of Ohio, International Clematis Society, Holden Arboretum, and St. Joan of Arc Church. She had a deep appreciation for the diversity of nature and never missed an opportunity to share her love of the gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joan of Arc Church for The Garden of Life, their outdoor landscaped garden that was special to Karen.

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16 The Buckeye

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September/October 2021

OHIO GREEN INDUSTRY ADVOCACY DAY NOVEMBER 16, 2021 Ohio Statehouse, Columbus, OH Join ONLA and our Ohio Green Industry partners for a day of meeting with state legislators and make your voice heard on issues critical to your business. Your participation in this grassroots effort is more important than ever before! The State of Ohio has stretched resources in a myriad of ways and there is a good chance that some agencies will resort to raising fees. And, since 2021 is a budget year, this even is the perfect time to influence discussions. There will be a wave of new faces in the House and Senate due to term limits and the influence of the unprecedented turn out of voters this election. It is up to us to "show up", introduce ourselves, and reinforce our support.

Tentative Schedule: 9:00–9:30 am Registration & continental breakfast 9:30–10:30 am Guest Speaker or Panel Discussion 10:30–11:30 am Briefing Session – Learn about bills and issues and how to communicate with your legislator 11:30 am–Noon Guest Speaker from the Legislature (TBD) Noon–1:00 pm Lunch and networking 1:00–4:30 pm Pre-scheduled meetings with legislators 4:30–6:30 pm Legislative Reception

Registration: $89, includes lunch. Learn more at onla.org/advocacyday 18 The Buckeye

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Your success brightens our day... and night.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

SCORE FOR EMI! Congratulations to ONLA member Environmental Management Inc. (EMI) on being names the official landscape management partner for the Columbus Crew who had their inaugural match last weekend at the new state-of-the-art stadium, Lower.com Field.

"We are honored to be selected and are looking forward to keeping the reigning champions At Cascade Lighting, your success is our top priority and it’s been that way since we set up shop over 20 years ago.

looking great,

We’ll partner with you to provide expert advice on the best lighting solution to fit your project and budget. Our team also offers design and technical support at no additional cost. And to ensure the job gets done on time, our warehouse stocks a huge inventory of products ready for same day shipment.

perspective."

Call us today at 800.758.6359 or visit cascadelighting.com

Providing over 40 lines of outdoor and landscape lighting products including:

from a landscape

EMI will be caring for all landscape areas associated with Lower.com Field, OhioHealth performance and Historic Crew Stadium. It will provide weekly maintenance, including plant health care, turf health operations, water management, shrub and tree pruning, and other specialized services. EMI said based on the worldly nature of soccer and many of its employees hailing from Central American countries, its team members are huge soccer fans! EMI can t wait to cheer on the Crew! The company does expect to hire additional team members in the coming months to keep up with its continued business growth. Go Crew and go team EMI!

Do you have big news to share? Email your story suggestions to info@onla.org for consideration to be featured in our member spotlight section. 111618

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September/October 2021

UPCOMING EVENTS Subject to change. Visit onla.org/events for more information. O designates qualifying OCNT recertification events. OCNT Testing September 16, October 21 onla.org/ocnt ONLA Diagnostic Walkabout Sunset Memorial Park O September 30 onla.org/walkabouts

ONLA SCHOLARSHIPS

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reConnect Conference Dayton O November 2, 2021 onla.org/professionaldevelopment reConnect Conference Columbus O November 3, 2021 onla.org/professionaldevelopment

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reConnect Conference Cleveland O November 4, 2021 onla.org/professionaldevelopment Ohio Green Industry Advocacy Day November 16, 2021 Columbus, Ohio onla.org/advocacyday

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Ads listed here were current as of press time. For details, or to place a classified ad, visit onla.org/ careers

It's time to book your 2022 Advertising! ONLA offers affordable advertising options: Contact Sara Cantees for a media kit sara@onla.org • 614.899.1195

Landscape Foreman and Technicians Walters Landscape Solutions Westlake, Ohio 20 The Buckeye

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mounde d. of the gard Best if planted in camoufl en where folia an area ge age fade. Grea d or hidden onc will be e settings t for borders and blooms . naturaliz ed

Campanula persicifolia Peach-leaved Bellflower

Anemon e ‘Marga rete’ Grows to 2’ tall and flowers on multi-br has double pink anched stems.

Have deep blue (‘Blue Clips’) or white (‘White Clips’), cup-shaped flowers in the summer and grow 8” tall in a compact mound. Makes a good groundcover or plant for the front of the garden border. Campanula glomerata Clustered Bellflower This plant grows 12–18” tall and has deep purple flowers in early summer that are arranged in upward-facing clusters. Tolerates wet soil. Divide every two years to promote vigor.

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This semi-evergreen plant grows 18– 24” tall. Flowers appear in summer and are 1–1 1/2” in diameter and saucershaped. Makes a good cut flower. Best grown in cool sites and neutral to alkaline soils.

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The Buckeye September/October 2021

Articles inside

Executive Director's Message

Member Spotlight: Score for EMI

In Memoriam

Looking to the Future by Bobbie Schwartz

President's Perspective