Jan•Feb 2016
T h e O f f i c i a l P u b l i c at i o n o f t h e T e xa s N u r s e ry & L a n d s c a p e A s s o c i at i o n
excellence in
Texas
Landscaping
Economic Contributions of the Green Industry to the Texas Economy Pag e 38
What’s The Buzz About Bees? PAGE 45
Check out all of the winners in this special edition, starting on page 7.
Camelias in Southern Gardens PAGE 49
P lu s :
51 New Members 53 Calendar of Events 53 Newly Certified
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID SAN ANTONIO, TX Permit No. 244
1 A History of Service Excellence. For nearly a century, our family-owned company has remained a true business partner for green industry professionals. With change happening all around us every day, isn’t it comforting to know Ewing will be here for the long haul? There are more reasons than ever to shop at Ewing.
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EwingIrrigation.com/locations
Jan•Feb 2016
Features
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Texas Excellence in Landscaping Awards
See the best of Texas Landscaping in 2015! Members from around the State completed and submitted their most successful projects, and we can’t wait to show you! Gold Awards p.10 Silver Awards p.25 Bronze Awards p.35 Honorable Mentions p.35
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Economic Contributions of the Green Industry to the Texas Economy
The Green Industry is thriving! Find out how the Green Industry strengthened the Texas Economy in 2015!
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Columns
45 49
Integrated Pest Management What’s The Buzz About Bees? by Erfan Vafaie Notes from SFA Gardens Camelias for Southern Gardens by Dr. David Creech
Departments
51 53 53 53 54
New Members Calendar of Events Newly Certified Classified Ads Advertisers Index
49 Texas Nursery & Landscape Association 7730 South IH-35 Austin, TX 78745-6698 phone: 512.280.5182 or 800.880.0343 fax: 512.280.3012 email: info@tnlaonline.org
Stay Connected!
www.tnlaonline.org 3
Safety and Dividends Go Together Like Seed and Soil. Texas Mutual wants to put more green in your business—that’s why we provide group and individual dividends to companies that keep their people safe. Plus, as a member of the Texas Green Industry Safety Group, you may receive a greater discount on your workers’ comp premium. We’re helping our policyholder owners be safer and stronger, and we think you'll find it very rewarding. To see how safety can grow your dividend, contact your agent or Becky Walker at (972) 512-7770 or info@tgiwcgroup.com.
While we can’t guarantee dividends every year, Texas Mutual has returned $1.8 billion to safety-conscious policyholder owners since 1999. © 2015 Texas Mutual Insurance Company
TNLAGreen
T N LA G r e e n
T N LA G r e e n
the official publication of the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association
January/February • Vol. XVIiI No. 1 Officers Chairman of the Board
Johnette Taylor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dallas
Chairman-Elect
Billy Long, TCLP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . San Antonio
Immediate Past Chairman
Paul Tomaso, TCNP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dallas
A Video Message from Amy Graham, TNLA President
President
Amy Graham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Austin B OAR D OF D IREC T ORS
Region I Kevin Grossberndt . . . . . . . . . . . . San Antonio Region II Jay Williams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . League City Region III Herman Vess, TMCNP . . . . . . . . . Edgewood Region IV Jason Craven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dallas Region V Mike Whisenand . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fort Worth Region VI Steven Akers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Slaton Region VII Todd Kinney, TMCNP . . . . . . . . . . . . Donna Region VIII JJ McAuliffe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Austin Supplier Director Tim Little . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dallas Landscape Director
Jerry Maldonado, TCLP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . San Antonio Grower Director Bill Carson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Austin Retail Director Donna Buchanan,TMCNP . Houston
T N LA Sta f f President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amy Graham Director of Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cheryl Staritz Accounting Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aimee Luna Director, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jim Reaves Professional Knowledge & Education Manager . . . James Theiss, TCLP, WS,
TCLA, Certified Arborist
Administrative Assistant – Strategic Initiatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Debra Allen Director, TNLA & EXPO Marketing/ Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . Sarah Riggins ,CEM Director, Expo Exhibits and Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amy Prenger, CEM Business Development/ Sales Executive . . . . . . . . Mike Yelverton , TCNP & WS Administrative Assistant EXPO . . . . . Trevor Peevey Office Operations Assistant . . . . Nancy E. Sollohub Region Field Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nathan Flint Communications Specialist . . . . . . . Molly Wallace
T N L A G r e e n Sta f f Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Molly Wallace Graphic Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marie Leonard Ad Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stephanie Shaefer
TNLA Green magazine is a member service of the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association, and is published bi-monthly. Advertising information is available from TNLA, 7730 South IH 35, Austin, Texas 78745, online at www.tnlaonline.org, or by calling 800-880-0343. TNLA office hours are weekdays, 8:30AM - 5 PM CST. © 2015 Texas Nursery & Landscape Association
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M i s s i o n Stat e m e nt The Texas Nursery & Landscape Association’s mission is to enhance members’ business success through legislative/regulatory advocacy, education, networking, and promotion of professionalism.
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Good coverage. It’s essential for growth. .
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2016 Awards excellence in TT N N LA LA G G rr ee ee n n
Texas
Landscaping
The Texas Excellence in Landscaping Awards program recognizes excellence in design, installation, maintenance and special projects. This issue of GREEN Magazine features the 2015-2016 TEIL Award recipients who will be honored at the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association Awards Dinner in Houston, Texas during the 2016 Nursery/Landscape EXPO.
Congratulations to all the award recipients!
THE GRAND PLATINUM AWARD is presented only when the judges feel there is one project so outstanding that it merits special recognition. Grand Platinum projects may be extremely demanding, unique, challenging, or extremely well executed. The Grand Platinum award can be given in any entry category and is selected from the Gold Award winners. award recipients and The Grand Platinum winner will be honored at the TNLA Awards Dinner in August during the 2016 Nursery/Landscape EXPO in Houston.
Entries were judged on the basis of difficulty, craftsmanship, attention to detail and special criteria for each award category. Each of the categories were evaluated independently; the type, size and cost of the project were not considered in the judging process.
Purchase a full table for yourself, colleagues, and friends or offer seats to TNLA to be filled by local students, scholarship recipients and/or those interested in the Green Industry. Table sponsors will receive a reserved table for 10 with their company name displayed. Jan•Feb 2016
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R E W O R G L IA
d e v o r p p a
C R E M COM
learn more at WWW.BGI-USA.COM info@bgi-usa.com • (561) 374-9216
excellence in
gold award 2015 Texas
T N LA G r e e n
Landscaping
S h o ot e r a nd L i nd s e y, In c .
McGovern Centennial Gardens Commercial Installation Over $100,000
With a community garden, a large lawn, a private event space and more this Houston park has something for everyone! The Shooter and Lindsey, Inc. team focused on making the park community-friendly, water conscious and beautiful. This project features over 250 varieties of plants, trees and bulbs and over 163,000 plants ranging from low-moisture ornamentals to seasonal herbs. The variety of plants provides a completely unique experience to those lucky enough to visit the park!
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excellence in TT N N LA LA G G rr ee ee n n
2015 Texas
gold award Landscaping
S o u t h e r n B ota n i c a l , In c .
Klyde Warren Park Commercial Maintenance
This urban park was designed to revitalize the downtown area. Specialized staff ensures that the park remains a safe and beautiful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. All maintenance is completed early in the morning to ensure that the park can be a sanctuary for visitors. Sage is pick-pruned to ensure a natural but groomed appearance. Trees and non-irrigated containers require daily maintenance. The hard work of Southern Botanical, Inc. is noted and appreciated by park visitors year round!
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excellence in
gold award 2015 Texas
T N LA G r e e n
Landscaping
A J ’s L a nd s c a p i n g & D e s i g n
McFarland Residence Residential Installation Under $25,000
After extensive renovations, this historic home lacked only a beautiful outdoor space to complete its transformation. AJ’s Landscaping & Design worked closely with the client to add privacy and disguise some of the less slightly parts of the home quickly. A quaint water feature surrounded by macho fern, flax lilly and ligularia gives the homeowner a lovely space to unwind in at the end of each day.
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excellence in TT N N LA LA G G rr ee ee n n
2015 Texas
gold award Landscaping
A J ’s L a nd s c a p i n g & D e s i g n
Ainsworth Residence Residential Installation Under $25,000
In just one month this townhome’s yard was transformed from boring to beautiful! A patio, beds, shrubs and a cantilevered structure were added. Saint Augustine grass was swapped for Zoysia grass to provide a softer cushion for sitting, playing and lounging. Japanese Blueberry serves as a focal point and provides extra privacy. The backyard is now a wonderful space to enjoy time with friends and family!
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excellence in
gold award 2015 Texas
T N LA G r e e n
Landscaping
L a mb e r t L a nd s c a p e Co mpa ny
An Artist’s Garden Residential Installation $25,000-$100,000
Outdoor sculptures are perfectly highlighted by this beautiful landscape. Bamboo provides both privacy and a sense of enclosure. River birches add vertical interest while blue agave plants surround several of the sculptures in perfect patterns that can be enjoyed from the ground or the balconies above. This project not only beautifully showcases the home owners’ art pieces, it is a piece of art itself.
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excellence in TT N N LA LA G G rr ee ee n n
2015 Texas
gold award Landscaping
M c D u g a l d St e e l e L a nd s c a p e A r c h i t e c t s a nd Co nt r ac to r s
Bayou Peninsula Estate Garden Residential Installation Over $100,000
This contemporary home is a seven and a half acre oasis in Houston. Limestone stepping stones lead visitors through the space, while water features produce calming sounds. Large seasonal planters add visual interest to the reflecting pool just outside the back door. McDugald Steele Landscape Architects and Contractors were careful to ensure that nearby bayou banks were not damaged by drainage from the property. This beautiful landscape will be enjoyed for many years to come!
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excellence in
gold award 2015 Texas
T N LA G r e e n
Landscaping
Ab s o lu t e Acc e nt s , In c .
Barry & Christy’s Outdoor Retreat Residential Installation Over $100,000
Curved bedlines accented with boulders draw guests towards the front door and bright perennials add a pop of color. After levelling the back yard, a large structure housing a fireplace, full outdoor kitchen, seating area and bar was constructed. Terraces were also added to provide additional areas for guests to explore. The homeowners now enjoy a full outdoor living space that they can use all year!
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excellence in TT N N LA LA G G rr ee ee n n
2015 Texas
gold award Landscaping
L a mb e r t L a nd s c a p e Co mpa ny
A French Country Retreat Residential Maintenance
This expansive outdoor space is in the style of a French country garden. Contrasting formal pruning and natural growth ensure a manicured, yet natural look. Crepe myrtles are meticulously hand pruned by certified arborists. Seasonal pops of color are installed throughout the year and plants are carefully selected to perfume the space.
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excellence in
gold award 2015 Texas
T N LA G r e e n
Landscaping
L a mb e r t L a nd s c a p e Co mpa ny
Majestic Oaks Estate Residential Maintenance
Hard work ensures that this manicured yard perfectly complements the stately home. The design focused on responsible water management to ensure that the yard would look beautiful even in the driest years. Twice weekly deadheading of abundant seasonal flowers and hand-raked granite paths guarantee that this lawn always looks pristine. It’s no wonder that the home owners have chosen to use Lambert Landscape Company for over twenty years!
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excellence in TT N N LA LA G G rr ee ee n n
2015 Texas
gold award Landscaping
S h o ot e r a nd L i nd s e y, In c
The Sovereign Apartments at Regent Square Special Project
This beautiful rooftop oasis was created specifically for residents of The Sovereign Apartments. Shooter and Lindsey, Inc. had to carefully consider weight and moisture of each plant. Nine palm trees were planted in special light-weight soil, and they provide a tropical and festive atmosphere to the rooftop. Amazingly, all the materials used were crane lifted to the roof, over 600 lifts in total! The results are well worth the effort and the rooftop now serves as a fabulous amenity!
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excellence in
gold award 2015 Texas
T N LA G r e e n
Landscaping
Dyn a m i c En v i r o nm e nt s
Adler Residence Special Project
Dynamic Environments installed an incredible water management system, which allows the home owners to collect thousands of gallons of rainwater. The steep slope surrounding the home required the team to be especially careful during the movement of materials and during the excavation of the site. The containment system is perfectly nestled into the hillside and does not detract from the gorgeous view that the homeowners love!
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excellence in TT N N LA LA G G rr ee ee n n
2015 Texas
gold award Landscaping
Ab s o lu t e Acc e nt s
Stone Bridge Special Project
The goal of this project was to create a crossing over a seasonal creek. Instead of fighting the remote location and limited access of the area, Absolute Accents embraced the space and decided to complete a dry stacked arch bridge inspired by the Romans! The result is a beautiful, natural looking bridge that blends seamlessly into the wooded area!
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excellence in
gold award 2015 Texas
T N LA G r e e n
Landscaping
S o u t h e r n B ota n i c a l , In c .
Preston Hollow Estate Residential Installation Over $100,000
This formal garden was created with sustainability and water responsibility in mind. Lush grass stretches across the property while trees frame the house. Trees line the walkway that leads to the rear reflecting pond creating a stunning visual. A 290,000 gallon underground cistern was built to store water to be used to keep the landscape green even in the driest years. This project was a huge undertaking, and a huge success, for Southern Botanical, Inc.!
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You’ll find people who see eye to eye. Who stand shoulder to shoulder. Who work side by side to build things. Great things. Here, you’ll find common ground.
SOLUTIONS FOR: Irrigation & Lighting Nursery Stock Turf & Landscape Maintenance Hardscapes Pest Control Golf Course Maintenance
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A in w en Th to an en th La th
excellence in
silver award
L aw n s o f D a l l a s Roark Residence | Residential Installation $25,000-$100,000
silver award
L aw n s o f D a l l a s Crews Residence | Residential Installation $25,000-$100,000
2015 Texas
TT N N LA LA G G rr ee ee n n
Landscaping
This modern landscape perfectly complements the clients’ beautiful home. Despite elevation challenges Lawns of Dallas was able to create an outdoor haven that addresses water drainage, retention and usage concerns. Lush greenery softens the retaining wall and hardscaping and gives the space an inviting feel!
A new front lawn was installed and outlined with beds to make the entryway the focal point. The back patio was designed to create a comfortable and intimate area for entertaining. By pruning the large, shade trees Lawns of Dallas allowed the lawn to shine!
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excellence in
silver award
Mirror Lake Designs Waterfall Courtyard | Residential Installation $25,000-$100,000
silver award
Mirror Lake Designs Front Courtyard | Residential Installation $25,000-$100,000
2015 Texas
TT NN LA LA GGrr ee ee nn
Landscaping
This project was inspired by natural, wild Texas landscapes. Featuring an outdoor kitchen, a hot tub, water features and a fire pit this yard is ideal for family gatherings. The lowmaintenance design makes the most of the cozy space and gives the home owners more time to enjoy their yard!
Tw be th Th la th Ja pl ed ad as si de fo
Family came first in this design! The homeowners wanted a yard that would allow them to chat with their adult children while their grandchildren played safely. Pops of color and soft Zoysia grass add plenty of curb appeal. Mirror Lake Designs was able to make the space look gorgeous!
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ct y as g ot a or wes ce me to d!
excellence in
silver award
Co mp l e t e L a nd s c u l pt u r e North West Dallas Residence | Residential Installation $25,000-$100,000
silver award
A J ’s L a nd s c a p i n g & D e s i g n Montalbano Residence | Residential Installation $25,000-$100,000
2015 Texas
TT N N LA LA G G rr ee ee n n
Landscaping
This project is special because of the incredible attention to detail. Premium cooking appliances, thoughtfully placed LED lights, planted succulents and a stunning bone-colored fireplace make this backyard one of a kind! Carefully selected plants soften the extensive hardscaping to create a comfortable environment!
Two large oaks beautifully frame this newly built home. The tightly manicured landscape highlights the home’s architecture. Japanese blueberries were planted to soften the hard edge and a fountain was added to the back courtyard as a special touch. This simple and elegant design will be enjoyed for years to come!
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excellence in
silver award
A J ’s L a nd s c a p i n g & D e s i g n Contemporary Edge | Residential Installation $25,000-$100,000
silver award
S o u t h e r n L a nd s c a p e Winding Creek | Residential Installation Over $100,000
2015 Texas
TT NN LA LA GGrr ee ee nn
Landscaping
This backyard it was in need of a total overhaul! After tearing out a dilapidated deck, diseased plants and stumps the homeowner asked for a contemporary entertaining area. A stone patio was installed featuring a sundeck and soft artificial turf accentuates the shape of the pool. The clean lines of this yard make it truly stunning!
One of the goals of this project was to manage water – to reduce flooding and increase water efficiency. The homeowner wanted to minimize the use of turfgrass and Southern Landscape worked closely with the Home Owners Association to design a landscape that would blend with the community. This xeriscape set the standard for the neighborhood!
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Th de so of in Be of di m th flo Th th Th th im
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d a er d d er ry ne ng al pe an ke g!
excellence in
silver award
Co mp l e t e L a nd s c u l pt u r e North Dallas Residence | Residential Installation Over $100,000
silver award
Whimsical Gardens Creekside Shade Garden in Coppell | Residential Installation Over $100,000
2015 Texas
TT N N LA LA G G rr ee ee n n
Landscaping
Complete Landsculpture delivered a complete outdoor experience with this urban ranch! A drought tolerant landscape ensures that this project will look great even in dry conditions. Seasonal planters on the front steps add pops of color and a touch of whimsy. This Texas-style landscape fits perfectly with the house and its owners’ personality!
The delicate yet sophisticated style of the homeowners informed this design. Before the completion of the project flooding, disease and erosion were major issues in the lot. Now, the homeowners enjoy a flowering and shady garden. The stone edging helps to tie the entire space together. The homeowners are thrilled with their improved yard!
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excellence in
silver award
Mirror Lake Designs Lakeside Backyard | Residential Installation Over $100,000
silver award
A J ’s L a nd s c a p i n g & D e s i g n Buckley Residence | Residential Installation Over $100,000
2015 Texas
TT NN LA LA GGrr ee ee nn
Landscaping
Mirror Lake Designs added three terraces to this backyard which greatly improved the usability and visual appeal of the space. Zoysia grass lined areas make entertaining easy and flowers and flowering trees add color. This one of a kind yard makes this lakeside home feel truly special!
Th ad of ca w th ch w ga de m ar ad sit th be re th us
Starting from a blank canvas AJ’s Landscaping and Design worked with the homeowners to create an outdoor living space. Stackstone walls and boxwood were used to create dimension in the front yard. A small pool, patio and garden totally transformed the backyard. This gorgeous yard is a real standout in its Houston neighborhood!
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e d is y d e. ke rs d rd me al!
excellence in
silver award
Co mp l e t e L a nd s c u l pt u r e Stafford Residence | Residential Maintenance
silver award
Dyn a m i c En v i r o nm e nt s Pratt Residence | Special Project
2015 Texas
TT N N LA LA G G rr ee ee n n
Landscaping
Complete Landsculpture maintains this yard to the highest standard! Each week the driveway is hand racked and shrubs are hand sheered. Mowed patterns keep this lawn looking pristine and trained trellis vines add vertical interest to the space. No detail is overlooked and no effort is too great to keep this yard looking its best!
The addition of a rainwater catchment system was a top priority for the clients! One of the challenges of this project was placing the 40,000 gallon tank in a way that didn’t detract from the home. A masonry wall was constructed around the tank and plants add a green element to the site. This system allows the homeowners to beautifully and responsibly manage their water usage!
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excellence in TT N N LA LA G G rr ee ee n n
2015 Texas
bronze awards Landscaping
1 . Va l l e yc r e s t L a nd s c a p e D e v e lo pm e nt Canyons of Sweetwater | Commercial Installation Over $100,000 2 . L aw n s o f D a l l a s Berglund Residence | Residential Installation $25,000-$100,000 3 . S P S D, In c . Todd Residence | Residential Installation Over $100,000
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4 . Ab s o lu t e Acc e nt s Smith Residence | Residential Installation Over $100,000 5 . L a nd s c a p e A r t Shell Houston Open | Special Project 6 . Ab s o lu t e Acc e nt s Cauble Residence | Special Project
Honorable Mention: R o u ndt r e e L a nd s c a p i n g Backyard Renovation Residential Installation Under $25,000
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L aw n s o f D a l l a s Moore Residence Residential Installation $25,000-$100,000
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excellence in TT N N LA LA G G rr ee ee n n
2015 Texas
Landscaping
Tips for Winning Entries
The Texas Excellence in Landscaping Awards judging panel is composed of Texas judges who are experts in regional conditions and landscaping feats meriting distinction, thus elevating the criteria for winning submissions to a standard higher than many other awards programs. Judging is done in the blind and entries are judged on their own merits.
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Texas Nursery & Landscape Association has compiled tips and comments from judges over the years to provide easy, do-able actions for this elite awards program.
T
he quality and variety of your photos are central to the evaluation process. Scrutinize the composition of each photo and make sure it tells the story of your project. Your photo descriptions are read aloud to the judges as they examine the photos, so use descriptions to direct attention to the extraordinary features of your project. Take pictures specifically for the judges, don’t just use photos you already happened to have. Make sure the photos show what you want to describe; take a picture to define your description, not the other way around.
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2015 Texas
Hire a professional photographer or use a high quality camera that gives high resolution images. If you only capture 20 photos to submit 15, there isn’t much room to weed out the weakest ones. If you capture 300 images, there are more options. We suggest taking about 20 shots for each photo you plan to enter.
Providing an overall shot gives the judges a sense of context; the subsequent detailed shots will make more sense if judges have a sense of the space. For installation entries, “before” shots are just as important as “after” shots. Take photos at each phase in the process— before, during, and after. Take photos from the same angles, particularly for wide shots, to show a sense of the transformation that has occurred. For a design entry, take photos when flowers are in bloom, and/or in different seasons to show variety in color. For a maintenance entry, take photographs 2-3 days after mowing, when it still looks pristine but not as “scorched” as immediately afterward. Time of day matters; photos look different at different times. They also look different if you take them on sunny versus cloudy days. Typically, the best times are early morning or just before sunset on overcast days, but use your judgment and pick the time that makes your project look the best. Remember that you are telling the story of your project through 15 photographs and photo descriptions. Each image is an opportunity to show how your project meets the judging criteria, and each image description is a chance to explain to the judges what you’ve accomplished. m
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Landscaping
Judging Criteria Installation Categories All entries must include a PDF file of the design plan. If a design plan is not submitted, the entry may be disqualified. 1. Degree of difficulty 2. Quality of plant material (i.e. seeded or sodded lawns, shrubs, trees, plants, construction) 3. Attention to detail 4. Overall finished appearance (i.e. site grading) 5. Special features (i.e. ponds, paving, fountains) Additional Criteria for Design Responsibility: 1. Overall design 2. Choice and location of plant materials 3. Harmony of design with surroundings 4. Evidence of workability 5. Environmental appropriateness
Maintenance Categories Entries in the maintenance category will be judged on preservation of design integrity, neatness, seasonal color, and healthy appearance. Projects must have been under contract by the entrant for at least two years prior to the date of entry, or else have been installed by the entrant. 1. Integrity of lawns (i.e. clear, careful mowing pattern, lush look without rutting) 2. Condition of trees and shrubs 3. Condition of planting beds (i.e. weed free, edge detail, condition of plant material, bed detailing) 4. Health & vitality of overall project 5. Attention to detail 6. Degree of difficulty
Special Projects Special Projects could be commercial or residential in nature. Examples include seasonal color, tree protection - construction phase, tree maintenance - continual care, water recycling, erosion control, green roof, and volunteer activities. Descriptions should focus on unique aspects and special challenges of the project. 1. Overall appearance 2. Degree of difficulty 3. Attention to detail 4. Quality of plant material 5. Quality of installation 6. Unusual or unique material used 7. Appropriateness to function
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R e p o r t t o th e T e x a s N u r s e r y a n d L a n d s c a p e A s s o c i a t i o n 2 0 1 5
Economic Contributions
of the Green Industry to the
Texas Economy b y M a r c o A . P a l m a a nd C h a r l e s R . H a l l
Introduction After bouncing back recently from the great recession with significant increases in sales for all sectors, green industry sales remained relatively stable in 2014 with an overall small increase in sales of 2.05% from 2013 levels. Retail sales were up 5.6% in 2014, while landscaping sales increased 1.16%. The sales baseline for the nursery and greenhouse category
was updated using the National Nursery Survey 2014 data conducted by the green industry research consortium (please see http:// greenindustryresearch.org for the full report). The survey incorporates responses from all 50 states in the U.S. The state of Texas is the third largest green industry state in terms of sales, economic output, employment and GDP contributions behind California and Florida.
Ac k n o w l e d g e m e nt s : This report was made possible by a grant from the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association (TNLA). The Data was obtained from the Texas Comptrollers of Public Accounts (TCPA), Baseline data from the Green Industry Research Consortium National Nursery Survey. Others who contributed with this report include Carmen Escalante (TCPA), Dan Hanselka, Dean McCorkle, Rebekka Dudensing (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service) and Alan Hodges (University of Florida). This report complies with the terms of the TNLA contract. The authors welcome comments or information about the usefulness and implications of these findings. 38
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Total green industry sales are estimated at an all-time high of $19.1 billion. Following a big increase in 2013 to the highest peak in sales of $2.1 billion, the production and manufacturing sector experienced a slight decrease in sales of 2.4% to a total of $2.05 billion in 2014. The landscaping sector increased 1.16% to a total of $4.6 billion. Retail had the largest increase in 2014 (5.58%) to a total of $12.4 billion in 2014. The net margins attributed to the retail sector accounted for almost $3.8 billion. Net margin represents the share of sales that can be attributed to the retail sector and not accounting for the portion of the sales that was included in the production and manufacturing sector. This study measures green industry sales in Texas by sector and then estimates economic contributions to the Texas Economy in terms of output, employment and value added.
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Table 1.
Table 2.
NAICS Codes for Green Industry Sectors
Sector (NAICS code) Sales Establishments
Industry Sector NAICS Code Nursery & Greenhouse
1114
Lawn & Garden Equipment Mfg
333112
Greenhouse Manufacturing (Prefab. Metal Buildings)*
332311
Landscaping Services
561730
Landscape Architectural Services
541320
Flower, Nursery Stock And Florist Supplies Wholesalers
424930
Lawn & Garden Equipment & Supplies Stores
Total Green Industry Gross Sales in 2014
4442
Florists
4531
Building Material & Supplies Dealers*
4441
Food & Beverage Stores*
445
General Merchandise Stores*
452
Farm & Garden Machinery & Equipment Wholesalers*
423820
Production/Manufacturing Nursery & Greenhouse (1114) ^ Lawn & Garden Equipment Manufacturing (333112) ^ Prefabricated metal buildings (332311) (Greenhouses) ^*
2,050,862,789 1,387,702,447 637,818,325 25,342,018
3,027 2,646 339 42
Horticultural Services andscaping Services (561730) Landscape Architectural Services (541320)
4,602,598,948 4,318,895,949 283,702,999
58,085L 55,658 2,427
Wholesale & Retail Trade Horticulture Products (Gross) 12,396,742,018 Flower, Nursery Stock and Florist Supplies Wholesalers (424930) 769,740,568 Lawn & Garden Equipment & Supplies Stores (4442) 5,867,839,445 Florists (4531) 967,386,568 Building Material & Supplies Dealers (4441)* 1,723,936,308 ood & Beverage Stores (445)* 426,318,978 General Merchandise Stores (452)* 1,711,051,713 Farm & Garden Equipment Wholesalers (423820)* 930,468,439
77,202 1,688 8,941 13,159 7,308F 10,733 34,368 1,004
Total All Sectors
138,314
19,050,203,756
^ Estimated from baseline data from National Nursery Survey, and Texas Comptroller’s Office Data. * NAICS represents a portion of Total Green Industry Sales
Table 3.
Total Green Industry Sales 2008-2014 Grower
Landscape Retail (Gross) Retail (Net) Total
2014
$2,050,862,789
$4,602,598,948 $12,396,742,018
$3,754,066,449 $10,407,528,186
2013
$2,100,381,534
$4,549,146,814 $11,704,708,924
$3,544,500,240 $10,194,028,589
2012
$1,804,926,582
$4,054,303,568 $10,857,786,292
$3,288,029,320
$9,147,259,470
2011
$1,918,432,053
$3,538,719,690 $10,374,997,040
$3,141,827,767
$8,598,979,510
2010
$1,537,061,928
$3,390,016,982
$9,351,749,314
$2,831,960,872
$7,759,039,782
Methodology
2009
$1,336,866,584
$3,414,177,793
$9,039,697,678
$2,737,463,255
$7,488,507,632
In order to estimate economic contributions of the Green Industry to the Texas economy sales by each green industry sector need to be measured. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) was used to gather data on total green industry sales, including all sectors related to the green industry. The data used in this report were provided by the State Comptrollers Office, baseline data from the Green Industry Research Consortium National Nursery Survey, and includes industry sales through the end of fiscal year 2014. Every business in the state and the
2008
$1,575,251,701
$3,903,651,168
$8,599,018,918
$2,604,013,890
$8,082,916,760
* Green industry represents a portion of overall business activity (Sectors not included in Previous Scope reports).
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Total Green Industry Sales by Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), 2014 Table 4. MSA
Grower
Landscape Retail(Gross) Total % Of Total
Austin
65,688,106
573,381,489
740,103,601
1,379,173,195
7.24%
Dallas
178,745,503
1,059,914,849
1,710,055,866
2,948,716,218
15.48%
Ft Worth
110,983,251
341,329,130
968,306,811
1,420,619,192
7.46%
Houston
228,006,315
1,353,703,961
2,131,050,509
3,712,760,785
19.49%
91,074,119
319,798,392
964,592,166
1,375,464,677
7.22%
Other
1,376,365,496
954,471,127
5,882,633,066
8,213,469,689
43.11%
Total
2,050,862,789
4,602,598,948 12,396,742,018 19,050,203,756
100.00%
San Antonio
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Figure 1.
Grower Sales 2008-2014 (in Millions)
(continued from page 39)
2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0
2008
Figure 2.
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Landscaping Sales 2008-2014 (in Billions)
5000 4000 3000 2000 1000
Grower 2050 2100 1804 1918 1537 1336 1525
0 2500
2008
2000
Figure 1500 3.
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Retailing Sales 2008-2014 (in Billions)
1000 15000 500 12000 0 9000 6000 3000 0
Landscape 4602 4549 4054 3538 3390 3414 3903
5000 4000
2008
Figure 4. 3000
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Total Industry Sales 2008-2014 (in Billions)
2000 12000 10000 1000 80000 6000 4000 2000 0
Retail (Gross) 12396 11704 40 10857 10374 9351
15000
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
country is now classified by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), which replaced the old Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system. NAICS was developed jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico to provide new comparability in statistics about business activity across North America. Green industry firms fall within one of the NAICS codes in Table 1.
Green Industry Sales in Texas When reporting sales to the State Comptroller’s office, each firm must report all sales, including those sales in which sale taxes are collected and those that are not collected (wholesale). This reporting system has an area of potential slippage. For example, since wholesale growers do not collect any sales tax (for the state), some small and medium size growers are unaware of their reporting responsibilities. Not all of these firms realize that their services are subject to sale taxes. Therefore, unintended noncompliance has been a source of under reporting, which would underestimate green industry sales in Texas. Because of this potential slippage problem, additional data were used to supplement this report’s methodology. Table 2 shows Total Green Industry Gross Sales in 2014, and Table 3 shows sales from 2008-2014 for each green industry sector. Table 3 shows sales for the retail industry including gross sales, and also net sales. Net sales represent the margin sales that correspond to the retail sector only. Total industry sales, including grower, landscaping and retailing sales increased 2.05% in 2014 for a total of $19.1 billion in gross sales. The grower sector experienced a slight decrease of 2.41% to a total of
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Other 43.1%
Figure 6.
4
MSA 55.9%
27.2%
Dallas
34.3%
Houston
Green Industry Sales by Outlet and by MSA, 2012-2014 (in Billions) 2012
Grower
2013
2014
3 2 1 Dallas
Ft Worth
Houston
San Antonio
Dallas
Ft Worth
Houston
San Antonio
Landscape
100
4
Austin
80
0
3
60
The net sales data from the previous section were used to estimate total economic contributions of the Green Industry to the Texas Economy. To evaluate the economic impact contributions of the green industry to the Texas economy, economic models were developed using the Implan software system and associated Texas datasets (MIG, 2010). The Implan system includes more than 500 industries. Input-Output models represent the structure of a regional economy in terms of transactions, employees, households, and government institutions (Miller & Blair, 1985).
San Antonio 12.7% Austin 13.1% Ft Worth
2
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Economic Contributions of the Green Industry to the Texas Economy
12.7%
1 0
2000
20
Table 4 presents green industry sales by sector and by major Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). There are 27 MSAs in Texas. The major MSAs are, Austin, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Houston, El Paso, and San Antonio. The economic scope reports sales in five of the major MSAs; together, the five major MSAs included in this report represent more than half of the total industry sales as shown in Figure 5. Houston and Dallas hold the largest share of green industry sales in 2014 with 19.49% and 15.48% percent respectively. Figure 6 is a graphical representation of grower, landscaping and retailing sales by MSA in Texas.
Figure 5. Total Green Industry Sales in Texas by MSA in 2014
Austin
0
$2.05 billion. The landscaping sector increased sales by 1.16% to a total of $4.6 billion. Gross retail sales increased 5.58% to a total of $12.4 billion in 2014. Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 represent industry sales for growers, landscaping, retailing (gross) and total gross industry sales respectively.
Retail pie chart: Other MSA
1500
stacked bar chart:
43.1% 56.9%
San Antonio Austin Ft Worth Dallas Houston
1000
12.7% 12.7% 13.1% 27.2% 34.3%
500
The economic multipliers derived from the Implan model were used to estimate the total economic Jan•Feb 2016
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San Antonio
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(continued from page X)
activity generated in the state by sales (output) to final demand or exports. This includes the effects of intermediate purchases by green industry firms from other economic sectors (indirect effects) and the effects of green industry employee household consumer spending (induced effects), in addition to direct sales by industry firms. The wholesale and retail sectors use products from the production/manufacturing and horticultural services sectors; therefore, when calculating the impacts for the wholesale and retail trade horticulture products, output (retail sales) are reduced to reflect only the gross margin on sales to those sectors, otherwise we would be double counting the economic impact stemming from those products. Despite higher direct sales, economic impacts in some sectors are smaller
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Table 5. Economic Contributions of the Green Industry
in Texas, 2014
Output Employment Value Added ($Mn) (jobs) ($Mn) Production & Manufacturing Nursery & Greenhouse Lawn & Garden Equipment Manufacturing Prefabricated Metal Buildings
3,452 2,448 957 48
25,764 22,673 2,867 224
1,937 1,567 350 20
Horticultural Services Landscaping Services Landscape Architecture Services
8,576 7,945 630
97,747 93,074 4,673
5,264 4,893 371
Wholesale & Retail Trade Horticulture Products Flower, Nursery Stock & Florist Supplies Wholesalers Lawn & Garden Equipment & Supplies Stores Florists Building Material & Supplies Dealers Food & Beverage Stores General Merchandise Stores Farm & Garden Equipment Wholesalers
7,363 240 3,772 884 1,108 227 841 290
71,435 1,294 33,172 14,420 9,746 2,448 8,790 1,564
4,488 153 2,285 540 671 142 514 185
Total (All Sectors)
19,391
194,945
11,688
* Despite higher direct sales, economic impacts in some sectors are smaller than in 2013. Economic impact multipliers vary based on data about actual relationships in theeconomy. Increased use of inputs imported from outside Texas and decreased labor income commensurate with decreased employment along the supply chain are some reasons for smaller economic impacts.
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than in 2013. Economic impact multipliers vary based on data about actual relationships in the economy. Increased use of inputs imported from outside Texas and decreased labor income commensurate with decreased employment along the supply chain are some reasons for smaller economic multipliers and hence economic impacts. The total economic contributions of the Green Industry in Texas were estimated at $19.4 billion in output; 194,945 jobs, and $11.7 billion in value added as shown in Table 5. For the production and manufacturing sectors, including nursery and greenhouse, lawn and garden equipment manufacturing, and metal building manufacturers, total output impacts were $3.5 billion; employment impacts were 25,764 jobs; and value added impacts were $1.9 billion. For the horticultural services sectors,
Figure 7.
Table 6. Economic Impact Contributions
of the Green Industry in Texas by MSA 2014
Output Employment Value Added ($Mn) (jobs) ($Mn) Austin
1,404
14,113
846
Dallas
3,001
30,175
1,809
Ft. Worth
1,446
14,538
872
Houston
3,779
37,994
2,278
San Antonio
1,400
14,075
844
Other
8,360
84,050
5,039
Total
19,3911
94,945
11,688
including landscaping services and landscape architecture services, total output impacts were $8.6 billion; employment impacts were 97,747 jobs; and value added impacts were $5.3 billion. For the wholesale and retail trade sectors, total output impacts were $7.4 billion; employment impacts were 71,435
Green Industry Economic Output Contributions to the Texas Economy in 2014 (in Billions) Houston
$1.45 $3.78
San Antonio $1.40
$1.40
Dallas Austin
$8.36
Other
Figure 8. Employment Contributions by the Green
Industry in Texas 2014
Production & Manufacturing
25,764
Horticultural Services
97,747
Wholesale & Retail
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pie chart:
San Antonio $1.40 Houston $3.78 Ft Worth $1.45 Dallas $3.00
Economic impact results are also reported by major metropolitan statistical area (MSA) as summarized in Table 6. The MSAs with the greatest economic impact contributions to the State’s economy are Houston and Dallas.
Measures of Economic Activity
Ft Worth $3.00
jobs; and value added impacts were $4.5 billion. The largest economic impact contributions for individual sectors were landscaping services, lawn and garden stores and nursery and greenhouse.
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Sales or output is the dollar volume of a good or service produced or sold. Final Demand is sales to final consumers, including households, governments, and exports. Intermediate sales are sales to other industrial sectors. Income is the money earned within the region from production and sales. Total income includes personal income (wage and salary income, including income of sole proprietor’s profits and rents). Jobs or employment is a measure of the number of jobs required to produce a given volume of sales/production, expressed as full time equivalents, or as the total number including part time and seasonal positions. Value Added is the sum of total income and indirect business taxes. m
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Inte g r ated Pest Mana gement
What’s The Buzz About The Bees by Erfan Vafaie The Beepocalypse
A
quick glance at the news paints a grim picture for bees in the future, with title articles such as “Honey, we shrunk the bees: mass extinction threat for beloved insect?”, “The bee all end all: why should we care that the bees are dying?” and “Dying honeybees, and the uncertain future of honey” make us feel like we are on an inevitable slope to losing all of our bees and horrible puns simultaneously. Bee health started becoming a great cause of public concern around 2006, when colonies were seemingly left completely abandoned, with capped brood and queen bees still in the hive. Beekeepers were losing more than double the accepted colony loss rate (15% to >30%) over every winter. Despite these losses, the number of
Erfan Vafaie is Extension Program Specialist (IPM) at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension erfan.vafaie@ag.tamu. edu | 903-834-6191
Number of Colonies in the US (Data from USDA NASS)
3,800
Numbers of Colonies (in 1,000s)
The main culprits under investigation for high colony loss include environmental stressors, lack of nectar/pollen resources, global warming, new bee diseases, varroa mites, and neonicotinoid insecticides. Going into all of these factors in detail could produce a textbook-worth of material, and I currently am not feeling the desire to write a textbook on a rainy Sunday afternoon, so I’ll focus on the factor most relevant to the floral industry: neonicotinoid insecticides.
The Insecticide in the spotlight
3,600 3,400 3,200 3,000 2,800 2,600 2,400
Year
Figure 1. Number of honey bee colonies in the USA from 1987 to 2014. Data was acquired from USDA NASS. Note that the number of colonies have remained relatively consistent from about 1995 till 2014, although higher-than-average winter colony losses were experienced around 2006 (from 15% to >30%, data no shown on this graph). Jan•Feb 2016
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2015
2013
2011
2009
2007
2005
2003
2001
1999
1997
1995
1993
1991
1989
1987
2,200 2,000
farmed bee colonies have been relatively consistent over the last 20 years (Figure 1), most likely because beekeepers are compensating for their higher-thanaverage bee losses by replacing more hives every year. So although we aren’t really on the verge of a beepocalypse, this raises questions as to what the cause for high colony loss is, and how populations of native bees are being impacted.
Neonicotinoids, often abbreviated as neonics, are a class of insecticides that were introduced in the 1990’s in response to the need for environmentally friendly and safer insecticides. Active ingredients in this class include acetamiprid, clothianidin, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, nithiazine, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, and dinotefuran. They are considered highly effective as systemic insecticides – their water-soluble chemistry allows plants to take them up and give them long lasting targeted control to pests that are feeding on the foliage. Due to the lack of control on many floral pests, it was thought that neonics were not reaching the flowers. However, many are questioning whether neonics are found in the nectar and pollen, which would potentially impact our bees.
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We know for a fact that neonics can cause harm to bees at certain dosages, but we just don’t have enough data on how much neonic reaches the nectar and pollen. Some of the reasons for this lack of information include the complexity of testing every neonic active ingredient in every type of flowering plant we have on the market, and also that residue analysis for neonics can be very resource intensive, with one scientist claiming
300 man-hours to analyze 30 flowers! So while the science is still out on whether neonics are reaching the nectar and pollen, there are two main things that the green industry can do to help increase bee stewardship and increase marketability.
Bee health in floriculture pest management Many major retailers are putting pressure on growers to either stop using neonics or label their products that
Essential for all Landscaping
have been treated with neonics. The impact of labeling on marketability of your product is discussed in the next section, but here are some things you can do to ensure that you are reducing your impact on bees from neonic use. When deciding to use a neonic, you must first consider two major things: 1. Is the crop currently in bloom and attractive to bees? 2. Will the neonics be applied in a manner that will come in direct contact with bees? If the answers to both of the above questions are “yes”, you aught to use something that doesn’t harm bees. If the answer to either of those is “no”, then the decision gets a bit trickier, hence why you’ve been provided with a handy dandy decision tree (Figure 2). Neonics are a highly valuable tool in any integrated pest management system, but as with any insecticide, they must be used with caution and only as needed. Michigan State University suggests a few different insecticides that may serve your needs that will be safe against bees: • Horticultural oils at 0.5% • Insecticidal soap at 1.0% • Botanigard • Mycotrol O • No-fly • Neem product • Spinosad • Xxpire • Rycar
Bee health in floriculture sales Follow our social platforms for photo contests and updates.
Public petitions online, using social media as the driving force, pressured some of the large retailers to issue mandatory labeling of neonic-treated plants. Interestingly, most consumers remain uneducated on the subject of neonics and don’t necessarily demonstrate a selection bias against neonic-labeled plants. A recent study published in HortScience entitled “Consumer
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Can this crop be considered a2rac3ve to pollinators within the next three months?
Can you apply the neonic as a soil drench in a way that won’t result in residues on the parts that pollinators are visi3ng? Yes
No
Yes
We currently do not have sufficient data to determine how long neonics will remain in plant and whether they will make it to the nectar and pollen at harmful levels to pollinators. Use with discre3on.
No Is there a chance that pollinators could be visi3ng this crop or nearby crops when being sprayed? No
Yes Can you 3me your spray to occur when pollinators are nonac3ve for the full dura3on of the re-entry interval?
You should use something other There’s a chance you may than neonics. Direct contact will be harming pollinators. No Yes surely kill the pollinators visi3ng your Consider using another crop. Dead the insec3cide labelE this insec3cide that may be You’re most likely going to applica3on can even be considered less harmful to pollinators illegal (Label is the law). if possible. Figure 3. “Bee-friendly” plant label receivedhave a minimum-to-no the highest impact on pollinators.
Grown with beneficial insects
Grown tra(i'onall6
4-inch flowering plant
premiums compared to other labels for indoor and outdoor 4inch flowering potsdandy andneonic 12-inch outdoor hanging baskets. Figure 2. Figure 2. The handy use decision tree. Answer the “Yes” or “No” Figure 2. The handy dandy neonic use decision tree. Answer the “Yes” or “No” questions from top to bottom to find where you end. The image below shows how much more survey respondents Rues3ons from top to bo2om to Snd where you end. (3,082) were willing to pay for “Bee-friendly” compared to the other three labels (data from Wollaeger et al. 2015).
$0.17
$0.13
$1.01
$0.15
$0.45
$0.96
$0.53
$1.48
$2.10
!eonico'noi(-free
Outdoor
Although bee colony losses are greater than historical standards, our honeybee colony numbers have been steady over the last 20 years. In order to reduce the impact your operation has on bee populations, don’t spray blooming plants, and be selective in when and what you spray in order to minimize potential impact on bees. Lastly, consumers may find labels such as “Bee friendly” more sexy than “Neonic-free”; so don’t hesitate to use consumer insights to inform labeling decisions. m
No
Yes
4-inch flowering plant
Summary
Is this crop currently considered a2rac3ve to pollinators (i.e. in bloom)?
Indoor
The survey also found that survey respondents who bought ornamental plants in the last 12 months ranked their own knowledge high in “Pesticide-free production”, “Pest control using pest’s natural enemies”, “Sustainable Production”, “Grown bee friendly”, and “Growth with beneficial insects” (in order from highest to lowest), and ranked their own knowledge very low in the subjects areas of “Imidacloprid-free production”, “Neonicotinoid-free production”, and “Pyrethroid-free production” (from lowest to highest). As a result, labeling “Neonicotinoidfree” won’t mean much to most consumers, but keywords like pesticide-free, use of natural enemies, and grown bee friendly are more familiar to the consumer.
Neonic Use Decision Tree
12-inch flowering plant (hanging basket)
preferences for traditional, neonicotinoid-free, bee-friendly, or biological control pest management practices on floriculture crops” (2015) surveyed 3,082 consumers nationally using an online survey. The survey found that consumers had a higher preference for the term “Bee friendly” compared to “Neonicotinoid-free” and “Grown with beneficial insects”. The survey found that consumers would even be willing to pay a premium for “Bee friendly” plants (see figure 3 for details).
Figure 3. “Bee-friendly” plant label received the highest premiums compared to other labels for indoor and outdoor 4-inch flowering pots and 12-inch outdoor hanging baskets. The image below shows how much more survey respondents (3,082) were willing to pay for “Bee-friendly” compared to the other three labels (data from Wollaeger et al. 2015).
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Jazz Hands
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Our new varieties have outstanding form, flowers and foliage. Available in a range of sizes from petite 10-12” tall Mini to the supersized blooms of Jazz Hands Bold Loropetalum, these new varieties will delight you with rich, non-fading color. Amy Howard, 616-223-3365 www.springmeadownursery.com 800-633-8859 ext.1105
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Download the iBook at http://springmeadownursery.com/catalog Learn about these and other Proven Winners plants with the new iBook for landscapers. Easy-to-read overviews of each genus lead to detailed, downloadable pdf sheets for individual varieties.
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T N LA G r e e n
Notes fr om SFA Gar dens
Camellias for Southern Gardens by Dr. Dave Creech
W Dr. Dave Creech is Professor Emeritus and directs SFA Gardens, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas
hen I think of camellias, I always think of a remarkable 2009 visit to Jade Snow Dragon Mountain in the Yunnan, China. While in Kunming on blueberry work with colleagues, I asked my hosts if they had ever heard of the Camellia of Ten Thousand Flowers? I learned that the location of this famed tree was only an hour to the west and would I like to see the tree? Of course! Yufeng lamasery is nestled on a pine and mixed forest alpine hillside northwest of Lijiang. The lamasery was built at the end of the Qing dynasty in the traditional Chinese courtyard design, a combination of the architectural styles of Tibetan and Han Buddhism, Taoism and the local Naxi Dongba ethnic group, a fascinating matriarchal society. The Yufeng
temple, surrounding grounds, and local citizens make this a magical spot. The “Camellia of Ten Thousand Flowers” was planted in the years of the Chenghua Ming Dynasty sometime between 1465 and 1487 (there are conflicting ideas here), well before the construction of the Yufeng temple. The lamasery is one of the Scarlet Sect lamaseries of Lijiang and lies at the southern foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain which includes the southernmost glacier in the northern hemisphere. The tree is spiritual. It blooms two colors for over one hundred days, and is thought to be comprised of two grafts, a combination of the trunks and branches of the Lionhead camellia and C. reticulata, both indigenous to the mixed mountain forest in western and central Yunnan . Lion’s head is the most popular cultivated variety among the Yunnan camellias and is often listed as C. hiemalis ‘Shishigashira’ – while others list the plant as C. sasanqua. No one is exactly sure of this plant’s exact ancient heritage but it’s known to grow fast, tall, and be tough as nails. Most of the ancient camellias in the Yunnan are lion’s head with colorful petals that grow in circles, four or five petals in a circle with about 30 petals total. C. reticulata blooms are smaller and white to pink to rose. One Chinese source referred to the tree with this award winning prose, “with the irradiation of the brilliant sunglow and the contrast of the green grassland, the flowering tree looks like burning flames from beyond. It is the real ‘King of the Camellia Trees’.” While there I met the (continued on page 50)
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(continued from page 49)
llama in charge of taking care of the tree, something he had been trained to do since his youth. He took full responsibility for the tree over forty years ago. At the time of my visit, he was 93. This was his job. SFA Gardens is home to over 200 varieties of camellias varying in age from brand new to many over
For a more detailed account, check out our webpage: http://sfagardens. sfasu.edu/UserFiles/File/PLANTS/ Camelliaoftenthousandflowers.pdf
50
20 years old. One of the very first planted here was Camellia X ‘Frank Houser’, a favorite of Sherwood Aikens from Sibley, Louisiana. Sherwood was a dear friend of SFA Gardens. He gifted this plant saying it had “the biggest flower of any camellia.” I think he may be right. We have measured blooms over 7 inches in diameter. ‘Frank Houser’ was the work of Dr. Walter E. Homeyer, Jr. and it first bloomed in Macon, Georgia in 1984, the result of a cross between C. japonica ‘Steve Blount’ and C. reticulata ‘Buddha’. Another favorite at SFA Gardens is C. sasanqua ‘Pink Butterfly’ which features large, simple flowers that bloom early enough to avoid most of the first hard freezes in early winter. Introduced by Clifford Parks, Chapel Hill, NC, in 1988, it has been a durable performer in spite of a location giving it almost full western
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sun. Bobby Green of Fairhope, Alabama, can be considered one of the premier breeders of Camellias and we are blessed to have his introductions in fine form in the garden. While we love all of them, one of the standouts is ‘Emeralds n Coral’, a clean tight bush with heavy flower bearing. To be honest, there are so many great camellias it’s almost impossible pick the best. Our databases are online at the SFA Gardens webpage. Over so many years, I’ve come to appreciate why camellias remain a standard of the Southern Garden: great flowers, glossy evergreen leaves, long lived, and very durable once established. Besides all these great garden attributes, I can’t help but think of that long ago visit to the ancient camellia at the base of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the peaceful llama who made it his life’s work to tend an ancient camellia. m
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New Members Welcome! TNLA would like to welcome its new members. If you would like to become a member, or if you have any questions or concerns about your current membership, please contact us at 800.880.0343. Visit www.tnlaonline.org to learn about the benefits of becoming a part of TNLA. REGIO N 1
Grower Crown of Thorns Nursery, LLC Brenda Hubbard 4659 US Hwy 69 North Lufkin, TX 75904 www.crownofthornsnursery.com
Landscape Pure Nature, LLC Stan Crockett PO Box 311100 New Braunfels, TX 78131 www.purenature.us
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Landscape Glauser & Co. Landscaping William Glauser 750 Bering Dr., Suite 130 Houston, TX 77057 www.glauserco.com Cornerstone Maintenance Hipolito Garcia 7911 Ravens Point Dr. Richmond, TX 77406 Student Houston Community College Ruben Cardona 9750 Windwater Dr. Apt. 1033 Houston, TX 77075
Landscape Tyson Gardens Laura Tyson 7415 Wentwood Dr. Dallas, TX 75225 www.tysongardens.com Britton & Associates, Inc. Britt Johnson 2818 Lombardy Lane Dallas, TX 75220 www.brittonassoc.com Bloomscapes Sherla Lenhard 105 South 3rd St. Midlothian, TX 76065
Intescape LLC, dba The Ranch Hands Douglas “Dusty” Fulfer 5705 Binbranch Lane McKinney, TX 75071 www.theranchhands.net Yardspell Karen Meder 11443 Lamplighter Lane Dallas, TX 75229 www.yardspell.com Supplier Cappsure inc. Michael Cohen 7106 Clemson Dr. Dallas, TX 75214 www.cappsure.com Student North Texas Central College Selia Williams 4135 Hollow Oak Dr. Dallas, TX 75287 Texas A&M University Patricia King PO Box 514 Nevada, TX 75173
GRANITE
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Student Tarleton State University Justin Youngman 2251 W. Tarleton St., Apt 907 Stephenville, TX 76401
Student Austin Community College Angela S. Zambrano 2702 Orsobello Place Cedar Park, TX 78613
Dexter Prater 6204 London Circle Bryan, TX 77802
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Supplier WaterPulse, Inc. Scott Kegerreis 1375 Ken Pratt Blvd., C-1 Longmont, CO 80501 www.waterpulse.com
Hope Zuniga 990 N. Neblett St. Stephenville, TX 76401 Landscape Texas Floral Design, Inc. Scott Peterson 133 NW Hillery St. Burleson, TX 76028 www.texasfloraldesign.com
Soft Intelligence, Inc. J. Lombardi 11660 Alpharetta Hwy. Suite 335 Roswell, GA 30076 www.softintelligence.com Grower Marian Gardens Tree Farm Gregg Brady 619 W State Rd 50 Groveland, FL 34736 www.mariangardens.com
Green Acres Landscaping & Irrigation, LLC Kevin Stephens PO Box 54311 Hurst, TX 76054 www.txgreenacres.com
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3804-D Woodbury Drive • Austin, TX 78704 www.submatic-usa.com 512.440.7744 • Fax 512.440.7793 Jan•Feb 2016
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Calendar of Events
Classified Ads
January 21 Dallas Market Center Tour & Social Hour in Dallas, Texas 26 CEU Workshop for Landscape Professionals Pesticide Training in Hoblizelle, Texas 26-27 TNLA Winter Showcase at One World Theater in Austin, Texas
For meeting times and additional information, please visit www.tnlaonline.org
newly certified individuals TCNP
TMCNP
Emma Smith, TCNP Calloway’s Nursery Kathryn White, TCNP Buchanan’s Native Plants Adriane Scherer, TCNP Calloway’s Nursery
Dillon Pruitt, TMCNP Calloway’s Nursery Elliot Flint, TMCNP Calloway’s Nursery Dorothy Wagner, TMCNP Cornelius Nurseries
TCLA
For the latest job listings visit our online opportunities. For Sale Well-established Retail Nursery for Sale with Real Estate. Located just South of the DFW area. Pre-approved for SBA financing. For details contact Dwayne at 972458-8989 ext. 204 or Dwayne@ thevantgroup.com. Commercial Landscape Estimator – Houston, Texas. Landscape Estimator is responsible for producing commercial landscape and irrigation. At least 2 years’ experience required. Please submit resume to ssbssk1964@gmail.com. In-House Sales Representative Mortellaro’s Nursery in Schertz, Texas is looking for In-house Sales Representative! The ideal candidate has communication skills, knows plant material and is able to assist customers with product selections. See details on TNLA job board. Contact Lydia Garcia, HR at 210-655-6979 or Email inquiries to Joanne Harden at joannejames@ mortellaro.com with “Sales Job” in subject line.
Debbie Banfield, TMCNP, TCLA
TCLP Brittnay Meyer, TCLP BIO Landscape & Maintenance
Learn more about the benefits of certification at www.tnlaonline.org.
Organic Fruit Orchard Manager to handle all planting, irrigation, organic fertilizer operations for 7 – 12 acres. Both green house and non-greenhouse operations. Must ensure orchard setup from start is done properly and will manage any staff required to ensure proper production is reached. Must be able to manage all operation oversite as well as maintain costs within yearly budgets. If interested, respond to porepressure@gmail.com.
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For media kit and advertising information, email advertising@tnlaonline.org
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OHP_Segway_O_Ad_2015.pdf
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