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Archives for February 2008

Rapid Reel® Garden Hose Reels Return for 2008

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I was glad to hear of the return of Rapid Reel®’s line of Garden Hose Reel products for 2008. These durable exterior hose reel products are quite popular among gardening and landscape enthusiasts throughout the world for the exterior living room, yard, farm, barn, garage, or additional usage areas such as professional greenhouses or nurseries, fire protection services, commercial building and property management, equestrian facilities, etc.

  • With their rugged metal construction, created from rustproof, die-cast aluminum with stainless steel hardware and brass fittings, these reels are longer-lasting than other light-duty, weak plastic hose reels.
  • With four model types to choose from, these durable and reliable hose reels are available in portable or wall-mount options.
  • Innovatively designed, the reels blend seamlessly with an array of exterior design components and stand the test of time. Each garden hose reel is backed by a 10-year, No-Leak, No-Break Guarantee.

Unlike a lot of products (especially garden hose reels), everyone who’s tried this hose reel has something positive to say about it:

“Use one in a barn and was so impressed wanted one for the yard. Easy to rewind & take off.” – David S., Rowley, MA

“I’m excited to find such a high quality product. The durable metal construction with corrosion resistance and brass fittings makes this an exceptional product.” – Charles Cyr, C., MA

“I am 84 years of age and I am delighted with ease of usage.” – David L., Montclair, NJ

“Excellent product, worth every penny.” – Mark J., Kingsville, TX

All four products in the line of Rapid Reel® Garden Hose Reels come with a revolutionary new braking system that allows the user to adjust the amount of drag the reel applies as the hose is pulled out. The Garden Hose Reels from Rapid Reel® are completely maintenance free. However, in a winter climate, the reels can be winterized to protect them from freeze damage. With its ultra-easy assembly, it takes just a few minutes, a Philips head screwdriver and an enclosed hex key to assemble the reels and put them to work.

  • 150-foot Parallel Wall Reel: A stationary hose reel product that is innovatively designed to mount easily, blend in seamlessly and stand the test of time. This model pulls the hose out parallel to (along) the wall, making it ideal for sidewall mountings.
  • 150-foot Perpendicular Wall Reel: The 150-foot Perpendicular Wall Reel lasts for years and enhances the accessibility of exterior hose use. This stationary reel pulls the hose out perpendicular to (away from) the wall, an action best suited for front and back wall mountings.
  • 225-foot Four Wheel Wagon Hose Reel: If the domain is expansive enough to require capacity and portability, the Four Wheel Wagon Reel can handle 225 feet of hose, while its rugged tire design enables it to negotiate any terrain.
  • 150-foot Two Wheel Cart Reel: The Two Wheel Cart Reel has the freedom of movement and the muscle to negotiate difficult surfaces. With the durability to last for years and the capacity to spool 150 feet of hose, this reel is reliable as well as portable.

Visit Rapid Reel’s Web site to learn more or order one of these garden hose reels.

Novalis® Expands Network to Include New Growers of Annual Color, Perennials, Shrubs

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Novalis® adds seven growers to consortium for production of Plants that Work® by Color™ line, while Bailey Nurseries joins the network for production of perennial and woody ornamental programs.

Moncks Corner, S.C., Feb. 10, 2008 – Novalis®, a professional horticulture trade consortium made up of significant annual, perennial and woody ornamental growers spanning the United States, officially announced today that it has added a number of new growers to its network, significantly increasing the reach and scope of its Plants that Work® plant brand.

In a broad expansion of the alliance-based network, seven growers have committed to production of bedding plant varieties as part of Novalis®’ Plants that Work® by Color™; in addition, one new grower will join nine existing ones in the production of perennials and woody ornamentals under the inclusive Plants that Work® brand.

The seven growers who recently signed-on with the consortium to grow varieties for Novalis®’ Plants that Work® by Color™ program include:

o Armstrong Growers

o Beds & Borders, Inc.

o Carolina Nurseries, Inc.

o Peace Tree Farms

o Sunbelt Greenhouses

o Tanasacre Nursery

o Wenke Greenhouses

Carolina Nurseries, one of the four founding members of the Novalis® consortium, and Armstrong Growers, an existing Novalis® network member, will continue to grow plant material for the Plants that Work® perennial and shrub-based programs but will now, additionally, grow color bedding plant varieties for the brand.

The Plants that Work® by Color™ program was brought into existence to provide independent retailers and professional landscapers with a fully comprehensive package of plant material and regional sourcing from a collective premium product supplier. The addition of the growers will lead to more abundant and diverse plant selections for creating and maintaining a range of landscapes in all parts of the country.

Furthermore, the Novalis® consortium has added Bailey Nurseries, one of the most preeminent growers in the country, to its network whereas the nursery will grow perennial and shrub selections that are part of Plants that Work®. This new addition extends the consortium’s promise of horticultural excellence and regional product availability for independent retailers, professional landscapers, municipalities, and others.

“This is an exciting time for the Novalis® network of growers and the independent garden centers that sell Plants that Work®,” said J. Guy, manager of Novalis®. “We wholeheartedly welcome the new growers who have joined the consortium and are honored to have them in the network. With the latest addition of Bailey Nurseries and the new Plants that Work® by Color™ program growers, Novalis® is moving into a new era of providing a truly all-encompassing brand of varieties for virtually anyone in need of premium plant material.”

More about Plants that Work® by Color™

The Plants that Work® by Color™ program is the most impressive expansion to date of the overall Plants that Work® line, bringing world-class genetics to gardeners in a rainbow of color and form. In spring of 2008, retailers and homeowners will have new and unique options for year-round color, with more than 150 varieties that make spectacular beds, borders and containers.

A major goal of the Plants that Work® by Color™ program is to provide independent garden centers with a new and unique manner of merchandising with plants organized and displayed by basic groups of color, presented with custom-designed packaging, signage and retail benching. The program is backed with a strategic, in- and out-of-store brand-marketing agenda.

“We knew that by growing and distributing Plants that Work® by Color™ regionally, we could ensure retail-ready delivery and optimum garden performance in particular areas,” said Tom Kegley, marketing director of Novalis®.

The Plants that Work® by Color™ offerings, along with hundreds of other robust and branded plants from the Novalis® network, are cultivated to accentuate outdoor living, provide solutions for novice and expert gardeners, and address consumer high-demand for new collections of unparalleled variety and quality in every region of the country.

– Sally

There's nothing I like more than a little healthy competition…

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In and around the industry, many of us talk about the need to have growers and garden centers working together to get consumers interested in plants and gardening again.

Well, this creative campaign from STEPABLES® is doing just that! The Under A Foot Plant Company™ and its STEPABLES® plant brand have launched the second annual “We’ve Got Sole™” photo contest, offering independent garden centers the opportunity to win up to $5,000 for their favorite charities…with a twist!

Last year, independent garden centers were given a chance to partake in the contest by submitting digital images of their STEPABLES® retail displays using the Good For Your Sole® point-of-purchase materials and display gardens featuring STEPABLES® varieties. This year, participating garden center customers can join in by creating their own STEPscape™ designs at home! There are also more photo categories, more prizes and more opportunities for garden centers and consumers to get involved and give back to their communities.

Contests such as this are a great way to get garden centers interacting with their communities, their grower suppliers and their direct customers. Plus, who doesn’t like a little healthy competition?!

For more info about the STEPABLES® “We’ve Got Sole™” photo contest and to learn about participating garden centers near you, visit the STEPABLES®

Horticultural Identification Products Hires West Coast Sales Representative

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Thomasville, NC – February 1, 2008 – Horticultural Identification Products (HIP), a customized tag and labeling products company for the horticulture industry, announced today that it has hired Bob Nichols as the company’s West Coast sales representative.

With an extensive background in horticulture, green-goods sales and marketing, Nichols comes to HIP from Weeks Roses, where he served as a national sales manager and led a sales team of seven for the wholesale grower located in Upland, Calif.

In his new role, Nichols will bring 20 years of experience to managing all West Coast sales efforts for HIP. His responsibilities will include developing sales strategy, representing the company and its products at industry events and trade shows as well as interacting with major growers along the West Coast, from British Columbia to the Mexican border.

“I am thrilled to join the successful team at HIP and represent the company as well its superior horticulture marketing-solution products on the West Coast,” said Nichols. “The region is one that has always been and continues to be green-sensitive, and which has drawn considerable excitement and great interest in HIP’s products, particularly those created from environmentally sound materials.”

The hire is in keeping with HIP’s practice of employing horticultural specialists with innovative marketing and green-goods expertise. HIP utilizes these experts, who are versed in all aspects of horticultural marketing, production and independent retail needs and strategies, to service the company’s clientele and develop customized, top-quality merchandising solutions.

Nichols is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in horticulture, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, where he received a Master of Business Administration degree in marketing. Bob currently lives in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., one hour east of Los Angeles.

To learn more about HIP products please visit www.hiplables.com.