June 2008

With 32 years of experience in the horticulture industry and a bachelor’s degree in communications and botany from the University of Oregon, Dan Heims researches, speaks, writes, and stands at the forefront of the horticulture industry as president of Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc., a company praised for innovative, new plant introductions. Over the past 13 years, Terra Nova Nurseries has grown to become a world leader in plant breeding introducing over 460 exciting new varieties to the global market. Heims has been an integral part of the company’s growth and success from the very beginning.

As an educator, Heims is known as a knowledgeable enthusiast in all things horticulture. He has spent years lecturing all over the world, including the United States, Japan, England, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Germany, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Tasmania, Australia, and Canada. From breeding to growing, Heims teaches people about his experiences in the industry.

Dan Heims will be leading several speaking engagements throughout the remainder of June and into July – come by and join in!

Wisconsin Hardy Plant Society “WHPS Meeting” on June 17, 2008. The lecture will be at the Janesville, WI, Monoria Community Center at 7 p.m.

My Garden Nursery “Heuchera and their Allies” on June 28, 2008. Heims will speak on “Heuchera Happening” in Mill Creek, WA from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

OFA “Plants for Containers (and Small Space Gardens)” on July 12, 2008. Heims will give two lectures at the Columbus, OH, tradeshow, including a panel discussion on “What it takes to make it in horticulture.”

Perennial Plant Association “New Plant Introductions” on July 24, 2008. This annual presentation is given at the convention in Columbus, OH, announcing nine of the newest Terra Nova Nurseries varieties.

~ Leslie

Oh, “Going Green.” A term we hear so often, and yet, many of us still don’t know how to make our lives more environmentally friendly.

A book was recently published called The Everything Green Living Book…with, you guessed it… hundreds of simple tips to going green. Our favorite tip? The author, Diane Gow McDilda, recommends www.Stepables.com as a great resource for finding plants to replace your chemical- and water-hungry lawn.

Three, top reasons replacing your turf can do worlds for the environment:

1) Remove the need for a lawn mower – Creeping perennials from STEPABLES® never grow higher than a couple of inches, so get rid of those nasty fuel emissions!

2) Lower water usage – Choose the right plant for the right area, and many of these groundcovers can survive drought, humidity or your two-week-long vacation.

3) Lower (and sometimes remove completely) the need to spray dangerous chemicals in your landscape – STEPABLES® plants weave closely together, naturally blocking the growth of weeds!

For more information on how to select the right low-growing groundcovers for your lawn, visit the STEPABLES® Web site. For a sneak-peek at how to replace your own lawn, watch this instructional video.

*This message is Mother Nature approved.

Best,

Leslie