Get Started
Home » Archives for 2008

Archives for 2008

All Great Things Come in Threes

By Leave a Comment

Exciting News from Ball Horticultural Company!

1. Ball Horticultural Company announces the launch of its completely redesigned Web site!

The new site is organized and easy to navigate with one convenient location for growers, retailers, landscapers and home gardeners to find out about plants, products and programs available from Ball.

Highlights of the new ballhort.com include a database where growers and retailers can list their businesses, a commonly asked questions page for all audience types, and a section for sustainable solutions from Ball. Also, site visitors can enjoy all the best features of the previous site including downloadable PDFs with plant culture information and lists of Ball Exclusives. Take a look!

2. Ball Horticultural Company and French firm Alliance 47 announce a joint venture to develop and commercialize new bio-packaging products for the horticulture industry.

Under a long-term agreement, Ball Horticultural Company has exclusive worldwide rights to technology that will apply to an extensive range of packaging products including pots, tags, point-of-purchase materials and more.

Ball Innovations will oversee the research and product development work related to the partnership. “Our goal is for Ball to continue to lead the industry in providing practical, sustainable solutions for greenhouse growers,” says Bill Doeckel, General Manager of Ball Innovations. “By working with Alliance 47 to greatly expand the range of sustainable packaging products, we hope to dramatically improve the sustainable options for our industry.”

Packaging products made from the new substrates will be commercially available to horticulture industry professionals in Europe and North America beginning in 2008.

3. In 2008, Wave® petunias will celebrate their 10th year on television with a national advertising campaign that is bigger, bolder and better than ever before!

A new commercial promoting Wave petunias in Pink Packaging will air more than 700 times on 25 national cable channels including HGTV and DIY as well as other lifestyle-oriented networks like E!, Lifetime, A&E, Food Network and more. The comprehensive marketing experience for Wave petunias will also include elements of print advertising, direct mail, events, online communications, viral marketing and public relations.

“This commercial is designed to get attention and appeal to newer, younger gardeners with an edgy, fun style,” says Diane Hund, Director of Marketing at Ball. “This year’s entire Wave marketing campaign is unlike anything our industry has ever seen. We’re fully committed to helping growers and retailers by marketing Wave petunias to consumers in fresh and creative ways, and the unique approach and broader reach of this year’s television advertising plan does just that.”

The theme of the commercial is “Accept the Gardener in You,” and will air March 31 through June 11 in the U.S. and Canada.For a behind-the-scenes look at the integrated Wave marketing plan, check out the Wave video posted on YouTube.

~Leslie

David Wilson of Garden Splendor Shares His Gardening Trends for 2008

By 2 Comments


Recently, David Wilson, director of marketing for the Garden Splendor brand by Overdevest Nurseries in Bridgeton, NJ, shared with us some of his “gardening trends” for 2008. He receives a great deal of feedback during his time out on the road visiting Garden Splendor retail partners from VA to ME, Pitttsburgh to Montauk. With almost 40 dealers participating in the Garden Splendor program, most of which are progressively minded retail outlets with their finger closely on the pulse of the home & garden world, David finds it extremely helpful and interesting to hear feedback from these garden center owners and managers. See below for some great info from David’s 2008 emerging gardening trends, which he’s gathered from gardeners and home owners across the region and from all walks of life:

“The maturing baby boomers are increasingly aware of health and wellness issues and with the global warning and environmental concerns, we are all attempting to ‘live’ better and see the secure and reassuring surroundings of ‘home life’ as a way to cope with the situation. Many see gardening as a wholesome and rewarding thing to do. But, they are impatient, they want it now, they want it easy, and they want their plants big and looking good. It seems the new trend is to decorate, rather than carry out traditional style gardening. So, easy creative ideas, larger plants and minimal ‘WORK’ seem to be the order of the day.”

Here are some of the things I’ve noticed:

  • Outdoor living areas – still very strong: According to recently released market research from The Freedonia Group demand for outdoor furniture and grills will reach $7.5 billion in 2011. The market will benefit from growth in the number of households and the increasing popularity of outdoor living areas like patios, porches and decks. In addition, consumer lifestyle trends are showing these people are likely to be spending a significant amount of their leisure time at home.
  • Do “SOME” of it for me: Fueled by the HGTV programs (to which my wife is addicted) – curb appeal, landscape design etc. There seems to be a strong demand for experts to do at least some of the project. The D.I.F.M (do it for me) thing of last year, seems now to be morphing into D.S. I.F.M (do some of it for me). People have always wanted help with the time consuming, laborious and technical parts of the project but now there seems to be a very strong demand for the home owner to have input and participation in the projects. There seems to be a very strong and growing demand for gardening consultants / contractors that can provide guidance and support, and undertake the larger part of the project but leave segments for the home owners to do.
  • Foliage color is big: Allied to the above comments, we see a continuing demand for long lasting / weather resistant / easy care plants; so varieties with colorful, season long foliage continue to be getting stronger in demand. It is happening with annuals, perennials and shrubs, too. This is why half of the Garden Splendor perennials earmarked as our showcaseplants for 2008 provide primarily foliage color:
  • Geum ‘Mango Lassi’
  • Lychnis ‘Rolly’s Favorite’
  • Heuchera ‘Peach Flambe’
  • Veronica ‘Goldwell’
  • Clematis ‘Daniel Deronda’
  • Hakonechloa ‘All Gold’
  • Coreopsis ‘Pinwheel’
  • Mukdenia ‘Crimson Fans’
  • Echinacea ‘Pink Double Delight’

  • I want a nice garden – but not the work: The days of the contented, relaxed gardener who accepted (and came to terms with) the chores of weeding, hoeing, mulching, watering, staking and tying etc. as being part of keeping a nice garden is gone now. They have been replaced by home owners who are only prepared to allow a few hours of their cherished weekend time to gardening. Today’s home owners don’t mind walking behind (or riding) on a mower, planting containers, or tending smaller beds in prominent positions, but back breaking work like digging, weeding, or mulching is close to purgatory – so gardens are smaller, container gardening is still expanding and chores like mulching beds is performed less frequently (every second year or third year).

  • Containers, containers, and more containers: Container planting continues to become ever stronger. Potted plants are being placed everywhere in the garden, from highly decorative and classy pots by the front door, patio, deck or around the swimming pool, to troughs and window boxes, roof and balcony gardens. Lately there’s been a swing to positioning containers in borders where the color of the container becomes the focus, and where it is easier to weed and water, and relieve the stress on the knees and back.
  • New and novelty plants are popular: We see the demand for novelty perennials that are showy, shorter, more compact, and longer flowering, too. Newer varieties like Echinacea ‘Pink Double Delight’, Lychnis ‘Rolly’s Favorite’ and Coreopsis ‘Pinwheel’ are good examples. The unusual shaped flowers, the compact habit and all round colorful attributes coupled with the easy to look after nature has made them very popular with Garden Splendor customers.
  • Hardy succulents and bright, warm tones are: For the same reasons, hardy or near-hardy succulents seem to be gaining momentum – the drive for easy-care, long-lasting, deer-tolerant plants seems to be fueling this trend. Color wise, the demand for oranges, mango and the bright, warm tones of the southwest are growing in popularity.
  • Hydrangeas – huge upturn in interest: We have also seen a huge upturn in the interest in mophead Hydrangeas. With the arrival of the ‘Forever and Ever’ series, the interest has really taken off. It seems people were always interested in the period that the long lasting flowers gave, but now with the increased reliability of flowering, the compact and shapely habit and the ease of cultivation, they are definitely winning out over other summer flowering shrubs.
  • Going green moves on to sustainability: The environmental movement, too, is getting stronger and stronger. Everywhere I turn (it seems); I hear the words organic and sustainability. Respect for the environment is here and here to stay; there’s a strong backlash to plastic and artificial things. Home owners are much more aware and careful with the choices they make for their plot, too. With water shortages and concerns about lawn chemicals as of late, we’ve noticed a considerable upswing in the demand for plants that can withstand periods of drought or posses a natural ability to withstand pests and diseases.
  • Well-being, fitness and health issues: Finally, I have seen a steadily increasing awareness of well-being, fitness and health issues. In talking to consumers, friends and customers, there seems to be a lot of interest in a better diet and perhaps because of this there seems to be a strong trend towards growing culinary herbs.

We all know that there’s no place like the garden for connecting with the earth, getting close to nature and de-stressing; it’s a wonderful place to ratchet down to a slower gear, be alone with your thoughts and deal with the pressure of these fast-paced times. Home owners are rediscovering the serenity of their own private sanctuaries, yearning for rewarding benefits that nature provides etc., so its not surprising to see renewed and sustained interest in butterfly and hummingbird attracting plants, water gardening, scented oils and candles, patio awnings and umbrellas, outdoor bars and beverage stations, and even hammocks.


Thanks for sharing those valuable gardening trends with us, David. We’re looking forward to seeing them play out in 2008.


– Sally

Dan Heims, president of Terra Nova Nurseries, to speak at Powell's Books in Portland, Ore. as part of "Get Gardening" series

By Leave a Comment

Dan Heims, president of Terra Nova Nurseries in Canby, Ore., will be speaking at Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing in Portland on March 18, 2008 as part of the “Get Gardening” series. Heims will speak about and present information on varieties of Heuchera and Heucherella featured in his recently published book, Heuchera and Heucherella, Coral Bells and Foamy Bells. In the book, published by Timber Press, Heims and co-author Grahame Ware provide background on wild species of Heuchera as well as details about how these plants have developed into the garden stars they are today. The book also features extensive plant listings of the choice selections and hybrids available commercially. It also includes practical chapters on garden care, propagation and design uses, all recommended by Heims and Ware.

“Get Gardening” is a joint effort by three local Portland businesses, Timber Press, Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, and Al’s Garden Center, which have joined forces to bring garden enthusiasts an exciting program of monthly talks by some of the country’s top garden writers. Each presentation is followed by discussion and snacks. There are various door prizes and giveaways as well as an opportunity to talk to the authors, like Heims, meet other gardeners, and swap gardening stories and photos. There is no cost to participate in “Get Gardening”.

For more information on Dan Heims and the “Get Gardening” event at Powell’s in Portland.

Information about purchasing Dan’s Book, Heucheras and Heucherellas – Coral Bells and Foamy Bells

More about Terra Nova Nurseries:

Terra Nova Nurseries is a world leader in plant breeding and genetics which has introduced over 460 captivating, robust and innovative varieties of annuals and perennials for the landscape and garden to the marketplace. The Terra Nova Nurseries team produces dozens of hardy new selections each year through expert flower breeding and laboratory research. These varieties are then propagated through tissue culture in state-of-the-art labs to make large quantities of healthy plants available to home gardeners, independent garden centers, growers, and landscape professionals throughout the world.

– Sally

Rapid Reel® Garden Hose Reels Return for 2008

By 2 Comments

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

By Leave a Comment

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…

By Leave a Comment

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

By Leave a Comment

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.