Archives for December 2012

Our client, Big River Industries, specializes in manufacturing expanded clay lightweight aggregate, called Riverlite. The aggregate is used in a variety of applications, including Masonry, Concrete, Geotechnical, Asphalt, Horticulture, and Storm Water Management. The company recently teamed up with Archer-Western Contractors of Atlanta to help solve an engineering problem for its Corridor X project, a major interchange being constructed just north of Birmingham, Ala.

The problem: Portions of the new roadway will travel over an existing 2,500 foot concrete drainage system that is approximately twenty feet underground. Thus, the project’s engineers and Alabama Department of Transportation were worried too much pressure on the roadway above the pipe would cause cracks and leaks.

The Solution: Big River Industries’ Riverlite aggregate. This type of aggregate helps reduce the load on the drainage pipe culvert by more than half compared to normal weight material because of its very low density and very high angle of internal friction.

To learn more about how Big River Industries’ Riverlite aggregate provided a solution for the unique engineering challenge, watch the video below. And, for more information about Riverlite and its various applications, visit www.riverlite.com.

Drum roll please! Every year Pantone, a world-renowned authority on color and provider of color systems, announces its Color of the Year. In 2012, Pantone chose Tangerine Tango as the Color of Year; now on the opposite side of the color spectrum, the 2013 Color of the Year is Emerald.

This beautiful shade of green is fresh, luminous and energizing. It can me mixed and matched with neutral color schemes to create a striking focal point, or can be paired with bold color palettes for a dramatic effect. Designers, we guarantee your clients will want to include Pantone’s 2013 Color of the Year in their next interior design project!

Below our team has sourced two great examples on how to decorate with Emerald.

Use Emerald as a wall color in living, dining, bedroom and bathroom spaces. This creates a striking contrast when complemented with unique home furnishing pieces. (Photo Credit: Antweak)

Home furnishings and accessories in Emerald green are perfect for drawing eyes up and across a room. (Photo Credit: Tobi Fairley Interior Design blog)

Which use of Emerald caught your attention?

We have a wonderful opportunity for you to get a first-hand look at brand new plant varieties from our client Terra Nova Nurseries, which in turn, you could perhaps share with your plant- and garden-loving readers. In addition, our team has concepted some great story ideas and topics that include possible byline articles and / or expert quotes from Dan Heims, president of Terra Nova Nurseries and a repeat guest on “The Martha Stewart Show” as one of Martha’s foremost national horticulturists.

For 2013, Terra Nova Nurseries’ will be introducing a wide selection of brand new, retail-ready varieties for home gardeners to enjoy. These new introductions are just a few of Dan’s team’s 700 new plants that have been introduced to the consumer marketplace. And, they are among the most beautiful yet. The new varieties include a wide range of genera with unique characteristics and superior breeding, from vibrant echinaceas and hardy sedums to grassy kniphofias and heucheras with ruffled foliage.

And, with our help, you can share stunning high-resolution photos of the company’s new cultivars which will give your readers inspiration for their own lawns and gardens for the next spring and summer seasons.

To learn more about Terra Nova Nurseries’ 2013 consumer ready plants and access photos for publishing, please contact our team here at ECPR by emailing Dominique de Bruin at ddebruin@eberlycollardpr.com.

Also, our team has creatively conceived some great article ideas featuring the company’s new 2013 varieties as well as available editorial resources, gardening tips and advice from Dan Heims who is Terra Nova Nurseries’ resident plant guru.

Leucanthemum ‘Goldfinch’

• Miniature plants are one of the fastest-growing trends among home gardeners, and those who know little about gardening, too. The company’s Heuchera Little Cuties™ Series is making waves in the horticulture industry, and we think your readers will instantly fall for these sweet new mini-plants. The series features seven new miniature heucheras, which can be used in a grouping for small space and fairy gardens. As outdoor spaces are growing tighter, the need for small house plants and gardens are becoming more popular; Dan can be interviewed on the topic or assist with writing upon request.

Heuchera ‘Spellbound’

In addition, Dan Heims is also available for writing byline articles. He is wildly popular among horticulturalists and is considered to be one of the most influential professionals in the industry. Below are some prospective article topics Dan could provide along with professional photos. 

Dan’s Select Byline Article Topics:

• Hot Heuchera and their Uses: This article will be an overview of how heuchera and heucherella are used around the world. These types of plants offer homeowners the ability to maintain color in the garden all year long, even during cold winters. From vibrant red and orange foliage to deep purples and black, readers will see how these multi-use plants can be used in containers and landscape settings throughout the different seasons. 

• Container Crazy: This article will share with homeowners the key to creating beautiful container combinations for front and backyard areas as well as for small spaces. Including tips on using different plant textures such as ruffled and grassy foliage mixed with silky flowers and spiky seed heads. In this article, Dan will also provide home gardeners with ideas on how to create containers with similar and contrasting color palettes to draw attention. 

• Garden Gems: In this article, Dan could discuss the latest and most exciting perennials, tropicals and woodies in today’s market and practical tips for home gardeners they can use to beautify their outdoor spaces with bright garden gems, showcasing colorful foliage, flowers, texture, and more. 

• Other concepts available upon request. 

Editors and garden writers, if you are interested in pursuing any of our article ideas or byline articles from Dan Heims, please contact the ECPR team.