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Dan Heims: March Events

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Dan Heims, president and co-founder of Terra Nova Nurseries, has over 33 years of horticulture experience and has helped introduce more than 600 new plant varieties to gardeners all across the United States. As an educator, Heims is known as a knowledgeable enthusiast in all things horticulture and has spent years lecturing all over the world.

This March, he’ll be speaking at the following two events…

Idaho Horticulture Symposium:

Heims will be conducting two keynote sessions about “Flash and Splash – Building: the Color Story” and “How Dry I Am – Dryscaping for the Consumer” at the Idaho Horticulture Symposium in Boise. The annual Idaho Horticulture Symposium, hosted by the Idaho Horticultural Society, will be held on March 6, 2010, and open to landscape designers, home gardeners, writers, and more. During “Flash and Splash – Building: the Color Story,” Heims will discuss variegated and color-leaved plants, how these unique varieties are discovered, and the use of these plants in garden design. During “How Dry I Am,” Heims will address plants for “water-wise” landscaping, water shortages and distribution. For more information about the Idaho Horticultural Society and registration, please visit www.gardencentral.org.
All-Iowa Horticultural Expo:

Heims will be a keynote speaker at the All-Iowa Horticultural Expo, lecturing on “Right Plant, Right Place.” This event will take place on Saturday, March 20, at 10:00 a.m., at the Bridge View Center in Ottumwa, IA. Whether a garden space is dry, wet or shady, Heims will advise attendees on how to make good plant selections for problematic areas and how to keep these areas healthy. For more information about attending the All-Iowa Horticultural Expo, please visit www.iowahort.org.

If you are a member of the media and would like additional information on how to attend these talks for free, please feel free to contact me at lkirk@eberlycollardpr.com.

~Leslie

What will they think of next? Great Garden Gadgets by Plumstone

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With a handiness factor that compares itself to the invention of the garlic press for culinary experts, the SoilStick, which is just one of the new products introduced by Plumstone, is sure to assist even the most novice of gardeners with how to accurately determine the correct acidity level for a particular plant or bed of plants.

Determining pH levels in soil until now was a fairly daunting task, and if you happened to be thumbing through the latest issue of a Better Homes and Gardens magazine like me the day the professor covered the topic in chemistry class, you are also at a loss as to why your Camellia bush’s foliage is yellowing.

Here is some background on the science behind the measurement of soil pH. The pH level is a mosaic that varies according to soil crumb structure, on the surface of colloids, and at microsites. The pH also exhibits vertical gradients, tending to be more acidic in surface mulches and alkaline where evaporation, wormcasts, and capillary action draw bases up to the soil surface… Wait, I got off track a bit, and there IS a much easier way!

The SoilStick will do this for you. SoilStick’s innovative scoop design measures out the perfect amount of soil each time, giving more accurate results. Each package includes a pH Color Chart matching plants (including vegetables and fruits) with the right pH in one easy step. An Amendment Chart makes it a snap for users to change the pH for a particular plant or perennial bed. To use SoilStick, simply scoop the soil, dump it into the tube, add water and the pH tablet. Each package includes 8 tablets.

If you are working on a gardening how-to article as a member of the media, let us know how we can assist you and your readers. The folks at Plumstone are experts well worth quoting. Consumers can make purchases at www.plumstone.com. Watch for more posts from us about Plumstone’s products before spring.

~ Jeff

Discovered antiques become models or inspirations for production…

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On assignment for a couple of our editor contacts, and to gather information for our blog, Jeff and I went on a two-day hunt at the Atlanta International Gift, Home Furnishings & Area Rug Market. Since the “Mart” is only a few blocks from our office, this is one market for which no travel was needed. The proximity gave us more time to soak in trend-based products, work with clients, see old friends, and meet many new ones.

Our product picks and reviews will be seen in a variety of online and print publications – both trade and consumer – during 2010. We’ll post updates as publication evolves. For now, we wanted to share information about one of our most preferred companies and its impressive outdoor furniture and accessories.

Elegant Earth is a company specializing in furnishings and decorative accoutrements for the outdoors, tables, chairs, benches, containers, fountains, pedestals, and more. Each piece the company produces has its start in the past. Discovered antiques become models or inspirations for production of new items.

Just as with interior design, accessorizing the exterior with furniture should combine practical use with beauty, and bring character to outdoor living areas, decks, patios, and verandahs. Scale is a key component to the company’s design decisions, with attention to detail and pieces that solve problems for homeowners and their designers. The combination of a classic look and style, frost-proof durability, and a lower cost point than the norm for such high quality is a unique selling proposition.

Retailers, designers, and members of the media, take a look at the following favorites we thought you might like:

French Teak: Side Chair and Loveseats (Also available as an arm chair) – These reproductions are based on a style Elegant Earth came across during its many searches for antiques and new product inspiration. The frames are welded wrought iron with a powder-coated finish in a neutral dark-brown. The durability and style of the hand-finished teak makes this a handsome and functional outdoor seating option. Pairing them with Elegant Earth’s 84-inch Old English Dining Table provides a taste of Old World ambience. Designers, consider this pairing for your next outdoor room installation.


Firewood Console – This accessory is an adaptation of Elegant Earth’s sleek 72-inch Console Table. This highly functional 8-piece set offers multiple units that can be placed side by side to create a truly dramatic effect. All pieces are manufactured from re-enforced concrete and hand finished in one of six standard finishes. This pieces’ juxtaposition of application and beauty makes it a focal point with a purpose. Retailers, you could use this piece to change the way your customers think about cold temperatures and frosty days.

Perfect Oval Bistro Table – A reproduction of a piece that hails from the Provence region of France, its simple design is an elegant statement inside or out. The oval shape can be used as an outdoor bistro table or as a center or side table in a large foyer. Cast in re-enforced concrete and hand finished in one of six standard finishes, this oval table was one of Elegant Earth’s best selling pieces in 2009. Possibly, its best feature, the table has an elegant appearance, yet offers extreme stability against strong winds.

Designers / retailers, request a catalog at www.elegantearth.com. Media members, let us know if you’d like photos or more information. Look for previous and future posts based upon our top product picks from the Mart and other markets / tradeshows.

~ Don

Lighten the Load for Green Roof Designers, Builders and City Planners

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One major challenge for landscape architects / designers, contractors and builders in green roof design and installation is meeting weight requirements and building codes. Simultaneously, they must create healthy balances of soil nutrients, plant material, and irrigation systems, all settled on safe base structures and with ease-of-maintenance an essential factor for the future. These green roof professionals must also develop potential opportunities for LEED credits, especially when designing for green-initiative buildings or properties.

Big River Industries is the nation’s largest producer of HydRocks, a lightweight expanded clay aggregate perfect for green roofs. In a rotary kiln, selectively mined clay is fired at temperatures of approximately 2000° F, producing a lightweight, ceramic aggregate. The aggregate is then processed to precise gradations, resulting in a high-quality, lightweight compound that is inert, durable and tough.

At nearly half the weight of common soils, this all-natural, eco-friendly, non-degradable aggregate can be mixed as a soil enhancer to provide the following benefits to green roofs:

  • Reduces water usage
  • Retains moisture during dry periods
  • Reduces water run-off
  • Improves moisture retention
  • Provides sufficient draining
  • Promotes healthy root structures
  • Reduces nutrient loss
  • Encourages aeration
  • Prevents soil compaction

HydRocks particles are completely inorganic and can be blended with other soil supplements. The use of HydRocks can also help acquire up to several LEED credits including: Heat Island Effect, Optimizing Energy Performance, Recycled Content, Innovation in Design, Regional Materials, and Thermal Comfort.

One high-level green roof design that implemented HydRocks is Chicago City Hall. The story behind how the developers and planners created this premium green roof structure and the pivotal role Big River Industries played in the project’s success make for a fascinating case-study.

Editors and publishers, contact us with your questions. For case-study information, feature articles, high-resolution images, interviews with the experts, and more information about HydRocks from Big River Industries, please email me anytime. We’re very interested to learn your article and resource needs pertaining to this type of solution-based story.

~ Leslie

Winter Hellebores

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With cold weather circling the country, hellebores are a popular topic for the New Year landscape as a blooming, colorful alternative to traditional poinsettias and evergreens. While hellebores have been around for years, the newest technologies and expertise in breeding have provided the market with new and improved cultivars that really wow.

In a recent article about Double hellebores in time for winter published in Maple Ridge News, Mike Lascelle explores some of the most exciting new double hellebores by Terra Nova Nurseries. The company’s Winter Jewels series offer never-seen-before colors that remain consistent and reliable throughout the season. A few of our favorites mentioned in the article include:

Winter Jewels Hellebore ‘Peppermint Ice’


Winter Jewels Hellebore ‘Onyx Odyssey’


Winter Jewels Hellebore ‘Sparkling Diamond’


If you’re interested in learning more about Terra Nova Nurseries exclusive Winter Jewels Hellebore series, please feel free to contact us for high-resolution images and profile information, or visit www.terranovanurseries.com. We can schedule interviews and site visits with the breeding team for qualified writers and editors.

~ Leslie

Re-Post: Domus Ventures America Wows Market Attendees

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Since it is spring lead-time for many of the editors for whom we write and provide trend and product insights, we have received a number of media requests to resurface a few of our top outdoor furniture posts. These posts stem from our work with clients and the media at the Chicago-based International Casual Furniture & Accessories Show. At the time, Don Eberly spoke on one of the market’s trend and design panels, and we worked closely with editors and publishers to gather trend and product information for various articles, Web sites, newsletters, and blogs. Today, with spring magazine and online content being worked on by many members of the media, we are available to write articles or provide sources, photos and trend findings. Email or call us with your questions and editorial requests.

Watch for reposts of outdoor furniture and home accessory photos and information on our blog from the Chicago market show as well as new posts about some of the top companies exhibiting at Atlanta’s America’s Mart Home Furnishings, Gifts and Rugs market. To start, one of our most popular previous blog posts is just below…

~Leslie

Dave Hill of Domus Ventures America is one of the most knowledgeable and friendly people you can meet on a trade show floor or at one of the casual furniture / home industry markets. Talking with Dave offers fresh insight surrounding the industry’s latest trends and product innovations, especially some of the leading and cutting-edge products at the hands of Domus Ventures America. He was on site at the latest Chicago market and offered us an enlightening view of all things modern and gorgeous for outdoor spaces.

After viewing all or almost all of the participating exhibits and showrooms at this year’s International Casual Furniture & Accessories Show in Chicago, Jeff, the other co-owner of ECPR, and I had a hard time selecting our pick of a dozen or so top innovators. Several companies, like Domus Ventures America, made the task a bit easier, given such evident technological advancements juxtaposed with high design. (We were on site at the show / market for our own writing and article research, to speak on Garden Design magazine’s product / design trends panel, and on assignment for a number of editor contacts of ours).

Since the show / market, many of you have touched base to share your opinions about our related event product picks and trends research. We have enjoyed your emails. Feel free to also post your comments here, on our blog.

Well, back to Domus… The new Isle of Pines Massage Lounge from Domus Ventures America utilizes the latest high-tech features while offing the ultimate in outdoor comfort. Possibly our favorite product pick of the entire market, this spectacular piece has a waterproof remote-controlled Shiatsu massage unit incorporated into a beautiful reclining lounge. When I showed the photo to an editor friend, she said she wanted this piece on her patio…and in her office for breaks on those pressing deadline days. – No kidding! Talk about relaxation, an ion battery with AC charger provides up to 14 hours of continuous use. A solar panel side table is also available to charge the battery, making the entire reclining massage lounge totally self-contained and waterproof. This is a lounge that sets the standards for others to follow.

A breath-taker at the show was the marine-grade vinyl especially designed for Domus Ventures. Jeff and I had a chance to take a seat on the company’s Luxor Collection, and it looked just like leather. The collection offers tight seats and backs with deep seating comfort, without the headaches and inconveniences of dealing with cushions. After stitching, the covers are sealed from the inside, making them totally water proof. The covers are attached to Aluminum frames with a marine adhesive like that which is used for inflatable life rafts.

Being marine grade means the covers are not only highly UV resistant but also UV reflective, reducing the absorbed heat. The Luxor Collection includes dining, deep seating, single and double sun-loungers, and canopied lounges in two sizes. The best-kept secret… Hidden in the back cushions of the larger size piece is a ready-to-use cooler, a good example of function meeting form.

Sure to fit the photo and editorial needs of some magazine editors reading this post, the Santa Cruz Double Massage Lounge with its beautiful and angled canopy from Domus Ventures America utilizes the latest high-tech features and offers the ultimate in outdoor comfort. This piece has two waterproof remote-controlled Shiatsu massage units incorporated into a reclining canopied lounge. The canopy can also be collapsed for tanning while getting a relaxing massage. Then, when sun becomes too much, up it goes. A solar panel side table is also available to charge the battery, making the entire reclining massage lounge totally self-contained and waterproof. In our estimation, this is a must-have, pool-side piece for vacation homes. And, what a benefit for high-end hoteliers and resort managers / owners who have outdoor relaxation or spa areas to furnish.

Last, but not least, Domus Ventures America’s Corentine Collection is made of powder-coated, welded aluminum frames. They are hand-woven with 100% virgin HDPE resin wicker. Elegant and sleek, the sculptured design is true-modern. This dining set is well-matched in design and function for home use as well as alfresco spaces and cafes utilized by hotels and resorts.

Domus Ventures America impresses us by setting, rather than following, the standards for unique and modern design of outdoor furniture. You can learn more on the company’s site at www.domusventures.com. Members of the media, please post your comments and let us know if you have interest in sharing any of this information with your readers, viewers, etc.


Garden Splendor® Unveils New Showcase Plants for 2010

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The Garden Splendor® brand by Overdevest Nurseries announced 10 new 2010 Showcase selections from the company’s premium plant collection of more than 500 varieties of perennials, ornamental grasses, patio plants, shrubs and vines.

This will be the seventh year that Garden Splendor has offered the Showcase line, and independent garden centers appreciate the consistency and branding of the high-quality product. This year, we spoke directly with a few garden centers that carry the Garden Splendor brand to gather some retailer insight about the Showcase line.

Glenn Pendergast is the owner of Willow Run Home & Garden Showplace, an independent garden center that has carried the Showcase line for four years. When asked about the benefits of carrying the Showcase line, Pendergast said, “Carrying a co-branded plant line of the highest quality benefits us as a good reflection on our company with our consumers.” Pendergast also shared with us that his customers have come to recognize and even anticipate the Garden Splendor Showcase varieties for quality and value.

The 2010 Garden Splendor Showcase line will be available to homeowners at participating independent garden centers in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions beginning spring 2010. They will be shipped to the garden centers at the best times for consumers to plant them. The plant material is chosen each year through extensive research and rigorous on-site evaluations for quality, innovation and reliability.

The new Garden Splendor® Showcase Plants for 2010 include the following:

  • Ajuga ‘Black Scallop’
  • Aquilegia Winky Double ‘Blue and White’
  • Chamaecyparis ‘Oregon Blue’
  • Clematis ‘Crystal Fountain’
  • Dianthus ‘Raspberry Surprise’
  • Dicentra ‘Burning Hearts’
  • Echinacea ‘Mac n’ Cheese’
  • Hosta ‘Touch of Class’
  • Schizachyrium ‘Carousel’
  • Veronica ‘Giles Van Hees’

Additional information about the Garden Splendor brand and plant availability can be found at www.gardensplendor.com. If you are a member of the media, contact us if you’d like us to assist with our usual spring or summer article contributions. We can quote local expert gardening and plant sources in most any area.

~Leslie

Color Series: December Red

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There are plenty of memory associations that accompany color. We think back to a favorite painting we saw in a museum or the fading colors of a carousel we used to love visiting. Every color can connote a feeling of past or present, and very few shades exemplify the feeling of the holidays quite like red.

Velvety scarlet, deep burgundy, bright cherry – there are dozens of shades worth a moment’s pause in the spectrum of this primary color, and they all have a place in exterior and interior design. The hue complements the blues, greens and whites common of the season as well as provides a bold design statement for the rest of the New Year.

While we have previously placed a focus on one specific shade for our color posts, we wanted to break from tradition this time to discuss different shades of red and how each one can be used to provide maximum interest.

What does red denote?

Red is often associated with passion, free-expression, fire, courage, and self-confidence. Best used in accessories and accents, red can be overwhelming if over-used and actually cause stress in abundance. However, just a dab of red can increase excitement and is a classic color option for nearly any room.



A few ways to use red:

In the Home: A little red can go a long way. This is a good motto when designing with a bold or bright shade of red. Even an accent wall may be too much, so the best way to use red is accessorize. Trends have shown stripes of red to be extremely popular in indoor and outdoor furniture. Combined with blues, browns and tans, red is the best method of making a more neutral pallet pop. Candles, lamp shades, mirror frames, table runners, and cut flowers are all easy ways to add red into a room. Red is an excellent color selection when designers choose a contemporary look, but rustic and deep burgundies can mold quickly into the principals of Victorian style.

Especially during the holidays, red can be a treat for the eye. Any shade of red will complement evergreen, so consider adding red throughout a room or on a door using decorative wreaths such as this one from Jackson & Perkins.

In the Landscape: While hundreds of shades of red have been produced in blooming flowers for spring and summer radiance, it is often harder to find bold, daring reds for the landscape during the fall and into winter. This year, we recommend a brand new perennial, Heuchera ‘Autumn Leaves’ by Terra Nova Nurseries, for an absolutely stunning display of cranberry-red foliage during frost.



Our favorite shade:

Glidden offers two shades of red we highly suggest, as each provides two different application possibilities for the color. Candy Apple is a fantastic option for a bold statement through accents, accessories and containers. The deep, classic red will not disappoint to draw the eye to new heights or into unused corners of a space.

We have also notated Terra Cotta Rose, or similar shades, as a popular choice for 2010 design. This lighter, more soothing red has brown tones that calm the shock of the color, allowing designers to use more if they choose. An excellent example can be found in the stone flooring of this outdoor space.



How have you used or plan to use red in your interior and / or exterior design work this year? Or, if a member of the media, what types of color information, sources and photos would be most applicable for your audience members during 2010?

To read more from our color series, visit our September and October suggestions.

~ Leslie

R&R with T&E

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As we all do, I sometimes need a bit of rest and relaxation to rejuvenate myself. Between work and endless chores at home, I often need to force myself to find time for R&R, whether it be reading on my back patio or eating dinner with some friends on the weekend.

On a rare occasion, we find companies that are willing to help consumers find these valued moments of peace. Recently, I became acquainted with Thompson & Elm, also known as T&E, which offers fabulous items that make relaxation possibilities all the more endless, beautiful and easily accessible. Just what we all need!

Here is a bit of information about two of their specialties – casual outdoor furniture and easy-to-create Always in Bloom™ container gardens:

Outdoor casual furniture from T&E, designs for outdoor living…

This photo shows the Grand Estate Collection with deep seating furniture and an oversized coffee table made from cast aluminum. All T&E furniture is made from fully welded, one-piece construction. The long seating section pictured above is expandable to the size and direction needed for a space, making it extremely flexible! The collection’s frames are bronze in color with Flagship Cocoa Sunbrella Fabric.

The photo above shows another favorite at Eberly & Collard Public Relations. The 120-inch rectangular dining table supports seating of up to 10 placements (shown with eight). The dining set is of the Seville Collection and made with cast aluminum in matte black. With the writing and public relations work we do regarding outdoor rooms and casual furniture, I can tell you this dining set will create new trends of design in the coming months.

Always in Bloom™ Container Gardening in 1-2-3…

Above, I have placed two photos showing an easy, fun way to container garden for the busy consumer. T&E offers Always in Bloom™ ready-made containers in three different sizes – deluxe, prestige and estate. Once the consumer selects her favorite container combo in the size she wants, all that is left is to pick a decorative pot in the same size from T&E. The company offers custom-sized pots in euracast, ceramic-glazed pottery and cocoa-liner metal plant stands. The ready-made (already planted) pots fit perfectly into the decorative containers for instant garden success that will last an entire season.

Essentially, the program offers consumers the ability to decorate their patios without the mess of planting, and create beautiful, lasting containers without extensive gardening know-how. T&E offers Always in Bloom™ containers for all four seasons.

Between the easy Always in Bloom containers and premium outdoor furniture, I think your readers can have some true one-of-a-kind R&R! In fact, T&E truly offers consumers a one-stop makeover of an outdoor room or patio. If you are a member of the media or a garden writer working on assignment, just let us know if you need photos or more information. We can connect you with the knowledgeable folks at T&E. To learn more about Thompson & Elm, feel free to visit the Web site.

~ Leslie

The Look and Feel of Form and Function

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Creating an outdoor living space has quickly become a backyard mainstay. Homeowners across the country are creating outdoor sanctuaries ranging from simple fire pits and built-in grill enclosures to elaborate kitchens, patios, and retaining walls. Then, too, city and municipality leaders seek new physical forms and styles of public spaces in an era of outdoor recreation. Meanwhile, Landscape Architects and outdoor room designers supply a vast amount of design and technical knowledge in keeping with the development of such outdoor spaces. Hardscapes serve as the foundation and accents for many of these sites, adding to the natural appearance of the outdoors.

Our industry findings and trend-watching show hardscapes with stone and manufactured stone are growing in popularity among homeowners, designers, architects, city planners, and developers. A key factor is cost. While natural stone and manufactured stone both have their benefits, the manufactured sort certainly has many pluses including ease of installation, dimensional consistency, and regular availability…all important aspects of planning for you LAs.

Rosetta Hardscapes, a company that specializes in decorative stone, offers several stone collections to fit most any hardscape need. The company’s stone products look like natural stone with all the benefits of a manufactured product.

The Belvedere collection is the perfect fit for retaining or freestanding walls, as the stones are great for stacking with a natural, attractive appearance. Rosetta’s step collection – of irregular and dimensional hardscape products – helps designers and homeowners create outdoor staircases that seamlessly blend into any environment.

A retaining wall built with the company’s products can provide function by bordering a nearby roadway or path, but the real benefit seems to be enhancing the setting with beauty. Rosetta Hardscapes offers diverse product application photos, unique design layouts and how-to instructions online at www.discoverrosetta.com.

~Don