Cora Cascade is a new trailing vinca series from Goldsmith Seeds, a Syngenta company and one that is dedicated to the innovative breeding of plant material.

Every vinca is covered with beautiful, vivid flowers with no bald spots. These gorgeous blooms are available in five colors, Cherry, Lilac, Magenta, Peach Blush, Polka Dot, and a mix.

The Cora Cascade Series is not only heat and humidity-tolerant, but it has been tested and trialed to perform with a high level of reliability, making the plants an excellent choice for large beds, landscapes and hanging baskets. Also, Cora Cascade offers patented resistance to aerial Phytophthora.

These beautiful yet tough plants are a must-have for any gardener who wants to enjoy bountiful blooms all season long. We hope members of the media, bloggers and garden writers share these varieties with their readers. They are certainly worthy and will catch the attention of home gardeners everywhere.

The company’s motto is “Quality Products through Creative Research.” We have enjoyed seeing Goldsmith Seeds’ solid breeding goals and outcomes in many cases as well as the support the company and its personnel provide to the industry.

Take a look at the Web site for more details: www.goldsmithseeds.com.

~Adam

According to N.V.S. Kitchen & Bath, Inc., as kitchens continue to increasingly become the social gathering area of the home, homeowners are tearing down walls between the kitchen and dining rooms to increase the open space.

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Spending time with Suzanne Di Staulo in the Braun Horticulture exhibit booth was definitely an OFA highlight for us this year. Sue is a great friend of ours, and she is a true gem in the industry! If you have not had the pleasure of meeting her, you should.

Her Urban Collection of containers caught our eye. This brand new collection of containers is constructed of galvanized metal with a smooth, matte-gray finish. These ingeniously designed containers are sure to grab the attention of the younger, modern gardener – based upon their shapes, finish and sizes.

Another fantastic product offering from Braun Horticulture is the company’s unique set of hanging baskets woven from natural seagrass. These baskets are sustainable, durable and rich in tonal and texture variation. These baskets bring the coast to the front porch.

Learn more about the exceptional product offerings from Braun Horticulture at www.braungroup.com.

~ Don

Braun offers a unique line of causal seating and dining sets as part of the Braun Classic Living Collection for those with eco-friendly design tastes. What makes this furniture unique is its natural jute fiber, which is treated to be weather resistant.

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The new edition of TOTO’s exclusive NEOREST Bath Collection pushes the envelope of distinctive design and interior trends; it combines the advanced technology for which its original ultra-luxe collection is well known with a new innovation in hybrid epoxy resin, LUMINIST, adding both refreshing light and the essence of interior design.

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Whether choosing from standard or custom designs of any motif, KOBE is now offering a stunning copper hood series from KOBE Range Hoods. These hoods create a total sense of kitchen style and address the popular trend of customized kitchen décor.

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You know how it feels when you walk into a spa or nice restaurant, and you are instantly turned into the belle of the ball (or prince, as the case might be)? All the selections are suddenly tailored per your tastes and preferences.

What skin type are you? – “No problem, we’ll find the perfect treatment.” What type of food do you enjoy? – “Oh, might I suggest the perfect wine with your seared tuna?”

I’m like most women … I love to be spoiled. And, if I find a product or retailer that does it particularly well, chances are, I’ll go back – a lot. For example, I have been with my bank for 10 years and my hair stylist for six because they are always reliable. Yet, I have owned three cars from three separate companies and will never buy from any of them again. I simply haven’t been satisfied.

It’s always a pleasant surprise when you find a new product that has both superior customer service and quality. We all know how profitable it is to retain current customers as opposed to constantly searching for new ones, and many businesses have made it their goal to tailor products so consumers do not have to guess whether a product or experience will be positive.

J. Berry Nursery, a professional plant grower based right outside of Dallas, TX, has used this philosophy to directly effect how and what they sell. All plants with a J. Berry Nursery tag have been tested and trialed in specific areas for unique climates. The company only sells its plants in the exact regions for which the plants were grown. In this way, plants from brands such as these are similar to visiting a spa – the experience will be gloriously relaxing because you know you are purchasing something tailored just for you. Seems simple, but it’s so often overlooked.

Here are just a few of J. Berry Nursery’s high-quality plants available to those of you who may be planting a garden in Texas, Louisiana or Oklahoma (enjoy!):

‘Crown Jewel’ Gardenia – Possesses an extremely compact, dwarf, spreading habit and is hardier than most gardenias. Heavy June flowering will cover this plant in soft, fragrant, white, double blossoms that require little to no pruning. It works well in mass, in containers, or as a low accent plant in the garden.

‘Petite Rouge™’ Photinia – ‘Petite

Rouge™’ is the most compact photinia, ideal for small spaces or mass plantings. It is also highly resistant to the leaf spot disease that plagues most other photinia varieties. New growth is vibrant red. This plant is very low maintenance due to its compact growth habit and disease resistance.

‘Déjà Bloom™’ Hydrangea – ‘Déjà Bloom™’ is a compact, re-blooming

hydrangea with dark green leaves. It is a beautiful plant perfect for many uses and applications in the landscape. This hydrangea is the only re-blooming hydrangea with double flowers!

Alright, all this talk has made me want to garden… and get a pedicure.

~ Leslie

I recently found myself sharing a few stories from the ANLA Management Clinic to my colleague even after four months have past. It was such a powerful, well-rounded conference, and I wanted to share a brief synopsis of what I found to be the top three highlights for me from the session.

In no particular order…

Ernest Wertheim

I cleared my schedule to make sure I was able to attend this evening with Ernest, and it was well worth it. From the moment I stepped into the room, I felt an intense feeling of anticipation buzzing from every table. As the room darkened and the crowd hushed, Mr. Wertheim became the ultimate story-teller with tales of his childhood in Germany, fascinating World War II missions, how he met his lovely wife, and how he became one of the most well-known landscapers in the industry. It was a story that, even after two hours, none of us wanted to end. One of the aspects I found so fascinating about the 89 year history of this man was that nearly everything he spoke about applied to the horticulture industry – even if his experiences with landscaping only made up a quarter of his story. His endurance and “never give up” attitude brought him through difficult times much more horrifying than what most of us could ever imagine. He succeeded by taking advantage of every opportunity, small or big. And, that message was something I took with me when I stepped out of the room. Even while we are all struggling during this tough economy, small opportunities present themselves and help us succeed. We just need to keep our eyes wide open and accept the small jobs along with the large ones. Also, some good news? They said Mr. Wertheim may be back next year!

Novalis Plants that Work Display

It is hard not to recognize the diamond sponsor of the ANLA event, Novalis Plants that Work. They delivered us a grand party Friday night and a lovely display throughout the hall. True to the event’s golf theme, Novalis set up golf bags and turf scenes throughout the area, ending in a breathtaking exhibit of some of their newest plant introductions from Plants that Work and Plants that Work by Color. They gave away golf balls and tees, and even had places to play a few holes, sit in lounge chairs, or literally stop and smell a bit of spring (which we were all desperately anticipating in January). Some of my favorite plants for this year? Diervilla ‘Cool Splash’, often referred to as Northern Bush Honeysuckle. It is an inaugural variegated form of Diervilla with panicles of yellow trumpets cover striking, multicolored foliage. Another favorite of mine was their new orchid, Bletilla ochracea ‘Chinese Butterfly’. This shade landscape orchid features delicate, creamy-yellow flowers accented by a dotted, maroon lip. It can be planted to form large clumps that provide a large presence in the landscape. May I just say, thank you, Novalis; I heard from many it was the best ANLA yet!

Erik Wahl

For those of you whom attended ANLA this year, my third selection is not a big surprise. Erik Wahl, a professional inspirational speaker, made each and every member of the audience think outside the box… for the remainder of the conference (and I have no doubt far longer). Using paint as his muse, he spoke of how life is neither limited, nor does it have boundaries for greatness. Through creativity, we can make our businesses more successful, our relationships stronger, and our personal lives better. While it may sound slightly hokey, it truly was something most of us had never seen. He allowed us a brief glimpse into his incredible painting talents (painting upside-down was something else) – talents he found after he was 30. We get so caught up in our everyday routine, we often forget that “safe choices” are often the path to mediocrity. It’s a hard keynote session to explain in much more detail, so here is a YouTube video. Enjoy.

~ Leslie

Don, Jeff and I attended the early 2009 Home, Rug, Gift and Apparel show at America’s Mart in Atlanta. While there, we met a lot of great folks in the industry, learned about some of the exciting 2009 innovations companies are offering, and saw a lot of new and trend-setting products. Since we specialize in providing integrated Marketing Communications services for companies in the field – and because we contribute articles and product narratives for the Home and Garden media – we spent a good amount of time at the event collecting information about the hot colors and design trends of the year.

Fresh and vibrant new colors and interesting textures were the apparent theme. Whether the new deep red that seems to be taking Home and Garden by storm these days or the range of blues to purples or greens, muted grays, taupes, and browns, the new color trends for 2009 were visible everywhere we looked. Textures were more diverse as compared to last year in many ways. This included everything from combining ceramic and cork to patinas with panache.

Among many of the new products and trends we captured at the show, several were of particular interest. I’ve provided brief overviews of a few of our favorites here. If you are a member of the trade or consumer media and have interest in any of these companies or products, feel free to touch base with us. We can gladly put you in touch with the right contacts to learn more.

Seasonal Living
Specifically, from Seasonal Living, was a fresh line-up of great new lava lamps. In addition to coconut shell furniture (below-left), company representative Gary Pettitt proudly displayed natural materials that comprise their handsome inventory. Furniture and accessories of carved limestone, sandstone, honed travertine, and Carrara marble made an eye-catching vignette. Various tropical woods, weatherproof leather, glass, teak, glazed and unglazed ceramic, birdseed, bamboo, mother of pearl, and resin composite pieces were also displayed. The company’s surprising range of furnishings suits contemporary, classic, and exotic design palettes. They are hand chosen and never mass produced, making them truly unique.

The Magnolia Company
The Magnolia Company’s Seeds of Life are sure to be a hit for bridal or baby showers in 2009. We think they will be perfect for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or for anyone looking to give a living gift that lasts. With the trend of getting back to nature and the simpler things of life, gift-giving is taking on a new realm; Magnolia Company is addressing this by offering eco-friendly Seeds of Life products.

The company shared with us that since planting a tree is a beautiful way to honor a cherished person, they have found their Seeds of Life products to be popular for memorial services. Many occasions are fitting, whether welcoming the birth of a child, commemorating a milestone birthday, or honoring the passing of a loved one. Planting a tree is a meaningful way to leave a legacy. Magnolia Company provides three different ways to gift a tree – as a seed package, a seedling, or larger gift tree. Each one is grown on the company’s tree farm and beautifully packaged for delivery.

Company owner Matt Roth explained that seed favor boxes can be personalized to coordinate with wedding colors and create a meaningful gift that will grow into a tree for years following a wedding. Here’s what we liked best of all… Matt and his team make it easy; buyers can pick the appropriate tree or gift according to zip code. He books orders around wedding days and ships the favors three days prior to the events. No immediate care is required, as the seeds do not need additional watering or maintenance for three weeks.

To exhibit just how perfect they are for weddings, the Magnolia Company created a beautiful display showcasing the seed favor boxes tied with lavender ribbons and neatly stacked atop a beautiful white cake pedestal.

Pacific Arts & Crafts
We were also captivated by the wide range of attractive and stylish planters from Pacific Arts & Crafts, as they displayed the current trend of distressed copper. Their exclusive line of decorative and versatile copperglass planters marries the rich color of copper with the lightweight durability of fiberglass, thus utilizing the positive qualities of both materials.

Because they are handcrafted of fiberglass, copperglass planters can be enjoyed indoors as beautiful cachepots or outdoors in any climate. The planters are extremely frost resistant and can be easily drilled for drainage. The company’s proprietary method of finishing with a layer of real copper creates the elegant look of solid metal without the excessive weight. As with traditional copper planters, copperglass planters will naturally oxidize over time, creating stunning patinas and a more natural copper look. Handcrafted and hand finished, each planter is slightly unique in color gradation, creating a one of a kind piece for home or garden. We were amazed at the many copper products at the show this year, given the lowering cost of materials since mid-2008. Pacific Arts & Crafts’ planters, in particular, stood out to us with their high-end detailing.

Viducci’s Garden
Viducci’s Garden ceramic is produced in the traditional manner, as it has been for hundreds of years. The entire Viducci’s collection is hand-crafted in factories that are known for quality work in American, European and Japanese markets. Their terra cotta planters are available in various classic and modern styles. Being hand-crafted as such ensures that no two products are exactly alike, a process that has evolved through centuries of dedication. The company boasts the kilns being used for their 2009 line of products have been in service since the year 1300, which we find amazing. The Viducci’s Garden product line has been created and designed to satisfy demand for high-quality container products in the upscale United States market. What’s more, the story behind how the company arrived at the Viducci’s name is an interesting one, as it is a combination of Vietnam and Germany, originating countries, as we learned directly from company President Walter Panfil at his showroom area.

The “Oxide Dark Brown” ceramic container pictured above-left is certainly in keeping with the new trend color of bold brown. Its finish was likely the most beautiful we saw at the show this year, undoubtedly, a contributing factor to Viducci’s Garden receiving the coveted “Best Of Floor For Outstanding Visual Display” award at the America’s Mart last year (in 2008).

The Pottery Market
The Pottery Market features high-fired, frost-resistant Vietnamese pottery and unglazed terracotta pieces. They specialize in high-quality pottery of all shapes and sizes and have a new line of oil lamps and other accessories. They offer a diverse selection of pottery designs and finishes from intricate and fashionable containers to basic good sense garden pots. The Pottery Market also has birdbaths, gazing balls, strawberry jars, and herb planters. The company reports the Wasabi color (right) has been a strong seller for several years now and is expected to remain so in 2009. The color of this container is in keeping with a focus group study we did late last year to uncover color trend predictions for this year. So, we expect to see more home and garden products like these making their way into garden centers and retail locations soon.

Three Birds Casual
Having written about outdoor furniture many times, we enjoyed learning about Three Birds Casual, one of the fastest growing manufacturers of premium furniture for the outdoor living market. We learned a few things about the company from its president, Tad Varga. Their casual teak furniture is a favorite among retailers and designers who aspire to offer their clients or customers quality furniture with exceptional value. Classic character with quality construction is what the Three Birds Adirondack represents. Used with a matching footstool or without, the Three Birds Adirondack provides a restful and relaxing experience. But, we could see this for ourselves by taking a moment to sit in the chair and relax our show-worn feet. All of us imagined how these chairs could make a design statement in our own back lawns or on our patios, as similarly seen above in the photo.

Scheurich
One Scheurich offering of particular interest is the company’s opaque planters that are available in lilac (pictured), red and white. With glass furniture and accessories seeing a recent comeback, these planters artfully capture light and capitalize on today’s trends of rich reds and purples being used to create home decor that is airy and bright. Their translucent surfaces are captivating with an unusual combination of light and color, as these planters create the effect of being illuminated from within their centers.

Green plants with glossy leaves make great applications, as they capitalize on light emphasizing their foliage. We just might adorn the Eberly Public Relations offices with these planters, as they would cast a rich glow of color on sunny days. Look to Scheurich glass planters if you are interested in something unlike the norm.

Unique Stone Inc.
Unique Stone, Inc. has an interesting collection of terminal statues depicting the four seasons. According to the company, they provide a breathtaking design element to any home or even commercial spaces. The originals, which are circa 1902, were of fine carved marble. They were carefully restored and redesigned by the artisans of Unique Stone Inc. Terminals were typically used to delineate property boundaries on large estates of the very wealthy in Europe and the United States, and they can be traced to the ancient Greeks. Integrating hardscapes with smartly designed landscapes is one of the most popular trends we are working on this year. This provides stunning visual interest and draws homeowners and guests to outdoor living areas. A garland of flowers can adorn the small knobs on the terminals, thus adding an artistic touch to enhance the sense of sight and smell. These terminals would be attractive under gazebos, in continuous fencing as posts, garden entries, and custom drives. We think they would be perfect additions per the season or when opting for all four. We’ll be keeping them in mind the next time we write an article about outdoor design spaces that are benefitted by substantial adornments that cause lasting impressions.

Look for additional posts from us in the near future. Between our clients and other great companies we know, we will be blogging a lot in the coming weeks and months about some of this year’s newest and most coveted products in the Home, Garden, Design, and Agribusiness Industries. We’ll be helping clients and some of our editor friends at various home and garden shows in May and June; we’ll be sure to blog about more trends as we uncover them and when they unfold.

– Doug