November december 2014 Landscape Trades

November-December 2014 VOL. 36, NO. 9

landscapetrades.com

Holiday trimmings: A worthwhile niche Understand why great promotions respect copyrights Landscape boosts real estate sales

NEW for SPRING Exclusive: Canada's new introductions for 2015 ...

Because customers are always curious about new plants!

PM40013519

LANDSCAPE DOM I NATOR When you work hard all day taming the tough terrain, you need a machine that works just as hard. You need a Gravely Commercial Mower. With a full product offering from zero-turn mowers to 21-inch walk behinds, Gravely is built to take on the toughest jobs. And when your livelihood depends on getting the work done – downtime is not an option. That is why Gravely Commercial mowers are built to dominate the landscape.

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Contents

PUBLISHER Lee Ann Knudsen CLP | lak@landscapeontario.com Editorial Director Sarah Willis | sarahw@landscapeontario.com Art Director Kim Burton | kburton@landscapeontario.com Editor Allan Dennis | adennis@landscapeontario.com Web editor Robert Ellidge | rob@landscapeontario.com Graphic Designer Mike Wasilewski | mikew@landscapeontario.com Accountant Joe Sabatino | joesabatino@landscapeontario.com Sales Manager, PUBLICATIONS Steve Moyer | stevemoyer@landscapeontario.com INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS REPRESENTATIVE Greg Sumsion | gsumsion@landscapeontario.com COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR Angela Lindsay | alindsay@landscapeontario.com Advisory Committee Gerald Boot CLP, Paul Brydges, Laura Catalano, Hank Gelderman CHT, Marty Lamers, Jan Laurin, Bob Tubby CLP

Landscape Trades is published by Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, ON L9T 2X8 Phone: (905)875-1805 Email: comments@landscapetrades.com Fax: (905)875-0183 Web site: www.landscapetrades.com LANDSCAPE ONTARIO STAFF Shawna Barrett, Darryl Bond, Myscha Burton, Tony DiGiovanni CHT, Denis Flanagan CLD, Sally Harvey CLT CLP, Jane Leworthy, Heather MacRae, Allie McInnes, Kristen McIntyre CHT, Kathy McLean, Linda Nodello, Kathleen Pugliese, Ian Service, Tom Somerville, Martha Walsh

Landscape Trades is published nine times a year: January, March, April, May, June, July/August, September, October and November/December.

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Landscape Trades assumes no responsibility for, and does not endorse the contents of, any advertisements herein. All representations or warranties made are those of the advertiser and not the publication. Views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the association or its members, but are those of the writer concerned.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014 VOL. 36, NO. 9

New plant introductions 2015 Exclusive look at what’s new in Canada next spring 6 Perennials ON THE COVER: 12 Woody plants Hypericum inodorum ‘Kolmaref’ PPAF 18 Annuals First Editions Red Fame™ hypericum 22 Roses Bailey Nurseries 10 List of suppliers ®

FEATURE

22 S eason-extender for service firms

Installing holiday lighting provides off-season work and adds to the bottom line

BY SUSAN HIRSHORN

COLUMNS 28 LEGAL MATTERS Copyright laws apply online

BY ROBERT KENNALEY

30 SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPING Growing market in curb appeal improvements

BY SEAN JAMES

32 ROAD TO SUCCESS Your employees are your most important asset

BY ROD McDONALD

DEPARTMENTS ISSN 0225-6398 PUBLICATIONS MAIL SALES AGREEMENT 40013519 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT LANDSCAPE TRADES MAGAZINE 7856 FIFTH LINE SOUTH, MILTON, ON L9T 2X8, CANADA

GREEN PENCIL CNLA NEWS PROVINCIAL UPDATE INDUSTRY NEWS COMING EVENTS CLASSIFIEDS WHERE TO FIND IT

4 35 36 38 40 41 42

POLYBAGGED WITH THIS ISSUE: Congress 2015 Conference Guide NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014 | LANDSCAPE TRADES | 3 Re-connect, re-invent, re-energize at Canada’s green industry conference January 5-8, 2015

greenpencil

Poor maintenance conveys a powerful message

Show me the money The image of I-75 in Michigan has stayed with me all summer. I’ve travelled it a few times this year, and immediately upon crossing into the U.S. from Windsor, Ont., it is apparent the area has fallen upon hard times. The roadside plantings haven’t been maintained and the road itself is rough. It’s an extreme example, but telling. I know there are some fantastic examples of renewed investment and greenspaces in downtown Detroit, but from the outside, I’d be hard pressed to want to get off the highway and visit the city.

The value of green space and its contribution to our mental, physical

By Sarah Willis and emotional health are undisputed.

But what about the immediate impact on the impressions and opinions made by the observer?

The financial advisor I work with moved into splashy new offices two years ago. The furniture is top notch and fancy frosted glass walls and doors separate the airy space. The company budgeted a good chunk of money to refurbish its new offices, yet one year after my first visit, the landscaping has become completely overgrown and neglected. I trust this company to manage my savings for retirement, but management’s inability to see the weeds in the cracks and out-of-control gardens makes me wonder about their ability to pay detailed attention to my retirement savings. This goes

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much farther than simple curb appeal. This firm may lose my family’s business because my first impression of their new offices tells me they may overlook details.

How many of you have completed a project, only to return a couple of years later to see your work almost gone to seed, as the maintenance has been ignored?

This is especially evident in parking lot plantings where dead plants, weeds and patchy mulch are all too common. LEED and Low Impact Development landscaping call for parking lots to feature native plant species and natural stormwater filtration, but even low impact still requires occasional attention.

Can we expect homeowners to appreciate the value of landscaping when they visit a shopping mall and see weeds and dead plants? Is it wishful thinking to hope that some day every planting contract comes with an accompanying maintenance contract?

Years ago, on our first day at the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture, the senior instructor taught my class a lesson in horticultural humility and the power of observation. He challenged us to spot 20 maintenance faux pas in a 100-yard walk. It was tough in the pristine environment where we went to school, and as new students, we of course failed miserably. Today, I know my former classmates would pass Mr. Snowden’s test, since attention to detail and appreciation for quality horticultural maintenance sticks with you for life.

Great design needs to be accompanied by well-tended plants, to make a great first impression.

LT

the new Chevy Silverado 2014 NOrTh AMEriCAN TruCk OF ThE YEAr. • MOST FuEL-EFFiCiENT V8 iN A PiCkuP. BETTEr ThAN F-150 ECOBOOST V6.* • POwErTrAiN LiMiTEd wArrANTY 60,000 kM LONGEr ThAN FOrd Or rAM.**

*2014 Silverado 1500 with available 5.3L EcoTec3 engine equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission has a fuel-consumption rating of 11.0 L/100 km combined (4x2) and 11.4 L/100 km combined (4x4). Fuel consumption based on GM testing in accordance with approved Government of Canada test methods. Your actual fuel consumption may vary. Comparison based on wardsauto.com 2014 Large Pickup segment and latest competitive information available at time of printing. Excludes other GM vehicles. **Comparison based on wardsauto.com 2014 Large Pickup segment and latest competitive information available at time of printing. Excludes other GM vehicles. Five-year/160,000 kilometre powertrain limited warranty, whichever comes first. See dealer for details. ©2014 General Motors of Canada Limited.

All rights reserved. Chevrolet® Chevrolet emblem® Chevy™ ECOTEC® GM® Silverado®

New and improved

“ What’s new?” is still a top-rated reason why customers visit your store.

Many landscape clients, too, want their garden plants to be on trend.

Plant breeders continue to innovate, improving colour, drought tolerance, disease resistance, bloom period and production requirements.

Our exclusive coverage gives you a first look at new cultivars available to the Canadian trade in 2015. Find sources for these plants on page 10.

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new

perennials Longer bloom times, new colours and interesting foliage make perennials a great option for garden beds or containers.

1

Carex oshimensis Evercolor® Everillo Evercolor® Everillo sedge

This selection forms a cascading mound of bright, lime-green leaves that turn yellow-gold as they mature.

Outstanding colour, a choice plant for containers, edging or in the rock garden. Best in shade or part shade. 40-45 cm (16-18 in.) tall, hardy to Zone 5. Valleybrook Gardens

2 Coreopsis Leading Lady Leading Lady tickseed

‘Charlize’, ‘Lauren’ and ‘Sophia’ are three Leading Lady coreopsis offerings from Bartels. Featuring large flowers, these plants are compact, early, and first-year flowering, making them perfect for retail. Hardy to Zone 4, the Leading Lady series also claims high mildew resistance and sterile seed. Bartels

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3 Dianthus ‘Edgehog’

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Variegated cottage pinks

A one-of-a-kind selection featuring blue-green foliage outlined with a cream margin and hot pink, semi double flowers. Plants form a low, grassy mound best in large groupings or along pathways. Full sun, hardy to Zone 3.

Valleybrook Gardens

4Gaillardia ‘Sunset Snappy’ ‘Sunset Snappy’ blanket flower

Blanket Flowers are very long blooming perennials. This new compact selection features purple-pink flowers with yellow tips that don’t fade. Drought tolerant once established.

Grow in full sun. 30-35 cm tall, hardy to Zone 5.Valleybrook Gardens GreenWay Blooming Centre offers group tours to

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students, seniors and garden clubs. Its butterfly Helleborus conservatory (right) and‘Tutu’ butterfly-shaped gardens

Tutu hellebore offers visitors something quite unique.

Hellebores are easy perennials and among the earliest to flower. This selection has flowers of medium pink, with a small double anemone-style centre crowned in a tuft of yellow stamens. Best in part shade, hardy to Zone 4.

Valleybrook Gardens

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6 Heucherella ‘Honey Rose’ USPPAF Honey Rose heucherella

The pinkest-leaf Heucherella on the market; coral rose in spring, sable in summer. Dark veins and intricate patterns add dimension to the foliage. Compact habit; foliage 8 in. tall. White flowers in summer. Cold, heat and humidity tolerant in part shade to shade. Bred by Terra Nova Nurseries, introduced by Blooms of Bressingham. Hardy to Zones 4 to 9.

Heuchera villosa hybrid 7‘Berry Timeless’ PPAF ‘Berry Timeless’ coral bells

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This revolution in Heuchera genetics has it all: everblooming flowers, built-in heat and humidity tolerance, and no vernalization required for blooming — and it’s gorgeous.

Perfectly proportional scapes carry a myriad of light pink flowers which age to deep rose and dry in place on the stems like statice. New flowers are produced continuously from early summer to frost, so you can sell this plant in colour all season. Its lightly silvered, mint green foliage forms a compact clump that fits nicely into combination containers and the front of the border. Foliage grows 15 cm (6 in.) tall, while flower scapes reach 45-50 cm (18-20 in.).

Hardy to USDA Zone 4. Walters Gardens

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new

8 Hosta ‘Hideout’

perennials

Hideout hosta

This miniature hosta features wavy leaves with prominent white centres and thin green margins. Just 10-12 cm (4-6 in.) tall, this is an ideal plant for miniature landscapes or fairy gardens. Best in part shade or shade, hardy to Zone 3. Valleybrook Gardens

superbum 9 Leucanthemum ‘Whoops-a-Daisy’ Whoops-a-Daisy Shasta daisy

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This new variety of Shasta daisy has taken ‘Snowcap’ and completely improved upon it. ‘Whoops-a-Daisy’ Shasta daisy boasts better flower coverage, fuller individual blossoms and more compact foliage. A dense, rounded mound of dark green foliage is enveloped in white flowers from early-to-mid summer. reaches approximately 37 cm (15 in.) tall, and is hardy to USDA Zone 5. Mori Nurseries

10 Lithodora diffusa ‘Grace Ward’ Grace Ward lithodore

A sun-seeking perennial that is adorned with dazzling blue blossoms in late spring, and reblooms sporadically throughout the summer months. Its low growing mat of dark green, needlelike foliage reaches approximately 15 cm (6 in.) tall. Its tolerance to drought-like conditions, once it’s been established, makes it excellent for rock gardens and sunny sites. Hardy to USDA Zone 6. Mori Nurseries

11Monarda Sugar Buzz series Cherry Pops bee balm and Grape Gumball bee balm

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A member of the Sugar Buzz series, Cherry Pops bee balm flowers with 6 cm (2.5 in.) cherry-red flowers from mid-to-late summer. Magenta flowers will grab your attention with Sugar Buzz Grape Gumball. The dark green foliage of the Sugar Buzz series is resistant to powdery mildew, and forms an upright clump on well branched stems, with a pleasantly aromatic scent. As with many varieties of bee balm, this one attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and bees to your landscape. Hardy from the USDA Zone 4. Mori Nurseries

12 Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Rocketman’ ‘Rocketman’ Russian sage

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This new and improved Russian sage won’t take over the garden or flop over just when it’s coming into its prime. ‘Rocketman’ has very stiff, more upright stems and a shorter height overall compared to older varieties. Its silvery green foliage is topped with large, fluffy textured, lavender blue flowers from midsummer into fall. Grows up to 90 cm (3 ft.) tall. Hardy to USDA Zone 4.

Walters Gardens

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STIHL TSA 230 BATTERY CUT-OFF SAW

Voltage 36 V Weight* 3.9 kg/8.6 lb Cutting Wheel Diameter 230 mm/9” Maximum Cutting Depth 60 mm/2” AP 180 Battery Running Time 15 mins AP 180 Battery Charging Time with AL 500 Quick Charger: 100% 25 mins *Excluding cutting wheel and battery

Small in size, big in action. The NEW STIHL TSA 230 is the first battery-powered cut-off machine with a 230 mm/9” cutting wheel, and it is particularly light and small at only 3.9 kg/8.6 lb (without battery). Emission-free cordless technology ensures clean work, both indoors and outdoors. The standardfitted water connection and optimal accessories for attaching to a vacuum cleaner ensure effective dust control when cutting. With a cutting depth of up to 60 mm/2”, the TSA 230 is equipped for a variety of applications.

• Unrestricted mobility: The cordless battery technology opens the door to countless uses, even in places with no electricity. Recommended battery, AP 180.† • Light on emissions: As a completely emission-free cordless power tool, you can use the TSA 230 in confined spaces. The integrated moisture protection also allows for outdoor use in bad weather.

• Power at your fingertips: This cordless cut-off machine starts quickly and easily at the touch of a button. The TSA 230 is designed to cut the same range of materials that our gas powered Cutquik® will cut, including roofing tiles and indoor drywall.

• Small and compact: With a weight of only 3.9 kg/8.6 lb (without battery), a 60 mm/2” cutting depth and cordless battery operation, provides flexibility and ease of handling in tight spaces.

• It’s all in your hands: The ergonomic, curved handle offers a secure grip in any working position, allowing precise control.

• Control the dust: The standard-fitted water connection ensures optimal dust suppression when using water. Indoors our optional vacuum/depth gauge can be used with a vacuum to provide effective dust control.

• Comfortably equipped for hard work: Equipped with a spindle lock so you can easily change cutting wheels, a rundown brake for fast stopping and a central main switch to turn it off completely.

• Always ready for use: The brushless EC motor with maintenance-free belt drive and enclosed control unit is particularly low-maintenance and durable.

The highly-efficient EC motor converts battery power into excellent performance.

COME VISIT US AT THE LANDSCAPE ONTARIO CONGRESS SHOW, BOOTH NUMBER 818.

QUALITY AT WORK. For 88 years, STIHL has been a world-class innovator in outdoor power equipment. German engineered products featuring the latest pioneering technologies make STIHL the market leader. STIHL products are only available at independent STIHL Dealers who provide expert advice and on-site service. Thank you for supporting the leading team and for making STIHL the Number 1 Selling Brand in Canada.

*

* “#1 Selling Brand in Canada” is based on an independent market share analysis of gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment from 2013. Source: TraQline Canada.

STIHLCanada

JOIN THE CLUB that everyone is talking about! www.STIHLCLUB.ca

www.stihl.ca

new

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perennials

Salvia Color Spires®‘Crystal Blue’

Color Spires® ‘Crystal Blue’ perennial salvia

Perennial salvia offers many things that today’s gardeners need: deer resistance, drought tolerance, and low maintenance requirements. The Color Spires® collection delivers on all counts in three pretty spring colours: ‘Crystal Blue’, ‘Violet Riot’, and ‘Pink Dawn’. ‘Crystal Blue’ is a colour breakthrough for hardy salvias. All three members of this series rebloom if cut back.

Grows 55 cm (22 in.) tall and 60 cm (24 in.) wide. Hardy to USDA Zone 3. Walters Gardens, Proven Winners

14 Sedum ‘Lemonjade’

‘Lemonjade’ autumn stonecrop

This modern looking upright sedum features bright citron-yellow flowers which completely cover the grey-green foliage in early fall. As the cold weather sets in, the seed heads take on rosy peach tones. ‘Lemonjade’ is a very low maintenance perennial that naturally keeps its tightly compact habit and clean foliage all season. Grows to 45 cm (18 in.) tall and 70 cm (28 in.) wide.

Hardy to Zone 3. Walters Gardens, Proven Winners

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Veronica Magic Show® ‘Enchanted Indigo’ PPAF CPBRAF

Magic Show® ‘Enchanted Indigo’ speedwell

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A huge hit at the 2014 California Spring Trials, growers took note of this eye catching new Veronica that blooms in summer and fall without vernalization. Deep royal purple flowers stand above the bright green, glossy foliage for months. Growers can have this plant in bloom for months on end. Enchanted Indigo’s habit is uniform and compact with its foliage and flowers held in perfect proportion. Use in combination containers and landscapes.

Grows 40-45 cm (16-18 in.) tall and wide. Hardy to USDA Zone 4.

Walters Gardens, Proven Winners

PLANT SUPPLIERS

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BALL INGENUITY www.ballseed.com

MORI NURSERIES www.morinurseries.com

BALL ORNAMENTALS www.ballornamentals.com

PANAMERICAN SEED www.panamseed.com

BAILEY NURSERIES www.baileynurseries.com

PROVEN WINNERS www.provenwinners.com

BARTELS www.bartelsstek.nl/en

RED FOX www.redfox.de

BLOOMS OF BRESSINGHAM www.bloomsofbressinghamplants.com

SAKATA www.sakata.com

ERNST BENARY OF AMERICA www.benary.com

SELECTA www.selectanorthamerica.com

BYLANDS NURSERIES www.bylands.com

SHERIDAN NURSERIES www.sheridannurseries.com

CANADALE NURSERIES www.canadale.ca

SPRING MEADOW NURSERY www.springmeadownursery.com

DARWIN PERENNIALS www.darwinperennials.com

VALLEYBROOK GARDENS www.valleybrook.com

J.C. BAKKER & SONS NURSERY www.jcbakker.com

VAN BELLE NURSERY www.vanbelle.com

JEFFRIES NURSERIES www.jeffriesnurseries.com

WALTERS GARDENS www.waltersgardens.com

new

woody plants Developments in hardy plant breeding give landscape designers more colour and texture options.

Clethra alnifolia ‘Crystalina’ 1 PP#21561 1 Sugartina® summersweet

This dwarf summersweet has fragrant pure white flowers in late summer. It has dark glossy foliage and holds its tight, dense shape. Yellow fall foliage. Grows 90 cm (3 ft.) tall and wide, hardy to USDA Zone 4. J.C. Bakker & Sons Nursery

2 Cornus alba ‘ByBoughen’ Neon Burst dogwood

A hardy dogwood; Neon Burst has bright, golden foliage that retains good colour in extreme heat compared to other yellow dogwoods. It is small in stature, reaching only 90-120 cm (3-4 ft.) tall and wide, has excellent fall colour and red stems for winter interest. Hardy to Zone 2. Bylands Nurseries

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Deutzia gracilis ‘NCDX1’ 3Deutzia gracilis ‘NCDX2’ Yuki Snowflake deutzia and

Yuki Cherry Blossom deutzia

These two new dwarf deutzias are heavy spring bloomers.

Yuki Snowflake is covered with masses of white flowers, while Yuki Cherry Blossom (shown) has mounds of pink blooms. Deer resistant, with attractive burgundy-coloured foliage in autumn, these shrubs grow up to 60 cm (2 ft.) tall and wide. Hardy to USDA Zone 5 Canadale Nurseries, Spring Meadow Nurseries

4 Euonymus fortunei ‘Ivory Jade’ Ivory Jade wintercreeper

Excellent low border, hedge or accent. Evergreen shrub is highlighted by rich green leaves with ivory white margins that are tinged with pink in colder weather. Great contrast plant.

Grows 90 cm (3 ft.) tall and spreads up to 150 cm (6 ft.).

Hardy to USDA Zone 4. J.C. Bakker & Sons Nursery

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2015

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Holiday Inn Express

3063 South Service Road, Burlington FEB. 6, 2015 - NIAGARA / ST. CATHARINES REGION

Amici’s Banquet & Conference Centre 2740 Merrittville Highway, Thorold

FEB. 9, 2015 - KINGSTON / NAPANEE REGION

Strathcona Paper Center

16 McPherson Drive, Napanee FEB. 12, 2015 - OTTAWA REGION

Ernst & Young Centre

4899 Uplands Drive, Ottawa FEB. 18, 2015 - GTA WEST

Boaden’s Banquet Centre & Catering 505 The Queensway Ave. E., Unit 12, Mississauga FEB. 19, 2015 - WOODBRIDGE REGION

La Primavera

77 Woodstream Blvd., Vaughan

REGISTER TODAY! FOR OUR UPCOMING CONTRACTOR SEMINARS

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Le Parc

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Ajax Convention Centre 75 Centennial Road, Ajax

FEB, 25, 2015 - PETERBOROUGH REGION

Rehill Building Supplies

921 High Street, Peterborough FEB. 26, 2015 - BARRIE REGION

Tangle Creek Golf & Country Club 4730 Sideroad 25, Thornton MAR. 3, 2015 - MILTON REGION

Pipers Heath Golf Course 5501 Trafalgar Road, Hornby

Visit us at our NEW Booth #2442 LO Congress for more details.

MAR. 5, 2015 - SUDBURY REGION

Holiday Inn

1696 Regent St., Greater Sudbury MAR. 6, 2015 - NORTH BAY REGION

Davedi Club

PRE-REGISTER ONLINE http://contractor.unilock.com/seminars Contact Marcello at 905-887-1717 or marcello.cantanna@unilock.com

313 Airport Road, North Bay

5

new

woody plants

macrophylla 5 Hydrangea ‘Lindsey Anne’ PPAF L.A. Dreamin’TM hydrangea

New L.A. Dreamin’TM hydrangea gives you pink and blue flowers — and all colors in between — on the same plant.

Get that desirable blue color for your mophead hydrangea without adding any special fertilizer or aluminum sulfate.

It reblooms during the summer, too. This multi-color showstopper is one of a kind, and has been trialed in harsh Chicago and Michigan winters. Grows 150 cm tall (60 in.) and 180 cm (72 in.) wide in part sun. Ball Ornamentals

paniculata 6 Hydrangea ‘Diamant Rouge’

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Red Diamond hydrangea

This is a five star-rated hydrangea from French breeder Jean Renault. Red Diamond is the reddest of all Hydrangea paniculata and exception for its abundant and long-lasting flowers. In early summer it is covered with large white panicles (30-40 cm) held upright on strong stems. These full diamond flowers turn pink, then bright red with a purple-red tint, lasting several weeks. It is a compact small growers, reaching only 90-120 cm (3-4 ft.). Canadale Nurseries

paniculata 7 Hydrangea ‘SMHPLQF’ PPAF Little Quick Fire hydrangea

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A new, dwarf form of Quick Fire that is one third the size of the original. An early bloomer, the creamy white flowers turn to deep burgundy red as the summer progresses. A perfect accent for a small spot, Little Quick Fire grows 90150 cm (3-5 ft.) tall. A Proven Winners Color Choice variety.

Canadale Nurseries, Spring Meadow Nurseries

macrophylla 8 Hydrangea ‘Red Sensation’ PP18197 Red Sensation hydrangea

A dwarf plant loaded with large bright red flower heads that gradually fade to deep purple. Ball Ornamentals, Canadale Nurseries

macrophylla ‘Zebra’ 9 PPHydrangea 18688 Zebra hydrangea

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A new black-stemmed hydrangea with large green flowers that turn to white. Blooms all summer. The contrasting nearblack stems provide a striking combination. Grows to 120 cm (4 ft.) tall and 90 cm (3 ft.) wide. Hardy to USDA Zone 5.

Canadale Nurseries

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Ligustrum x vicaryi ‘ KCLX1’ PPAF, CBRAF

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Golden Ticket™ privet

Golden Ticket™ privet is a Proven Winners introduction that will be just the ticket for the renewed landscape interest in hedging. Fragrant white flowers contrast against its golden foliage. The foliage does not burn in full sunlight. It can also be grown as a specimen plant and responds well to pruning. Can reach a height of 125-175 cm (50-60 in.) if left unpruned. Hardy to Zone 5. Sheridan Nurseries

11Lonicera caerulea ‘Aurora’ Aurora haskap

A University of Saksatchewan introduction with 3 cm dark blue-black fruit. Bushes grow 1.5 m (5 ft. ) tall by 1.25 m (4 ft.) wide. High mildew resistance. Can be pollinated with Berry Blue, Borealis, Indigo Gem, Polar Jewel and Tunda.

Hardy to Zone 2. Bylands Nurseries

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12 Malus ‘DurBy’

Ambassador ornamental crabapple

Ambassador flowering ornamental crabapple is an upright, purple leafed ornamental flowering crabapple with pink flowers and excellent resistance to fireblight. Ambassador keeps a dense crown as it ages. Grows 8 m (26 ft.) tall and 4 m (13 ft.) wide. Bylands Nurseries

‘Condavis’ 13 Microbiota USPP#20012 Fuzzball™ micirobiota

This juvenile branch sport of the straight species is quite unique. With an appearance resembling a vase-shaped juniper more than a Microbiota, this extremely hardy shrub can be used as a groundcover or accent plant. The foliage is quite textured or fuzzy in appearance. The variety performs best in soil that is well drained. It is winter hardy to USDA Zone 3. Star Roses and Plants, J.C. Bakker & Sons Nurseries

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14 Potentilla fruticosa ‘Kupinpa’

Happy Face® Pink Paradise cinquefoil

Clear pink, semi-doubled flowers hold their colour longer, although they may still fade under intense heat. This is an excellent choice for cooler climate gardeners who want low-maintenance flowers. Grows 90 cm (3 ft.) tall and wide. Hardy to USDA Zone 2. J.C. Bakker & Sons Nursery, Canadale Nurseries

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landscapeontario.com

Garden Inspiration 2013

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new

woody plants

Sambucus racemosa 15 ‘SMNSRD4’ PPAF, CBRAF Lemony Lace™ elderberry

An improved new cutleaf elderberry. Lemony Lace has shaggy golden foliage with red new growth. This finelytextured plant will tolerate full sun in northern climates, and is deer-resistant. Very cold hardy, it is a wonderful addition to woodland gardens and mixed borders, or used as a dramatic accent plant. Its foliage is more deeply cut than that of ‘Sutherland Gold’ or Black Lace™ Sambucus. White spring flowers will produce red fruit in late summer. Hardy to USDA Zone 3, it grows 90-150 cm (3-5 ft.) tall and wide. Full sun to part shade. Spring Meadow Nurseries, Canadale Nurseries

Spiraea betulifolia ‘Tor Gold’ 16 (PPAF, CBRAF) Glow Girl® spirea

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Bright lemon lime foliage shines brightly throughout the summer on this outstanding little plant. The spring flowers are pure white and the habit is perfectly tidy and compact. Grows 60 cm (24 in.) tall and wide. Hardy to Zone 3. Proven Winners Color Choice Flowering Shrubs, Jeffries Nurseries

17 Thuja ‘Congabe’ USPP#19009 Fire ChiefTM cedar

This mutation of the popular ‘Rheingold’ variety has much brighter foliage in the spring and a deeper red colour in the fall.

Fire Chief™ is less prone to splitting in the landscape. It would work well as a foundation planting or a low hedge. A brighter colour will be achieved in full sun conditions. Hardy to USDA Zone 3. Star Roses and Plants, J.C. Bakker & Sons Nursery

corymbosum 18 Vaccinium Pink Icing™ PPAF

Pink Icing™ blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum Blueberry Glaze™ PPAF Blueberry Glaze™ blueberry

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These two new additions to the Brazelberries collection of ornamental edibles will be available only at independent garden centres this season. These self-fertile blueberries are well suited for container growing and bear an amazing amount of fruit on just one plant. Hardy to Zone 5. Bylands Nurseries, Sheridan Nurseries

19 Weigela x ‘Velda’, PPAF, CPBRAF Tuxedo™ weigela

With a striking contrast of true-white bell-shaped flowers against dark foliage, Tuxedo™ weigela adds a classy elegance to the landscape. Because it’s low-mounding, compact and showy, Tuxedo should be planted at the front of a bed or along a walkway for dramatic effect. Hardy to Zone 4. Van Belle Nursery

18 19 16 | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

new

annuals

Breeders are focusing on shade-tolerant alternatives to Impatiens walleriana, as well as strong garden performers.

1 1

Begonia Big® Green Leaf Pink Big® Green Leaf Pink begonia

Big® begonias perform everywhere — full sun, full shade, with irrigation or without. Now introducing Big® Green Leaf Pink with huge bright pink flowers on top of the foliage and upright plants all season. This must-have colour creates a full, finished look that doesn‘t fade or need deadheading. Available in four colours.

Ernst Benary of America

2 Begonia hybrid Pegasus™ Pegasus™ begonia

This lush new begonia features thick, deep-green glossy leaves with a silver overlay. It is beautiful on its own, or as a thriller with other vigorous shade-loving plants. Pegasus is great in areas where your customers are still looking for alternatives to traditional impatiens. Will reach up to 40 cm (16 in.) tall, with a spread of 45 cm (18 in.). Proven Winners

2

3 Begonia x tuberhybrida Jurassic series Jurassic Rex begonia series

The Jurassic series of Rex begonia is perfect for deep shade environments and indoor applications. It features bold patterns and colours that will attract viewer interest. The series is very uniform in growth, vigour and timing, making it easy for growers to provide supply to the landscape and retail markets. The series is late flowering and will continue to fill out in the garden. Grow up to 40 cm (16 in.) tall and 30 cm (12 in.) wide. Ball Ingenuity

4

Calibrachoa hybrid KabloomTM series Calibrachoa Kabloom™ calibrachoa

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The first calibrachoa from seed; PanAmerican Seed’s new Kabloom™ series gives the grower flexibility and offers landscapers the same amount of colour coverage as mid-vigour vegetative calibrachoas. Side-by-side you can’t tell the difference.

Also work well in mono containers and mixed combos. Available in five colours: Deep Blue, Deep Pink, White, Red, and Yellow.

Grows up to 30 cm (12 in.) tall and 35 cm (14 in.) wide in sun.

PanAmerican Seed

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5

Impatiens hawkeri DivineTM

Divine™ Islander Mix New Guinea impatiens Divine™ Hot Cha Cha Mix New Guinea impatiens

Divine’s high resistance to impatiens downy mildew provides quality colour for shade landscapes. High seed quality delivers consistent, transplantable supply and quick crop time. New Hot Cha Cha Mix includes Burgundy, Orange Bronze Leaf and Scarlet Bronze Leaf. New Islander Mix includes Scarlet Red, White Blush and Blue Pearl. Grows up to 35 cm (14 in.) tall and wide in part sun. PanAmerican Seed

6

6 Impatiens x hybrida Bounce™ BounceTM impatiens series

Selecta introduces all-new genetics of interspecific impatiens for shade garden confidence. Bounce is a strong-performing impatiens for sun and shade. It is highly resistant to impatiens downy mildew and has an appealing habit and flower count.

As the names imply, they “bounce” back after wilt. Available in several in-demand colours. Also available in Big Bounce, a more vigorous variety that fills in the landscape. Grows 35-50 cm (14-20 in.) tall and wide in partial shade. Selecta

7 Impatiens x hybrida SunPatiens® impatiens

SunPatiens offers colour in sun or shade, rain or shine.

These colourful, low-maintenance performers provide more colour for less work, which means nonstop colour in almost any garden or landscape. Resistant to downy mildew, they are the best alternative to traditional impatiens. Five new colours are available this year: Compact Pink, Compact Royal Magenta, Spreading Clear White, Spreading Scarlet, Spreading Shell Pink. Sakata

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Lobularia hybrid Dark KnightTM Dark KnightTM alyssum

Lobularia Dark Knight™ joins Proven Winners® collection of lobularia with continuous masses of deep purple flowers that will bloom from planting through late fall. Because it flowers early, you’ll see this rich purple colour in early spring. This plant is extremely cold tolerant and will bloom until a hard frost. Will grow to a height of 25-38 cm (10-15 in.) with a spread of 45-90 cm (18-36 in.). Proven Winners

9 Pelargonium Oh So Orange Oh So Orange geranium

Searching for that eye-catching pop of orange? Look no further than the Oh So Orange geranium out of the Savannah series — a line of geraniums bred to brave the heat. The vibrant orange flowers absolutely pop against the dark green foliage, all while boasting a vigourous growth habit and creating a show-stopping display. Red Fox

8

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10

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Pentas Graffiti® Red Velvet Red Velvet Graffiti® pentas

Getting tired of mid-season replacements for plants that get diseased or can’t handle the heat? Well, Graffiti® Pentas from Benary are a sure thing, that perform beautifully from installation until the end of the season. Graffiti® Pentas’s bright umbles will keep beds saturated with colour no matter how hot it gets. The series’s newest colour this year is Graffiti® Pentas Red Velvet.

Ernst Benary of America

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Verbena x hybrida EnduraScape™ Verbena EnduraScape™ series

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EnduraScape is a tough landscape verbena. Seven colours fill this series of vigorous verbena that won’t cycle out of flower in the high heat of the season, and is hardy into frost conditions. An excellent choice for hillside gardens and groundcover. Or, pair it with other vigorous grasses and flowering annuals in mixed containers. Grows in full sun., 20 cm (8 in.) tall and 45 cm (18 in.) wide. Ball FloraPlant

12 Viola cornuta ColorMax ColorMax viola

The breeder claims this is the new wave in violas — ColorMax is a giant-flowered viola that gives you more colour per square foot.

ColorMax is heat tolerant, a superb autumn performer as well as a great choice to start the season. This alternative to pansies comes in a 10 eye-catching and unique colours that are extremely versatile; perfect for baskets, mixed containers and landscape beds. Sakata

Since 1949

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The Never Alone foundation’s mission is to enhance services in our community for individuals and families affected by cancer, while providing compassionate support. The foundation has partnered with the Canadian Football League Alumni Association and the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association to present the Never Alone Rose in order to aid in the support of those dealing with cancer. With its polar opposites, red and white wrapped together, united, this rose has a dignified loving appearance.

Your purchase of a Never Alone Rose is not only a great hardy Canadian Rose, but it also assures someone in need that they are not alone in their battle against cancer. Support The Never Alone Foundation and partners with its core value that no cancer patient should ever face this disease alone. www.neveralonefoundation.ca

1360 Third Street, St. Catharines, ON Canada L2R 6P9 T: 1.877.816.6608 F: 905.935.9921 E: nursery@jcbakker.com W: www.jcbakker.com NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014 | LANDSCAPE TRADES |

21

new

roses

Rose breeding programs continue to look for disease resistance, hardiness and strong, long-lasting blooms.

Rosa ‘BAILneon’ 1 1

Easy Elegance® Screaming Neon Red™ rose

Screaming Neon Red™ has intense colour and superior garden performance. This compact, own-root rose has vibrant flower power and repeat blooms throughout the season, making it ideal for use as an accent or mass planting. Remarkably rich, disease-resistant, dark green foliage provides the perfect backdrop to the neon red blooms. Its foliage turns a lovely burgundy-red in fall and is hardy to USDA Zone 4. Bailey Nurseries

2 Rosa ‘CA 28’

Canada Blooms Rose hybrid tea rose

Grown under the same Canadian Rose Breeding Program that developed the genetics for Emily Carr, Félix LeClerc, Bill Reid, and Campfire rose. The Canada Blooms rose is hardy, disease resistant, and boasts a beautiful fragrance. Grows 120 cm (4 ft. ) tall and 60 cm (2 ft.) wide. J.C. Bakker & Sons Nursery

2

3 Rosa ‘CNLA 362’

Never Alone shrub rose

A superb patio rose and great companion to any Canadian Artist series rose. Hardy, made in Canada (a Morden, Man., selection). Continuous bloomer that features red edges with a white to slightly yellow centre. Very good resistance to black spot. Grows 60 cm (2 ft.) tall and 46 cm (1.5 ft. ) wide.

A portion of proceeds benefit the Never Alone Foundation.

J.C. Bakker & Sons Nursery, Jeffries Nurseries

4 Rosa x ‘KORschwill‘ USPP #23122 Black Forest™ floribunda rose

A floribunda shrub rose offering exceptional bright, nonfading red colour with continual blooming. Loads of 4 cm (1.5 in.) blooms, 7 to 20 per stem. Upright and bushy habit that grows up to 120 cm (4 ft.) high and wide. Full sun.

Excellent resistance to black spot and mildew. An ADR winner — the toughest no-spray rose trial in the world.

Hardy to USDA Zone 5. Bred by Kordes® & Sons, renowned German rose breeder. From Blooms of Bressingham®.

3

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4

5

5 Rosa ‘RUIPE0306c’

Summer Fling® Saturnus King Terrazza™ patio rose

A showy coral-orange, with 7.5-9 cm (3-3.5 in.) flowers with a high petal count and loads of blooms spring to autumn. Good branching habit. Grows 40-50 cm (16-20 in.). Long shelf and vase life. Makes a perfect patio plant and a great cut flower. Bred by DeRuiter, introduced by Blooms of Bressingham®.

6 Rosa ‘ZLEEltonStrack’ PPAF

First Editions® Above and Beyond™ climbing rose

This new large-flowered climber is a very different rose for colder climates combining extreme cane hardiness, reliable spring flowering and vigorous growth. Orange flower buds open in prolific clusters of five or more apricot coloured semi-double to double flowers. Plants bloom in mid- to late-spring with sporadic repeat flowering in summer. Can be grown as dependable climber or as a large freestanding shrub. Very resistant to fungal diseases.

Bailey Nurseries

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Let there be light!

Service firms use holiday lighting to equalize seasons

BY SUSAN HIRSHORN

Busy homeowners often lack the time to shop for — and install — outdoor Christmas lights, and some may not have the physical agility installation requires. This has opened up business opportunities for enterprising green industry firms.

A dazzling entrance greet holiday guests.

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Since 1999, Paul Gaspar, co-owner of Weedman Lawn Care (Toronto), has been selling and installing outdoor Christmas lights through the franchise Christmas Décor. He and his staff design, supply, install, take down and store the decorations so their customers can relax and enjoy the holidays.

Gasper added Christmas Décor to his core lawn care business out of a need to provide extra work for his crew. “There were always a number of lawn care employees that we’d be laying off and wondering whether they would be available after we trained them to come back and work with us the following year,” he says. “The Christmas work keeps them coming back,” he adds, “because once the decorations are up, they get two weeks off and work again through mid-February. Then they get another four or five weeks off before they start work again in our lawn care operation. We’ve been able to give them 1,800 to 2,000 hours of work per year this way.”

Although holiday lighting might not be a panacea for attracting and retaining employees, it can boost a green industry company’s annual revenue in a relatively short period of time.

Gaspar says that Christmas Décor now represents 21 per cent

Trends in outdoor Christmas decoration Looking back on almost three decades that Christmas Décor has been in business, its marketing VP Brandon Stephens recalls that, “for the longest time everyone wanted clean, clear and classy displays.” Over the last five years — likely a result of the economic downturn — people want to be cheered up with a lot more colour, “whether it’s multicoloured bulbs or the incorporation of colour in holiday displays.”

He’s not talking about over-the-top colour.

“People still want their displays to look tasteful,” he adds. “But there are a lot more requests for patterns; like every third bulb red.

Or every third bulb green. And then let’s have some red or blue lights in the trees or shrubs — that kind of thing.”

CREATING A SIGNATURE LOOK There is also more demand for greenery, like garlands and wreaths, to maintain the festive look during the day. As well, Stephens says that more people want a unique or signature look to their displays, “so we’ll make some additions to the greenery, like putting in pine cones, berries or Christmas ornaments. Or we’ll weave coloured lights into the greenery.

Or add some figurines, like a toy soldier or a nutcracker, to the display.”

Another way to achieve a unique look is to accent trees, the front walk or some aspect of the home’s architecture with a green or red uplight. Christmas Décor offers this in a landscape lighting kit called Colour Splash.

FROM HALLOWEEN TO CHRISTMAS? Stephens says the franchise is also exploring RGB lights that create dramatic animated patterns. RGB stands for red, green, blue. The technology essentially transforms combinations of these colours into any colour you want with the right controller. “You can put the lights up in October for example, and using your controller, have orange lights for Halloween, a fall pattern between Halloween and Thanksgiving — and a Christmas pattern in December,” he explains.

26 | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

Holiday lighting provides lawncare companies an off-season revenue stream.

of his gross annual sales. And, it’s a natural fit for a lawncare or landscape service firm.

There isn’t a lot of extra overhead and you can operate out of the same facilities with existing trucks and trailers. To avoid renting extra space to store customers’ lights, Gaspar installed racks in his warehouse, reserving the floor space below the lowest level for lawn care supplies.

Premium or basic service?

As with any business, however, success depends on choosing the right business model and delivering reliable products and service. Gaspar initially identified his current lawn care customers as a likely market for Christmas Décor, but soon realized that, “it’s far more difficult to transition a lawn care customer to holiday lights than it is to transition a holiday lighting customer to lawn care.” That is because lawn care is perceived as a necessary maintenance purchase while Christmas displays — however beloved — are considered a luxury. So Gaspar carved out a niche of upper-middle and high-income homeowners as his primary residential clients for Christmas Décor. “Our clients want to achieve a special look, and they want it done professionally,” he says.

That look typically involves structural and landscape lighting as well as such daytime décor as garlands, wreaths or figurines.

“Some clients choose to have a wreath in every window and have every tree and bush lit,” he adds. “We have residential clients — a number of them — that pay in excess of $6- or $7,000. They understand the first year

they’re going to be purchasing the materials and I let them know how much that costs.

Then what the installation and takedown would be in subsequent years. They can see that 45 to 55 per cent of the first year’s cost is for materials.”

There are opportunities to serve less affluent homeowners profitably if you offer a more basic service — as Barbara Johnson of Calgary, Alta., can attest. She started Light Kings holiday lighting service sixteen years ago in conjunction with her lawn care and snow removal business, Empire Yard Services. Today, Light Kings represents about half of her gross annual sales.

Johnson’s residential customers are varied, ranging from middle to high income. “A lot of them don’t want anything extravagant in outdoor Christmas lighting. They just want something neat and tidy,” she says. And although she sells lights to many customers she will also install and take down lights for people who already have them. “Most of our profit comes from the service side,” she explains. Understandably, she does not warrant lights that she didn’t provide. Nor will she install lights that are in poor condition or that she knows are unreliable from her crews’ previous experiences with them.

Johnson ensures a steady supply of reliable, energy-efficient LED Christmas lights through a relationship she developed with a local supplier. “We can purchase on an asneeded basis so we’re not carrying a lot of inventory,” she says. “Toward the end of the season we might need some red lights and our competition might need blue lights. So

I’ll phone the supplier and say I’ve got lots of blue lights left. If any of your other guys need blue let me know I’ll bring them by.”

Gasper obtains LED lights through the Texas-based Christmas Décor franchise. According to Brandon Stephens, its Vice President of Marketing, lights are made to their own specifications with extra UV protection in the shell. “We use a polyacrylic shell that doesn’t cloud up — it remains good and clear,” Stephens says. Their lights are also packaged to be installer-friendly. “They’re rolled up into a ball so when we take them down it makes it faster to put back up.”

In addition to product, Christmas Décor provides franchisees with hands-on training in designing and installing displays. Special emphasis is placed on electrical, ladder and roof safety.

Plan a safe and profitable season Regardless of the business model, a holiday lighting service requires careful planning — from ordering product early enough, especially if it has to pass through customs — to resisting the urge to overbook at what Johnson calls “a crazy busy time of the year.”

Some customers prefer simple, dramatic lighting for their outdoor holiday decorating.

Both she and Gaspar begin bookings in early September, and Gaspar said he does the more difficult aspects of installation in October and early November, anticipating the impact weather could have on their capacity to install.

Contracts are drawn up with the stipulating phrase, “weather permitting.” Stephens says that some of his franchisees, “don’t do roof ridges because they don’t want their people up on the roofs with a lot of snow and ice.”

There are still ways to earn customers’ loyalty and referrals without sacrificing worker safety.

It could mean making sure the display is installed in time for a customer’s Christmas

party. Or trudging out to make repairs after the storm of the century. Says Gaspar, “Our clients know we warrant our products and we’re going to be there to support the installation. Last year, when the ice storm came through Toronto our busiest two days were the 23rd and the 24th of December, when the power came back on. We went around putting lights back up and making other adjustments. We have a phenomenal commitment to follow up with clients. It’s not about LT just selling them.”

Susan Hirshorn is a Montreal-based writer, editor and communications consultant.

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legalmatters

Photos, design and the law of ‘copy and paste’

BY ROB KENNALEY AND DARCIA PERRY

Technology has changed the rules of the game when it comes to sharing photographs. With the prominence of digital cameras, smartphones and the internet, a single photograph can be circulated around the globe in seconds. On the one hand this means that photographs of loved ones, milestone events and achievements can be shared and viewed instantly online, but what about the rights associated with distributing those same photographs on the internet? What rights do website owners have with respect to the unauthorized use of their online images and website design?

Many businesses do not consider the legal repercussions of the images selected for use on their company homepage, Facebook profile or other social networks. There are several copyright and privacy laws that apply to photography, and potentially to website design. “Artistic work” is defined by the Copyright Act to include paintings, drawings, 28 | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014 | LANDSCAPE TRADES

maps, charts, plans, photographs, engravings, sculptures, works of artistic craftsmanship, architectural works, and compilations of artistic works. The author of the work is considered to be the owner of copyright in same and may assign the copyright to another person. While anyone is permitted to use a copyrighted work in a fair way for research, private study, criticism, review, and news reporting purposes, the owner of a copyright, in relation to a work, has the exclusive right to reproduce, communicate “to the public by telecommunication” and exhibit that work.

Owner has exclusive rights Photographs are considered to be “artistic works” under the Act. The copyright owner of a photograph will generally be the photographer unless it was taken during the course of employment or apprenticeship, where the copyright will belong to the em-

ployer, even if the photographer uses his own camera and film. However, contractual agreements can alter this default provision.

In the case of online photographs, the copyright owner is the only person permitted to copy, print, download/upload, or publicly display the photograph. As a result, those who copy and paste others’ images to their website, without the consent of the copyright owner, could be liable for infringement of copyright. Further, the unauthorized use of photographs of another’s work product, on one’s website, may attract liability for ‘passing off’ on the basis that the photographs could be considered to be a misrepresentation of services, creating the presumption that the user of the unauthorized photograph is, or is sponsored by or associated with, the business of another.

Canada does not have a mandatory copyright registry, and determining whether or not a photograph is in the public domain

can be challenging. Copyright protection in a work generally lasts for the lifetime of the author plus 50 years following the end of the calendar year in which the author dies. Website owners should be aware of the risks associated with using unauthorized photos due to the increased prevalence of service providers that are hired to scan and search the internet for unauthorized images, owned and licensed to their customers, being used on others’ websites, Facebook pages and social networks. Similarly, a competitor may search pages to see if another is passing off the competitor’s work as their own.

Respect web designs as original work Similar to photographs, the graphic design of a website may also be considered to be an artistic work if the website design is sufficiently original to entitle its author to copyright protection. An author’s copyright in the design of a website can include, “the look, layout and how the webpage appears to operate.” The overall arrangement of commonplace elements such as colours, shapes and designs can result in an original artistic work for which the author is entitled to copyright protection. Such a work cannot be copied without the author’s consent. As a result, a claim for copyright infringement in the graphic design of a website will be established where: The design is original, where there has been copying from that work and where a substantial portion of the work has been reproduced. Whether there has been substantial copying of a website’s design will be a question of quality, as opposed to quantity, and cannot be defined. The Courts will have regard to the overall arrangement of the components.

Copyright infringers are liable to pay damages to the owner of the copyright for the unauthorized use, and, in addition can also be liable for profits made from the infringement, statutory damages up to $20,000 and punitive damages. It is accordingly best to assume that all images available online are protected by copyright, unless there is clear evidence to the contrary. In addition, of course, lifting a substantial portion of someone else’s website design should be avoided.

Upon notification that there is an unauthorized use on your website, immediate steps should be taken to investigate the claim and to verify copyright ownership. One should NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014 | LANDSCAPE TRADES |

29

then consider immediately removing the identified image or problem areas. Continuing to use the image or layout may aggravate a potential claim, and increase the odds that you will be found liable for infringement of LT copyright.

Rob Kennaley and Darcia Perry practice construction law in Toronto. They speak and write regularly on construction law issues and can be reached for

comment at (416) 368-2522 or at kennaley@mclauchlin.ca. This material is for information purposes and is not intended to provide legal advice. Readers who have concerns about any particular circumstance are encouraged to seek independent legal advice in that regard.

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29

sustainablelandscaping

Find a niche in curb appeal

BY SEAN JAMES Before: overgrown evergreens and aging timbers detract from this home’s curb appeal.

There’s lots of talk lately about curb appeal, and how much folks should invest in their homes. One of the main areas of discussion centres around selling a home, and what steps should be taken outdoors to speed up the sale and increase selling prices.

There is an opportunity for contractors to work with elements that already exist in the landscape, to enhance value and appearance.

Many homes have interlock pathways that perhaps could have been installed correctly the first time around. We’ll ignore that for now, BUT touching up sagged and sunken interlock, installing edging restraint

After: Modernizing a pathway and keeping existing plants can be just what the real estate agent called for.

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and pressure washing out old sand and replacing it with new (removing the weeds in the process) is a great way to freshen up an entrance. If you can lay new stone, consider permeable pavers for a modern, eco-friendly look. Cost-effective design additions include the creation of a welcoming flare to where the path meets the driveway and perhaps even a soldier-course down the sides of the driveway. While checking hardscaping, watch for tripping hazards. The same applies to other hard surfaces on the property — look for general deterioration and how to fix it. It’s worth it. A quality patio, for instance, can add up to 12 per cent to a home’s value!

If a home is on the market in winter, keep in mind the vast majority of sales visits happen in the dark. LED low-voltage lighting makes the winter landscape look stunning, costs very little to run and uses only a fraction of the power of old-style lights. Picture a street full of dark houses, then, there shining in the night, is a warm, welcoming property.

Which house do you think will be an easy sale? Night lighting is one of the best ways to improve the looks of the winter landscape.

When it comes to the plantings, look for the old, overgrown and out-of-scale shrubs.

If they’re deciduous, multi-stem shrubs, don’t leap to remove them. Especially in the spring, consider cutting them all the way to the ground (perhaps even slightly below the ground) to rejuvenate them. This process is known as coppicing and allows you to keep the mature aspects of the landscape. Overgrown junipers can be trimmed from the inside, into an almost fluffy pom-pom form exposing the amazing bark – if the garden style can support a bonsai-style plant. If a

large spruce is overwhelming the front yard, avoid the impulse to cut it down. Limb it up instead; you’ll keep the history and maturity of the property, and the branches will sag back down soon enough. Consider existing trees properly. Trees can add thousands, even tens of thousands, of dollars to the value of a property.

Budgets are usually very limited, but if there’s money for upgrading the plantings, remember flowers come and go, but texture will make or break your landscape. Consider adding plants which have bold or grassy texture. These types of textures are often lacking. Drought- and salt-tolerant sea kale, Crambe maritima, has great blue leaves and, when repeated a few times through a garden, can tie the whole thing together. A grouping of three native switchgrass clumps, Panicum virgatum, can provide great winter interest and colour changing from blue to red throughout the season.

There are many things which can be done to make a home more saleable. The ideas here represent just a taste. It’s not usually big money but it can be a reliable stream of medium-sized jobs that connects you with new clients and serves to get your name out LT in the community.

Sean James is owner of an Ontario-based environmentally-conscious landscape design/build/maintenance company, an eco-consultant and a popular speaker.

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roadtosuccess

Working with others

BY ROD McDONALD

I was at a landscapers’ barbecue in Wascana Park, close to where I live. Just for clarification, we were not barbecuing landscapers, but they were in attendance. There was an assortment of people, as there is at any social function. Some, I really admired and respected and others, made me wonder how they managed to survive, what with their social skills being absent in all forms.

When you are in this trade of ours, there are occasions that make you scratch your head in wonderment. Wonderment such as the time we were having supper at a Chinese restaurant and one of the landscapers complained that in a Chinese restaurant, “they never bring you crackers, even when you ask for them.” I stared and said nothing. I didn’t know where to begin.

Back to the barbecue in the park: There were perhaps 40 or 50 of us, ranging from the newcomer to the grizzled veteran — two nice words to describe the long-serving.

One of the attendees starts in on that boring, old topic of ‘how stupid my employees are.’ He explained how one such individual gave his brother-in-law some Roundup, which he had pilfered from work, and advised the relative to spray it on his lawn, as an all-purpose weed killer. After all, he had seen the boss use it to kill a patch of quack

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grass. Did it work? Very well, thank you for asking.

Then another landscaper jumps in with his story, followed by another and yet another. It turned into quite a competition, with each person attempting to top the previous story. Each story pertained to employee problems.

I was quiet. The man sitting beside me, John Wigglesworth, owned a sod farm, close to Saskatoon. I liked John. He was quiet, thoughtful and when he spoke, he had something to say. He was not the sort of chap who filled up space and time with empty words.

John leans into me and asks, “Do you agree with what is being said?” I shook my head in a ‘no’ fashion. John had picked up on my silence as a sign that he should comment. John said the following which, while he has since departed this earth, remains with me ‘til this day, “I don’t have any labour problems. My employees make money for me and if they don’t, they are not my employees for long.”

I agreed with John. I told him, “This is similar to when husbands talk about their wives in a disrespectful manner. I am always tempted and sometimes I have even done so, to ask the speaker if his wife knows that he is speaking in such a manner?” I have had grown men laugh and say, “No, she doesn’t,”

and think that they are being funny. Call me old fashioned and call me sad.

Hire right and fire right I continued, “The same thing applies to my employees. My employees are an asset. I would never speak in a disparaging manner of them. They assist me in running my business. They make money for me and every now and again, someone does not work out and I deal with that. But that is not an everyday occurrence. It is the exception. If you hire lots so you can fire lots, you are a poor manager and a poor judge of character.” John agreed with everything I said, even though by this time, I was standing on a soapbox. I bring out that soapbox when so moved.

I am always amazed at how stupid employers can be when they openly embarrass themselves over the misdeeds of their employees. Do they not realize that this reflects upon them, not others? Who would want to hire a firm that does not have capable staff?

I buy from suppliers who have top-rate employees, the people who get my order right, and the first time. I avoid firms that employ mediocre and incompetent staff.

The same thing happens in all businesses. I was in the office of a big shot for McDonald’s, the hamburger giant, and the

Poobah turns to me and asks, “How do you find someone competent enough to order a five-gallon bucket of mustard?” It was not a question that he expected me to answer, but I did. I told him that he had to screen his potential employees carefully, pay them well and treat them with respect. He didn’t appreciate my insight.

To find the best employees, take the time to hire the right person. Too often, I have seen ‘The first warm body through the door’ methodology of hiring to be the standard practice. That is not the way it should be done. You should always hire before you need the employee. If it is a low-level job, then one interview might be enough. If it is a more important position to fill, then three interviews with three different managers could be the order of the day. Three sets of eyes often see different things.

way to phrase what they were about to say.

Pauses and hesitations are rarely a good thing. By the way, I never, ever bother to check personal references. After having done so several times, I soon grew weary of those glowing testimonies from the candidate’s friends. Friends used as references do not help in your decision.

Every position matters The number-one priority for employees is not pay. It is a mistake to think that salary is number one. The number one thing that employees’ value is the importance of their work, and their importance to that work.

“Does what I do matter?” If the answer is yes, chances are you have content employees. If

Silence speaks volumes Screening is always important, and it is always a source of amazement how some candidates pad their resumes. The only way you are going to find out if your candidate is the right person, for you and your company, is to pick up the phone and ask the previous one, two or three employers. If a potential employee states on his resume that he, “virtually ran the place,” and the owner doesn’t even remember that person being an employee, chances are the candidate is exaggerating what he did, and his level of importance. Just saying.

Many years ago, my wife had a job checking references. She told me, after spending the summer on the phone with past employers, that most people do not outright lie, but many do exaggerate. After that bit of information, I became much more vigilant in checking references. Another tip to keep in mind when you are checking a reference or a previous employer is that you can ascertain as much from the pauses in the conversation, as you can from the answers. When I would ask a previous employer, “Would you hire this person again if you had an opening?” and they would hesitate and pause, I knew that they were thinking of the nicest NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2014 | LANDSCAPE TRADES |

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roadtosuccess the answer is no, then chances are, you have a problem. I detested, as a student employee many years ago, being treated as nothing more than a strong back. No one would ever tell me that what I was doing was important.

It is of utmost importance to always explain to each employee, the importance of what they do and how it affects the entire company.

For example, my high school kids were a fine asset to my company. They were often the first employees that a customer had contact with when they arrived, and the kids were often the last ones the customer had contact with when they left. They were out there finding parking spots and they were loading purchases into the customer’s car and helping the driver to back out. I would tell them how important their job was to our operation. They were our goodwill ambassadors. Some would get it, some would not. I loved when a customer took the time to phone and tell me how much he or she appreciated the high school students. I got several of those calls, every spring. The students are important, very important and they need to know that they are.

When ascertaining how an employee is doing, it is important to pay attention to not only their customer skills, but how much they are producing. I hate to be so callous, but I had a greenhouse sales person who

everyone she served spoke highly of her.

The problem was, from my perspective, she didn’t serve too many people. If there were twenty people milling around wanting advice, three would have stood by her as having given great service. The other seventeen would have told me that they had no opinion because she never got to them. Ouch. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to see 85 per cent of my customers not being served, or at the very least, acknowledged.

There it is again, that fine line that we wonder and wander about.

Simple recipe for success I had a tree and shrub salesman who was always bringing up cart loads of plants for customers. I asked him for his secret, because from the outside, he didn’t strike most people as a top-notch salesman. He was not smooth. His secret was actually quite simple.

After pitching the customer on two or three items, he would ask one simple question: “Should I get a cart?” If the customer said “yes”, then the sale was in progress. If the customer said, “No, I’m just looking” then Jim would say, “Very good. If you need me, I will be over here, helping these people.” He made his outstanding sales by asking one simple question, “Should I get a cart?”

My top Christmas tree sales person would

ask two questions, “What did you have last year, and were you pleased with it?” Those two simple questions told him everything he needed to know and he sold lots of Christmas trees. He didn’t waste the customer’s time or his, showing them something they had no interest in buying. Simplicity is truly the key to good selling.

Always treat your employees as your most important asset because they truly are an asset. If you think your employees are a commodity, then we have a problem.

The tips above are only the tip of the iceberg to forming a cohesive team of employees for your business. As you no doubt realize, there are many more. Keep a good set of employees and stay on the road to success. LT

Rod McDonald owned and operated Lakeview Gardens, a successful garden centre/ landscape firm in Regina, Sask., for 28 years. He now works full-time in the world of fine arts, writing, acting and producing in film, television and stage.

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cnlanews Rose breeding evaluation CNLA’s New Plant Development Committee met at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (VRIC) in early September as part of the rose breeding program’s annual evaluation process.

The roses under evaluation are a result of the joint CNLA/Vineland rose breeding program.

The 50 top roses that survive this selection process will go on for further disease resistance and hardiness testing at locations across Canada, representing diverse geographic and climatic conditions. It is expected that the first partnership roses will be introduced in 2018.

Cultivate and Connect CNLA, in partnership with Landscape Ontario, is excited to announce the new Cultivate and Connect conference, taking place during Congress this January. Introduced as Connecting Educators in 2013, the event has been re-branded to encompass the vision of cultivating connections across industry, educators and government.

The driving force motivating this two-day event is how to build better pathways to attract youth to this sector. Visit cultivateandconnect.ca to register and join the conversation.

Learning from Europe Members of the European Landscape Contractors Association (ELCA) met in Luxemburg this fall to discuss human resource issues facing the industry. CNLA is one of 22 landscaping associations that make up ELCA. The meetings were a valuable opportunity to gain information on a variety of human resource topics, including education, school systems, specifications, recruitment, training, retention and government relations. Being part of an international association provides CNLA with the ability to learn from other countries with similar landscape sector challenges, as well as provide feedback based on Canadian experiences.

Canadian nursery recognized Winkelmolen Nurseries of Lynden, Ont., has received the Award of Merit at the recent AIPH Grower of the Year Award ceremony, held in Qingdoa, China. This is the fourth year that a Canadian nursery has been shortlisted to represent Canada at this prestigious international event. CNLA extends its sincere congratulations to everyone at Winkelmolen for receiving this top honour.

CNLA’s New Plant Development Committee in the rose trials at Vineland R.I.C. From left to right, front row: Dr. Rumen Conev, VRIC; Dr. Parminderjit Kaur, VRIC; Michel Touchette, Jeffries Nurseries. Back row: Rita Weerdenburg, CNLA; DeVonne Friesen, Van Belle Nurseries; Mike Byland, Bylands Nurseries; Rick Durand, Byland Nurseries; Sylvie Deslauriers, Phytoclone; John Bakker, J.C. Bakker & Sons Nurseries.

New hardiness zone map The Ministry of Natural Resources Canadian Forest Services has introduced the new 2014 hardiness zone map to reflect significant changes resulting from climate change and improvements in climate interpolation techniques.

The new map indicates that the most significant changes can be seen in western Canada, since the last update done in 2001. This guideline was first developed in the 1960s by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to display where plants could be expected to survive relative to their climatic requirements. More information can be found at www.planthardiness.gc.ca

Small Business Job Credit Earlier this fall, Minister of Finance Joe Oliver announced the new Small Business Job Credit.

This credit will work to lower small businesses’ Employment Insurance (EI) premiums from the current legislated rate of $1.88, to $1.60 per $100 of insurable earnings in 2015 and 2016.

Any firm that pays employer EI premiums equal to or less than $15,000 in those years will be eligible for the credit. In addition, all employers and employees will benefit from a reduction in the EI premium rate in 2017 when the new, seven-year breakeven rate-setting mechanism takes effect. This will ensure that EI premiums are no higher than needed to pay for the EI program over time.

Dan Kelly, President of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, had this to say, “I couldn’t be more pleased to stand beside Finance Minister Oliver as he announces half a billion for small firms in payroll tax cuts — the most harmful form of taxation affecting job

creating and employee wages. A 15 per cent reduction in EI premiums will make it easier to hire new workers or invest in additional training to help entrepreneurs grow their business.”

Survey results available soon Keep an eye on the CNLA website for the results of the Garden Centres Canada and Landscape Canada surveys. Thank you to everyone that took the time to provide information about your 2013 business year, contributing to better statistics for the industry.

National gift card program underway Garden Centres Canada is working on an exclusive mobile gift card program that will be redeemable at any member garden centre.

The motivation behind this program is to make it easier for small garden centres to offer gift cards without the need of additional hardware.

This exciting new initiative is being rolled out just in time for the Christmas season. Visit gardencentrescanada.com for more information and start attracting more customers to your business.

LT

The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association is the federation of Canada’s provincial horticultural trade associations. Visit cnla-acpp.ca for more information.

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newfoundlandandlabrador Landscape Trades devotes space in each issue to provincial association news.

This issue features an update from Landscape Newfoundland and Labrador

2014: A busy year for Landscape NL During the week of Jan. 27, Landscape NL was host to the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association’s Annual General Meeting, National Awards of Landscape Excellence and the Landscape NL Awards of Landscape Excellence.

Industry representatives from across Canada enjoyed a week of Newfoundland hospitality, while discussing business and attending meetings for the landscape horticultural industry.

Tuesday evening proved to be most enjoyable for the CFA people (Come From Away), as they were “Screeched In” and became “Honorary Newfoundlanders.” On Wednesday evening, the Awards Gala took place at the Delta Hotel, where both provincial and national awards were presented to very deserving members for their outstanding work.

Industry reps at the CNLA AGM became honourary Newfoundlanders after an official ‘screeching in’ ceremony complete with cod and sou’wester.

On May 5, Landscape NL held its 2014 Annual General Meeting at MUN Botanical Garden.

Landscape NL elected its new Board of Directors: Michael Murray, President; Krista Russell, Vice President; and Evan Murray, Secretary/ Treasurer. This year, Landscape NL reduced the size of its board to seven positions. Under the leadership of the newly-elected Landscape NL president, Michael Murray, who is no stranger to the industry, Landscape NL believes it can steer its ship in the right direction. Landscape NL welcomed Victor Santacruz, Executive Director of CNLA, to its AGM and to Newfoundland and Labrador for a few days.

Following the AGM, Anthony O’Neill of

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O’Neill’s Gardenland presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Donna Hopkins, in honour of her father, Alex Peircey. Alex was a cherished friend, as well as a dedicated industry volunteer. Chris Swyers then presented Ross Traverse with the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture (NLFA) Atlantic Hall of Fame Induction Award. This October, Ross will travel to Truro, N.S., where he will be inducted into the Atlantic Agriculture Hall of Fame.

On-the-Job-Training Master Trainer Doreen Layman held an OJT training session on May 6 and 7. The session was well attended and a success.

Anthony O’Neill presents the Lifetime Achievement Award to Donna Hopkins in honour of her father, Alex Peircey.

Chris Sawyers presents Ross Traverse with the Hall of Fame Induction Award.

On May 6 and 7, board members Michael Murray, Krista Russell, Evan Murray, CNLA Executive Director Victor Santacruz and Landscape NL Executive Director Christine Finn met with provincial and municipal leaders, including Nfld. Minister of Environment and Conservation, Joan Shea; Assistant Deputy Minister of Department of Natural Resources, Forestry and Agrifoods Agency, Keith Deering; Opposition Party Environment Critic, Tom Osborne; St. John’s Deputy Mayor, Ron Ellsworth; and Mount Pearl Mayor, Randy Simms. The purpose of these meetings was to discuss the development of the Landscape Horticulturist Red Seal Trade in Nfld.,

specification/industry standards for public tender projects, and the support from municipal and provincial government representatives for issues relating to Landscape NL.

During the week of Sept. 8-13, Landscape NL held more meetings with government officials.

This time a meeting was held with the Town of Conception Bay South Mayor, Ken McDonald, and Recreation Director Dave Tibbo, Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association President/Chief Operating Officer Rhonda Neary and First Vice-Chair Ed LeGrow. On Sept. 13, Landscape NL reps attended the Urban Municipal Councilors meeting and gave a presentation on the necessity of Red Seal/Certified individuals on municipal public-tendered projects, and the need for the Red Seal Landscape Horticulturist Trade in Nfld.

On Sept. 24, Landscape NL participated in the fourth National Tree Day, which took place at Bowering Park. Musical entertainment was provided ahead of the ceremony, and students from St. Matthews School attended and sang during the ceremony.

Landscape NL continues to lobby government officials at all levels to make them aware that a Landscape Horticulturist program needs to be put in place to make Landscape Horticulture a viable career in Newfoundland and Labrador.

We have many Landscape NL member companies with journeymen on staff, willing to participate in the apprenticeship program, but without a government-supported program this cannot happen. Landscape NL is committed to working hard to see this program up-and-running.

Meetings are currently being held with Landscape NS, Landscape NB and Landscape PEI to have the Landscape Horticulturist Red Seal Trade a harmonized trade within the Atlantic Provinces.

LT

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industrynews Sites simulate damage caused by ALHB The Asian longhorned beetle (ALHB) is an invasive pest that has most recently been found in parts of Toronto and Mississauga. A native of Asia, it has no natural enemies in North America. In Canada, it attacks a wide range of healthy host trees, including maple, birch, willow, poplar

ALHB simulation site in Oakville, Ont.

and elm. Within the U.S., infestations have also occurred on horsechestnut, sycamore and occasionally hackberry. This pest has the potential to do a lot of damage to the urban forest if undetected in other areas.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has declared a regulated area in Toronto and Mississauga in order to contain and help eradicate the beetle. However, to raise awareness and show municipal staff and the public what damage to look for, CFIA has created training sites with simulated signs of ALHB attack in various locations in Canada. CFIA staff have created superficial wounds on trees to mimic the distinctive oviposition pits and large exit holes caused by the adult ALHB. Signage has been placed next to the replicated infestation to provide information on ALHB and to identify the area as a simulation site only. Sites are found across Canada, in B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

If any stakeholder is interested in having an ALHB simulation site set-up locally, please contact the Plant Health Surveillance Unit of CFIA.

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Gear up for Landscape Ontario’s Congress 2015 The 42nd edition of Landscape Ontario’s (LO) Congress takes place January 6-8, 2015. Congress is Canada’s largest green industry trade show and conference, and is the place to go for professional development, to see industry trends, product innovations and simply to network with experts and peers.

Held at the Toronto Congress Centre, Congress offers eight acres of more than 600 multinational vendors, under one roof and offers an unparalleled opportunity for landscape designers, maintenance and construction contractors, as well as irrigation and lighting contractors looking to see the latest technologies, equipment, tools and products on the market.

Attracting skilled workers is a significant business challenge for many employers. At Congress this year, LO has enhanced its long association with many educational institutions to create a revitalized Education Hub. This new area features a 3,000 sq. ft. garden demonstrating the creativity, collaboration and integration of talent from the post-secondary programs’ professors, students and suppliers responsible for the design, construction and dismantling of the garden during the show. Business owners looking to connect with young skilled workers will find opportunities at Congress.

The Congress Conference offers four full days of professional development beginning with Warm-Up Monday, January 5 (pre-trade show), with a series of industry-specific seminars hosted by LO’s sector groups for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Landscape Design. This year, the Integrated Pest Management symposium celebrates its 50th anniversary with a stellar line up of industry experts, wrapping up the day with an inspirational keynote presentation by Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons.

New for 2015, is the launch of LO’s own Peer to Peer workshop, as well as the Cultivate and Connect (formerly known as Connecting Educators), both on Monday. Thursday features a reformatted Irrigation Conference that now includes lunch and more time for delegates to learn about new products and technologies in water conservation.

The co-location of Congress with the Canadian Fence Industry Association’s Fencecraft and Landscape Ontario’s multiple partnerships in the Green Infrastructure Pavilion, a show-within-a-show, offers a glimpse into allied industry’s

products and creates business opportunities from new and untapped markets.

After attending Conference seminars and the trade show, enjoy some social time at LO’s Presidents’ Reception and Awards of Excellence Ceremony Tuesday night (ticket required for the Awards ceremony), and the renowned Tailgate Party on Wednesday night featuring entertainment and dinner. Admittance to the Tailgate Party is free with your Congress badge.

Visit locongress.com for full details on exhibitors, events, conference, speaker profiles and to register.

Duke Distribution adds lines

Duke Distribution, a division of G.C. Duke Equipment, is pleased to announce that it has entered an agreement with Schiller Grounds Care, and has been appointed the Canadian distributor of Mantis, Classen and Little Wonder products.

Now in its 66th year of operation, G.C. Duke Equipment is based in Burlington, Ont., and is dedicated to the consumer, commercial and turf market segments.

CNLA conducts wage survey CNLA has partnered with the provincial horticultural associations and Employment Social Development Canada (ESDC) to collect wage rate data to provide industry-driven Labour Market Information (LMI) to employers, employees, the provincial associations, educators and government agencies. This information will be of value to nursery growers, landscape operations and retail garden centres.

Wage rates will be identified by the regions of Canada, company size, employee position,

average number of hours worked annually, years of work experience, formal certification and other qualifications, employer sector, and demographics.

The wage rate survey will also enable a demographic profile of the workforce to be constructed which will be useful for planning as a sector for anticipated vacancies (especially in skilled positions) as older workers retire.

The online survey launched in October, and will be emailed to provincial association members across the country. In March, 2015, employers and employees will have access to labour market information that will be useful in setting strategic HR goals within companies and allow for continued growth of the sector. The data as a whole will also be used for industry association work to promote horticulture as a career, and as useful data in educational seminars, and communicating value in certification and apprenticeship programs.

CNLA contracted with a consulting firm to conduct the wage survey; the firm will gather wage information under a strict guarantee of confidentiality and anonymity. Only aggregate data compiled from the surveys will be released.

expected harvest volumes are considerably below-average. The New Brunswick North harvest was 61 per cent of 2014 expectations, New Brunswick South 67 per cent and PEI 65 per cent. A delayed start to the season, combined with a wet summer, has significantly reduced production volume.

In Quebec’s North Shore, the results are more favourable, with most members meeting expectations. The harvest on Quebec’s South Shore is at, or slightly above, expectations for most producers. This is primarily due to good harvest weather in mid to late summer.

The Prairie provinces experienced a belowaverage harvest, primarily due to adverse weather. The Manitoba harvest came in at 73 per cent of 2014 expectation, Saskatchewan at 70 per cent and Alberta, 71 per cent.

The industry had lower than normal carryover inventory volumes from the 2013 season, particularly in the west. Many members are less able to absorb the harvest shortfall than in previous years. These numbers were released at the end of August, with the note that good fall weather may change them for the better.

Canadian peat moss harvest down

New headquarters for Avant Tecno USA

The Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association (CSPMA), whose members represent approximately 95 percent of all North American peat production, has released a statement noting that the 2014 harvest season has been challenging, with lower than expected harvests across most production regions.

In New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, Canada’s largest peat producing region,

Avant Tecno USA, manufacturer of compact, articulated, multipurpose loaders, recently moved into a new North American corporate headquarters in Arlington Heights, Ill. The move to this facility provides a new base of operations for Avant’s staff, while keeping pace with the company’s growth plans. Avant’s new facility will showcase its loader solutions and host customers, dealers and partners.

LT

A wide selection of natural stone and precast concrete products • Flagstone • Interlocking • Cultured Stone • Masonry products • In-Lite LED Lights

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comingevents November 12-15, 12th annual CitiesAlive Green Roof and Wall Conference, Omni Hotel and Resort, Nashville, Tenn. www.citiesalive.org

January 7-9, CENTS 2015, Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio www.centsmarketplace.com

January 25-29, Toronto Spring Gift Show, International Centre and Congress Centre, Toronto, Ont. www.cgta.org

November 13-14, Green Industry Show and Conference, Edmonton EXPO Centre (Northlands), Edmonton, Alta. www.greenindustryshow.com

January 13-16, Sports Turf Managers Association 26th Annual Conference and Exhibition, Denver, Co. www.stma.org

January 26-28, Great Lakes Trade Exposition (GLTE), Lansing Centre, Lansing, Mich. www.glte.org

January 14-16, The Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show, Baltimore Convention Center, Md. www.mants.com

January 27-30, International Plant Fair, Essen, Germany, www.ipm-messe.de

November 17-19, Hort East 2014, Cunard Centre, Halifax, N.S. www.horteast.ns.ca November 19-21, International Irrigation Show & Conference, Phoenix, Ariz. www.irrigationshow.org

January 14-16, Northern Green Expo, Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, Minn. www.northerngreenexpo.org

February 2-6, CGSA/WCTA Canadian International Turfgrass Conference and Trade Show, Telus Convention Centre, Calgary, Alb. www.golfsupers.com

December 3-5, The Buildings Show, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Ont. www.thebuildingsshow.com

January 21-23, Indiana Green Expo, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, Ind. www.indianagreenexpo.com

February 3-5, Your Next Level, Hyatt Pier 66, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. www.yournextlevel.org

2015 January 6-8, Congress 2015, Toronto Congress Centre, Toronto, Ont. www.locongress.com

January 21-23, The Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition (TPIE), Greater Fort Lauderdale/ Broward County Convention Center, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. www.fngla.org/tpie

February 4-6, New England Grows, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Boston, LT Mass. www.newenglandgrows.org

Celebrating 50 years of pest management SAVE THE !

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January 5, 2015

Toronto Congress Centre IPM SYMPOSIUM KEYNOTE

Teamwork and Leadership

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Lunch is included and attendees will qualify for six CECs from the IPM Council of Canada.

Net proceeds are donated to lawn care research.

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classifieds CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING:

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All classified ads must be pre-paid by credit card. Rates: $62.15 (includes HST) per column inch (approx. 25 words). Deadline: 10th day of the month prior to issue date.

January deadline is Nov. 15. Space is limited to a first-come, first-served basis.

To advertise: E-mail your name, phone number and ad to Robert at classifieds@ landscapeontario.com. Online advertising also available. Visit www.landscapetrades. com/classifieds for full details.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

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BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES ESTABLISHED MUSKOKA LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE COMPANY FOR SALE Successful, respected company, locally owned and operated, is looking for a professional and dedicated purchaser. Well-maintained fleet of trucks and equipment. Dependable staff, loyal customer base. Year-round operation.

For serious inquiries only, please reply in confidence by email to: MuskokaOpportunity@gmail.com

Exclusive listings: WHO sells WHAT in Canada’s green industry!

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TURN-KEY GARDEN CENTRE FOR SALE On 9 acres of owned land, with on-site luxury home for owner/manager. Established in 1988.

Market leader in the Guelph area. Profitable with potential to become much more so in the years ahead. Truly a once in a lifetime opportunity for the right buyer!

For details go to prosper.ca or call Steve Dawkins, Salesperson REMAX Real Estate Centre Toll Free: 1-855-95-REMAX Established Nursery and Garden Centre for Sale Family owned and operated 11.47 acre site in Leamington, includes inventory, equipment and out buildings.

Can be sold with an additional 4.13 acres, 4 bedroom home and greenhouse.

Call Louie Saad, P.Eng. Broker at Realty House Sun Parlour Inc. Brokerage for details at 519-322-2233

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Get inspired by the talent and creativity of our landscape construction, maintenance and design contractors.

Ceremony and President’s Reception

January 7, 2015 4:45 p.m. President’s Reception 5:15 p.m. Awards Ceremony

International Plaza Hotel, Plaza Ballroom Ticketed Event including President’s Reception, $55

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where to find it COMPANY

PAGE

PHONE

EMAIL

WEBSITE

Atlas Polar Company Ltd 27 888-799-4422 info@atlaspolar.com Beaver Valley Stone 39 416-222-2424 info@beavervalleystone.com Compass Creative Studio Inc 42 855-318-4101 info@compasscreative.ca Dutchmaster Nurseries Limited 25 905-683-8211 sales@dutchmasternurseries.com Ebert’s Tree Farms 42 226-377-6321 anna.ebert@bell.net Echo Power Equipment Canada 19 877-324-6660 info@echo.ca Fieldworks Construction Equipment 36 519-572-9447 glen.keam@fieldworksequipment.com General Motors of Canada Ltd 5 800-GM-DRIVE Gravely 2 800-472-8359 info@ariens.com Hustler Turf Equipment 33 800-395-4757 sales@hustlerturf.com JC Bakker & Sons Ltd 21 877-816-6608 nursery@jcbakker.com Mahindra 11 Permacon Group Inc 44 800-463-9278 Pro Landscape by Drafix Software 23 800-231-8574 sales@prolandscape.com Proven Winners 17 800-633-8859 Sakata Seed America Inc 43 408-778-7758 info@sakata.com Stihl Limited 9 519-681-3000 info.canada@stihl.ca Thames Valley Brick 36 905-637-6997 info@thamesvalleybrick.com The Salt Depot 37 905-479-1177 info@saltdepot.ca Unilock Ltd 13 800-UNILOCK georgetown@unilock.com United Agri Products (UAP) 38 800-265-5444 Zander Sod Co Ltd 29 877-727-2100 info@zandersod.com

www.atlaspolar.com www.beavervalleystone.com www.compasscreative.ca www.dutchmasternurseries.com www.ebertstreefarms.com www.echo.ca www.fieldworksequipment.com www.gmcanada.com www.gravely.com www.hustlerturf.com www.jcbakker.com www.mahindracanada.ca www.permacon.ca www.prolandscape.com www.colorchoiceplants.com www.sakataornamentals.com www.stihl.ca www.thamesvalleybrick.com www.saltdepot.ca www.unilock.com www.uap.ca www.zandersod.com

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C: 226-377-6321 • E: anna.ebert@bell.net 882984 Road 88, Kintore, ON.

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