VNLA Field Day 2019

Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association’s Field Day tradition started in 1995. The first field day was hosted by Saunders Brothers in Piney River, Virginia. That first field day must have been a resounding success since it started a tradition going strong 24 years later.

The event is exclusive to Virginia Nursery and Landscape professionals and aims to offer a fun way to network with industry colleagues while keeping abreast of current trends and research. The setting is often literally in a field under the shade of a large tent and open to whatever breezes may happen to come.

Mark your calendar and reserve travel accommodations.

The Eastern Shore area is beautiful and a popular summer-time destination.

A block of rooms for Field Day is available:

Holiday Inn Express & Suites

3446 Lankford Highway

Exmore, VA 23350

(757) 442-5522

Room block code: ESV

Look for more information coming soon about this year’s registration process for attendees, exhibitors and sponsors. In the meantime, here is an overview of what is planned:

Field Day Thursday, August 1

Dr. Pete Schultz and Dr. Chris Ranger will share their latest research results for Ambrosia Beetle and Crepe Myrtle Bark scale. They will alsoshare viable alternatives for non-chemical pest management.

Dr. Laurie Fox will speak about native plants and their impact on our industry. Detailed information about prominent species willbediscussed.

Dr. Sara Via will present Climate Impacts on LandscapePlants and Pests: Remaining Successful in a Changing Environment.

Panel Discussion:

Demand, Propagation and Production of Native Plants

Panelists include:

Shereen Hughes

Assistant Director, Wetlands Watch; Virginia Coordinator, Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Program

Leslie Cario – Owner, Chesapeake Horticultural Services

Dot Field – Botanist and DCR Natural Heritage Park Restoration on Eastern Shore

Eric Gunderson – President Southern Branch Nursery

Networking Social Thursday evening August 1

Island House Restaurant & Marina

Nursery and Garden Tour Friday August 2 – Thank you to our hosts!

David’s Nursery

Tankard Nurseries

Eyre Hall

We look forward to seeing you there!

Eastern Shore Nursery

Eastern Shore Nursery of Virginia began operations in 1965 as a small field-grown azalea nursery. Robin Rinaca and her late husband, Nick Covatta, purchased Eastern Shore Nursery in 1980 and started their nursery career.

The pair combined their knowledge and expertise, Robin brought her love of gardening and art history education, Nick brought his business operations knowledge from his career as an executive. Together, they grew their business by establishing strong values and staying true to them. Customer trust and loyalty is earned with their strong sense of professionalism, producing top notch plant material and being responsive to the ever changing whims of the public marketplace.

House of Spiraea

This small field-grown nursery grew steadily into today’s successful 290 acre fruit and landscape tree and shrub container operation. The clientele is primarily garden centers. The selections offered must make many beautifully stocked garden centers!

Shipping

A glance at their spring availability list shows approximately 80 ornamental, flowering and shade trees. Many choice cultivars are included in the mix. The flowering shrub and evergreen list is equally impressive featuring shrubs with ornamental interest throughout the seasons. The selection covers old standbys along with the newest Proven Winner selections.

Off-loading

Fruiting trees and shrubs became a big component in the Eastern Shore Nursery product lineup. The first fruit trees found their way into production in 1994. This product line is one few other growers have delved into with the degree that Eastern Shore has. They are perhaps the only large-scale container grown fruit tree operation on the East Coast.

Their offerings are grown under their own brand ‘Hollybrook Orchards’. Educating the consumer how to select and grow their own fruit trees helped them succeed with this venture. The Hollybrook website has detailed guides for prospective fruit tree growers covering all the important aspects. The trees are shipped with beautiful hand illustrated tags containing pollinator, size and other varietal information to help consumers make the correct choices.

Long before many of the Chesapeake Bay protection strategies were required by municipalities and the formation of the Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professionals organization, Eastern Shore Nursery prioritized reducing their impact on the environment. Being mindful of the ecological impact the nursery has on land and waterways has been an important consideration with their production and growing practices. The efforts they made in this regard were recognized in 1989 when they were awarded the Outstanding Conservation Farmer by the Eastern Shore Soil & Water Conservation and in 2009 when they were given the Groundwater Award by the Virginia Eastern Shore Groundwater Commission.

Pruning Roses

Roses became a major addition to the product line in 2011. Conard Pyle Co. stopped producing finished roses in 2011 and Eastern Shore stepped up to fill this marketplace void. They grow over 200 varieties of roses, covering all the major popular rose groupings. An amazing selection of Knockout, David Austin, Drift, Landscape, Sunblaze, Rugosa, Hybrid, Grandiflora, Floribunda, Climbers and Tree roses are produced. Robin feels their business success and longevity is due to several things. First, they never forget that businesses can only survive if they are profitable. Secondly, they have always looked for opportunities to broaden their product line. They have been able to grow their business by picking up new selections when other growers decided to change directions. Robin’s most challenging events happened in 2012. Their production manager died, then six months later her husband and partner in business and life passed away. Her employees stepped up to help and they are all stronger for having to deal with these very hard hurdles.

Roses

Always willing to share her expertise and knowledge, Robin has been very generous with her time. A few of the organizations benefitting from her expertise include Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association from 1988 to 1992 (she served as president in 1991), ANLA Board of Governors, American Nursery Credit Association Board, Eastern Shore of Virginia Nursery Association, Board member and President and the MANTS Board.

When she isn’t working, she loves to work in her own garden, travel, cook and work on old house restorations. Her favorite flower is the daffodil and she has thousands that have naturalized around her home. Their cheerful presence makes her smile at the end of those long spring work days. Most years find her vacationing in Italy in June and October — she says the rest of the year she dreams of the next trip!

Join us at Eastern Shore Nursery as they host our 2019 Field Day on August 1st and 2nd!