Free State Winter 2019

MARYLAND

N URSERY, L ANDSCAPE AND G REENHOUSE A S S O C I AT I O N , I N C .

Presorted Standard U.S. Postage PAID Baltimore, MD Permit No. 269

P.O. Box 726 Brooklandville, MD 21022

To read about the history of MANTS see pages 32-35

MANTS

Congratulations ®

NURSERY, LANDSCAPE AND GREENHOUSE NEWS

Free State

Winter 2019 Vol. XLVI No. 3

Fortress Herbicide

President’s Message Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Association Officers 2019 President Jessica Todd Clear Ridge Nursery, Inc. 888-226-9226 1st Vice President Larry Hemming Eastern Shore Nurseries 410-822-1320 2nd Vice President John Murphy Murphy John’s, Inc. 410-928-3029

Secretary Patrick Waldt Griffin Greenhouse Supplies 443-417-3983 Treasurer Carrie Engel Valley View Farms 410-527-0700 Director-at-Large Steve Black Raemelton Farm 240-416-0714 Executive Director Vanessa Akehurst Finney Quercus Management MNLGA Contact Info: P.O. Box 726 Brooklandville, Maryland 21022 Phone: 410-823-8684

In previous letters I talked about succession planning, growth, and partnerships that relate to the future health of a business and our industry. One of the partnerships I have talked about was Maryland Future Farmers of America (MD FFA). I would like to talk to you this month about political relationships and having your voice be heard.

I know that the word “politics or political” can spark a very Jessica Todd strong opinion to one side or the other. I just want to start off by saying this is not a letter about sides. It is a letter about how you can develop a relationship with law makers that can drastically affect our industry.

No matter to which side you lean, it is important for your story to be heard. How do the laws they vote for affect you? Do you know? Do you care? All of this is important.

This September I made the time to attend and participate in Impact Washington- The Summit on Capitol Hill. To give you a little background on what it is, it is hosted by AmericanHort and is an industry advocacy event. It is a series of 2-3 days where you learn different key issues that are affecting our industry, networking, and meet with legislators about these key issues. There were about 25-30 states visiting to meet with their representatives. This was my first year attending, I was joined with veterans to this event Bernie Kohl of Angelica, Alan Jones of Manor View, and Vanessa Finney, MNLGA Executive Director, as well as another voice to the event, John Murphy of Murphy John’s.

I have to admit I have always thought the idea of going to one of these events as extremely daunting. I cannot stress enough that at the end of my 2-day experience that I would do it again. It really wasn’t as daunting as I thought it would be. One thing that I learned was that AmericanHort thoroughly prepares you. They provided each of us with a binder of all the information we would need on each topic. A good portion of the second day was preparation. They have speakers that come in and talk about each specific topic that each state will focus on when meeting with their respective legislators. This Summit’s topics were H2A/H2B reform, Transportation, and Research and Innovation. (continued on page 29)

Fax: 410-296-8288 E-mail: office@mnlga.org Free State E-mail: freestate@mnlga.org Website: mnlga.org

MARYLAND N URSERY, L ANDSCAPE AND G REENHOUSE A S S O C I A T I O N , I N C.

John Murphy, Bernie Kohl, Alan Jones, and Jessica Todd waiting to visit with Senator Cardin’s staff.

Photo: Vanessa Finney

2 • Winter 2019

Contents Features

Departments

7 This Business of Ours

Visiting Nurseries and Garden Centers

– Mike Hemming

2 President’s Message

11 Growing with Education

Trees and Shrubs for Pollinators Part 3

– Ginny Rosenkranz 18 Total Plant Management

Browning White Oaks in 2019

– Karen Rane, Stanton Gill, and David Clement 22 Herbaceous Perennials 2019 at the Perennial Farm Recap

2 Association Officers 4 Director’s Message 4 MNLGA Board of Directors 6 Directory of Advertisers 17 New Members 40 Garden Comm

11

42 Industry Calendar 47 Affinity Programs 48 Press Release 50 Obituaries

30 AmericanHort

Successful H-2B “Day Of Action”

– Craig Regelbrugge

51 CPH

DOL Releases Final H-2B Recruitment Rule

– Laurie-Ann Flanagan

62 MNLGA Chairs and Committees

56 Editorial The Pride Story

63 MNLGA Mission Eight New Cosponsors For Agricultural Statement

Trucking Relief Act

– Tal Coley

19

32 MANTS 50 History, Overview and Looking Forward 36 Featured Member

Kingsdene Nurseries and Garden Center 45 Growing Forward

Growing the Next Generation of Horticulture Professionals

– Leslie Hunter Cario 56 Editorial The Pride Story

56

7

– William Verbrugge

28

Executive Director: Vanessa A. Finney Quercus Management Staff: E. Kelly Finney, Michelle Mount, and Chelsea Bailey Phone: 410-823-8684 | Fax: 410-296-8288 | E-mail: office@mnlga.org Web: mnlga.org | Free State e-mail: freestate@mnlga.org Design: Gregory J. Cannizzaro Graphic Design (contact information page 27) © 2019 Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Association, Inc.

34 Free State • 3

Director’s Message

MARYLAND N URSERY, L ANDSCAPE AND G REENHOUSE A S S O C I A T I O N , I N C.

Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Association Board of Directors Terms Expiring 2020 Richard Buller Patuxent Nursery/ Complete Landscaping Service 240-691-3438 Brent Cassell Leyland Landscaping, Inc. 410-526-4449 Ronda Roemmelt Ruppert Nurseries 301-482-2009 Tiffany Shorten Waverly Farm 301-874-8300 Terms Expiring 2021 Alex Betz Kurt Bluemel, Inc. 410-557-7229 Cindy King Kingstown Home and Farm Garden Center 410-778-1551 Brian Mitchell Manor View Farm 410-771-4700 Tyler Van Wingerden Catoctin Mountain Growers 410-775-7833

The Free State News is published for the membership of the Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Association (MNLGA.org).

For more information, e-mail: freestate@mnlga.org

The year is ending, but there is absolutely no slowing down in our office. We are busy, busy, busy preparing for the MANTS 50th Anniversary! The founding fathers of MANTS conceptualized a firm vision and business model based on fostering commerce the core principle of MANTS supported unwaveringly over the past five decades with its committed board leadership. MNLGA members all benefit from our affiliation with MANTS; it allows us Vanessa Finney to offer the programs, education, scholarship, advocacy, etc., that we do, while maintaining reasonable membership dues. I do hope you all plan on attending MANTS this year; come celebrate with us!

Speaking of MANTS – MNLGA will once again host its annual membership meeting immediately preceding the opening of the Show. MNLGA members are invited to a complimentary breakfast, thanks to our friends at MidAtlantic Farm Credit (MAFC). You should have already received registration information, however if your company is not registered, please give us a call with a head count from your company. The meeting will be Wednesday, January 8 from 7:15 – 8:45. We’ll have a 2019 wrap up, awards presentation, updates from a lot of our business partners, as well as elections for our next board of directors.

Please take the opportunity to thank Jessica Todd for her outstanding leadership as MNLGA president these past two years. Jessica attended many events on behalf of MNLGA and, I believe, enjoyed her role and working with other members and industry leaders in a capacity other than as a business owner. We look forward to Jessica continuing to build bridges between students and industry businesses as she has developed FFA programming to introduce high school students to the various types of careers within the green industry. Stop by and see Jessica at Clear Ridge’s booth at MANTS, #2237, Hall C. I also want to take this opportunity to thank the MNLGA members who took a few days of their time this year – at different times throughout the year – to represent all MNLGA business members either on a county level, in Annapolis, or in Washington, D.C. Your time, your voice, your opinions matter and the association (and I personally) are appreciative of you. Jessica mentions more on industry advocacy in her column. Please do consider her call to action and join us in a future advocacy trip. They really are very purposeful (and fun – a lot of networking and socializing also occur on these trips, particularly the ones in D.C.).

In addition to using one’s own personal experience to frame an issue for a legislative or regulatory decisionmaker, we often turn towards impacts of John Murphy (Murphy John’s)*; Mark Laidley, Complete Landscaping Service; Mario Gorjon, Green Angels Landscaping; the industry, at large.

Kim Martin, TDH*; Fernando Saenz, Workforce Advantage; MNLGA has just Larry Ring, Cedar Ridge Landscaping; Josh Denison, Denison released the 2018 Landscaping, Inc.*; Alan Jones, Manor View Farm*. (continued on page 28)

4 • Winter 2019

*denotes MNLGA member

Directory of Advertisers Firm Name

Page

Firm Name

Page

Affinity Program – MNLGA

47

Gregory J. Cannizzaro Graphic Design

27

American Landscape Institute

53

Hanover Farms

55

Kollar Nursery

52

Manor View Farm

27

Angelica Nurseries, Inc.

Outside Back Cover

Babikow Greenhouses

Inside Front Cover

Blu Drop / Bloom Soil

41

MANTS

Cam Too Camelia

39

MD Ag Ed Foundation

Cavano’s Perennials

16

MNLGA.org 44

Chesapeake Green Symposium

44

Office Depot

17, 64 55 26

CPH 54

OHP 1

Fairview Evergreen Nursery

10

Perennial Farm

49

Inside Back Cover

Walnut Springs

5

Foxborough Nursery

G R E G O R Y J.

cannizzaro

Graphic Design

MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION

6 • Winter 2019

This Business of Ours

Visiting Nurseries and Garden Centers Mike Hemming

Flo and I have often talked of visiting some nurseries and garden centers as we traveled down the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia. In particular, How Sweet It Is in Fruitland, MD, not far south of Salisbury, MD on RT 13 is one. Also, Thomas Gardens which is just before the Chincoteague turn off.

S

topping first at How Sweet It Is, I found it to be impressive in its layout and general presentation. Well displayed quality nursery stock set up in categories that made plants relatively easy to find. Some signage was lacking but that is always a problem for most of us retail operations.

I know we are guilty of that ourselves. Personnel were nicely attired in shirts that identified them to customers. The ones I talked to were helpful and pretty knowledgeable on where things were. However, when I asked one if they had wholesale prices for the landscape trade, she had no idea at all. I think they might because I saw 2 landscapers’ trucks in the lot. I admit I didn’t go in the office to ask as I saw nothing I wanted to buy at that time. I did make some mental notes on possible items I might need for customers that ask for them. How Sweet It Is definitely tries to have all manner of things for landscaping in plants, ponds, gardens and patios. And it does a good job of it. In the main building were fresh fruits and vegetables,

preserves, jellies, beer and local wines. I give them high marks all the way around.

From there we traveled on down RT 13 to Thomas Gardens in New Church, VA, which is just before the turn off toward Chincoteague as you travel south. Here you have what I call a treasure hunt-type of place, by which I mean that I had to walk the entire grounds.

More on that later. Its big, but not

huge, so that was no problem.

Plants were in no particular order in size or variety, making each turn or aisle an adventure. Some plants were overgrown in their containers so badly they had died, and not recently either. Some plants also needed pruning and some fertilizer. This, however, is the only thing I would say against the business, as I know how caring (continued on next page)

Gordalinia Flower photo NC State University

Free State • 7

It was a X Gordlinia grandiflora, an intergeneric hybrid of Franklinia altamaha and Gordonia lasianthus.

The cross was done in August 2002 by Ranney and Franz of the Department of Horticultural Science at North Carolina State University. They were looking for a more hardy version of Franklinia, which is somewhat fussy to grow, because it is susceptible to several root pathogens, as well as to produce a more winter hardy Gordonia. From the seeds collected in 2003, nine plants were germinated. One was selected and named; as the plant is only 16 years old there is still discussion about its lasting qualities and ultimate size. One published article in September 2016 estimated its size to reach 30 high and 10 wide.

Rooted for 30 Days photo: Mike Hemming

Gordalinia cuttings photo: Mike Hemming (continued from page 7)

for thousands of plants can be time consuming. They have a wide range of plant material including some really interesting plants. Flo was particularly interested in their wide ranging hosta selection. She saw several varieties we didn’t have but, in those cases, there weren’t enough available to make it worthwhile to buy them to divide for our stock. Plus, when I asked the owner if he gave any sort of discount to the trade, his answer 8 • Winter 2019

was a flat “No” said in a way that brooked no discussion.

As we prepared to leave, I went down the last aisle; walking past a plant, I stopped and went back and looked again.

Free State • 8

Fall color with flowers photo forestfarm.com

This certainly seems reasonable as it is about the same as a large Franklinia. The 35-year-old one in my backyard reached that size before succumbing to this year’s drought. Its finally raining as I write this after a very dry and hot 2 months. As to the susceptibility to root pathogens the reviews are mixed some writers mention it and some don’t. A friend of mine that is a landscaper, and whose skill I very much respect, planted 5 from Thomas Garden Center and lost all 5 before the summer was out.

But he has no idea why - if it was a pathogen or bad luck.

We have never had much in the

way of problems with Franklinia, we have long grown it in the field and containers. It’s a plant for plant fanciers that are interested in it and its history. I’ve always found Franklinia easy to propagate from late June softwood cuttings under mist. Not so easy at all after July.

After purchasing the Gordlinia, at full retail price, I got it home. Some time passed before I got around to moving it up to a 7-gallon container. After doing some pruning, I thought, here I have a handful of cutting wood but sheesh it’s the first week of September!

Oh, what the heck I have space in a flat; I’ll stick them and see what

happens. Then it was several days before I bothered to spray them with rooting hormone. After all, who was I kidding about getting them to root. Fast forward to the first week of October, around 35 days. I’m in the propagation house checking on things and curious I give some cuttings the tug test. As I straightened to leave, I saw the Gordlinia and tugged one; there is resistance! A couple others resisted also, but I didn’t pull one all the way out figuring I don’t want to damage the only one that is calloused or rooting. Today I went in thinking of this article and lifted the flat to see if roots are coming out the bottom. About half at this point are showing that much in the way of roots.

My father often talked of what he called “hybrid vigor”. This must be the case as Thomas Ranney reported the first seedlings grew to more than 6 feet and flowered within 9 months of germination.

Second year growth was reported by them to reached 11 feet. I’ve gotten February-potted cuttings of Franklinia to 3 to 3.5 feet and a few flowers by October.

I think tomorrow I’m going to pot 5 into #1 containers and see how they survive the winter. The rest I’ll pot up in Jan or Feb into #2’s with the idea of moving some of those into #5’s as soon as the root ball is good enough to hold together.

Hopefully they will be ready for sale by August or September. I have a list of plants that I’ve been doing that with some fast-growing plants for some time now. ❦ Mike Hemming Eastern Shore Nurseries

Free State • 9

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Growing with Education

Ginny Rosenkranz

T

Trees and Shrubs for Pollinators Part 3

here is a lot of interest from homeowners and many Green Industry businesses on plants that can be used in urban settings that would provide food resources for many pollinators, including bees. Books and lists of plants for pollinators are scattered like wildflowers over the internet and bookstores but selecting the right list or the right book can be frustrating. Which book or which list is available using scientific research that actually measures the quality of the nectar and pollen can be hard to determine.

The University of Kentucky was lucky to have Dr. Bernadette Mach and Dr. Daniel Potter, with funding provided by the Horticultural Research Institute, research 72 different tree and shrub species to determine which flowering woody plants attracted bees. These plants were chosen because a flowering tree or shrub can produce over a thousand flowers over the growing season compared to hundreds of flowers from the herbaceous plants. The research found that different

woody plants attract different bee communities, that the shape of the flowers matter and native and nonnative plants both attract diverse community of bees. That research created lists of woody trees and shrubs that can create a pollinator friendly landscape that will maintain blooming flowers throughout the growing season. The lists are not all-inclusive because the research project is still on going, and as more research is completed, the lists will be augmented with additional bee attractive plants.

The first list is titled ‘Plants Bees Like Best’ and lists the plants by

the season of bloom, if they are a tree or shrub and how they were rated by the visiting bees. The rating gives 2 stars for moderate bee visitation, 3 stars for heavy visitation and 4 stars for very heavy bee visitation. (continued on next page)

Free State • 11

(continued from page 2)

Crabapples, Malus spp

Starting in March, the Cornus mas or Cornelian cherry, a nonnative rates 3 stars and is also listed as one of the top 10 great trees and shrubs for Honeybees.

Cornus mas is a deciduous tree, can grow as a shrub or a small tree, growing 15-25 feet tall and 12-20 feet wide. Bright yellow flowers with small sturdy bracts are grown in clusters that cover the tree for up to 3 weeks or more, depending

Kentucky yellowwood Cladrastis kentukea

Eastern Redbud, Cercis Canadensis 12 • Winter 2019

on the weather and temperature.

The flowers mature into bright red fruit in mid-summer, the color of the carnelian gemstone. The bark of the tree is exfoliating and flaky, in rich brown to a gray brown in color, providing winter interest when the flowers, foliage and fruit are not visible. Plants prefer to grow in full to part sun with moist but well drained organically rich soils and are fairly tolerant to clay soils. Cornus mas is very resistant to dogwood anthracnose and dogwood borer and deer do not have a taste for it.

The Higan Cherry, Prunus subhirtella ‘autumnalis’, is another non-native tree that also blooms in March and into April. It also blooms a bit if there is a warm fall.

Higan cherry grows 20-35 feet tall and 15-30 feet wide in full sun and moist organically rich well drained soils. The buds are a dark pink that open to a semi double flower with light pink to white petals.

Like the Cornus mas, the Higan cherry received 3-star rating for bees. Cherry trees are known for

their short lifespan, but the Higan cherry is more cold, heat and stress tolerant and can live in the garden for years. The bark is dark brown with prominent lenticels spaced horizontally on the branches.

Although the flowers mature into fruit, the plants are often grown for the beautiful early spring flowers.

Flowering Crabapples, Malus spp., are given a 4-star rating for their appeal to bees. Most Crabapple trees grow 15-25 feet tall and 15-25 feet wide in full sun with well drained acidic soils.

There are some native Crabapples, Malus coronaria, M. fusca, and M. ioensis, but most Crabapples are hybrid cultivars that bloom in April with white, pink, rose, or red sweetly fragrant flowers that cover the deciduous trees for almost 2 weeks. Although they can adapt to a wide range of soils, they thrive in medium moist, acidic, well drained soils in full sun. The 5 petaled flowers mature into small apple shaped fruit that is enjoyed by many animals and birds. All of the trees in the

Malus family are susceptible to scab, fireblight, rust, leaf spot and powdery mildew, and many insects enjoy the foliage including the Eastern Tent Caterpillar, aphids, Japanese beetles, borers, scale and spidermites. Some of the most scab resistant varieties include M. ‘Adirondack’, M. ‘Donald Wyman’, M. Red Jewel™, M. Prairfire’, M. Sugar Tyme . Resistance to Apple scab will allow the leaves to stay on ®

(continued on next page)

Cornelian cherry dogwood, Cornus mas

Green Hawthorn, Crataegus viridis

Winter-Flowering Cherry, Prunus subhirtella ‘autumnalis’ Free State • 13 Free State • 13

(continued from last page)

the tree almost all summer, helping maintain a healthier tree.

Although Ilex x attenuate ‘Fosteri’ or Foster holly only rates 2 stars, it is also on the list of preferred plants by the honeybees.

A beautiful evergreen plant that can grow 20-30 feet tall but only 10-15 feet wide, the Foster Holly is one of the few female hollies that can produce fruit without a male pollinator. Foster hollies grow best in full sun and acidic, medium moisture, well drained soils. It does like to be sheltered a bit from the strong winter winds in Maryland.

The fragrant flowers of the Foster holly have four white petals around a yellow green center and appear in April to May. They are placed singly on the branches but there are so many that the tree appears green and white when in bloom, and green and red when the berries ripen. There are a few pests like spittlebug, holly leafminer and some leaf spot.

Winter King Hawthorn, Crataegus viridis ‘Winter King’, is a native tree

that also ranks 2 stars but is again on the preferred list for bees. This deciduous plant can grow 25-35 feet tall and wide and grows best in dry to medium soil in full sun for the best growth and flowering.

The pure white 5 petaled flowers bloom in April to May in Maryland and totally cover the tree when in bloom. ‘Winter King’ is more resistance to diseases, has profuse blooms, large colorful fruit and attractive fall foliage color, but best of all, it is largely spineless!

A few small thorns occasionally appear but are only 1 ½ inch long compared to the 2-inch spikes the species bristles with.

Another springtime favorite of the Honeybees is the native Amelanchier spp or Serviceberry.

All of the Amelanchier have beautiful, slightly fragrant flowers with 5 pure white petals that bloom in April to May and are gathered in clusters on the branches. The Serviceberry is rated 2 stars and is a favorite of many of the earliest bees. The plants are listed as large shrubs or small trees, growing

Western Redbud, Cercis canadensis var. texensis 14 • Winter 2019

15-25 feet tall and 15-20 feet wide. They grow best in medium, well drained soils in full sun with a bit of afternoon shade. The fruit ripens in June, the same time the shad, a species of fish that swim upriver to spawn, thereby giving the plant the common name of shadbush. Having very sweet fruit in June also gives the Amelanchier spp other common names such as Juneberry, sugarplum, wild plum, saskatoon and chuckley pear. The bark is a smooth gray in color which is streaked with longitudianal fissures creating a reddish cast. The foliage is a dark rich green that, in the autumn turns to an attractive apricot orange red.

Cercis Canadensis or Eastern Redbud is another small native deciduous tree that has pink to purple pea like flowers in April to May that literally cover the branches of the plant. The flowers bloom in clusters of 4-10, highlighting the beauty of the branches as well as the flowers and bloom for up to 3 weeks. These flowers are rated 4 stars and are a favorite of many native bees.

Growing 20-30 feet tall and 25-35 feet wide, the Redbud prefers medium moist, well drained soils and full sun to partial shade. Many of the Redbud are open and multitrunked that develops a rounded crown. The flowers mature into long pods with 6-12 seeds inside each pod. The heart-shaped leaves are a medium green and are arranged on the branches in an alternate fashion, turning a soft yellow in the fall. Redbud can develop canker disease and Japanese beetles; leaf hoppers find the foliage tasty.

The native American Yellowwood,

Cladrastis kentukea can grow 30-50 feet tall and 40-55 feet wide in medium moist well drained soils in full sun. The very fragrant white wisteria-like flowers grow in panicles that cascade 10-15 inches long like a frothy waterfall in the branches of the tree. A mature tree may look like it is covered in flowers in May or June. Young trees may take 8-10 years before blooming and some trees only bloom beautifully once every 2-3 years. Flowers mature into 4-inch pods in the autumn. The American Yellowwood rates 2 stars and is listed as a favorite of the native bumblebee. The bright green leaves are pinnately compound with 7 – 11 leaflets growing side by side on each leaf which turns a soft yellow in the autumn. This deciduous tree grows best in medium moist well drained soils in full sun. Summer pruning promote

quick healing and less tendency to ‘bleed’ sap. The bark is a smooth and gray, looking like a beech tree.

The heart wood of the Yellowwood is yellow, giving the tree its name.

The roots grow deep which allows smaller herbaceous perennials or annual flowers to be planted under this attractive shade tree.

Tilia Cordata or the Little Leaf Linden is a wonderful shade tree growing 60-70 feet tall and 40 feet wide. The fragrant pale creamy yellow flowers bloom in the late spring in 5-7 flowered pendulous cymes. A cyme is a flower structure which allows the center terminal flower to bloom first then the flowers on either side to bloom, followed by the flowers on their sides. The Little Leaf Linden is a favorite of the Honeybee, and when the tree is in flower the sound of the bees can be heard 10-20 feet away from the tree. After the flowers

bloom, they mature into nutlets that are attached to a narrow translucent bract like wing. The heart shaped leaves are shiny and dark green, changing to a yellow green in the autumn.

Plants grow best in fertile, moist well drained loamy soils in full sun. The Tilia has no serious pest or disease problems.

These native and non-native trees and shrubs provide thousands of flowers from the earliest spring to late spring, giving fragrance and color to the gardens, structure and shade to the landscapes, providing a diverse palate to the many different native and non-native bees. ❦ Ginny Rosenkranz Extension Educator, Commercial Horticulture, University of Maryland Extension, Dorchester, Sommerset, Wicomico and Worchester County

Cornelian cherry dogwood, Cornus mas Free State • 15

Over 1,500 choices delivered to you. perennials, natives, ferns, grasses, vines, herbs, ground covers, pansies, dahlias, cannas, green roof and environmental planning material.

www.cavanos.com • 410-592-8077

New Members We welcome the following into membership in the MNLGA. Full contact information may be found within the member portal of the MNLGA website, www.mnlga.org. We encourage you to reach out to your peer members – they may be a valuable business connection for you.

Shannon Stracciari CCBC Sustainable Horticulture – Student Dundalk, MD 21222

Hillel Silverberg CCBC Sustainable Horticulture – Student Baltimore, MD 21215

Melissa Siegel Independent Professional Potomac, MD 20854

Dawn Carter Anne Arundel Community College – Student Arnold, MD 21012

George Bridge Topbuxus USA, LLC Laytonsville, MD 20882 Joyce Browning University of Maryland Extension Street, MD 21154

Maryland Nursery, Landscape, and Greenhouse Association

Congratulates MANTS on your

50th Anniversay January 8-10, 2020

Free State • 17

Total Plant Management

Browning White Oaks in 2019 Karen Rane, Stanton Gill, and David Clement, University of Maryland Extension

University of Maryland Extension CMREC, HGIC and the UMD Plant Diagnostic Lab have received numerous reports of sudden discoloration of foliage and death of white oak (Quercus alba) trees throughout the MidAtlantic region in August through October of 2019. We have visited sites with symptomatic trees, examined samples submitted to the UMD lab, and spoken with several arborists, landscapers, state and local forestry officials and landowners, in pursuit of information that might reveal a specific cause. While our investigation is still in progress, here are some factors that these individual cases all have in common: 1. Affected trees are older trees, approximately 40 – 80 years old or older. Younger trees in the same areas are not affected.

18 18••Winter Winter2019 2019

2. The onset of symptoms is fast – foliage that appeared healthy in spring and summer, became brown in color in August, often within 2-4 weeks.

Most of the brown leaves remain attached to twigs of affected trees.

3. Although other oak species have been showing twig dieback and decline symptoms for several years, it is primarily white oaks that have this sudden browning of the canopy.

4. Symptomatic white oaks are often in urban and suburban landscapes, but trees in forests and in large landscaped areas with unrestricted root zones are also affected 5. In some cases, affected trees have large trunk wounds, previous root damage from compaction or

“

Opportunistic insect pests like two-lined chestnut borer, ambrosia beetles and diseases like Hypoxylon canker and fungal root rots can aggressively invade weakened trees, resulting in severe decline and eventual tree death.

Fig. 1. White oaks with brown foliage, September 2019.

”

construction, and show previous branch dieback, but many trees do not have any visible obvious symptoms of injury or major decline prior to browning of the foliage.

6. A variety of pests and diseases that are usually considered to be opportunistic invaders of stressed trees (such as ambrosia beetles, Armillaria root rot and Hypoxylon canker) are often observed in symptomatic trees. Sawdust-like frass at the base of the tree or on the bark of the lower trunk indicates the invasion of ambrosia beetles.

Overall assessment: We have not found a single factor that is responsible for this problem. At this point, our best assessment is that the phenomenon is most likely an accelerated version of what is commonly called “tree decline” Symptoms of typical tree decline include loss of vigor, early fall color, and dieback in twigs and branches. These symptoms usually progress over several years and are usually related to root problems (soil compaction, root or trunk damage from construction activities, and environmental extremes like drought or excessive rainfall). As the root system becomes unable to fully support the moisture needs of

Photo: D. Clement.

the tree, twig dieback occurs. Poor pruning, resulting in cavities, and repeated defoliation from insect pests or foliar diseases will add additional stress and continue the decline saga. Opportunistic insect pests like twolined chestnut borer, ambrosia beetles and diseases like Hypoxylon canker and fungal root rots can aggressively invade weakened trees, resulting in severe decline and eventual tree death. Again, it usually takes several years from initial symptoms to death of affected trees.

We believe that weather extremes in 2018 and 2019 have accelerated this decline scenario in white oaks (Table 1). In 2018, our area received excessive rainfall – up to more than 80 inches in some areas, resulting in flooding and saturated soils. Such conditions are very damaging to fine roots of trees like white oaks and can favor the development of root rot diseases caused by water mold pathogens like Phytophthora.

We had similar moist conditions in early 2019, and numerous isolated storms that dropped 2+inches of rain, resulting again in localized flooding. The summer of 2019 then turned quite hot and dry, with a record number of days above 90 °F and very dry weather in August and September. We speculate that this sudden hot and dry weather caused rapid water loss from the foliage of these trees and the impaired root systems (continued on page 20) Free State • 19

1.0

3.15

February

5.30

3.64

March

2.25

4.14

April

3.20

1.46

May

8.17

5.51

June

4.77

2.95

July

16.73

3.85

August

3.84

.39

September

9.19

.16**

October

6.69

***

November

8.14

***

December

6.54

***

Total for Year

71.82*

***

ã

January

”

ã

“

We still have unanswered questions – what type of ambrosia beetles are present?

Will healthyappearing trees be threatened by these organisms in browning oaks nearby?

Fig. 2 Fine sawdust-like frass (arrows) from ambrosia beetles at base of white oak with brown foliage. Photo: D. Clement.

(continued from page 19)

Table 1: Precipitation Recorded at BWI Airport for 2018 and 2019: MONTH

2018

2019

Data Source: National Weather Service *Wettest year on record for BWI (also for Reagan National at 66.28” and Dulles at 66.74”) ** Second driest September on record for BWI (also second driest September for Dulles at 0.41” and fourth driest September for Reagan National at 0.25”) ***Data to be added as the rest of the year progresses.

20 • Winter 2019

were not adequate to provide enough moisture under dry conditions. The presence of secondary invaders, like ambrosia beetles, cankers and root rot, contributed as well. The rapid browning and death of affected trees is the result of this “perfect storm” of factors.

We still have unanswered questions – what type of ambrosia beetles are present? How many affected trees show secondary insect pests and opportunistic pathogens? Will healthy-appearing trees be threatened by these organisms in browning oaks nearby? Will trees with brown foliage this year develop new growth next year? We will continue investigating and working with colleagues from other agencies and other states in our region to find answers.

What can you do? White oaks would benefit from irrigation during this time of drought. Trees that enter winter dormancy under drought stress are more likely to show additional decline symptoms next year. Deep but infrequent watering to the root zone will help to reduce drought stress. ❦ Contact the authors: Karen Rane – rane@umd.edu Dave Clement – clement@umd.edu Stanton Gill – sgill@umd.edu

CPH Program Passes 35th Year Milestone Did you know that the MNLGA’s Certified Professional Horticulturist program just wrapped up its 35th year?!

Planning for the CPH program began in the Maryland Certified Professional programming initiated by George Mayo, to Horticulturist Program early 1980s as a partnership between what use the CPH Basic Manual as the foundation the association was then known as, MNA, curriculum for horticulture classes in Maryland Maryland Department of Agriculture, and high schools. To date, we’ve had hundreds UME Cooperative Extension. Envisioned of high school students studying the CPH as a program to promote both advanced program and testing for certification right knowledge and professionalism in the alongside our adult industry professionals. industry, CPH has been a rock-steady component of We continue to work to develop interest in school-aged industry training for the past few decades and is still youth for careers in ornamental horticulture. going strong today.

On the horizon, the CPH board would like to take the MNLGA is indebted to the many individuals who have CPH program to the next level, integrating technology in helped grow the CPH program through development both the offering of the study materials and testing. After of the curriculum and the many re-developments and 35 years delivering the CPH program in essentially the updates that have come over the years. MDA continues same mode, its time to take advantage of technological to dedicate its staff and time to gathering plant advances; we must do so and preserve the integrity of samples, proctor the exam, and scoring, while UME the program. continues as a resource for educational content and It would be impossible for me to mention all of the general program advisement. MNLGA could not offer persons who contributed to the success of the CPH this program without the help and support of UME and program over the past 35 years. Please know your time MDA! and wisdom is appreciated by the MNLGA and the We continue also to have a strong partnership with thousands of individuals who have taken the exam over the Maryland State Department of Education through the past 35 years. ❦ Vanessa A. Finney Do you recognize any of the names, below? These are CPHers from our first year who maintain their certification today: Matthew C. Anacker, ASLA Stephen D. Arrington Mark T. Dougherty

John W. Driscoll Matthew Grayson David F. Healey

Class of 1985

James R. McWilliams Michael G. Misulia, Jr. Ralph M. Quinn, Jr.

J. Landon Reeve, IV Richard E. Stotler Daniel W. Tamminga, Sr.

For more information on how to join your peers as a Maryland Certified Horticulture Professional, visit the MNLGA website at mnlga.org and explore the CPH page.

CONGRATULATIONS

to our newly-minted Certified Professional Horticulturists after passing Andrew Bodnar Samantha Ellison Frederick Career & Technology Cecil County School of Technology Center – Student – Student Jennifer Brunt Erin Kramer Riderwood (Erickson Living) North Harford High School – Student Kevin Duncan Smithsonian Gardens Rick McSorley Montgomery College – Student Zachary Ebaugh Homestead Gardens

the Basic Exam on October 2019.

Daniel Melnykevich Pinehurst Landscape Company Christopher Munns American Plant Food Company, Inc Emily O’Gwin American Plant Food Company, Inc Tara Phipps Cecil County School of Technology – Student

The upcoming date for the Basic Exam is April 21, 2020.

The next Specialist – Plant ID exam will be held on the same date.

Free State • 21

HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS 2019 at The Perennial Farm It was a bit like a de ja vu – the weather was warm, and we were back at the Perennial Farm for the second time this summer! It made me stop to think how lucky we are to not only have members willing to open their operations up, but members that have such beautiful properties. This time we would spend the whole day at The Perennial Farm for the Herbaceous Perennials event.

Special thanks to University of Maryland Extension especially Stanton Gill who took the lead on developing the program as well as Karen Rane, Dave Clement, and Andrew Ristvey.

The day opened up with Rick Watson, owner of The Perennial Farm welcoming all of the attendees and speakers to his slice of heaven. We were happily overwhelmed with registration response for this event that we had to change up the format and have interactive stations in the morning and afternoon so that everyone could get up close and personal with the samples and topics at hand.

Rick Watson guiding attendees through the new plant offerings from The Perennial Farm 22 • Winter 2019

The beautiful grounds at The Perennial Farm

There were three rotating stations in the morning led by UMD Extension faculty. The first was “Disease Diagnosis on Herbaceous Perennials” led by Karen Rane, Dave Clement, and Rachel Ross. Attendees were given the opportunity in this station to see real disease on samples and ask questions of the speakers.

The second station was “Insects and Mites – How to Deal with Bugs and Mites Based on the Best Biological Control Options and New Low Risk Pesticides” led by Stanton Gill. Stanton was utilizing the new E-Commerce building at The Perennial Farm and was showing real examples of bug and mite damage and spoke with attendees on how to best mitigate these issues. He even provided attendees with ice cream to wrap up his session. The third station was “Best Water Management Techniques for Growing Herbaceous Perennials – What Has Science Taught Us?” led by Andrew Ristvey. Andrew opened up his session talking about irrigation techniques and then had all of his attendees actually testing out the water (continued on page 24)

RECAP ▲ Sara Tangren addressing attendees and answering questions during her afternoon session. ▲ Andrew Ristvey engaging attendees at his station as they test water samples.

▼ The beautiful echinacea varieties being grown at The Perennial Farm

▼ Before the ice cream, Stanton Gill talking with his group about insects and mites.

Free State • 23

▲ Stanton Gill addressing attendees using real samples in his session.

(continued from last page)

samples and irrigation equipment at The Perennial Farm. To say that the morning sessions were highly interactive wouldn’t do them justice – I think this was the best conference that people weren’t taking notes at because their hands were in the dirt learning.

After lunch all the attendees ramped up their sugar with a few cookies and were prepared to take on the rest of the afternoon. Joyce Latimer from Virginia Tech opened up the afternoon session speaking on Growth Regulators, and how to use them to grow the best-looking herbaceous perennials. The attendees then split up again into two groups for the afternoon hands-on sessions.

Sara Tangren led the first session on “Native Herbaceous Perennials – How to Propagate Native Perennial Plants from Seed.” Even though Sara didn’t have any water samples or diseased plants, she got both of her groups engaged in the presentation and asking great questions until it was time to switch stations. Kirk Floyd, Independent Drone Operator led his afternoon session with a live demo on “Can Drones Work in Herbaceous Perennial Operations?”

There was certainly a loud buzz during this session and it wasn’t coming just from the drones! Attendees are actively interested in drones and how we can start using them in daily operations. Stay tuned for this year’s Biological Control event on December 17 as the UMD Drone Team (Stanton Gill, Dave Clement, 24 • Winter 2019

t The staff at The Perennial Farm always go above and beyond with their beautiful displays.

Andrew Ristvey, and Karen Rane) along with Kirk will be presenting more of their findings.

The day then wrapped up with the signing of recertification sheets and a visit from The Perennial Farm mascot, Rick Watson’s golden retriever, Daisy.

We would like to thank The Perennial Farm, UMD Extension, and Silver Spring Mining Company for helping the MNLGA pull off an outstanding event.

We look forward to the many events over the next year that we have coming up and hope to see you all at Biological Control and then at Chesapeake Green. ❦ Chelsea Bailey MNLGA 410-823-8684

▲ Dave Clement answering questions from attendees and using plant samples to show disease issues.

Karen Rane chatting with attendees from her morning session about how to diagnose different diseases.

▼ Kirk Floyd practicing with his various drones to show how they can be used in our industry.

Even the butterflies wanted in on this great educational event!

Rachel Ross shows attendees in a morning session various plant samples and how to diagnose diseases.

Chelsea Bailey and Rick Watson stop to take a picture and enjoy the day!

Free State • 25

26 • Winter 2019

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Free State • 27

Garden Paradise for Sale

The .51 acre Lowry garden, with a house in the middle, will be on the market early December. Truly a gardener’s garden, the garden, 53 years in the growing, includes a greenhouse, artistic stone pathways, and a forest of specimens (many of which are labeled with botanical names on sturdy tags). A 30’ long recirculating stream that flows into a 600 gallon pond is crowned with a 4’ caliper Dawn Redwood (Metasequioa glyptostroboides). Meandering paths, a perfectly sized patio and subtle garden lighting are already in place. The beautiful, 75’ Nordman Fir (Abies nordmaniana) is in its’ prime and is of excellent health and sets off the front garden. Other oddities include a 45’ tall espaliered Blue Atlas Cedar, a 15” caliper Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum) and a Variegated Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’). A set of Baltimore’s iconic white marble steps announce the entrance to the garden.

This is a rare opportunity to purchase an established garden with a forest of specimen trees and botanically interesting plants. The house is in lovely condition as well and includes a beautifully executed, botanically accurate garden wall mural.

The house is 2474 sq ft, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bath and four car garages. Located in Baltimore County, Phoenix, MD. Located on a private lane, the property backs up to Hillendale Country Club Golf Course.

$450,000.

Director (con’t from page 4) Maryland Horticulture Industry Statistical Profile Economic Survey. Thank you to those that participated in the survey. We had a response rate of 21% which does make the results statistically valid. The findings in this report show Maryland’s green industry to still be in a position of strength, however, many opportunities for growth remain.

Many limitations on growth were identified, as well. Information revealed in the survey is another tool to use when speaking to legislators, regulators, your financiers, and corporate partners as you develop your own company’s business plan.

Vanessa A. Finney Do your homework. Find your voice. Be authentic. And then dive in with purpose. ~ Julie Foudy

28 • Winter 2019

President (con’t from page 2) After the presentations are made, we met as a state group. Each of us decided what role we would play in our meetings. There is limited time in each of these meetings and in a majority of cases you are meeting with a staff assistant, so they may or may not know a lot of information on how it affects our industry. We focused on key bullets to highlight on each topic and split each topic by person with the ability to then tell each of our stories and how each issue affects us similarly or differently.

I think a big misconception is that these issues don’t affect you if you are not in a specific program like H2A or H2B. First, like Clear Ridge Nursery you may find it necessary to use the programs in the future to a get a reliable labor force. Second, there is a trickledown effect. You may not have to directly deal with specific issues like changes in Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) like H2A users do. However, owners like myself, John Murphy and more are affected because our customers who use the H2B program are unsure of whether or not they will get their workers. We have found that many landscapers who use the H2B program are not bidding on certain projects because the risk is too high if they do not receive their visa workers.

Less jobs, mean less product being purchased and sold. As suppliers of materials it affects us and any company who may provide product to companies that use the H2B programs. I found it very beneficial to attend and tell our story, what we do, and how they can help us. Most of the folks we met with were informed on the topic and are supporters of us in the industry. There were a few that took the information and said they would pass it on to our legislators. It was very interesting to see the differences in how each office operated. You could tell which offices were clear supporters and who were not. This has and will continue to be an on-going battle to try and find programs that work and gain more support.

When it came to the transportation topic it was explaining to them the grey area in the definition of

what an agricultural commodity is, and how the current bill, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), does not recognize the horticulture or floriculture industry as an agricultural commodity. We stressed that our industry is considered agricultural throughout the production cycle (by many other federal agencies), but once it is loaded on a truck it changes and falls into a grey area. We talked about the different product we ship and the perishable sensitivity of that material as a live product. It was simple to ask for their support for H.R.1673 & S. 2025 bills which contains language clarifying that horticulture and floriculture are agricultural products. This will help the trucking of the products in our industry. Everyone we met with was very receptive to this topic and we felt we would get the issue resolved.

For Research and Innovation, the discussion was to stress the importance of continued financial support of different foundations such as the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) and Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative (FNRI). We also asked for support to reinstate the non-federal matching funds waiver language for FY2020 in the H.R. 3952 bill. And last but not least, it would not be a discussion on research and innovation if we did not request and increase in budget for the IR-4 program. The budget for this program has been flat for many years and the pest pressure has only increased on food and environmental horticulture crops over the years. Supporting programs like these are fundamental to the success of our industry.

All in all, my experience was a positive one and I look forward to attending next year. I learned a lot about different issues and how the best way to present these issues to our legislators. It is a very different scene than the rolling hills of Carroll County, but it was good to get to the big city and show that I have a voice and can make a difference. I urge you to join us next year and tell your story and make your voice be heard! ❦ Jessica Todd Clear Ridge Nursery, Inc. 410-775-7700

Free State • 29

American Hort Successful H-2B “Day Of Action” AmericanHort teamed up with the National Association of Landscape Professionals, the Seasonal Employment Alliance, and the H-2B Workforce Coalition to host a “day of action” on November 13. Over 150 H-2B users from across the Craig J. country, most from the landscape Regelbrugge industry, came to Washington, DC to advocate for H-2B cap relief to be included in any final spending bill passed by Congress. We are grateful for all of our members who came to the Nation’s Capital for the November 13 event.

AmericanHort and state partner associations sent a grassroots appeal as well, which led to several hundred additional emails and calls to Congressional offices as well. If you have not yet communicated your support to Congress for H-2B cap relief, please act now.

During Hill meetings and via grassroots messages, our members asked that their elected officials sign onto a letter to Congressional leaders calling for cap relief

to be included in a final spending bill. Senators King (I-ME) and Rounds (R-SD) and Reps. Bergman (R-MI) and Keating (D-MA) are leading these letters. We will share the final letters shortly, but our preliminary intelligence shows that our Hill outreached resulted in a large bipartisan group of lawmakers signing onto these letters, with 30 signatories in the Senate and 100 in the House.

As with past years, “must do” appropriations bills offer the best opportunity to pass temporary H-2B cap relief, while we work toward a permanent solution to the H-2B labor crisis. House and Senate leaders have agreed to a temporary spending bill to fund the federal government through December 20 while lawmakers work to reach an agreement on a host of fiscal 2020 spending bills. The House and Senate are expected to vote on the measure the week of November 18.

We will keep you updated on the status of efforts to pass FY 2020 cap relief quickly. We are also continuing to work to negotiate a permanent H-2B relief bill. ❦ Craig Regelbrugge

DOL Releases Final H-2B Recruitment Rule On November 15, The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released a final rule that rescinds the H-2B requirement to advertise in print newspapers and instead requires that all jobs be posted on SeasonalJobs.dol.gov, which will be an expanded version of the existing DOL job registry. The new rule takes effect on December 16.

Employers with existing notices of acceptance from DOL will need to follow the instructions in the letter related to print advertising. Starting December 16, DOL will remove this broad-based print newspaper requirement in lieu of advertising on the electronic job registry. However, in certain circumstances DOL

30 • Winter 2019

may still require print advertisements if it believes that newspaper advertising is more effective in a specific geographic location. Employers should follow the advertising instructions in their notices of acceptance from DOL. ❦ Laurie-Ann Flanagan Laurie-Ann Flanagan is Executive Vice President at DC Legislative and Regulatory Services, Inc. (DCLRS) with over 20 years of experience in the federal legislative and regulatory process. Laurie and DCLRS work closely with AmericanHort on a variety of issues including energy, labor and immigration, pesticides and fertilizers, small business, and water policy. Laurie chairs the H-2B Workforce Coalition on behalf of AmericanHort and NALP.

Eight New Cosponsors For Agricultural Trucking Relief Act The Agricultural Trucking Relief Act, a top priority of the Impact Washington summit in September, has continued to garner steady support, with eight new Representatives signing on in support since the conference.

Tal Coley The legislation would address confusion over the “agricultural commodity” definition currently in use for transportation policy, providing much-needed clarity for stakeholders, by specifically adding horticulture and floriculture to the definition.

The eight House offices were all visited by our summit attendees in September — Reps. Bob Gibbs (R-OH), Doug Lamborn (R-CO), John Moolenaar (R-MI), Ben Cline (R-VA), Mike Bost (R-IL), Mo Brooks (R-AL), Michael Guest (R-MS), and Andy Harris (R-MD). ❦ Tal Coley Tal is AmericanHort’s Director of Government Affairs and is a veteran of the United States Air Force where he served as a Russian Cryptologic Linguist at Ft. Meade, Md.

Free State • 31

The Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show, Inc. (MANTS ) was established in 1970 by the Maryland and Virginia Nurserymen’s Associations. The West Virginia Nurserymen’s Association became the third partner in 1972. All three State Nursery and Landscape Associations are equal sponsors of the show.

MANTS is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of three directors from each member state.

They meet three times annually, including the day preceding the show. The Board elects its officers president, vice president, secretary and treasurer at its first board meeting following MANTS, usually in February.

Carville M. Akehurst was MANTS’ first Executive Vice President, a position he held until his death in 2001.

Nancy Akehurst, a force behind MANTS from the beginning, was appointed by the Board to succeed her husband, which she did until her retirement in 2005. Vanessa Akehurst Finney follows in her family’s footsteps as MANTS’ third Executive Vice President and continues to serve in this capacity.

The first trade show was held in Williamsburg, Virginia in January 1971 with 64 exhibitors and the second in 1972 at the Hunt Valley Inn in Cockeysville, Maryland with 79 exhibitors. During the ensuing years the show continued to grow with several more in Hunt Valley and ®

32 • Winter 2019

Congrat

MAN

History, Overview, a

From Humble Beginnings to the

tulations

NTS

®

and Looking Forward

e Masterpiece of Trade Shows

three at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. The January 1980 show was held in Norfolk, Virginia and all subsequent winter shows have been held at the Baltimore Convention Center in Maryland.

MANTS uses 300,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space, the maximum amount available on one level at the Baltimore Convention Center.

MANTS held a summer trade show in Virginia Beach, Virginia from 1987 until 1990 and then at the Baltimore Convention Center until 1996. The summer show was discontinued following the 1996 show to focus on the annually expanding winter show.

MANTS is widely known as The Masterpiece of Trade Shows™ and the place where industry members gather every January because MANTS means business.

We are one of or perhaps the only horticulture trade show in the country that does not offer classroom education. In the earliest years of MANTS, there was some education and guest speakers. Most notably, Jackie Robinson (#42) came to MANTS at the Hunt Valley Marriott in 1972 (our second year) and gave a talk. Those who shared their memories of that event talked about his incredible story. Our three sponsor organizations, the state nursery and landscape associations of MD, VA, and WV, host their own (continued on next page)

Free State • 33

educational conferences separate from MANTS. Today, All education at MANTS takes place on the show floor between exhibitor and attendee.

Looking at a five-year running average, MANTS annually hosts close to 960 exhibiting companies in 1,530+ booths and welcomes 11,000 paid registrants (including exhibitors). MANTS draws exhibitors and attendees primarily from throughout the United States and Canada, and from Great Britain, Australia, Europe and Asia as well.

Today, MANTS has an exhibitor waiting list and strives to accommodate as many space requests from current and prospective exhibitors alike.

We are proud to celebrate the 50th anniversary of MANTS in 2020. While the event is in January, consider this as an invitation to anyone who may have pictures, programs, bulletins, orange jackets or any MANTS memorabilia they may want to give to the show. We are always happy to build the show’s archives.

You cannot talk about the history of MANTS without mentioning the original founders or creators of the show. There was a very popular trade show in eastern New York in the 1960’s and the thought was that it would be nice to do a small regional show in Maryland or Virginia, so businesses did not have to travel so far. In those days the Virginia

34 • Winter 2019

and Maryland Nurserymen’s Association hosted a joint event at the Washingtonian Hotel. And, it is from these roots that MANTS began. The primary focus from the beginning was on the exhibitor and attendee relationship … providing a forum for business and the exchange of knowledge. This vison and philosophy for the show has remained front and center for the MANTS Board for fifty years and will undoubtedly continue to be the driving force for years to come.

All of us associated with MANTS are appreciative for the popularity of the show. And, that our exhibitors and attendees continue to put their faith in us as a place where they can come to conduct business, see old friends, meet new ones, learn about new products, share experiences, meet and break bread and be a part of one of the greatest industries on the planet. While there are far too many people to thank without missing more than a few names, please know that we remain grateful and humbled by the industry’s response to the show. We realize that our exhibitors and attendees have many choices as to where they can do business and as always, we thank all of you for choosing MANTS! And, we look forward to continuing to share the MANTS legacy as long as you will allow.

Happy 50th Anniversary MANTS!

Free State • 35

Featured Member

Kingsdene Nurseries and Garden Center

K

ingsdene Nurseries and Garden Center in Monkton, Md., is a “proudly independent” enterprise that focuses on gardening. Started in 1977 by John Mays, Kingsdene is a “real” working nursery, not just a retail sales yard.

Here you will find plants and plantsmen, Certified Professional Horticulturalists who understand the nature and needs of every plant in the nursery. These state-certified professionals love to “talk plants” and are glad to help customers find the right tree, shrub or perennial for their gardens.

“Our customer service sets us apart from the box stores,” said General Manager Jason Sersen. “Our staff will help you find just what you need for the right spot.

Like a personal shopper, we will stick with you for the whole visit if you wish.” Of course, customers are free to wander and just enjoy the beautiful plants and gift shop.

Selection and quality also set Kingsdene apart.

“We’re very focused on quality. If your plants don’t look good, why be in business?” Sersen asked.

Kingsdene has a fine selection of plants, including the latest new varieties, growing beautifully in containers on 5 acres of open land under optimum nursery conditions. The selection ranges from top quality fruit, evergreen, deciduous and specialty trees; evergreen, deciduous and flowering shrubs; hardy perennials; and annuals for every season. There are native plants, grasses, ferns and vines to choose from and hanging baskets to add a splash of color.

The plant list changes constantly. “We try to specialize in a diversity of plant selection,” Sersen said.

“In particular, we like to have plants that other places don’t have, varieties that may be hard to find.”

He continued, “The only plants we do not offer are aquatics. That’s a niche market. They take different care, different expertise. We focus on hardy gardening 36 • Winter 2019

plants for the Mid-Atlantic.”

You will also find all the accessories it takes to make your plants happy and healthy: gloves, tools, insect control, mulch, compost. What you won’t find are lawn mowers and charcoal or gas grills.

Kingsdene does not stock hardscape materials for DIY landscaping projects such as patios and stone walls, but it does have a landscape division that will install hardscaping, one job at a time.

Delivery is available within about a 20-mile radius, Sersen said. “We can do installation. We can do the complete, top-to-bottom job if a customer wants something special.” That offer does not include lawn service.

Kingsdene goes all out for Christmas, offering “sap free,” pre-cut Christmas trees. “We sell 600 trees a year,” Sersen said. “We offer complimentary trunk trimming, baling, loading, and tie down. Bring your tree stand, we’ll make sure it fits. We even have services to deliver your Christmas tree and set it up if you’d like. But no decorating.”

You can choose lights and ornaments for your tree or home from the most beautiful Christmas shop in northern Baltimore County. Baltimore magazine voted Kingsdene Nurseries “one of the best places to shop for Christmas in the Baltimore area” two years in a row.

From November through early January, Kingsdene has room after room of tastefully decorated trees, gift and decorating ideas, and trimmings for the home, making shopping a pleasant experience for the whole family. In addition to trees, there are fresh wreaths, swags, roping, poinsettias, and more.

As with the plant inventory, the gift shop changes constantly in an effort to provide local, seasonal products that are functional and fun. Among those products are Bates Family Goatmilk Products and (continued on next page)

“

We try to specialize in a diversity of plant selection, in particular, we like to have plants that other places don’t have, varieties that may be hard to find.

”

General Manager Jason Sersen

Free State • 37

(continued from last page)

Puppie Love shirts. Photos on the website, kingsdene.com, are enough to entice you to visit.

The owner and staff of Kingsdene take great pride in making the community beautiful and supporting local organizations, charities and events. The annual Hereford Fall Festival is a two-day event each October full of craft vendors, food, music and attractions.

Kingsdene’s beautiful flowering plants and autumn accents compliment this event that raises money for the Hereford Volunteer Fire Department, Ambulance Service, local food banks and others. The Hereford Independence Day Celebration and Parade is another opportunity for community involvement. Kingsdene is happy to donate the use of its business trucks each year to school groups and non-profits to create beautiful one-of-a-kind floats for the parade.

Kingsdene Nursery & Garden Center is located at 16435 York Road in Monkton. Visit their website, kingsdene.com for a list of the trees and shrubs they offer. Stock changes daily, so please call 410-343-1150 to see what is in their most current inventory. ❦ Carol Kinsley

“

Our customer servi from the box stores you find just what y right spot. Like a pe

38 • Winter 2019

ice sets us apart s, our staff will help you need for the ersonal shopper

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Free State • 39

GardenComm’s 72nd Annual Conference & Expo GardenComm’s biggest event of the year is heading to Williamsburg, Virginia this upcoming August. The 2020 Annual Conference & Expo will feature a line-up of unforgettable events including insightful education sessions, unique garden tours, essential networking opportunities, and so much more.

Each year, garden writers, photographers and speakers from across the world gather for one of a kind experiences tailored towards professional communicators in the green industry. Attendees will have the chance to meet with industry all-stars and reconnect with old friends, whether it is at a networking event or receptions such as the 2020 Annual Awards & Honors Dinner. Moreover, the GardenComm Annual Expo will offer one-on-one access to key current and future thought-leaders impacting the industry

and showcase new varieties, products and services influencing the horticultural landscape.

This year’s education schedule will include roundtable topics and over thirty dynamic sessions highlighting topics pertaining to horticulture, publishing, writing, business, and technology. GardenComm 2020 will also feature a variety of both public and private garden tours in Colonial Williamsburg and cover current trends in the horticultural scene.

Registration opens December 2019 About GardenComm GardenComm: Garden Communicators International provides leadership and opportunities for education, recognition, career development and a forum for diverse interactions for professionals in the field of gardening communications.

Learn more at www.gardencomm.org

YES, I want a subscription to Free State Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse News Contact us with your request and we’ll add you to the mailing list.

Subscriptions are $35 annually; MNLGA will invoice you upon receipt of your subscription request. (members need not subscribe) Name______________________________________________ Address___________________________________________________ Business____________________________________________ City_______________________________________________________ E-Mail______________________________________________

State, Zip__________________________________________________

Mail/Fax or e-mail: Free State, MNLGA, P.O. Box 726, Brooklandville, MD 21022 or e-mail: freestate@mnlga.org 40 • Winter 2019

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2020 Industry EVEN JANUARY January 6-9, 2020 Advanced IPM PHC Short Course

January 14-16, 2020 Mid-Atlantic Horticulture Short Course

Location: University of MD, College Park Contact: UMD Office, 301-405-3911 umdentomology@umd.com https://landscapeipmphc.weebly.com

Location: Norfolk Botanical Garden Contact: Stacie McGraw, 757-523-4734 info@vahort.org https://mahsc.org/index.html

January 8, 2020 MNLGA Annual Meeting

January 21-22, 2020 MAA Winter Conference

Location: Baltimore Convention Center Breakfast meeting 7:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

Contact: office@mnlga.org

Location: Turf Valley Resort, Ellicott City, MD Contact: Jenell Eck, 443-262-8491 office@mdarborist.com www.mdarborist.com

January 8-10, 2020 MANTS Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show Location: Baltimore Convention Center Contact: MANTS Office, 410-296-6959 info@mants.com www.mants.com

42 • Winter 2019

NTS Calendar APRIL

April 18, 2020 Maryland Arborist Day Location: Cylburn Arboretum, Baltimore Contact: Matt Anacker, 443-486-4561 office@mdarborist.com www.mdarborist.com

April 21, 2020 CPH – Basic Exam

FEBRUARY

February 5, 2020 Eastern Shore Pest Management Conference

Location: MDA in Annapolis Contact: MNLGA Office, 410-823-8684 office@mnlga.org www.mnlga.org

Location: Fountains Conf Center, Salisbury, MD Contact: Ginny Rosenkranz, 410-749-6141 rosnkrnz@umd.edu

February 6, 2020 Taste of Maryland – Legislative Networking Event Michael’s Eighth Avenue Glen Burnie, MD www.mdagcouncil.com

February 19-20, 2020 Chesapeake Green Location: Maritime Institute Contact: MNLGA Office 410-823-8684 office@mnlga.org www.mnlga.org

OCTOBER

October 6, 2020 CPH – Basic Exam Location: MDA in Annapolis Contact: MNLGA Office, 410-823-8684 office@mnlga.org www.mnlga.org

October 6, 2020 CPH – Specialist Exam – Plant ID Location: MDA in Annapolis Contact: MNLGA Office, 410-823-8684 office@mnlga.org www.mnlga.org Free State • 43

Maryland Nursery, Landscape, and Greenhouse Association and the University of Maryland Extension present

Chesapeake Green

2020

AN ANNUAL HORTICULTURE SYMPOSIUM

A premiere two day industry-wide education and pesticide recertification conference

Wednesday, February 19 and Thursday, February 20 Maritime Institute, Linthicum Heights, MD The MNLGA and UME are proud to welcome key note speaker Dr. Charlie Hall!

Dr. Hall grew up in the industry on a nursery in western North Carolina. Although an economist by training, he is currently a professor in the Department of Horticultural Sciences at the Texas A&M University and also holder of the Ellison Chair in International Floriculture. He currently serves as Chief Economist for AmericanHort and as a Co-Chair of the Advisory Council for Seed Your Future. In his keynote he will offer a “State of the Industry” and explore where we are as an industry, the economic climate that we are facing, and much more. Dr. Hall will also provide us with a great breakout session on an economic perspective of the green infrastructure movement.

More information can be found on the MNLGA website, www.MNLGA.org Registration opens late-December at www.mnlga.org.

MARYLAND

N URSERY, L ANDSCAPE AND G REENHOUSE A S S O C I AT I O N , I N C .

MARYLAND N URSERY, L ANDSCAPE AND G REENHOUSE A S S O C I A T I O N , I N C.

When you have questions, We have answers…

Visit mnlga.org today!

The MNLGA web site is designed for our members and is your single source for the answer to almost any question.

The site offers: ■ Searchable Membership Directory ■ CPH program info, basic & advanced test applications and registration ■ Up-to-date industry calendar from around the Mid-Atlantic region for finding CEUs for pesticide, nutrient management recertifications, and general education in horticulture topics

■ Free State Nursery News issues and archives

■ Root of the Matter e-news issues and archives

■ MaGIC (legislative) updates issues and archives

■ Chesapeake Green - speaker resources - year round

■ Classified ads which members can post and track resumes/responses ■ Business resources ■ CEU forms

Visit today!

44 • Winter 2019

Growing Forward

Leslie Cario

H

Growing the Next Generation of Horticulture Professionals

ave you ever found yourself speculating how you will sustain your growing or landscape operation in the future?

Not so much in terms of work, because that aspect of the industry has been going strong, but in terms of who will do the work and who will step up to leadership roles.

At a time when technology has taken such a prominent role in the economy, and young people have their sights set on tech careers, it has become challenging to bring them into our businesses.

Fortunately, there are several organizations connected to the MNLGA whose varied missions overlap with the common aim of conveying young people into the field of horticulture. By learning more about these organizations’ good work, and how we can provide support, we are likely to keep the field going strong and experience a positive return in the future.

A long-time partner of the MNLGA, the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation (MAEF) seeks to promote “the understanding and appreciation of the importance of agriculture in our daily lives.”

In addition to educating about food and nutrition, MAEF sheds light on the varied and exciting careers related to agriculture. More

specific to horticulture, this can translate to employment with the products, technology, and research useful to the industry, in addition to growing the plant material.

MAEF serves students in grades K through 12, and accomplishes this through working directly with the students, through programs such as Maryland FFA, and through grants and professional development for teachers, who in turn work with the students. There are several ways that horticulture professionals can lend support to MAEF’s mission, according to MAEF’s Communications Director Amie McDaniels. One of the most direct ways is to provide outreach to students about our professions,

by sharing what we do, how we got there, and why we chose to be there. This outreach can happen while assisting with a mobile lab or showcase. Horticulture professionals can also offer guidance in terms of planting and garden maintenance to a school that has been chosen as a recipient of one of MAEF’s garden grants or apply their general knowledge to assist with development of lesson plans, which in turn will strengthen MAEF’s robust programming. In addition to personal fulfillment, involvement with MAEF helps bring awareness to the broader public and reinforce the importance of agriculture and its connection with protecting our natural resources.

ALI students-the next generation of horticulture professionals Free State • 45

Taylor Pilker, ALI student, Daria Andreyak and Ferenc Kiss of Cavano’s Management

A forward-thinking and relatively new organization in Maryland, the American Landscape Institute (ALI) is working to “attract and train the next generation of horticultural professionals” through a unique combination of academic training and concurrent hands-on experience with a horticultural operation.

Partnering with the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) and MAEF, the original intended target demographic had been recent graduates of high school, according to ALI’s Executive Secretary Martha Pindale, although this has expanded to include several college graduates looking to make a new career choice. “The best way to support ALI is to be willing to interview a student, hopefully hire him or her and employ them while they take Horticulture classes each Friday, for 7 semesters. Or a company could put a current employee through the program,” explained Pindale. Horticultural operations could also opt to be a donor to the ALI program, particularly if they are not in a position to hire an ALI student or put a current employee though the program. Direct financial support helps make it possible for ALI to provide a 20% tuition discount each 46 • Winter 2018

semester to students participating in the ALI program. Participation by sponsoring and mentoring a student will directly benefit your operation by guaranteeing a knowledgeable, welltrained employee joins the staff, while financial support will help on a broader scale to ensure a viable horticulture

industry.

On a national scale, the quickly growing Seed Your Future coalition brings together over 150 horticultural organizations that are “united in their mission to cultivate the next generation of horticulturists and plant enthusiasts.” The coalition recently launched BLOOM!, designed to educate middle school students about the importance of plants and the appealing careers available through the field of horticulture, and is poised to expand the message to the college student level. Through its website, the BLOOM! initiative shares a variety of educational and promotional resources, including one we can all get on board with, #ILoveMyPlantJob. Simply share a selfie with that hashtag while at work on your horticulture job. If you work directly with students, you can make use of the expansive BLOOM! toolkit to help spread the message of plant power, and in turn, you may have something to add to the toolkit.

Potential benefits of involvement include cultivating future customers and employees, by ensuring that the next generation does not suffer from “plant blindness” and understands the value and power of plants.

With an increased awareness about groups that are working to bring young people into the field of horticulture and how we can assist with their efforts, we are more likely to get involved in these enriching opportunities. It doesn’t stop with the organizations profiled here- MNLGA’s student CPH certificate program, Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) Apprentice Program with Howard EcoWorks, and Anne Arundel Community College’s Landscape Management Technician Apprentice Program, among others, would also benefit from your support. These experiences, in turn, will benefit our industry and potentially our own businesses. With MNLGA’s continued support of these groups through donations and/or publicity, you can be confident that each is a worthy organization to lend your own support. ❦ Leslie Hunter Cario Chesapeake Horticultural Services lesliecario@cheshort.com www.chesapeakehort.com Leslie Hunter Cario is a Certified Professional Horticulturist and IPAC board advisor to the MNLGA, also licensed as a Nutrient Management Consultant and a Pest/Disease Consultant through the Maryland Department of Agriculture and certified as a Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Level 2 - design and installation. She runs Chesapeake Horticultural Services, consulting with nurseries, landscape operations, and non-profits on planning, production, research, and botanical projects.

Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Association

AFFINITY PROGRAMS Get More Out of Your Membership SHIPPING PartnerShip • Discount shipping program through AmericanHort partnership • Small Package Discounts using FedEx • FedEx Express Discounts including Overnight, 2 Day, International Services, and Saver programs as much as 27% • Save on Truckload and Tradeshow Shipments • FedEx Ground and Home Delivery discounts starting at 5% • PartnerShip LTL freight discounts

FUEL Shell – Fleet Plus Fuel Program • 15 cents off per gallon on fuel purchases from Shell for 12 months • After 12 months, tier structure rebate program • No minimum gallons required • Built in security and purchase controls • Online account management • Comprehensive reporting • No transaction fees, no card fees, and no report fees

VEHICLES Commercial Friends and Family Program • Invoice pricing on all vehicles in stock. Pricing for locates are on a case by case basis.

• Brands include Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ford and Ram. Expanding to other brands soon.

• All incentives that are being offered will be deducted from invoice pricing • Up-fits offered at employee cost • $500 off any negotiated price for used vehicles • Honor all Fleet accounts and if needed can be established with Ford or Chrysler • Discount delivery vehicle program or if qualified, courtesy delivery to local dealer

OFFICE SUPPLIES Office Depot • See new Office Depot Program details on page 17 • Better rewards • More ways to save

PLANT LOCATOR Plant and Supply Locator • All MNLGA members receive 6 months of free unlimited online Plant Booth listings • Free subscription to Plant Locator magazine • After free 6 month period, members will receive: – Ability to keep 5 listings online free for an additional two years – MNLGA members already listing in print will receive equivalent online plant listings – Discounted packages for listings in print and online

TIRES TireBuyer.com • 5-10% discount on tire purchase • Free shipping on many products • Over 110 warehouses in the US, over 8,500 nationwide installation partners • All other purchases qualify for either free shipping or discounted shipping • Lower shipping rates than industry averages when shipping to a home or business

For full program description, discounts offered, and access to program contact information, log into the MNLGA membership portal on the MNLGA website. Portal access is located on the upper right hand corner of all pages of the website. If you do not recall your access credentials, simply select the link, “Forgot Your Password,” and you will be given instructions on how to proceed.

Free State • 47

Press Release

David Thompson Elected as a Fellow of The IPPS Eastern Region W. David Thompson, President of Foxborough Nursery in Street, Maryland has been named a Fellow of the IPPS Eastern Region. The Fellow Award is presented to members who exhibit exemplary service to the Society and to the advancement of the field of propagation and production. The announcement was made on October 17th at the Annual Conference of the IPPS Eastern Region held in Madison, Wisconsin.

Thompson has been a member of the IPPS Eastern Region since 1976. He has served on five IPPS committees, has contributed four papers to the IPPS proceedings, and currently serves on the IPPS Eastern Region Board of Directors.

Growing up inspired by his family’s vegetable and flower gardens, Thompson studied horticulture at the University of Maryland, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in 1975. In 1978, he founded Foxborough Nursery with his wife, Marilyn. In the ensuing 40 years Foxborough Nursery has grown to a 525-acre operation well known in the horticultural industry for specializing in rare and unusual plant material.

Today Foxborough Nursery features an inventory of over 900 cultivars, mostly propagated from cuttings or grafts.

Their goal is to grow the finest quality true-to-name trees and shrubs on the East Coast. The next generation of Thompsons, David and Marilyn’s sons Brad and Andrew, have prominent roles at Foxborough in addition to their own business, Brothers Berries, a cut winterberry branch business.

In addition to his successful business, David has served important roles in the Maryland Nursery and Landscape Association, from which he received the Professional Achievement Award, and the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show. In 1994 he was honored by the University of Maryland College of Agriculture Alumni Association’s Meritorious Service of Agriculture award. He is also a founding member of the American Conifer Society and has served as president of its Eastern Region chapter.

Upon receiving the Fellow Award, David commented that he was “shocked, proud and honored to be named a Fellow.”

He remembered fondly that when he graduated, his mentors encouraged him to join IPPS and he has been a member ever since!

The International Plant Propagators’ Society is a non-profit organization of over 1600 members organized into eight separate regions around the world. The membership is made up of those with a professional interest in plant propagation and production from businesses, colleges and universities, botanic gardens and arboreta. The motto of this non-commercial organization is “To Seek and To Share” knowledge and experience in plant propagation and production.

48 • Winter 2019

David Thompson, left, with Recognition Committee Chair, Brian Maynard

The Perennial Farm Over 1500 Varie�es available Celebra�ng 39 years in business

Perennials - Ornamental Grasses - Hardy Ferns

Roses - Flowering Shrubs - Flowering Vines - Ground Covers Na�ves - Succulents - Tropicals - Pansies, Viola, Cabbage & Kale www.PerennialFarm.com Tel: 410-592-6106 Fax: 410-592-8338 Free State • 49

Obituary

John C. ‘Jack’ Lowry, a nurseryman who co-owned Lowry & Co. with his wife, dies

By FREDERICK N. RASMUSSEN BALTIMORE SUN

John C. “Jack” Lowry, a nurseryman and co-owner of Lowry & Co. and a collector of vintage automobiles who made plant deliveries to clients in a black Cadillac hearse, died July 27 of lung cancer at his home in the Phoenix community of Baltimore County.

He was 87.

“I was a customer of Jack Lowry’s but he was a vital mentor of mine,” said Chris Snavely, who since 1971 has owned Snavely’s Garden Corner in Chambersburg, Pa. “And because I knew Jack from the very beginning of my business and through all the years, our relationship was not only a valuable business one, but also a valuable personal one. I was 14 when I first got to know him, and that goes way back 50 years.”

John Cathcart Lowry, the son of William Fleming Lowry Jr., an American Car and Foundry salesman, and his wife, Martha Ryan Lowry, a nationally recognized floral designer and author of “Floral Art for America,” was born and raised in Bethel Park, Pa. He was a 1950 graduate of Bethel Park High School and enlisted in the Army. He served in Korea as a mechanic and officers club bartender, family members said. After being discharged, he earned a bachelor’s degree in horticulture in 1958 from Penn State, and began his professional career as a horticulturist and garden designer for the Towson Nurseries store in Cockeysville.

50 • Winter 2019

In 1958, he married the former Marilyn Jean Bushyager and settled on Sweet Air Road in the Phoenix neighborhood, where they raised three children.

The couple began their business, Lowry & Co. in 1964, and Mrs. Lowry, who was known as Jean, served as secretary-treasurer of the plant and horticultural business, which represented nurseries from coast to coast.

Mr. Lowry, who was president of the firm, was a collector and purveyor of fine trees, and he furnished plants and horticultural products to garden centers, landscape firms and horticultural distribution centers.

In the early days of the business, Mr. Lowry, who had a passion for vintage autos, purchased a 1953 black Cadillac ambulance-hearse, which he converted to transport plant samples to clients. “My father managed a small garden center in Hagerstown, and Jack Lowry first knocked on the door of the garden center approximately in 1962,” Mr. Snavely remembered. “He pulled up to Dad’s store with a hearse that he had modified for his needs filled to capacity with plants.”

Said Mrs. Lowry in a 2017 biographical sketch: “Jack was known for that hearse and people still ask if we have it.” She reminisced about the early days of the business “when there were no computers or fax machines, and all Jack needed was a pen, an order blank and a car.”

A daughter, Nancy Lowry Moitrier of Annapolis, wrote in a biographical profile of her father: “His successful career as a nursery representative was built brokering nursery materials from the Northwest, the South, the Midwest and the Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. He supplied plant materials to hundreds of garden centers, nurseries and wholesale distribution centers in the Mid-Atlantic region.

“His knowledge and sales savvy techniques enabled many small boutique growers of exceptional plants to gain a foothold and a wider audience. His connectivity

skills helped their businesses grow and prosper. He put little known, good horticultural growers, on the map. With his many horticultural connections, he had the ability to locate and deliver interesting plants in exceptional sizes for special gardens or Landscape projects.”

Said Mr. Snavely: “Jack was a character and that led to a lot of relationships coast to coast.” A trademark of Mr. Lowry’s was conducting business with a handshake, which to him meant a solid agreement, and out of his business relationships grew lifelong friendships.

Mr. Lowry was active in organizations that promoted horticulture, and he played an important role in the establishment of the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. He had served on its board from 1974 to 1979 and was president in 1977. Mr. Lowry was on the board of the Maryland Nurseryman’s Association from 1967 to 1971, and served two terms as president. In 1984 to 1985, he was on the board of the Landscape Contractors Association of Metropolitan Washington.

He was on the board of the American Horticultural Society, one of the nation’s oldest national gardening organizations, from 2008 to 2010.

Mr. Lowry was still working at his death. “He loved work, and work was his life,” Ms. Moitrier said in a telephone interview. Mr. Lowry brought passion to his many collections, his daughter said. He enjoyed collecting, restoring and showing classic vintage cars from his collection, which included Cadillac limousines, Lincoln-Zephyrs, which were built from 1936 to 1942, Ford Thunderbirds, and MercedesBenzes. One of his outstanding cars was a 1948 Cadillac limousine painted a “beautiful burgundy

color,” his daughter said.

During the 1970s, Mr. Lowry was a board member of the Lincoln-Zephyr Club. His collecting interests ranged from cars to marbles, whiskey decanters and radios, and even clocks, keys and flashlights. Mr. Lowry also collected plants, and he and his wife’s 1-acre garden was frequently included on tours organized by the Maryland Horticultural Society, the Annapolis Horticultural Society and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.

“In a suburban development in Phoenix, Maryland, it’s easy to spot Jack and Jean Lowry’s home. Their acclaimed collection of trees and plants begins curbside,” Baltimore Style magazine reported. “An artistic, year-round tapestry of conifers, Ginkgoes and Japanese maples — highly textured and in a spectrum of yellows, greens and reds — offers the Lowrys screening from the road, and their neighbors a glimpse of a first-class garden more than five decades in the growing.”

Mr. Lowry also enjoyed observing and feeding the birds that visited the garden. He was a member of the Hillendale Country Club, where he was instrumental in designing and maintenance of the grounds of the clubhouse after it was rebuilt in 1993. He also enjoyed golfing and played in the club’s Men’s Weekly Twilight series for more than 20 years.

Mr. Lowry’s wife died last year. In addition to his daughter, he is survived by a son, John Ryan Lowry of Finksburg; another daughter, Kim Hultberg of Forest Hill; and four grandchildren.

Free State • 51

Obituary

Paul E. Schlosser Paul Eugene Schlosser passed away at the age of 84 at his home on Hilton Head Island with his beloved wife of 59 years and his loving children by his side.

Paul, Rose and their family moved from Maryland 39 years ago where Paul had formed a landscape contracting business. Some of the beautification of Washington, D.C. was performed by his company as a result of the Lady Bird Johnson Beautification Act of 1965.

He was a member of the Landscape Contractors Association and the Maryland Nurserymen’s Association.

Paul had a huge zest for life and an insatiable thirst for knowledge. He cherished family gatherings and traveling with his wife, children and grandchildren.

He was a licensed private pilot who had a passion for flying. He also enjoyed fishing,

golfing, and boating.

In addition to his wife, Rose Marie Schlosser, he is survived by his son, Andy Schlosser (Pam) of Sudlersville, MD, his daughters, Sandy Bond of Bluffton, SC , Julie Scott (Thurber) of Hilton Head Island, SC and Debbie King (Frank) of Bluffton, SC; his brother, Courtney Schlosser (Sue) of Worchester, MA; his sisters, Ann Fields of Mandeville, LA, Shirley McCarthy of Bethesda, MD; and his grandchildren, Bryan Schlosser (Jenn), Kimberly Schlosser, Zach Bond, Luke Bond, Josh Bond, Abigail Scott, Anna Scott, Hailey King, Dalton King and Max, his dog and faithful friend.

The Schlosser family wishes to extend their gratitude to Hospice Care of South Carolina for their care and support of Paul and the family.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, November 9, 2019 at St. Luke’s Church, Hilton Head, 50 Pope Avenue, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928. Please consider donations in memory of Paul E. Schlosser to the St. Luke’s Church Landscaping Fund.

Kollar Nursery

PUBLICATION NOTICE:

Native wildflowers, ferns, perennials, shrubs and trees for restoration, wildlife, landscaping, education, aesthetics or that special project. Contract growing. Since 1985.

The deadline for submissions for the spring issue of Free State Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse News is April 1, 2020.

We welcome your company news and updates or columns with your professional insight.

E-mail anysubmissions to Free State News at freestate@mnlga.org or mail to:

5200 West Heaps Road, Pylesville, MD 21132

www.kollarnursery.com

52 • Winter 2019

(410) 836-0500

Maryland Nursery, Landscape, and Greenhouse Association P.O. Box 726, Brooklandville, MD 21022

Major colors:

Minor colors:

AMERICAN LANDSCAPE INSTITUTE

Cultivating the Next Generation of Horticulture Professionals The American Landscape Institute (ALI) and the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) have created a 2-year scholarship program for high school graduates. ALI is a first-of-its-kind training and development program for the Horticulture and landscape industry. Owners of leading Baltimore area landscape and nursery companies have come together to offer employment, mentoring, hands-on field experience, and an 80% scholarship to CCBC. Student trainees work for their participating company 4 days per week and attend classes at CCBC Hunt Valley every Friday, for 2 years. On the job training begins Spring/ Summer 2018. Classes begin September 2018. Graduates earn a 2 Year Certificate in Landscape Design and Installation.

DONATE TODAY Please donate to help our program grow! The American Landscape Institute is a non-profit organization and donations are tax deductible.

You can donate online, or mail checks to P.O. Box 52, Monkton, MD 21111.

THANKS TO OUR DONORS PLATINUM

GOLD

BRONZE

Visit the ALI website to learn more! http://www.american landscapeinstitute.com

Nursery Sales Associates

Peter and Millicent Bain

Roland Harvey

George Mayo

If you have a current employee that would benefit from the ALI Program or want to participate by hiring a student, call 410-688-5115 or email martha@americanlandscapeinstitute.

Free State • 53

I’m Certified...

Are You? DESIGNS FOR

GREENER

ARDENS

“

The business of horticulture, like our environment, is an everevolving science. To be a professional is to not become complacent in one’s knowledge, but to strive to continually build upon experience. Continuing Education Units require CPHs to regularly learn new techniques, earth friendly practices and aesthetic trends applicable to nurseries, garden centers and landscape professionals.

”

Nancy Lowry Moitrier, APLD Horticulturist/ Landscape Designer Designs for Greener Gardens, Inc.

Certified Professional Horticulturists (CPH) provide either “do-it-yourself” or professional landscape installation and maintenance advice.

For more information contact the Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Association 410-823-8684 or visit mnlga.org

You only grow the best.

Why not offer your customers the best in advice, too!

Maryland Certified Professional Horticulturist Program

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Free State • 55

Editorial

The Pride Story

I

n the last issue of the Free State News, Vanessa invited the members to share their travel stories with the rest of us.

In late May I qualified to be one of 6 paying guest crew members on the Pride of Baltimore. In June, July, August and September the Pride sailed up the Atlantic Ocean, into the St. Lawrence River to the Great Lakes to be part of the 2019 Great Lakes sail and race event. An event where a number of tall ships from around North America sail the great lakes to be part of festivals in US and Canadian cities on the lakes.

More details about the Pride later in this article.

My two tours of duty with the Pride were for one week in June from Baltimore to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia and again for 11 days in July on Lake Erie, Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.

On Wednesday June 5 by 13.00 EDT I reported to the Pride’s winter berth, dockside on Clinton Street in Baltimore. The regular permanent crew of 12 was busy with all the last-minute activities and supplies to go on board. Right away all guest crew jumped in and helped and that is the way it was all during the trip.

Around 17.00 EDT we left for a short stay in the inner harbor for a farewell event on the pier next to the Constellation where some members of the Fort McHenry Fife and Drum corps welcomed us. The executive director of the Pride and his staff, introduced the crew to the politicians, partners and sponsors who all had kind words for the Pride to again be the ambassador for Baltimore and Maryland and promote all things good. Once we left the pier on the way out the Patapsco River, we gave a cannon salute. Many vessels escorted us out towards Fort McHenry.

We had to go back to our Clinton Street berth till around midnight to wait for the proper tide and currents going up the Chesapeake Bay into the C&D canal and Delaware Bay. That night the guest crew members received from the 2nd mate, detailed orientation about the do’s and don’ts and safety procedures.

As soon as we left the dock the watches started. A watch (12 to 4), B watch (4 to 8) and C watch ( 8 to 12) every 12 hours. This trip I was on the B watch. At around daybreak I was on watch and enjoyed the first

56 • Winter 2019

and one of the many sunrises this time in the upper Chesapeake Bay into the C & D canal. Once on the ocean we were able to set some sail, however on the way up the Atlantic coast we had to motor sail a lot, because the wind was on our nose and we had a schedule to follow.

What is there to do on a watch? Well, number one, a crew of 4 or 5 will have to keep the vessel on course and, yes indeed, with help of a permanent crew member, I was asked to take the helm on every watch for an hour and keep the Pride on course. Afterwards, back home again, knowing that I did sail a vessel with or without the almost 10.000 square feet of sail on the ocean, is one of the most exhilarating experiences I ever had.

How do you keep course without any land in site for 360 degrees? You make use of the clouds, stars and moon AND you need to get a feel for the vessel so that the bowsprit does not travel towards port or starboard on the horizon. Only keep an eye on the needle of the compass to confirm the heading ordered.

During a watch you are asked to do a boat check.

Bilges in every compartment need to be checked for water. Check the air in the lifeboat called the Chasseur.

Check oil pressure, water level, amps and voltage on both engines. Check generator and water maker.

Check all the halyards to be free and on the right pins on the pin rails. All details to be recorded in a log.

Thursday June 6 at 1100 EDT we were on the Delaware Bay motoring through smooth water and no wind. While in the Delaware Bay the captain mustered us and informed us about the course to be taken on the ocean and what each one of us including crew and guest will need to do in case of fire and man overboard.

Friday June 7 0800 EDT 30 nautical miles east of Manasquan inlet, NJ and 30 nautical miles south of Jones Beach, Long Island. Doing 6+ knots and rolling with 4 to 5-foot swells (and loving it).

Saturday June 8 0600 EDT We did not stay close to Long Island, but the captain made the choice for the Cape Cod Canal to Heget further north before heading east across the Gulf of

Pride II is a replica of iconic vessels, built in Baltimore in the late 1700’s in the Fells Point area, called the Baltimore Clippers

Free Free State State •• 57 57

Monday June 10 0600 EDT Sailing just the way we like it at a speed of 6-8 knots.

Location is 80 miles WSW of Cape Sable Nova Scotia, Canada.

Maine towards Nova Scotia. The forecast did indicate better winds to raise the sails next week.

We were anchored Saturday afternoon and evening at Provincetown, Mass. Some of us wanted to cool off and went swimming in Cape Cod Bay. Sunday June 9 2019 0800 EDT After a good night sleep for all of the crew, we were mustered and the captain explained to us what we had done, why we were anchored etc. etc and what the plan is for the next few days. Before we weighed anchor (all by hand amazing to see) the first mate ordered all of us to swab, clean and wipe the teak and varnished areas on the deck in detail.

We had favorable southwesterly winds between 10 and 15 knots. All sails were set. That is what sailing on the Pride is all about. Sails include mainsail, foresail, forestaysail, jib, jib-topsail, main-gaff-topsail, squarefore-topsail, square top gallant and studding-sail.

Around 15 knots of wind we were doing 8+ knots of speed heeling around 5 degrees. Around 15 knots of wind we were doing 8+ knots of speed heeling around 5 degrees. Far into the ocean no land in site, around 17.00 hour we had some visitors around the Pride.

Whales and dolphins/porpoises gave us a nice show.

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Tuesday June 11 16.00 ADT Arrived in Lunenburg. One day earlier than scheduled.

We had sailed with all sails up from Sunday noon till Monday noon about 170 nautical miles calm seas and speed from 6 to 8 knots to almost 9 knots south easterly winds 10 to 15 knots. The welcome in Lunenburg, with a couple of cannon salutes by the Pride, was very friendly by the locals and our friends on the sailing vessels Picton Castle and Bluenose II. ALL sails had to be packed correctly. This is when the guest crew was invited to climb up the rigging and help pack the sail on the top yard (cross bar). Yes, of course I did and had the time of my life, clipped in, enjoying the view while helping pack the sail.

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia is a lovely town, like Annapolis and Chestertown but on steroids. The town was settled around 1750 by the Swiss, Germans, and French.

Being carpenters and masons, these settlers became shipwrights to build many a fishing boat. It is one of the UNESCO world heritage sites. That means, just like Brugge in Belgium and part of Amsterdam in the Netherlands and more places around the globe, the local, state and federal governments, partnering with UNESCO (a United Nation agency) will preserve and legally protect and restore it, if needed, the way it was built many years ago.

After a few more days in Lunenburg I flew back to Baltimore with memories of a lifetime.

P.S. Out the 3 races on the Lakes, Pride won 2, and came in second once.

“

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, settled around 1750, is a lovely town, like Annapolis and Chestertown but on steroids.

”

More about the Pride: Did I forget to tell you that Phil (in his early sixties?) the cook on board provided us with 3 meals a day. From bacon, sausage, eggs, grits, pancakes etc. etc in the morning, to wraps, grilled cheese, tacos, etc. for lunch and pork chops, baked beans, rice, salad, and chicken dishes for dinner, with plenty of fruit and vegetables.

What an amazing job he does, providing nutrition for 18 crew members 3 times a day.

About the crew: Captain Jan Miles (in his late sixties?) has been captain and or associated with the Pride since before it was built on the banks of the Inner Harbor between the Science and Visitors’ Center in late summer of 1986.

Never met a more capable and knowledgeable sailor like him before. His concern first and always is the safety of crew and vessel. He knows every square inch of the Pride and every square inch of its sails.

The remainder of the crew is either half my age or a third my age. But WOW, when given a command or order to raise or douse a sail or sails, they all can do this as a team almost blind folded, day and night. The guest crew is expected to assist including sweating the lines, meaning 4 or 5 crewmembers, not only with your arms but with all of your body, pulling and driving the halyards to the pins while someone is tailing the line.

More details of the Pride of Baltimore II: It took almost 2 years to build the Pride and in April of 1988 was lifted into Baltimore harbor. In October of 1988 she was commissioned in Fells Point. It is a topsail schooner. She is about 157’ long from bowsprit to stern the rigging height is 107’, with a beam of 26’4”. The draft is 12’6”, wooden hull and 2- 165 HP Caterpillar diesel engines.

For the guest crew the Pride has 3 bunks (2 people per bunk, male or female) with a top and bottom bunk. I was happy to get a bottom bunk. These bunks are located mid ship next to the salon eating area and galley. These bunks have solid doors for privacy.

Captain, first and second mate have bunks aft. The rest of the crews bunks forward.

Just like the Pride of Baltimore I (lost at sea in 1986 after 9 years) the Pride II is a replica of iconic vessels, built in Baltimore in the late 1700’s in the Fells Point area, called the Baltimore Clippers. They were used not only for commerce (including rum running), sailing up and down the Atlantic into the West Indies, but were of significance during the war of 1812, and afterwards. Such a ship was called a privateer.

A privately-owned armed ship permitted by its (continued on next page) Free State • 59

“

At around daybreak I was on watch and enjoyed the first and one of the many sunrises this time in the upper Chesapeake Bay into the C & D canal.

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government (it was drafted like that in our constitution) to make war on ships of an enemy country. During those days America did not really have a navy strong enough to fight the mighty British Royal Navy. So, privateers were called in and during the end of that war they helped to deliver the decisive victory for the United States.

One such ship owned by William Hollins and Thomas Kemp the builder, named the Chasseur commanded

by Captain Thomas Boyle and manned with American privateers during the war of 1812, captured close to 2 dozen commercial British ships. They sold the goods and the ship divided the proceeds between crew, sponsors, owners and government and released the crew to go onto the next hunt.

On her return to Baltimore on April 15, 1815, the Baltimoreans were so proud that they renamed the shipped The Pride of Baltimore.

Just a little about the Pride’s history. ❦ William Verbrugge Nursery Sales Associate wverbrugge@yahoo.com

Contact information on the Pride of Baltimore II Pride of Baltimore, Inc. 1240 Key Highway, Baltimore, Maryland 21230 Phone: 410.539.1151 Email: pride2@pride2.org Office is open Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Free State • 61

Chairs and Committees Education Ronda Roemmelt – Chair Angela Burke Dave Clement Hank Doong Stanton Gill Brett Karp Mary Kay Malinoski Brian Mitchell John Murphy Karen Rane Andrew Ristvey Ginny Rosenkranz Chuck Schuster Heather Zindash Nominating Mark Dougherty – Chair Richard J. Watson Finance and Planning Carrie Engel – Chair Jessica Todd Larry Hemming John Murphy Link/Shanks Scholarship Mark Dougherty – Chair MANTS Jan S. Carter Bernard E Kohl, Jr. William A. M. Verbrugge Membership Committee Rich Poulin Greg Stacho Awards - Professional Achievement, Carville M. Akehurst Michael Marshall– Co-Chair Kevin Clark - Co-Chair

Legislative/MaGIC James R. McWilliams– Chair Mark Schlossberg All Officers and Directors Alan Jones Bernie Kohl CPH George Mayo - Chair Steve Black Cindy King Andrew Ristvey Martha Simon-Pindale Bob Trumbule Jamie Tsambikos Gaye Williams Jon Vander Vliet Scholarship Bernie Kohl, Jr. – Chair Hank Doong Leslie Hunter-Cario Jessica Todd George Mayo Mary Claire Walker Economic Survey Steve Black Larry Hemming Bernie Kohl George Mayo John Murphy Jessica Todd Dr. John Lea-Cox Kimberly Rice Dr. Andrew Ristvey Historian George Mayo – Chair

ADVISORS TO THE BOARD University of Maryland Dr. John Lea-Cox MD Department of Agriculture Kimberly Rice ADVISORS TO OTHERS CCLC – Ches. Bay Professional Landscape Certification (CBPL) Kody Cario Invasive Plant Advisory Committee Brent Cassell Leslie Hunter Cario Kelli McGaw LEAD Maryland Vanessa Finney Maryland Agriculture Commission Ray Greenstreet Maryland Farm Bureau Larry Hemming

MAEF George Mayo Maryland Invasive Species Council (MISC) Brian Mitchell Alex Betz University of Maryland – Dean’s Global Leadership Council Vanessa Finney Young Farmers Advisory Council Jessica Todd

Every member of every committee listed above is an individual who volunteers their time in support for the MNLGA and it is with the utmost gratitude and appreciation that we thank you for your selfless endeavors.

If your name is not listed above, please consider following the example of those who are. Contact Vanessa at 410-823-8684 with your interest.

62 • Winter 2019

MARYLAND

N URSERY, L ANDSCAPE AND G REENHOUSE A S S O C I AT I O N , I N C .

Mission Statement The purpose of the Maryland Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse Association is to promote the use of ornamental plants, products, and services. The association supports all constituent groups of the horticulture industry including landscape, garden centers, interiorscape, grounds maintenance, nursery, greenhouse, and arboriculture. The association communicates the role of the horticulture industry in improving people’s quality of life.

Specific Goals Promote professionalism through education programs for members and the public and by encouraging enrollment in educational institutions.

Monitor state and local laws relating to horticulture industry.

Participate actively in legislative and regulatory processes.

Promote the use of environmentally sound practices in the horticulture industry.

Monitor and communicate to members developments in allied industries including agritechnology.

Support donations of plant products and services to state and community programs.

Support research relevant to the horticulture industry.

Participate in Maryland agricultural organizations.

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good reasons your company should advertise in the MNLGA’s Free State Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse News Free State News is seen by members of Maryland’s Nursery, Landscaping, Greenhouse, Garden Center and Allied Industries and is the leading publication for members of the MNLGA

Free State News enhances your ad with important industry specific content that is educational and informative. And, the digital version gives readers direct access to your website

Free State News helps promote your company and product while providing direct access to readers in Maryland’s Green Industries

Articles are contributed by highly regarded members of the industry, many of whom have a lifetime of knowledge and are frequently published

Free State News is a cost-effective way to help keep your name out in front of the membership and your potential customers

Free State News helps support the association in its endeavors on behalf of the green industry in the state of Maryland

For more information on advertising in the Free State Nursery, Landscape and Greenhouse News contact Kelly Finney at MNLGA at 410-823-8684 or e-mail office@mnlga.org

Free State • 63

S A V E

T H E

D A T E !

MANTS 2021 JANUARY 6-8

BALTIMORE CONVENTION CENTER

Be sure to mark your calendar and join us again next January!

REMEMBER, MANTS MEANS BUSINESS P.O. Box 818 • Brooklandville, MD 21022 410-296-6959 • fax 410-296-8288

www.mants.com

@mantsbaltimore #mants2021

WE’RE

GROWING FOR YOU

Foxborough Nursery, Inc. 3611 Miller Rd. / Street, MD 21154 phone 410.836.7023 / fax 410.452.5131

View Photos & Plant Information at www.foxboroughnursery.com