The Scoop Online – June 2012

Pages 31-33

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MnLA Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 22, 24 Arborists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 MDA update. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 12, 37-38 Public Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Business Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 MnLA Foundation Research . . 17-18, 20 education . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23, 25-26, 35-36 Plant Something . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Recycling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Irrigation Contractors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Greenhouse & Herbaceous Growers. . . . . . . . . 31-33 MnLA Membership Renewal . . . . . . . . 34 Government Aairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39-42 Plant of the Month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

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www.MNLA.biz | June 2012

ADVERTISER INDEX A Top Notch Equipment.............................5 Baker Lake Nursery ................................34 Belgard Hardscapes - Northfield ...............4 Borgert Products, Inc..............................25 Carlin Horitcultural Supplies/ ProGreen Plus ...................................30 Casualty Assurance.................................16 Central Landscape Supply .......................36 Crow River Greenhouse & Nursery ...........16 Cushman Motor Co. Inc ...........................24 Farber Bag & Supply Co. ..........................34 Gardenworld Inc.....................................28 Great Northern Equipment Distributing, Inc. .................................9 Haag Companies, Inc. .............................29 Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies ..............................17 Jeff Belzer Chevrolet ................................7 Kubota Dealers.......................................13 Laborforce Specialists, Inc. .......................8

Landscape Alternatives...........................39 Liberty Tire Recycling .............................38 Miller Auto Plaza ....................................28 MN Equipment Solutions, Inc. .................10 Natural Industries ..................................12 Out Back Nursery .....................................8 Pine Products Inc....................................26 Rock Hard Landscape Supply division of Brian's Lawn & Landscaping, Inc.........35 Synthetic Turf Solutions of MN ................20 TerraDek Lighting, Inc. ...........................34 The Mulch Store .....................................11 The Tessman Company............................33 Titan Machinery ...............................19, 44 Tri-State Bobcat, Inc..........................21, 31 Truck Utilities & Mfg. Co. .........................36 University of Minnesota Continuing Education .........................................37 Wheeler Landscape Supply .....................27 Ziegler Cat ...............................................3

Upcoming Events June 8-

How Immigration Leads to Economic Growth and American Jobs.

Presented by: Minnesota Business Immigration Coalition, e Minneapolis Foundation and Partnership for a New American Economy, Northland Inn, Brooklyn Park. For more information, visit www.business.mnchamber.com.

20 MNLA Foundation Garden Party. Gordy Bailey’s home. For more information, see pages 22 and 24 or visit www.mnla.biz.

20-23 - 15th Annual Snow and Ice Symposium. Buffalo, New York. For more information, see www.sima.org.

July 4-10 - Perennial Plant Symposium. Boston Park Plaza Hotel, Boston, Mass. For more information, see www.perennialplant.org.

14-17 - OFA Shortcourse. Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio.

For more information, see www.ofa.org.

24 22nd Annual Widmer Golf Tournament. University of Minnesota Golf Course, Roseville. For more information, see page 22 or visit www.mnla.biz.

26 MNLA Landscape Design Tour. Southwest Twin Cities Metro Area. For more information, see page 23 or visit www.mnla.biz.

26 MNLA Rolling Retail Experience. St. Paul. For more information, see page 23 or visit www.mnla.biz.

August 9-

MNLA Foundation: Girls Night Out. Minneapolis. For more information, see page 22 or visit www.mnla.biz.

92012 Wisconsin Nursery Field Day. Wayside Nurseries, Mequon, Wisc.

More information available online at www.wgif.net.

23 - Sept 3 – MNLA Garden at the Minnesota State Fair. For more information, visit www.mnla.biz.

September 19 -

MNLA Sporting Clays Shootout. South St. Paul Rod and Gun Club. For more information, see page 22 or visit www.mnla.biz.

January 8-

Super Tuesday. Minneapolis Convention Center. More information coming soon!

9-11 - Northern Green Expo. Minneapolis Convention Center. Exhibit contracts available online at www.northerngreenexpo.org or call 651-633-4987.

If interested in sponsoring, please call Betsy Pierre, 763-295-5420 / betsy@pierreproductions.com MNLA Events - Visit www.MNLA.biz for registration and details for these and other programs!

Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association 1813 Lexington Ave. N. Roseville, MN 55113 651-633-4987, fax 651-633-4986 Outside the metro area, toll free: 888-886-MNLA, fax 888-266-4986 www.MNLA.biz

MNLA Mission The mission of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association is to help nursery and landscape related companies in Minnesota and the surrounding region operate their businesses more successfully.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Debbie Lonnee, MNLA-CP, President Bailey nurseries, Inc. 651-768-3375 debbie.lonnee@baileynursery.com Heidi Heiland, MNLA-CP, Vice-President Heidi's Lifestyle Gardens 612-366-7766 • heidi@BloomOnMn.com Herman Roerick, Secretary-Treasurer Central Landscape Supply 320-252-1601 hermanr@centrallandscape.com Bert Swanson, MNLA-CP, Past President Swanson’s nursery Consulting, Inc. 218-732-3579 • btswanson2@gmail.com Randy Berg, MNLA-CP Berg’s nursery, Landscape/Garden Center 507-433-2823 rberg@smig.net Scott Frampton Landscape Renovations 651-769-0010 sframpton@landscaperenovations.com Tim Malooly, CID, CLIA, CIC Irrigation By Design Inc. 763-559-7771 • timm@ibdmn.com Mike McNamara Hoffman & Mcnamara nursery & Landscaping (651) 437-9463 mike.mcnamara@ hoffmanandmcnamara.com Bill Mielke Waconia Tree Farms LLC 952-442-2616 billmielke@waconiatreefarms.com Bob Fitch MnLA executive Director 651-633-4987 • bob@mnla.biz All original works, articles or formats published in The Scoop are © Minnesota nursery & Landscape Association, 2012, and may not be used without written permission of MnLA. The Scoop is published 12 times per year by MnLA, 1813 Lexington Ave n., Roseville Mn 55113. Address corrections should be sent to the above address. news and advertising deadlines are the first of the month preceding publication.

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www.MNLA.biz | June 2012

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The Scoop | ARBORISTS

"Those Who Cannot Learn From History are Doomed to Repeat It" George Santayana

By Steve Sylvester, S&S Tree Specialists, Inc. ur great state has certainly learned from the past. Our state and industry are doing their best not to repeat our Dutch elm disease Steve Sylvester mistakes with the emerald ash borer.

Dutch elm disease annihilated a majority of elm trees in the Twin Cities around the time I started S&S - 1976. Back then there was more public funding to combat the disease but fewer companies to do it. Today it’s just the opposite; there are 10x the amount of tree care

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companies but much less public funding.

Despite the lack of funding, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture has been able to effectively manage the spread. Let’s take a look at how they’re doing it.

guidance in choosing treatment options.

Although government funding isn’t readily available, treatment options are, and are 99% effective when properly applied. Treatments will save countless trees.

Lesson 1 – Control In 1976 the control method of choice was sanitation – cut ‘em down.

Chemical treatments weren’t readily available. Treatments were eventually developed at the University of Minnesota

by Dr. French and our own Mark Stennes. These treatments are still being used today to effectively manage Dutch elm disease. Today the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the University of Minnesota offer advice and

Lesson 2 – Disposal When elm trees were disposed of in 1976, the beetle that carried the disease hitched a ride on the trucks hauling tree debris. They’d jump off along the way and spread Dutch elm disease like wildfire. Today we have disposal and transport restrictions and guidelines in place. Material must be disposed of at approved sites within quarantined counties decreasing the travel distance.

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Ash wood is required to be ground to 2” pieces –healthy or infested, to decrease the likelihood that emerald ash borer can survive the processing and transport.

Lesson 3 – Replanting In 1976 the devastation was evident on boulevards and properties throughout the Twin Cities. Boulevards were replanted with chosen species – ash.

We’re now facing the same issue we were then; an insect could affect thousands of trees. Today we’re planting a variety of species on boulevards throughout the Twin Cities, although we are still heavily planting maples. There is still room for improvement on species variation.

Species variation will ensure that no one insect or disease can ever do the same damage as it has in the past.

Credit is due largely to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the DNR and their efforts to stop emerald ash borer in its tracks. In addition, the use of modern and social media have allowed organizations like the University of Minnesota, Minnesota Nursery and

Landscape Association, Minnesota Society of Arboriculture, the International Society of Arboriculture, the Tree Care Industry Association and local professional tree care companies throughout the state of Minnesota to keep the public informed of the risk of this insect. With continued support through local tree care companies and local and national organizations and government agencies, we have a good chance of effectively managing this battle, and saving thousands of ash trees.

As part of the green industry, we can keep customers informed, grow their trust and retain as many ash trees as possible by being honest, explaining emerald ash borer - its history and how it spreads and their options – treat or replace. Don’t oversell treatments or removals just to make a quick buck, educate on options, when and if emerald ash borer is a threat to your customer. q ________________________________ Steve Sylvester is a member of the MNLA Commercial Arborists Committee and can be reached at info@sstree.com.

Go to MNLA.biz for concise, useful environmental information.

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The Scoop | MDA UPDATE

Keep an Eye Out For the Viburnum Leaf Beetle

By Mark Abrahamson, Minnesota Department of Agriculture he viburnum leaf beetle (VLB) has yet to be found in Minnesota, but like so many other landscape pests it is drawing nearer as it moves across the country. The VLB is a defoliator that feeds on viburnum, native to Europe and Asia. It appears to have become established in North America (Ottawa and Quebec) during the 1970’s. It was first discovered in the United States in Maine in 1994, and as of 2007 was considered to be established west to Ohio (see map on page 12) as well as in British Columbia and Washington State. In 2009, VLB was discovered in Wisconsin (Dane County) and Illinois (Cook County). Since then, there have been no additional finds of VLB in states neighboring Minnesota.

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Viburnum leaf beetle adults are present during mid-summer and consume Viburnum leaves. After mating, females implant eggs in small pits chewed into Viburnum twigs and cover the eggs with chewed wood. A single female may produce 500 eggs. The eggs overwinter and hatch into larvae in spring. Like adults, the larvae feed on Viburnum leaves. Initial defoliation is

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www.MNLA.biz | June 2012

subtle with small larvae scraping away the outer surface of leaf tissue on the undersides of leaves. As larvae grow, defoliation becomes more obvious and leaves may have a “skeletonized” appearance (only leaf veins remain). Larvae eventually pupate in the soil before emerging as adults in June or July. Adult VLB create holes in Viburnum leaves that may cross leaf veins. One generation occurs per year.

Identification of VLB can be challenging as the adults and larvae appear similar to other leaf beetles. However, the presence of “skeletonizing” defoliation on Viburnum may be a good indicator of the presence of VLB. No insects native to Minnesota are known to skeletonize Viburnum, though the exotic Japanese beetle (Popilla japonica) may skeletonize Viburnum as adults. If skeletonizing-like damage is seen on Viburnum, look for the presence of larvae on or under leaves and / or egg pits on twigs – particularly new growth. If either of these life stages is present, then the insect is likely VLB. VLB feed only on Viburnum species. There are four species Continued on page 12

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Continued from page 10 of Viburnum native to Minnesota (V. edule - squashberry, V. lentago nannyberry, V. rafinesquianum – downy arrow-wood, V. trilobum – American high-bush cranberry), and one considered naturalized (V. opulus – European high-bush cranberry). Many more species of Viburnum are part of the horticultural trade and are present in landscape plantings throughout Minnesota. Viburnum species vary in their susceptibility to feeding by VLB, possibly due to differences in leaf morphology and chemistry. Exposure to sunlight also seems to affect susceptibility of individual plants to VLB with plants in shady locations being more susceptible than plants in sunny locations. A partial list of Viburnum

Pests are a

species along with susceptibility ratings is available at the VLB Citizen Science Website (www.hort.cornell.edu/VLB/).

For a factsheet and pictures of the pest and its damage, visit: http://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/insec ts/virburnum-leaf-beetle.aspx If you suspect you have seen this pest or an infestation in Minnesota, contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture via email at Arrest.the.Pest@state.mn.us or leave a voicemail at 888-545-6684. q

photos by: Paul Weston, Cornell University, Bugwood.org

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www.MNLA.biz | June 2012

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The Scoop | PUBLIC RELATIONS

Arbor Day Poster Contest Winner Honored with Tree Planting

By Sue Flynn, Arbor Day Poster Contest Coordinator t was cold and windy on Arbor Day this year. But that didn't stop the fifth grade class at Chaska Elementary School from participating in a tree planting ceremony to honor one of their classmates, Sarah Costello, the winner of the 2012 Minnesota Arbor Day Poster Contest.

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Sarah's parents and grandmother also attended the planting ceremony, and watched proudly as Sarah was interviewed by a reporter from the local Chaska newspaper.

A beautiful Northwood Maple Tree was generously donated by The Mustard Seed Landscaping & Garden Center, located in Chaska. Mark Halla and Cory Whitmer taught the excited group of fifth graders how to correctly plant the tree and how to take ke care of it. It was interesting to see the students' reaction when Mark told them that the tree would be there 100 years from now for their grandchildren to enjoy!

This is the 10th year that the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association has sponsored the poster contest, and the top three winning posters will be on display at the MNLA garden at the 2012 Minnesota State Fair.

Thank you to Mark Halla and Cory Whitmer for participating in this special event! q

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www.MNLA.biz www MNLA biz i | June 2012 iz

Mark Halla, Sarah Costello, and Cory Whitmer

Thank you to the 2012 Arbor Day Poster Contest Sponsors: S&S Tree Specialists and The Mustard Seed Landscaping & Garden Center. Their sponsorship made it possible to provide prizes for the students with the top 3 winning posters and Barnes & noble gift cards to all the participating teachers. Thank you!

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT | The Scoop

The Importance of the Form I-9 and How to Conduct an Internal Audit

By Patrick McGuiness, Zlimen & McGuiness, Attorneys at Law henever a business hires an employee, the Form I9 should be completed.

This form is used to verify two things. First, it is used to confirm Patrick McGuiness that the employee is who they say they are (identity). The second purpose is to confirm that the employee is authorized to work in the United States (authorization).

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Documentation and Identification.

The I-9 requires that the employee submit identification to the hiring company to confirm these two things.

The instructions which accompany the form require either a document from those listed in column A of the instructions, or a document from column B AND column C. The most commonly used ID which can confirm both identity and authorization is a valid United States Passport, which is found in Column A. Other common types of documentation include a valid driver’s license (column B) and a social security card or birth certificate (both column C).

There are numerous other documents which satisfy the requirements of the I-9 and they are all listed on the instructions.

Spend some time getting familiarized with the form, the instructions, and the valid types of documentation.

Should Copies of Documents be Made?

When an employee presents their supporting documents, should the employer make photocopies? The law does not require that photocopies are made, so it is up to the employer whether or not they would like to do so.

However, be careful to avoid violating anti-discrimination laws. If an employer makes copies of some workers’ documents, but not copies of other workers’ documents, then it is possible discriminatory intent can be shown. If an employer chooses to make copies of employee’s documents, they should do so for all employees, and not just select employees.

Procedures to be Put in Place.

Create a standard procedure when hiring new employees. Have one person designated as being responsible for making sure all new and current employees have a completed Form I-9 on file with the company. Further, have that person be responsible for viewing (and copying if so chosen) the documentation which confirms both identity and authorization. This employee should have overall responsibility for all I-9s and should receive periodic training on the law and regulations which affect I-9s and other hiring issues.

Once the employee responsible for all I-9s has verified they were completed and has checked the documentation, then the completed forms should be put in a separate file, exclusively for I-9s. Do not put each employee’s Form I-9 in that employee’s personnel file. If an employee only has a temporary authorization to work in the United States, then a reminder system should be put in place to initiate a re-verification of the employee’s authorization. It doesn’t matter whether the reminder is in the company’s calendar system, or an email reminder system. How ever it is done, it is extremely important to set up a system. The last thing that a company wants is to be found in violation of I-9 compliance due to simple forgetfulness.

Audits and Consequences.

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement division (ICE) of the Department of Homeland Security is responsible for conducting I-9 audits. In recent years, ICE has stepped up enforcement with the purpose of identifying those employers who knowingly employ workers without proper employment authorization. Even if I-9 violations are only technical violations and not “knowing” violations, ICE can still cite a business for the violations.

Often, ICE will send a Notice of Inspection (NOI), which is a letter providing notice that an audit will take place. When a company receives an NOI, it must be prepared to allow ICE to inspect the I-9s which are on file as well as payroll records, employee lists, and possible other company information.

Failure to allow ICE to inspect these documents can result in ICE obtaining a subpoena or a warrant to force compliance.

When ICE visits a company, they can choose to audit all I-9s that the company has on file, or only a random sampling.

This will largely depend on the size of the business and the number of employees. ICE will check to see that the I-9s on file match the names on payroll records, and that the I-9s were properly completed for each current employee and former employees. The audit will generally extend back three years, so make sure that the company retains the I-9s for all employees, even if they no longer work for the company.

If a company is found to have fraudulently altered an I-9, penalties of up to $3,200 per violation can be assessed. Additionally, failure to properly Continued on page 16 June 2012 | www.MNLA.biz

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Continued from page 15

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complete an I-9 or make it available for an ICE inspection can result in penalties of up to $1,100 per violation. Finally, in rare cases individual liability can be assessed against company owners or officers.

Practice Internal Audits.

The best way to make sure that your company’s I-9s are properly completed and retained is to conduct a practice audit. Have your Human Resources manager, or a 3rd party consultant perform a mock audit. Prepare a list of employees that have worked for the company in the past three years. Cross check to ensure that each employee has an I-9 on file, and that any accompanying documentation is accounted for. Finally, make sure that the form was properly filled out and stored in the proper location. If any errors are found, they should be noted and if necessary, a new Form I-9 should be filled out by the employee.

The Form I-9 can be confusing, so make sure that your company understands how the form works and has systems in place to assure compliance.

Provide regular training to employees that handle I-9s and make sure that internal audits are conducted on a regular basis. If you take these steps, you can reduce or eliminate company liability in the event ICE chooses to audit your business. q ________________________________ This article provides general information on employment law matters and should not be relied upon as legal advice. A qualified

attorney must analyze all relevant facts and apply the applicable law to any matter before legal advice can be given.

Patrick McGuiness is one of the founding partners of Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC. His law practice focuses on assisting contractors & other small business owners.

He is also part owner of One Call Property Care, LLC a Minneapolis landscaping & property management company. He can be reached at pmcguiness@zmattorneys.com If you would like more information regarding employment law or other legal matters, please contact Zlimen & McGuiness, PLLC at 651-206-3203 or www.zmattorneys.com.

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The Scoop | RESEARCH

Impatiens Threatened by Downy Mildew

By Dr. James Calkins, Research Information Director MNLA Foundation adly, another serious threat to a valuable landscape plant appears to be on the rise in the United States. The threat is downy mildew and the primary host of concern is Impatiens walleriana (Common Names: impatiens, busy lizzy(ie), patience plant, patient Lucy, and sultana). Other, but not all, species in the genus Impatiens are also affected and may harbor the disease.

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Jim Calkins

Native to the forests of eastern Africa, Impatiens walleriana is a herbaceous perennial that is grown as an annual in temperate climates including Minnesota. Prized for their beautiful flowers, produced non-stop all season long, and their ability to grow and perform well in shade, impatiens are commonly rated as the number one bedding plant in the U.S. and, historically, one of the most popular bedding plants in the world. This status may, however, change if the threat of downy mildew continues to expand. In fact, in response to devastating losses in recent years, Impatiens walleriana have already been dropped from the production schedules of some growers in Europe.

Given their commercial and landscape value, the growing threat of downy mildew is clearly a significant concern for growers and gardeners alike.

• • •

Although downy mildew has been reported sporadically in production facilities in the United States since the disease was first reported in 1942, widespread reports of downy mildew in landscape plantings in 2011, including confirmed reports in Minnesota, have heightened concerns about the disease and the future of Impatiens as a nursery crop and landscape plant.

Reports of serious infestations have already been reported in Florida this year.

Continued on page 18 June 2012 | www.MNLA.biz

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Continued from page 17 Significant points/findings: •

Downy mildew on Impatiens is caused by the fungus-like water mold Plasmopara obducens; Impatiens aurea, I. balsamea, I. capensis, I. fulva, I. noli-tangere, I. palida, and I. textoria have also been reported as being susceptible.

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A number of horticultural crops are susceptible to downy mildew, but the strains of downy mildew are distinctly species specific and the type that infects one species will not infect others; in other words, the downy mildew that infects impatiens will not spread to other, unrelated plants.

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e disease has been confirmed throughout Europe and in the United States (California, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, the Northeast, West Virginia, and Wisconsin), Canada (Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec), Asia (China, India, and South Korea), Africa (South Africa), and Central America (Costa Rica and Guatemala).

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Both seed and cutting produced impatiens are susceptible to infection; cool, moist, humid conditions are most favorable for infection and spread.

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Two types of spores are produced – swimming spores called zoospores which are produced in aerial sporangia that emerge from stomata on the lower surfaces of infected leaves and are responsible for the rapid spread of the disease under moist conditions and oospores which are produced inside infected stems and leaves. Oospores can survive in plant debris and soil for several years. Spores are dispersed by rain splash and wind currents.

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Initial symptoms include a light-green yellowing or stippling of infected leaves followed by distorted or downward cupping leaves and ultimately the abscission of infected leaves and flowers leaving mostly bare stems which ultimately collapse. Distinct lesions typical of other diseases of impatiens that otherwise have similar symptoms are not produced. When sporulation occurs, a white, downy growth becomes visible on the undersides of infected leaves.

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Plants infected early in development may be stunted and have smaller than normal leaves, but show no other symptoms if the environmental conditions are not ideal for disease expression; warm, dry conditions can delay the development of symptoms.

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Following infection, it typically takes between five and 14 days for the first symptoms to appear; the lag period between infection and the development of symptoms, as well as the absence of classic symptoms under certain conditions, is of concern regarding the sale and shipment of infected plants prior to the development of visible symptoms.

photo credit: Dr. James Calkins •

Al h h there h has h been b l fi d report off Although at least one unconfirmed infected plants in the Netherlands (2001), all other reports indicate that New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkerii) are resistant; SunPatiens® (a hybrid between I. walleriana and I. hawkerii; Sakata Seed America, Inc.) also appear to be resistant.

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Greenhouse facilities are typically the primary source of diseased plants that make their way to garden centers and the landscape and avoiding the introduction of diseased propagules (cuttings) and plants into the production stream is critical in preventing the spread of impatiens downy mildew.

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In addition to propagating plants in-house from disease free plants or working only with reputable suppliers of disease-free plants, reducing greenhouse humidity, limiting wet foliage, maintaining good air circulation, and encouraging good drainage are helpful in preventing secondary infections.

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Preventative fungicides can also be effective in preventing infection although research has indicated a relationship between the effectiveness of fungicides and the strain of the pathogen; fungicide combinations and rotation using fungicides with different modes of action are strongly recommended to achieve control and avoid the development of resistance.

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Early detection and quick action are required to prevent disaster should the disease make an appearance; also be thinking about alternatives to impatiens that might help fill the gap should impatiens suffer the same fate in the U.S. as in Europe and watch for new resistant selections as breeders turn their attention to this devastating disease.

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Homeowners and landscape professionals should also be aware of this disease and be on the lookout for infected plants in the landscapes they manage; impatiens should not be planted in the same location for at least a year, and probably longer, if downy mildew is discovered; contaminated container media should not be reused and containers should be disinfected.

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Primary take-home message – Educate your staff and customers – downy mildew is a serious threat to Impatiens walleriana and threatens the future of this important and much-loved landscape plant; only purchase plants and cuttings from reliable sources, practice best management practices judiciously, scout regularly and photo credit: Dr. James Calkins be on the lookout for downy mildew symptoms, and practice good sanitation and do not compost infected plants. q

For additional detail and information on the downy mildew threat, including specific fungicides that may be used to control downy mildew on impatiens, consult the following references: Downy Mildew of Impatiens. Grower Talks – December 11, 2011. http://www.ballpublishing.com/growertalks/ViewArticle. aspx?articleid=18921 Assessing Your Risk for Impatiens Downy Mildew. Grower Talks 76(1) – May 1, 2012. http://www.ballpublishing.com/GrowerTalks/ViewArticle .aspx?articleID=19112&highlight=downy+mildew+impat iens

Downy Mildew on Impatiens. IFAS Palm Beach Extension: D Environmental Horticulture. January 26, 2012. http://palmbeachcountyextension.wordpress.com/2012/0 1/26/downy-mildew-on-impatiens Impatiens Downey Mildew. 2012. Syngenta.

I http://www.americanfarms.com/Downy_Mildew_of_Impatiens_LA.PDF Florida Department of Agriculture PEST ALERT. February 9, F 2012. http://www.freshfromflorida.com/pi/pestalerts/pdf/downy-mildew-of-impatiens.pdf I Impatiens Put to the Test. Greenhouse Grower – February 29, 2012. http://www.greenhousegrower.com/article/26190 7 Tips for Protecting Impatiens from Downy Mildew.

Greenhouse Grower – March 6, 2012. http://www.greenhousegrower.com/article/25992 S SunPatiens Showing No Signs of Downey Mildew.

Greenhouse Grower – January 19, 2012.. http://www.greenhousegrower.com/article/24739 Impatiens Success Dependent on Landscapers, Homeowners.

Greenhouse Grower – March 5, 2012. http://www.greenhousegrower.com/article/26264 Impatiens Downy Mildew. Royal Horticultural Society – Mar 5, 2012. http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=205 It’s Back. Greenhouse Product News – March 11, 2004. http://www.gpnmag.com/it%E2%80%99s-back Many additional resources are also available.

Remember, the MNLA Foundation’s new research focus and these research updates are intended to serve you and we want your input.

To comment on this month’s update, suggest research topics of interest, or pass along a piece of research-based information that might be of interest to your industry colleagues, please email us at Research@MNLA.biz.

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July 26, 2012 | 8:30am—4:00pm | Southwest Twin Cities Metro Area

Looking for design inspiration? Join your colleagues to tour nine design sites in the southwest metro area. The stops are sure to inspire and the event will provide great networking opportunities. Bring back ideas to implement in your own designs and share your ideas with your peers! Tour stops will include (in no particular order): • • • • • • • • •

Ankeny-Lang Memorial Garden, Chanhassen—Designed by Landscape Renovations Brunn Residence, Edina—Designed by Corduroy Studio, Inc. Reynolds/Miller Residence, Minnetonka—Designed by Creative Habitats, Inc. Berman Residence, Deephaven—Designed by Dirtflower LLC Benson Residence, Minnetonka—Designed by Creative Habitats, Inc. Shelby Residence—Designed/Installed by multiple companies including Irrigation by Design and McGuire Landscaping, Inc. Cargill Corporate Headquarters, Minnetonka—Designed by Damon Farber Associates, Inc. Schramm Residence, Plymouth—Designed by Prairie Restorations Christianson Residence, Eden Prairie—Designed by Bachman’s Landscape Department

July 26, 2012 | 9:00am—1:00pm | St. Paul

Calling all garden center owners and employees! Join your colleagues to tour two urban garden centers in St. Paul— Linder’s and Highland Nursery. Following these two stops, the group will gather to virtually tour garden centers from outstate Minnesota featuring interviews with owners and managers, videos and photos. The event will provide great networking opportunities. Beg, borrow and steal ideas to implement at your own garden center and share your ideas with your peers without having to spend hours on a bus! The event will feature a catered lunch from Famous Dave’s.

Visit www.mnla.biz for registration and details for these and other programs! Questions? Call 651.633.4987.

Sponsorships are available for these seminars. Call Betsy at 952-903-0505 or e-mail betsy@pierreproductions.com.

The Scoop | MNLA FOUNDATION

Garden Party Approaching

By Jodi Larson, MNLA Foundation Program Director his is the last chance to buy your tickets for what has been deemed “the social event of the season” for those in the nursery and landscaping industry.

Jodi Larson Gordie and Jo Bailey have graciously opened their yard to invite all from the industry to gather for an evening of food, fellowship and fundraising to celebrate scholars, donors and the future of the green industry. If you haven’t already purchased your ticket, please consider calling the office today to secure your ticket. Let’s sell out this event and show our support. The money raised from the Garden Party

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benefits the invaluable work of the MNLA Foundation to recruit, engage and educate the next generation of green industry professionals. Consider this evening your chance not only to mingle with the industry’s finest, but also to begin on a path that will mark your legacy for future generations. Together with the MNLA Foundation, we are embarking on a journey that will shape the industry of tomorrow.

Without a dedicated effort to help draw qualified professionals into the industry, labor shortages will increase and the skilled workforce that we draw from will dwindle. Students will pursue positions with more glamour, prestige and the vision of a larger paycheck, and we will be left scrambling, at best.

The recession has moved the labor shortage issue to the back of many people’s minds. But it’s a stark reality that fewer qualified people are choosing

to enter the nursery and landscape professions. This reality has significant negative ramifications for our industry and for the collegiate programs we’ve come to rely on. Consequently, leaders within MNLA, including the MNLA Foundation Board of Trustees, have stayed focused on this long-term challenge. In addition to great volunteer and member engagement, dollars are needed to fund curricula for both elementary and high school students; outreach to educators; display and handout materials; and staff coordination.

Recently, the Commercial Arborist committee discussed similar workforce needs and they too responded. Utilizing resources from the MNLA Foundation as well as their own companies, the group formed a subcommittee whose sole focus is to figure out how to attract and engage students of today. This group has even hired local technical college students to give demonstrations in high school classrooms and recruit more students for their program and for the industry.

This is just a part of what the Foundation is doing for the industry.

Did you know that over the last 17 years, over $300,000 has been raised for the scholarship program? Or that promotional material is provided to MNLA members free-of-charge to use in their school outreach? Your involvement and support is crucial to continue this work.

All proceeds from the Garden Party on June 20th will go towards career promotion development. Additional upcoming MNLA Foundation fundraising events are the Widmer Golf Tournament (July 24), Girl’s Night Out (August 9) and the MNLA Shootout (September 19). Call Jodi at 651-6334987 (Jodi@MNLA.biz) to buy your tickets.

Please show your support for the industry and for the MNLA Foundation by attending one of these events. Let your presence and your actions this summer show the industry that you support the future and are involved in shaping who and what we will become.

EDUCATION | The Scoop

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum June Events & Classes he Minnesota Landscape Arboretum celebrates summer with fun learning experiences for all ages - from Dirt-O-Rama's soil discoveries to gardening classes on growing great perennials to the Gala in the Gardens summer garden party. For details, visit arboretum.umn.edu.

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June 2-Oct. 14 Summer Exhibition: Dirt-ORama/Intriguing Tales from the Underground.

Get the real dirt on the surprising world beneath your feet during the Arboretum's Dirt-O-Rama exhibition. Out of sight, and often out of mind, a fertile soil is active and filled with life. Unearth the hidden truth as you enjoy Dirt-O-Rama’s three features: Art of the Earth (five juried

outdoor art installations); Compost: Gardener's Gold exhibit; and the Dirt Lab, offering tips on "growing" healthy soil.

There also will be a "MudPie Kitchen" for kids to play in the dirt at the new Green Play Yard. Presenting sponsor is Randy's Blue Bag Organics.

Saturdays & Sundays in June Weekend Family Fun: Dynamic Dirt! noon-4 p.m. (drop-in).

Fun, hands-on learning sessions for the whole family. Arboretum Learning Center.

Free with Arboretum gate admission.

Saturday, June 9 Hard Core Perennials: Riotous Spring Color 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $35 member/$45 non-member. Snyder Building.

Find out which perennials can really

handle Minnesota's seasons of extremes and which are longest-lived and easiest to maintain. Learn which ones thrive in sunny or shady sites. Focus on the varieties that offer a riot of spring blooming color with expert Arboretum gardener Paul Sotak. Visit the gardens to make choices that will work for your setting.

Wednesday, June 13 Gala in the Gardens, 6-9 p.m.

The Arboretum Foundation presents the premier party of the summer, in the incomparable garden setting of the Arboretum. Guests will enjoy cocktails on the terrace, al fresco dining, a live auction, music and conversation. For reservations and information, visit www.arboretum.umn.edu/gala.aspx, call Continued on page 26

June 2012 | www.MNLA.biz

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Continued from page 25

the viewer to nature. Stay for the day to explore the Arboretum through your camera. Lunch is included.

612-625-9437 or email: celebarb@umn.edu. Tickets begin at $250; a significant portion is tax-deductible. All proceeds benefit the Arboretum.

Saturday, June 16 Green Play Yard Grand Opening. Noon2 p.m. Learning Center.

Come celebrate the grand opening of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's new nature-inspired outdoor Green Play Yard, designed to reconnect children with nature and the great outdoors. The play area, designed specifically for children 5 years and under, features playhouses, sand and water play areas, climb-on logs and other natural features nestled among new plantings.

Wednesday, June 13 Walk for the Curious: Bobolinks and Meadowlarks 9-11 a.m. $5 member/ $7.50 non-member.

Join naturalist Matt Schuth in the open fields and woodland edges to observe birds and other wildlife. Learn about the Arboretum bluebird program and see them up close. Binoculars recommended.

Departs from Ordway Parking Lot. Saturday, June 16 Photography Symposium 2012. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. $60 member/$70 non-member, Oswald Visitor Center Award winning photographer Craig Blacklock will share his story as a nature photographer and discuss his techniques and views of how photographs can connect

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Sunday, June 17 A Walk on the Wildflower Side. 10 a.m.noon. $5/ $7.50.

Spend a few hours exploring the Arboretum's wildflower garden, including the Showy Lady's Slipper in bloom, with gardener Richard Gjertson. Departs Ordway Parking Lot.

Wednesday, June 20 Inside the Collection: Shaping the Land Noon-1 p.m.

Kathy Allen of Andersen Horticultural Library displays and discusses the collection's historic volumes on landscape design and architecture. $7.50 member/$10 non-member. Snyder Building. ursday, June 21 Music in the Garden: Vivaldi, Summer and More. 7-9 p.m. Oswald Visitor Center. $35/$45.

Join musicologist and pianist Daniel Freeman to explore the Summer concerto of Vivaldi's beloved Four Seasons opus.

Friday, June 22 A 58-Year Journey with the Monarch Butterfly 6-8:30 p.m. (with dinner, $50) or 7-8:30 (lecture only, $25). Oswald Visitor Center.

Spend an evening with monarch butterfly expert Lincoln Pierson Brower who has dedicated his research to the overwintering and migration biology of the monarch butterfly.

Plant Something Free Marketing for Members hat if your business could leverage the power of a national marketing campaign and tailor it for your own company? What would you gain from being able to brand ready-made professional artwork and copywriting with your own logo? What if that campaign delivered a powerful message about the benefits of your products?

Being an MNLA member means you’re already a part of something bigger than yourself. now your support of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association has made it possible to form a partnership with other state nursery & landscape associations and utilize federal grant dollars to produce a national marketing campaign. The Plant Something campaign is gaining steam with six states receiving grant dollars this year, and more states are applying as well. What does it all mean for you?

FREE Plant Something Campaign Materials This trademarked green stake logo (at right) and accompanying message and materials are available exclusively to MNLA members for use in promoting plant and landscaping sales. These print marketing pieces all provide space for MNLA members to add custom branding. However, due to our licensing agreement, no other changes may be made to any

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piece. You can’t “pull it apart” on your own, but through partnerships in other states you will also be able to order different marketing materials based around the Plant Something theme. To find your free materials and links to other state’s offerings, login to MNLA.biz and click on “Member Only Pages” in the left menu. If you have any questions, contact MNLA Communications Director Jon Horsman at jon@mnla.biz or 651-633-4987.

How is the Plant Something message being spread in Minnesota?

Plant Something ads will run on StarTribune.com from April 9 through June 16, and a mobile campaign ran from April 16 through May 26. Readers clicking on the ad are taken to a Plant Something landing page on GardenMinnesota.com where they can learn more about the value of plants, and follow links through to the MNLA member directory. Our message is also being distributed via Midwest Home Magazine, the annual Garden Minnesota Yearbook and Minnesota Grown Directory, and on MinnesotaGrown.com and GardenMinnesota.com. A USDA Specialty Crop Grant and a marketing grant from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Minnesota Grown program are funding MNLA's campaign.

11151 Chaparrel Ave. 4105 85th Ave. North Shakopee, MN 55379 Brooklyn Park, MN 55443 (800) 831-4891 (763) 493-5150 (952) 496-1043 ext. 214 June 2012 | www.MNLA.biz

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The Scoop | IRRIGATION CONTRACTORS

Are You Using a Cell Phone While Driving a Commercial Vehicle?

By Jeff Latterell, CID, CLIA, Mickman Brothers, Inc. o driver is allowed to use a hand-held mobile telephone while driving a commercial motor vehicle. Is everyone at your company following the Jeff Latterell new law? Use of a hand-held mobile phone means using at least one hand to hold or operate the mobile phone device.

Dialing a hand-held mobile phone makes it approximately six times more likely that commercial drivers will be involved in an accident.

Driving means operating a commercial motor vehicle while on a highway. The operator of a commercial vehicle is considered to be driving even if he or she is temporarily stopped due to a traffic delay or being stopped at a traffic signal and/or traffic-control device. The operator of a commercial vehicle is not considered to be driving if he or she has pulled the vehicle off of, or to the side of the highway and is stopped in a location where the vehicle can safely remain stationary.

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Hands-free mobile phones are allowed if using an earpiece or speaker function. If the driver can dial or answer his or her mobile phone without pressing more than one button, that is acceptable.

There is an emergency exception for mobile phone use. Using a hand-held mobile telephone is allowed by a driver of a commercial motor vehicle when necessary to communicate with law enforcement officials or other emergency services.

The State of Minnesota can suspend an individual’s commercial driver’s license after two or more violations. Penalties for a conviction of this offense could result in one of the following: • Commercial drivers convicted of hand-held mobile phone violations twice within three years will be disqualified for 60 days.

• Commercial drivers convicted of hand-held mobile phone violations three times within three years will be disqualified for 120 days.

In addition, the first and each subsequent violation are subject to civil penalties in amounts of up to $2750 for the individual and up to $11,000 in civil penalties per violation to the business.

Many of us have multiple service vehicles driving throughout the state.

Make employees aware of this new cell phone law and remind them to not answer their mobile phones while driving. This includes not answering the phone while driving even if the phone call is from the office to relay a message or a change in scheduling. Make sure employees have set up their voicemail systems and instruct them to check messages when they arrive at their next scheduled stop.

This new law makes the employer liable for all driver's actions regardless of whether the employer allowed the driver to use his or her hand-held mobile phone or not.

Make sure policies are put into place to ensure the business and its employees are kept safe. Even more importantly, make sure your company and its employees are not subject to expensive civil penalties that could have been avoided by following the new mobile phone law. It is estimated that approximately 4 million commercial drivers will be affected by this new law. q ________________________________ Jeff Latterell is a member of the MNLA Irrigation Contractors' Committee and can be reached at jeff.latterell@Mickman.com.

GREENHOUSE & HERBACEOUS GROWERS | The Scoop

2012 California Spring Trials Report - Part I

By Carolyn Jones, BFG Plant Connection elcome to the 2012 California Spring Trials Report!

It’s time to look at new varieties for 2013!

California Spring Trials (formerly Pack Trials) Carolyn Jones is the annual open house hosted by breeders and propagators to show off what they do best…create new varieties! In addition they show off some great ideas for marketing and merchandising. This year did not disappoint, and there are some plants I’m sure you’ll be excited about.

We’ll run through the stops I visited,

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starting in Gilroy, near San Jose and finishing in Encinitas, near San Diego.

Once again, this review will be in two parts, so please remember to check out the July Scoop as well. Here we go…

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Coreopsis ‘Solanna™ Golden Sphere’ – a beautiful double coreopsis with big ball flowers. is one is compact, only 14” tall, and is zone 5 hardy.

Danziger •

Lobularia Stream™ Series – Silver Stream, a more compact lobularia, was introduced last year. is year there are 3 additions to this family.

‘Lavender Stream,™’ ‘Summer Stream™’ which is a cream color, and ‘White Stream,™’ which is a much brighter white than ‘Silver Stream™’ and is loaded with more flowers. ese 3 new varieties all have the more compact habit and all are fragrant.

Coreopsis Solanna Golden Spheres Continued on page 32

June 2012 | www.MNLA.biz

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Cleome ‘Clio™’ – a new Cleome that is sterile, no thorns, great branching and blooms all summer with great garden performance.

American Takii •

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Gerbera ‘Royal Prince™’ – if you like the Royal series of Gerbera, this is a more dwarf sub-series with the same large flowers. 3 colors: Bicolor, Neon Violet and Red. Salvia coccinea ‘Summer Jewel™ Pink’ – a 2012 AAS winner, this salvia has amazing garden performance, with great branching and blooms all summer. It also blooms significantly earlier than other existing varieties.

Petunia Trilogy™ Series – a new series of “dome type” petunias, with a habit inbetween the standard and spreading types. It will spread 3036”, but doesn’t tangle on the bench or shipping cart. 7 colors: lavender blush, purple, rose, salmon, salmon morn, scarlet and white.

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Calipetite™ – a new series of very compact calibrachoa, perfect for small pots and shallow planters. It has a dense mounding habit with no pinching or PGRs. 5 colors: white, red, blue, yellow, pink.

Syngenta Flowers (includes Goldsmith Seeds) •

Sakata •

Calliope Hot Pink

supercal Petchoa artist Rose

Candy Showers Snapdragon – a lovely new trailing snapdragon from seed with continuous bloom. Makes a very nice hanging basket. 5 colors.

Verbena Lanai® ‘Lime Green’ – mounding habit that will work well in the middle of a combination. e color will remind you of Surfinia Lime Petunia. Also new in the Lanai® series, ‘Vintage Rose’ and ‘Candy Cane’. ‘Vintage Rose’ is creamy white with some rose petal tips in the center, and ‘Candy Cane’ is white with a red star. Also, ‘Lanai® Magenta’ will be back, and p improved, for 2013.

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Dummen •

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Candy showers Yellow •

Petchoa SuperCal® – 3 new colors introduced in this series that is a cross between petunia and calibrachoa. Great mounding/trailing habit and no sticky foliage! e new colors are Artist Rose, Blushing Pink and Violet.

Lanai Lime •

Caliente® Dark Rose – a new addition to this interspecific series.

Dark Rose has larger flowers and darker leaves than the other Caliente varieties.

WonderFall™ Pansy – a new trailing-spreading pansy in 5 vibrant colors, Yellow with Red Wing, Blue Picotee Shades, Rose Shades with Face, Purple and Blue Shades, and Lavender Picotee Shades All the colors show a lot of variation between flowers. Only 3 – 288 plugs fill a 10” basket in 12 weeks.

It’s important not to crowd these plants! ey need space to branch freely.

Petunia ‘Surprise Midnight Cowboy’ – a dark, dark purple petunia (almost black) that blooms early with a great mounding/trailing habit.

Petunia ‘Queen Bee’ – a very interesting new petunia that has a black and yellow star flower with lots of variation between the flowers.

Some are stars, some have a black picotee and star. If you are looking for something different, this could be it!

Calliope® Interspecific Geraniums – 3 new colors, Lavender Rose, Hot Pink and Burgundy. All 3 will be 10-15% less vigorous than Calliope Dark Red. ey all have the mounding habit of Calliope that works so well in baskets and containers!

Queen Bee Continued on page 33

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Euphorbia ‘White Flash’ – the amazing thing on this euphorbia is the number of flowers! ree times more than other euphorbia. is gives the plant a completely different look and texture.

Dahlia XXL – this series has the largest flowers out there for a pottype dahlia. e new colors are Taxco (hot pink), Alamos (red) and Hidalgo (yellow/pink/white).

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Lobelia ‘Hot® Bavaria’ and ‘Deep Blue Star’ – blue lobelia is hard to resist, and these 2 colors are beautiful. e ‘Deep Blue Star’ absolutely glows, the color is so beautiful. e Hot® series is more heat tolerant than the Star series, and ‘Bavaria’ is true blue and white bicolor.

Westhoff •

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Calibrachoa ‘Celebration® Peach Cobbler’ – this is a golden yellow/peach with red veins and eye.

A very nice addition to the Celebration® series.

Indeed, it was a great trip this year!

When you are passionate about plants, there are always new varieties to get excited about! Please remember to check back in your July issue for the second half of the 2012 Spring Trials Report. ________________________________ Carolyn Jones is a member of the MNLA Greenhouse & Herbaceous Growers Committee and can be reached at cjones@bfgsupply.com.

Verbena ‘Estrella Pink Star’ – I am a big fan of this series, and this new color does not disappoint! Large flowers of bright pink with white stars. Really a show-stopper. estrella Pink star Lobelia Hot Bavaria

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TIME to RENEW your MEMBERSHIP! Renew online by June 8 to be entered in a drawing for 2 Expo registrations and a hotel stay; or watch for your renewal by mail soon.

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EDUCATION | The Scoop

June Classes Sponsored by MSHS Classes are sponsored by the Minnesota State Horticultural Society but are held at various locations as noted. Enrollment is limited, and pre-registration is requested. To register, call 651-643-3601 or 800-676-6747, ext 211.

Succulents from Southern Africa Wednesday, June 6, 6:30 to 8 p.m. $20 members, $25 nonmembers Location: Harriet Alexander Nature Center, 2520 North Dale St., Roseville.

Several commonly grown succulent groups are from the deserts of Southern Africa. In this class, we will cover basic care and propagation of the Aloaceae (Aloe, Haworthia and Gasteria) and the Crassulaceae (jade plant family). A range of exemplars will be in demonstration, and each attendee will get 2 plants to take home.

Instructor: Dr. William Cook is a biology professor and teaches ecology, wildlife and environmental issues. He is also a Stearns County University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener.

Herb Gardens and Aromatherapy Tuesday, June 12, 6:30 to 8 p.m. $15 MSHS members, $20 nonmembers Location: Muriel Sahlin Arboretum, Roseville Central Park, 2525 North Dale St., Roseville.

Minnesota has an excellent climate for growing your own herbs for cooking and aromatherapy, even if all you have is a patio or balcony. Learn about the dierent varieties of culinary and aromatic herbs, how to grow them, and the history of their usage. Find out how aromatherapy can repel bugs, freshen your home, soothe your sunburn and add pizzazz to your cooking and your life. Everyone will take home an aromatic plant from Elen's garden.

Instructor: Eleanor Swenson is local gardener, who has had a lifelong interest in the cultivation and uses of aromatic plants. She has studied aromatherapy and has been growing her own herbs for 18 years.

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Continued from page 35 Create a Rustic Garden Mushroom ursdays, June 14 and 21, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (2 session class) Registration deadline: June 8. $40 Member, $45 nonmember Location: Muriel Sahlin Arboretum, Roseville Central Park, 2525 North Dale St., Roseville.

Create a 12 -18" tall mushroom for your yard from concrete with embellishments of moss and other natural elements like birch bark and sticks. e mushrooms are substantial, weighing 25 to 30 pounds each. You can pick up your mushroom at the Arboretum after it has dried.

Instructors: Sally Lehn and Charlie Johnson of "Garden Treasures”.

Together, they have six years of experience teaching and creating all kinds of treasures for your garden.

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The Scoop | MDA UPDATE

Controlling Vertebrates in Turf and Ornamentals ersons holding a Commercial or Noncommercial Pesticide Applicator License and certified in the Turf and Ornamental Category are qualified to control vertebrate pests at these sites. Examples of such control include using repellants to reduce bird or animal browsing on ornamentals or using baits to control pests such as moles or voles burrowing in turf.

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The use of pesticidal control to mitigate vertebrate pests has been a part of Category E – Turf and Ornamentals category for some time. Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is unclear whether vertebrate control is a typical part of the job of the person in the industry or if this is more specialty work. The MDA would like to obtain a clearer picture of who performs vertebrate control tasks and how it fits in with other turf and ornamental pest control tasks. This knowledge would help MDA provide pesticide applicators with appropriate licensing categories.

MDA is sending a short survey to all companies that employ licensed applicators certified in the Category E Turf and Ornamentals. Please complete the survey to help MDA understand the licensing needs of pesticide applicators that are controlling vertebrates.

MN Statute 18B.01 DeďŹ nitions "Pesticide" means a substance or mixture of substances intended to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate a pest, and a substance or mixture of substances intended for use as a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant.

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The Scoop | MDA UPDATE

Minnesota Agriculture Department Launches 2012 Gypsy Moth Trapping Program and after being accidentally introduced on the East Coast in the late 1800s, they have spread west state-by-state.

he Minnesota Department of Agriculture will set nearly 18,000 gypsy moth traps across Minnesota this spring as part of its annual program to monitor Minnesota’s forests and urban areas for new infestations of the destructive tree pest. Trapping will cover priority areas including the state’s eastern border, the Twin Cities area, St. Cloud, and the southwestern corner of the state.

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Fortunately, there are effective tools available to identify and control gypsy moth infestations. Minnesota’s early warning system against these moths is a deceptively low-tech network of small, cardboard traps set on trees or poles across the state. The cardboard traps contain a pheromone to lure in male gypsy moths. Once inside the trap, the moths become stuck to the sticky interior surface. Depending on trapping results, the final step may be a localized treatment to control the moths. Northeastern Minnesota is again expected to be a hot spot for gypsy moths in 2012, although the Twin Cities are also considered to be

Gypsy moth caterpillars eat the leaves of many trees and shrubs, favoring oak, poplar, birch and willow. Infestations typically result in unsightly defoliation, and severe, repeated infestations can kill trees – especially when the trees are already stressed by drought or other factors. The moths are not native to North America, at high risk.

Minnesota is a member of a federal program called “SlowThe-Spread of Gypsy Moth” (STS). For more than a decade STS has helped Minnesota delay the full-scale invasion of gypsy moths even as the pest’s numbers swelled in Wisconsin and other eastern states.

“For nearly 40 years, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and our partners have protected Minnesota’s trees from this nasty pest,” MDA Plant Protection Director Geir Friisoe said. “Our efforts have saved important industries like tourism and forestry from economic harm. Each year we delay the moths is a victory for the environment and the economy.”

For the first time in 2012, MDA will also conduct a pilot survey for five invasive pests with similar destructive habits as gypsy moth. The list includes Asian gypsy moth, nun moth, rosy moth, Siberian moth, and pine-tree lappet. This survey will focus on Duluth and the Twin Cities. To date none have been found in Minnesota.

Minnesotans can help fight gypsy moths and other defoliators by taking two simple steps to avoid giving the pests a ride to new areas. First, don’t transport firewood. Second, when leaving any area infested with gypsy moths, check tents, vehicles and other outdoor articles for the moths’ distinctive fuzzy, buff-colored egg masses. More details can be found at www.mda.state.mn.us/gypsymoth or www.hungrypests.org. q

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GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS | The Scoop

New Sales Tax Fact Sheet for Growers

By Bob Fitch, MNLA Executive Director ack in 2000, MNLA successfully lobbied the legislature and the Minnesota Department of Revenue to properly classify nursery production as agriculture. This status change with the Department of Revenue meant that nursery growers are treated the same as other farmers when it comes to the purchase of equipment, Bob Fitch machinery, and many production inputs.

Prior to this change, nursery growers were paying 6.5% on purchases. After the change advocated by MNLA, nursery growers were exempt from sales tax on these purchases.

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In 2001, the definition was expanded to include greenhouse growers through lobbying by member Lynde Nursery and MNLA. The net result has been an annual estimated average of $500,000 in sales taxes savings for nursery and greenhouse growers.

At the time of this change, the Revenue Department thought their regular sales tax fact sheet on farm machinery and

ag consumables was adequate for our industry’s purposes. As MNLA members were audited over the years, discrepancies in interpretations occurred between individual auditors and MNLA’s advice to the industry. Most of these discrepancies were routinely resolved by a phone call from MNLA’s executive director to the head of the state sales tax division.

However, as personnel changed at the Revenue Department, there have been more discrepancies between the original legislative intent and the joint understanding than there was in the past. To resolve this increasing problem, MNLA approached Revenue Department Assistant Commissioner Jack Mansun about a year ago, seeking the creation of a nursery/greenhouse-specific sales tax fact sheet. Commissioner Mansun agreed to the addition. The association’s executive director, with assistance from Bert Swanson of Swanson’s Nursery Consulting and Dean Engelmann of Tangletown Gardens, worked with agency personnel to craft the document (which is published on the following three pages and is also available at MNLA.biz).

Fortunately, the end product preserves 99% of the longstanding association understanding about what is tax exempt.

The only product “lost” in the process was poly-carbonate greenhouse coverings (such as Lexan). This probably should have never been considered a tax exempt consumable input because it is a permanent or semi-permanent product vs. the temporary poly used for hoop houses. Review the fact sheets with your suppliers because clarified definitions and specific examples cited in the new fact sheet may demonstrate certain equipment and products which are tax exempt that you may not have previously been aware of.

It is important to note that these exemptions only apply to equipment and products used principally in the growing of plants in nursery and greenhouse production operations.

Identical equipment or supplies purchased for use by retail garden centers or landscape contractors are not exempt from taxation.

MNLA is now in the midst of working with the Revenue Department to achieve better clarification within the sales taxes fact sheets that apply to landscape construction and landscape/garden/tree maintenance. q

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The Scoop | PLANT OF THE MONTH

THE BOLD AND BODACIOUS: PERSICARIA POLYMORPHA

By Jayne Roberts, Jayne Roberts Horticultural Sales & Service Inc. All photos by Jayne Roberts er-sih-KAR-ee-ah pol-ee-MORfah you got it now, Persicaria polymorpha is one of the most underused herbaceous plants. I was first introduced to this plant by the late Wolfgang Oehme, the Landscape Architect of Oehme and van Sweden in Washington, D.C. He was using the plant in a large mass planting to create a natural fence in a residential landscape which consisted of wet clay soil. At that point Wolfie gave me a free education on Persicaria polymorpha that I will never forget. Throughout the day I toured private and public landscapes and saw that it was no doubt in his top 10 plants of choice and with good reason. This plant was used in many applications, from a stand alone specimen to a small group and massed plantings. That day I discovered P. polymorpha will tolerate almost any soil conditions. It will be happy in acid, neutral or alkaline PH levels; in loamy, sandy, chalk and clay based soils, and in a sheltered or exposed

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Plant of the Month

location. In other words, it can withstand most any site.

In form, P. polymorpha is clump forming and upright and can reach heights of 5 feet by 5 feet wide. In June count on the plant to burst into bloom with very dramatic masses of 5 to 7 inch long of creamy white, panicles (like astilbe like on steroids) and continue blooming till frost. As the long lasting flowers fade they take on a pink color and then reddish-brown in autumn.

Butterflies are attracted to the flowers, while birds feast on the seedheads in the fall. Its foliage is laceolate , about 6-8 inches long and 3-4 inches wide. Mid to dark green leaves borne on red stems exhibit a lateral venation. The growth habit is vigorous and robust, but growth is slow to emerge in the spring. P. polymorpha is not for the faint of heart.

As Peter Van Berkum says “it’s a wickedly rugged perennial that stands the test of time, long lived and durable”. This plant will be useful to landscape architects as a very low maintenance, long flowering, bold and beautiful perennial with attractive foliage and eye catching texture. For the commercial grower, propagation is done by division in the spring and fall, by growing on as liners or by seed. P. polymorpha will tolerate droughts once fully established, but its dream place to grow would be in moist fertile soil with either full or partial sun. Here in Minnesota it will tolerate being grown in a fair amount of shade and still produces flowers. It’s also well suited for a waters edge planting, so I believe this plant is good for rain gardens. This plant could be used in the back of the border, cottage gardens or a naturalized area and en masse on slopes.

This plant is deer and rabbit resistant and no pest and disease problems, can tolerate salt and is hardy to zone 3.

SOOOO, what’s not to like. It can be paired with the following: Calamagrostis, Miscanthus, Molinia, Eupatorium, Helianthus, and Thalictrum just to name a few. So, go out and get this plant from your supplier and even though it may not look like much in a pot, it will be Bold and Bodacious in the garden. q ________________________________ Jayne Roberts is a member of the MNLA Publications Committee and can be reached at hothosta@gmail.com.

Minnesota Nursery and Landscape association 1813 Lexington avenue North Roseville, MN 55113-0003

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO 7911

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