The Scoop Online - August 2018

Finding a Job to Love

Also Inside

Maintaining Turf Under Trees

Out & About Recycled Water Planting Design Award

SPRING TRIALS 2018 Finding the newest plant trends on a trek through California

Vol: 41 No: 08 Aug 2018 T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E M I N N E S O TA N U R S E R Y & L A N D S C A P E A S S O C I AT I O N

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YOUR SOURCE FOR EVERYTHING LANDSCAPE Three convenient locations serving the Twin Cities and Western Wisconsin. Hedberg Supply has everything you need to get your project done. Landscape natural stone, concrete retaining wall, pavers, mulch and landscape rock, accessories and outdoor living. Open Saturdays all summer for your convenience; same day deliveries are available!

Visit our Stillwater location for a full selection of trees, shrubs, perennials and more.

PLYMOUTH 1205 Nathan Lane North Plymouth, MN 55441 (763) 545-4400

STILLWATER 8400 60th Street North Stillwater, MN 55082 (651) 748-3158

www.hedbergsupply.com

FARMINGTON 4375 170th Street West Farmington, MN 55024 (651) 423-5048

Volume 41 No. 08 Aug 2018

➾ S E CT I O N TITLE

CONTENTS 16

& 12

24 IN THIS ISSUE 8

Events

10 Connecting with MNLA Members Executive Director Cassie Larson shares how MNLA volunteers and staff ensure we’re

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meeting needs and following trends.

12 Out & About An initiative of the MNLA membership committee is to stay in touch and thank

16 Maintaining Turf Under Trees Faith Appelquist describes the problem: trees and turf were never meant to live together!    19

Understanding Recycled Water Quality What are the implications of the quality of recycled water for crop health and

members with occasional visits.

46 #PlantingForPollinators June was once again MNLA’s Planting for Pollinators month, and the images shared on social media were stunning!

production?  

24 Invasive Species, Nuisance Pest & Olfactory Offender Dr. Calkins reports on the brown marmorated stink bug and its threat to Minnesota’s environment.    

32 Spring Trials 2018 Report Alisha Asleson enjoyed her opportunity to view new creations from several plant breeders on her trip through California.    

51 Sponsor an MNLA Scholarship The MNLA Foundation provides you with an easy way to demonstrate your commitment to our industry’s future.

60 Anselmo and Smith Receive Green Industry Advocate Awards Rep. Anselmo and Rep. Smith worked tirelessly to advance our salt applicator liability reform bill.

43 Excellence in Planting Design The Landscape Awards Task Team introduced a new award in 2018, and brings us this profile of the first winner.  

54 Finding a Job to Love Adam Zopfi talks about how he found his way to a career in the green industry in this month’s Foundation Corner. 

 Landscape & Hardscape Install & Design  Garden Services & Landscape Management  Garden Centers  Growers: Nursery & Greenhouse  Irrigation & Water Management  Arborists & Tree Services  All

The Scoop, August 2018, Issue 8, is issued monthly, 12 times per year. All original works, articles or formats published in The Scoop are © Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association, 2018, and may not be used without written permission of MNLA, 1813 Lexington Ave N., Roseville, MN 55113. Subscription price is $99 for one year, which is included with member dues. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Scoop, MNLA, 1813 Lexington Ave N., Roseville, MN 55113.

Editorial Contributions. You are invited to share your expertise and perspective. Article ideas and manuscripts should, whenever possible, reflect real and specific experiences. When submitting an article, please contact the publisher at jon@mnla.biz or 651-633-4987.

MNLA reserves the right to edit all Scoop content.

august 18

MNLA .biz

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MINNESOTA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION Successful Businesses Grow Here!

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 • www.NorthernGreen.org

MISSION: The mission of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association is to help members grow successful businesses.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

scott frampton, president

Landscape Renovations 651-769-0010 • sframpton@landscaperenovations.com

tim malooly, cid, clia, cic, VICE-PRESIDENT Water in Motion 763-559-7771 • timm@watermotion.com

randy berg, mnla-cp, SECRETARY-TREASURER Berg’s Nursery, Landscape/Garden Center 507-433-2823 • randy@bergsnursery.com

FAITH APPELQUIST

Tree Quality LLC 612-618-5244 • faith@treequality.com

matt mallas

Hedberg Supply 763-512-2849 • mmallas@hedbergaggregates.com

mike mcnamara

Hoffman & McNamara Nursery & Landscaping 651-437-9463 • mike.mcnamara@hoffmanandmcnamara.com

john o'reilly

Otten Bros. Garden Center and Landscaping 952-473-5425 • j.oreilly@ottenbros.com

jeff pilla, mnla-cp

Bachman’s, Inc. 612-861-7600 • jpilla@bachmans.com

nick sargent

Sargent’s Landscape Nursery, Inc. 507-289-0022 • njsargent@sargentsgardens.com

cassie larson, cae

MNLA Executive Director 651-633-4987 • cassie@mnla.biz

STAFF DIRECTORY

AD LIST Anderson Nurseries .......................................................................................... 26 Arborjet ............................................................................................................ 18 Bachman's Wholesale Nursery & Hardscapes .................................................... 3 Borgert Products, Inc. ....................................................................................... 59 Central Landscape Supply ................................................................................ 11 Cushman Motor Co. Inc ................................................................................... 57 Edney Distributing Co., Inc. ............................................................................. 22 Frontier Ag & Turf ............................................................................................. 52 Fury Motors ...................................................................................................... 55 Gertens Wholesale & Professional Turf Supply .................................................. 2 Gopher State One-Call ..................................................................................... 22 Haag Companies, Inc. ...................................................................................... 20 Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies .......................................................... 4 Jeff Belzer Chevrolet .................................................................................. 28–29 Klaus Nurseries ................................................................................................. 18 Landscape Alternatives Inc. .............................................................................. 52 Monroe Truck Equipment ................................................................................. 42 Northern Salt Inc. ............................................................................................. 50 Out Back Nursery ............................................................................................. 11 Plaisted Companies ............................................................................................ 7 Resultants for Business, Inc. (RFB) .................................................................... 57 Rock Hard Landscape Supply ........................................................................... 18

executive director:

S & S Tree and Horticultural Specialists ............................................................ 11

membership director & trade show manager:

SMSC Organics Recycling Facility .................................................................... 15

Cassie Larson, CAE • cassie@mnla.biz Mary Dunn, CEM • mary@mnla.biz communications dir.: Jon Horsman, CAE • jon@mnla.biz education/cert. manager: Susan Flynn • susan@mnla.biz Government Affairs Dir: Larry Johnson • larry@mnla.biz

regulatory affairs manager: Jim Calkins • jim@mnla.biz administrative asst.: Gayle Anderson • gayle@mnla.biz accountant: Kris Peterson • kris@mnla.biz foundation program coordinator: Paulette Sorenson • paulette@mnla.biz

advertising sales: 952-934-2891 / 763-295-5420

Faith Jensen, Advertising Rep • faith@pierreproductions.com Betsy Pierre, Advertising Mgr • betsy@pierreproductions.com legislative affairs consultant: Doug Carnival

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The Tessman Company .................................................................................... 48 Tri-State Bobcat, Inc. ........................................................................................ 40 Truck Utilities, Inc. ............................................................................................. 26 Versa-Lok Midwest ........................................................................................... 23 Wheeler Landscape Supply .............................................................................. 15 Xcel Energy ...................................................................................................... 58 Ziegler CAT ......................................................................................... Back Cover

Volume 41 No. 08 Aug 2018

➾ S E CT I O N TITLE

➾ C ALE N DAR

AUG14 AUG8 ➾

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LANDSCAPE DESIGN TOUR MNLA.biz Join us for the annual design tour. This year we are partnering with ASLA-MN. Spend the day visiting inspiring landscapes and networking with your landscape design and landscape architect peers.

➾

CARLIN BUYERFEST

RETAIL FINANCIAL BASICS

This interactive workshop

by Steve Bailey will provide garden center owners and managers with the fundamentals of retail financial management to improve profitability and equity.

august 18

CHS Field, St. Paul MNLA.biz You are invited to the 4th Annual MNLA Night at the Saints Game. We UT have reserved the Star DO S SOL T E K TIC Skybox for our Tribune group. Includes a ticket to the game and dinner.



MNLA.biz

MNLA .biz

➾

Earle Brown Heritage Center, Brooklyn Center Carlinsales.com BuyerFest is the annual trade show that brings everyone together under one roof: valued customers, vendor representatives and the Carlin/ProGreen staff.

Newport, MN

8

MNLA NIGHT AT THE SAINTS GAME

AUG9

OCT4



➾

OCT23  & NOV2 LEADERSHIP TIPS AND TOOLS WORKSHOP MNLA Office, Roseville MNLA.biz This interactive workshop provided by Resultants for Business, Inc. will explore the skills and tools needed to become an effective leader.

2018 MNLA seminars generously supported by:

SEPT18 



MEMBER APPRECIATION DAY MNLA Office, Roseville MNLA.biz We will be celebrating our awesome members with a full day of fun.

Stop by the MNLA office for donuts in the morning and ice cream in the afternoon. Then join us for an evening at CHS Field in St. Paul to watch the Saint Paul Saints take on the Sioux Falls Canaries.

This effective and affordable soft skills development tool is facilitated by Rod Johnson. The group meets for six Tuesday sessions, and the autumn session has a sales, marketing, and customer service focus.

Tradeshow and education sessions focused 100% on the special interests of independent garden centers.

NOV14



MNLA.biz

FE

TIFIE

AL N

ER

SSIO

Sit for the exam to become an MNLA Certified Professional.



MNLA FOUNDATION SHOOTOUT Minnesota Horse & Hunt Club, Prior Lake

Navy Pier, Chicago

D

MNLA Office, Roseville

MNLA Office, Roseville

IGCshow.com

SEPT19 ➾

MNLA.biz

O PR

MNLA CERTIFICATION EXAM

LEADERSHIP PEER GROUP BEGINS

IGC SHOW

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OCT26 & NOV2

AUG 14–16

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AUG14

MNLA.biz Don’t miss this annual sport clays charity event!

The course runs at a beginner’s level — the focus is on fun. Proceeds benefit the MNLA Foundation Scholarship fund.

 

PARKING LOT AND SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE WITH REDUCED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

NOV16 ➾



PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION (CATEGORY A, E AND J)

Roseville, MN

North Metro Event Center, Shoreview

MNLA.biz

MNLA.biz

Learn state of the art maintenance strategies for parking lots and sidewalks that will save time, money and the environment. Opportunity to earn the MPCA Level 1 Certification in Winter Maintenance.

This Workshop Meets MDA’s Commercial Pesticide Applicator Requirements For: Category A (Core), E (Turf and Ornamentals), and J (Forestry, Rights-of-Way and Natural Areas).

KEY:

 Business

 Skills Training

 Leadership Development

 Networking

General ➾

All information on these and other industry events are online at MNLA.biz. august 18

MNLA .biz

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➾ F R OM THE EXECUTIVE DI R EC TO R

Connecting with MNLA Members The MNLA Board of Directors, Committees, Task Teams, and staff are constantly striving to find ways to gather member feedback to ensure the association is meeting member needs and following industry trends.

In order to accomplish this goal, three initiatives were put in place to garner member feedback during the past six months: Cassie Larson MNLA Executive Director

• 2018 Membership Survey: In January/February of 2018, a survey was sent to all MNLA members asking questions and gathering feedback about the state of the industry, but also analyzing MNLA programs and services. If you’d like a re-cap of the full survey, please see my article in the June 2018 issue of The Scoop.

• Member Visits: Each summer, staff and board members try to get out and visit MNLA members at their place of business or at a job site. It provides the opportunity for us to talk about what’s going well and what struggles green industry businesses are facing during the heat of the season. We learn about trends among member businesses, where the association is providing exceptional service, and where we could improve or present new offerings that may be beneficial.

• Dine and Discuss: For the first time this year, individual board members are hosting luncheons or dinners in different locations throughout the state. We’re mailing invitations to area members asking them to attend and share thoughts and ideas about how the season is going. This will also present an opportunity for board members to share MNLA’s current initiatives. Finally, hearing from members will allow the board and the association to better serve the needs of members and the entire green industry in Minnesota.

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Members are the lifeblood of an association, and it’s vitally important that we hear from you on a regular basis in order to serve you at the highest level. Have a thought you’d like to share? A program or service idea you’d like to see implemented? A regulatory or legislative issue you think we can assist with? Or an educational offering that would help your employees? I encourage you to contact any member of the Board of Directors or staff at the MNLA office at any time. No need to wait for an invitation! We’re here to serve you and to do that most effectively we need your feedback. We’re just a phone call away.

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Native Minnesota Woody & Herbaceous (651) 438-2771 • Fax (651) 438-3816

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âžž OUT & ABOUT

&

AN INITIATIVE OF THE MNLA MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE is to stay in touch and thank members with occasional visits.

MNLA Executive Director Cassie Larson visited and toured with Steve Curtis of Applewood Nursery & Landscape Supply and learned more about how MNLA could better serve the needs of his business and the entire green industry.

Thanks to Duke Halley of Central Turf Farms for welcoming MNLA staff for a visit. It was great to learn more about your turf and landscape operations! Duke is pictured here with MNLA Government Affairs Director Larry Johnson.

Thanks to Russ Jundt of Conserva Irrigation for providing a quick tour of their brand new office space.

Dan and Steve at Rochester Concrete Products were preparing the mold for this hardscape product during a visit by MNLA staff members Mary Dunn and Sue Flynn.

MNLA Executive Director had the chance to visit Donahue's Greenhouse in Faribault, Minn. Thanks to Mary Donahue who took a few minutes to visit about green industry issues.

Mike Donahue and George Chappius welcomed MNLA Executive Director Cassie Larson to Faribault Growers Inc.

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Jamie Theis welcomed MNLA Membership Director Mary Dunn to J.L. Theis, Inc. in June. This is a woman-owned, commercial hardscape contractor serving the Twin Cities Metro Area that has won several MNLA Landscape Awards!

Kurt Lano of Lano Equipment, Inc. proudly displays his MNLA member plaque in this photo with MNLA Membership Director Mary Dunn during a member visit in June. Thanks for your membership and for exhibiting at Northern Green.

MNLA staff visited LCS Lawn & Tree Service, and learned they raise bees on their rooftop among many other things! Pictured here are MNLA Communications Director Jon Horsman and Jeff Meyer.

MNLA Regulatory Affairs Manager Jim Calkins made a member visit to Knecht's Nurseries & Landscaping. Leif Knecht is pictured here with a weeping white spruce. He will be sharing some of his nursery knowledge at Northern Green in 2019 — don't miss it!

MNLA Staff enjoyed a visit to Cedar Brook Garden Center where we visited with Mary Beth Gullickson and Jean Sticha. They won an award for their bathroom through GCA and have topiary animals in their landscape.

MNLA Education Manager Sue Flynn is pictured here with Scott Smith and Gregg Wolf of Wolf Motors. Wolf has been a great supporter of MNLA by exhibiting at Northern Green and participating in the MNLA Shootout.

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âžž OUT & ABOUT

&

SEVERAL MNLA BOARD MEMBERS spent time networking with the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association (TNLA) Board of Directors during their visit to Bailey. TNLA also spent time at Bachman's Floral, Gift & Garden and Tangletown Gardens as part of their relationship-building trip. Thanks to all these member businesses for showing off Minnesota's green industry and all it has to offer!

Cassie Larson and Scott Frampton paused for a photo in the display garden.

MNLA President Scott Frampton talks business with a TNLA member.

The Texas Nursery & Landscape Association Board of Directors together with Bailey staff and MNLA board members.

The Texans were enjoying the green grass. Something they don't see a lot of down south!

The Bailey staff did a wonderful job giving a tour of the display garden and describing the incredible varieties available.

Looking at plants in the display garden.

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MNLA .biz

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The GO-TO source for all of your residential & commercial landscaping needs!

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- Municipal Wood Site Management - Wood Grinding - Material Screening - Free Drop-Off of Logs/Brush/Wood Chips

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MAINTAINING TURF UNDER TREES “You plant Arnold Schwarzenegger and five years from now you have Danny DeVito” —Ted Steinberg, American Green

Faith Appelquist | Tree Quality

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Instead of just asking for a shade or low-input grass mix, read the label to find the contents of each seed mix.

rees and turf grass were never meant to live together. Trees evolved in the forest with twigs and leaves as a ground cover.

Grass evolved in the prairie with full sun all around. So what happens when we put these two plants together? Nobody is happy.

Grass and trees will fight for the same resources: sunlight, water, and nutrients. In regards to sunlight, trees will always have the advantage over turf.

Like most plants, grass produces a bright pigment called chlorophyll. But chlorophyll isn’t just for eye candy. It also figures importantly in the process of photosynthesis, by which plants convert an inorganic material (light) into a useable, organic one (sugar).

Chlorophyll absorbs blue light and red light well, reflecting green light, which accounts for your lawn’s color. The tree leaves will be capturing the blue/violet rays, and orange/yellow rays. The light that passes through the canopy and into the turf is mostly green/yellow light. Can the turf use that? Nope. A lot of that green light that comes through the tree canopy can’t be used by the grass at all. Both plants are looking for the same spectrum of light. Without light, the grass plant weakens and dies. Lack of light and high humidity under trees also create pest problems for grass: powdery mildew, rust, dollar spot. Shade-loving weeds such as moss, algae, creeping Charlie, violets, and chickweed gain a competitive advantage over turf grass.

What can you do? Use a low-grow or no-mow fine fescue grass under your trees. Fescues are both sun and shade tolerant. Some people say they have been planting shade grass for years and it’s still just creeping Charlie. I will tell you that there is no criteria for what is called “Shade Grass Mixture.” You can go to your big box stores, and even though it’s titled Shade Grass, that doesn’t mean anything.

You can buy individual species and mix them together: hard chewing fescue, sheep fescue, and creeping red fescue. Finding 90100% fine fescue blends may take some effort. Try several garden centers or check online distributors that sell fine fescues. Instead of just asking for a shade or low-input grass mix, read the label to find the contents of each seed mix. These grasses take less sun, water, fertilizer, and mowing than the traditional Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass lawns. And the fescues also tend to stay green longer than other grasses, even during a summer drought.

FAITH APPELQUIST

is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, an

ISA Municipal Specialist MN, and an ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist®. Faith can be reached at faith@treequality.com.

(Opposite Page): This is an area converted to a low mow fescue lawn.

It’s mowed once in the fall. Just because it says low mow doesn’t mean you can’t mow these lawns every week if you want to.

(Above): Hill side planted with trees and a low mow grass mix (before and after). The homeowner wanted low maintenance. This lawn is not irrigated, treated with fertilizers or herbicides.

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Arborjet provides cutting edge solutions to the green industry’s insect and disease problems.

From high tech equipment to formulations that change the way we think about plant health care, Arborjet offers the tools you need to save America’s landscapes.

arborjet.com

UNDERSTANDING

RECYCLED WATER QUALITY Part one of a three-part series on water quality.

Chuan Hong | Virginia Tech

august 18

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Fax 612-866-8642

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Your one-stop shop for all your concrete and landscaping needs!

• Keystone Retaining Wall Systems • London Stone • Borgert Pavers • Boulder Creek Stone Product • Natural Stone • Stucco Product • Decorative Rock • Cement Block • Concrete Tools • Landscaping Tools • Jackson Wheel Barrows • Ames Tools • Wacker Power Equipment • Stihl Power Equipment

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➾ WAT E R RESOURCES

ater is the next game changer in the ornamental horticulture industry. Without water, no plant can be grown, nor can existing plants survive. Capturing and reusing runoff conserves and protects the precious natural water resource, and can benefit savvy horticultural businesses.

Before determining if recycled water is the right choice for your business, it’s imperative to understand recycled water quality. Does recycled water quality differ from natural water resources? If so, how? What are the implications for crop health and production?

To answer these important questions, researchers at Virginia Tech initiated a continuous monitoring program in 2005, using a multiprobe Sonde (Figure 1) in select ponds. In 2011, with support from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture — Specialty Crop Research Initiative, the monitoring program was expanded to sites in Maryland and Mississippi. At that time, the monitoring system at two nurseries were upgraded to communicate data real-time from the Sondes to a computer via a telemetry system and Verizon satellites. Water quality data collected include pH, dissolved oxygen (ODO), electrical conductivity (EC), depth at which measurements being taken at the top, and chlorophyll a, blue-green algae, turbidity, temperature (T), and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) in the bottom.

The monitoring program has led to a number of surprise discoveries of practical importance. In this article, we will use a small subset of water pH data collected from two nurseries in eastern (VA1) and central Virginia (VA2), respectively over a 28-day period from April 12 to May 9, 2011 to illustrate three major discoveries. Each discovery is important for growers to understand, as they have major implications on the use of recycled water in plant production.

For simplicity, we will use a naming system that reflects the relative position of individual ponds in a multi-pond water recycling setup. A containment pond directly receives runoff from production areas. A first retention pond receives runoff indirectly through over-

flow from a containment pond. Likewise, a second retention pond receives overflow from first retention pond.

Discovery one

Water quality in containment and first retention ponds is rather dynamic and different from that in streams receiving no runoff water from horticultural production areas. At VA1, water pH in a first retention pond fluctuated dramatically from 6.4 to 9.6 while being flat in an adjacent stream with readings consistently below 6.0. At VA2, water pH fluctuated at a much greater rate and frequency in a containment pond than second retention pond. Similar differences were seen in other water quality parameters such as ODO and ORP. These fluctuations were closely associated with the load of nutrients that nurture algal bloom and cycling.

Discovery two

Recycled water pH also may fluctuate greatly within a day, bottoming around 6 AM and peaking between 4 and 5 PM. Again, this diurnal fluctuation was closely related to photosynthesis activity in ponds. When the sun rises, algae and other photosynthetically active agents remove carbon dioxide, a weak acid, from water to make carbohydrate while releasing oxygen. Consequently, water pH and ODO goes up. This process is expedited with rising temperature. Thus, temperature, pH and ODO fluctuate almost simultaneously. This fluctuation depends upon the nursery location, nutrient load, and the time of year, with the greatest pH difference at 3.5 units across all ponds monitored.

Discovery three

Recycled water quality differs greatly at different depths in ponds.

This is because the water column was stratified in all monitored ponds with the shallowest depth at 0.75 meters. This thermal stratification prevented water mixing within water column, pushing surface water quality fluctuation to extremity. Understanding the august 18

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➾ WAT E R RE S O U RCE S

With the industry’s smoothest ride, most comfortable seat and an operator station designed to erase fatigue and help you stay productive, a Grasshopper zero-turn mower lets you relax and enjoy the ride.

www.grasshoppermower.com www.edneyco.com • 888.443.3639

quality of water at varying depths within a single pond is important knowledge for growers.

Why do these data matter? Understanding recycled water quality is the first and critical step to productive use of this alternative water resource while minimizing its potential negative impacts. Assuming that the quality of recycled water mimics the quality of a natural water source and not making appropriate changes in production can negatively impact crop health and productivity.

For example, according to the Guide for Producing Container-Grown Plants (Southern Nurserymen’s Association), the ideal water pH range for ornamental crops is from 6.5 to 7.0. Water pH above 7.0 could negatively affect crop quality and productivity. Water pH is known to affect pathogen survival in recycling irrigation system, nutrient availability, and performance of many pesticides and chlorination, a commonly-used water treatment.

CHUAN HONG

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august 18

is available at chhong2@vt.edu.

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Invasive Species, Nuisance Pest, & Olfactory Offender The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae),an invasive, sap-feeding insect with piercing-sucking mouthparts and native to eastern Asia (China, Japan, the Korean peninsula, Myanmar, Taiwan, and Vietnam), is an introduced, season-long pest that poses a serious and growing threat to many agronomic, horticultural, and silvicultural crops including nursery and landscape plants and other horticultural crops.

Dr. James Calkins Research Information Director MNLA Foundation

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They are related to cicadas, aphids, planthoppers, leafhoppers, and assassin bugs and are a member of the group of bugs that are also commonly called shield bugs.

Although brown marmorated stink bug populations are typically controlled by natural predators within their native range, crop damage and nuisance populations have occasionally been reported. Since first detected in North America in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in 1996, this destructive insect pest has spread rapidly over long distances aided by human activities and has subsequently been confirmed in at least 41 states and the District of Columbia in the United States and four Canadian provinces (Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, and British Columbia) in North America and is likely present in several other states where it hasn’t yet been reported.

They are exceptional hitchhikers and common stowaways and can be transported to new areas on or in just about anything that moves. The BMSB has also been introduced and become established throughout much of central and southern Europe, where it has become a significant pest, in portions of Asia outside its natural range (e.g., Russia), and in South America (Chile).

Sadly, based on its observed and modeled invasive potential, it is expected that the brown marmorated stink bug will continue to spread to other areas in North America and worldwide and has the potential to become a global threat. More locally, adults and nymphs are fairly good fliers and walkers, respectively, and can travel relatively long distances in search of food and in response to the aggregation pheromone that is responsible for the insect’s tendency to gather together

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in large groups. Based on comparative analyses of mitochondrial DNA, it is believed that most of the global introductions, including populations in North America, originated from northeastern China. In North America, the largest infestations are currently found in the eastern and central Mid-Atlantic States and damage in these areas has been severe.

In addition to being a serious agricultural pest, the brown marmorated stink bug has also been documented as a significant nuisance pest as adults commonly seek shelter and overwinter in a state of diapause (insect hibernation) in manmade structures and can invade homes in very large numbers (hundreds to thousands and even tens of thousands or more) in the fall as winter approaches and the days get shorter and temperatures become cooler. Adults can also overwinter in protected, outdoor microclimates; primarily in forested areas and in dry crevices among rocks and in standing dead trees.

Although they can still move about and fly during diapause, their movements tend to be lethargic, but they can become fairly active on warm days. In response to the insect’s nature and appearance, it has reportedly earned the nicknames diabolical or devil bug and Devil’s thumbtack in France. Given their proclivity for congregating in large numbers in houses, it is fortunate that they do not bite, sting, transmit disease, or damage structures or household items. Nonetheless, they can be very annoying and, as their namesake suggests, they do give off a fetid and pungent odor and stink when disturbed or killed (i.e., crushed). Reportedly, they taste about the same as they smell. The chemical responsible

Figure 1. Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) first instar nymphs clustered around the empty egg casings just after hatching; the health of brown marmorated stink bugs is dependent on a relationship with gut bacteria that helps the insect obtain important amino acids and vitamins; bacterial inoculant is deposited on the surface of the eggs by the female during oviposition (egg laying) and is subsequently acquired by the first instar nymphs after hatching which accounts for the nymph’s interest in the mass of egg casings after hatching (Photo Credit: Gary Bernon, USDA APHIS; Bugwood.org).

Figure 2. Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) nymphs with egg casings; the smallest, orange-red and black, ladybug-like nymph is a newly-hatched, first instar nymph; the larger pink nymph is a second instar nymph just after molting for the first time; and the remaining black nymphs with red markings are older, second instar nymphs (Photo Credit: Gary Bernon, USDA APHIS; Bugwood.org).

for the unpleasant smell (and taste) is produced by sent glands on the abdomen and thorax (the middle section of the body between the head and abdomen) and can be quite pervasive and persistent.

A small percentage of the human population may have an allergic reaction or experience dermatitis when exposed to these defensive chemicals and these individuals are often also sensitive to chemicals produced by cockroaches and ladybeetles.

The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) was first detected in Minnesota in 2010 and the subsequent presence of nymphs and increasing numbers of adults in recent years indicates the insect is reproducing in the state. Although the largest infestations have so far been primarily reported in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, the BMSB is expanding its range in Minnesota and has been documented as far north as Alexandria and Duluth. It has, however, been suggested that such northern locations may not be suitable for the establishment of infestations based on historical temperatures while other references suggest they will be able to become established throughout the United States including Minnesota.

Like most other species of stink bugs, adult, brown marmorated stink bugs have a distinctly shield-shaped body and a triangularshaped plate (the scutellum; a hardened extension of the thorax over the abdomen) in the middle of their back. When mature, they are relatively large insects (about 17 mm, or 2/3 of an inch, long and approximately the size of a dime). Mottled-brown in color, with red eyes, they have relatively long antennae and alternating dark and light markings (stripes) on their antennae and abdomen. The eggs are creamy-white to yellowish-red, elliptical in shape (rounded when viewed from above), and are typically found in clusters on the undersides of leaves. The nymphs are wingless and the nymph phase includes five instars (progressively larger immature stages). First instar nymphs are rounded in shape with a black head and thorax,

black legs, red eyes, and an orange-red abdomen with black markings. The second instar is tear-drop-shaped and mainly black with a few red markings and white and black, spiny, protuberances on the sides of the head and thorax. The third, fourth, and fifth instars retain the protuberances on the head and thorax, have a white bands on their antennae and legs, and progressively develop more complex white, yellow, red, black, and brown markings. The fifth instar also begins to exhibit the shield-shaped body and has wing pads. In addition to the images that accompany this research update, excellent pictures of the different life stages of the brown marmorated stink bug can be found in several of the selected references and the Midwest Stink Bug Assistant app described below.

As far as the life history is concerned, the brown marmorated stink bug typically produces a single generation each year (univoltine) in northern climates. Multiple generations (bivoltine and multivoltine; two generations and more than two generations, respectively) can be produced in warmer regions with the possibility of as many as six generations being produced annually in some areas. As described previously, the adults overwinter in protected locations outdoors or in manmade structures in a state of diapause (hibernation) and emerge and begin feeding in the spring (April to mid-May or early June). Like other stink bugs, the males emit pheromones and create vibrational signals to attract females and females respond with their own vibrational signals. After mating, the eggs are laid in clusters of 20 to 30 eggs on the underside of leaves near the center of the leaf on a weekly basis for about nine weeks from June through August.

On average, a single female lays about 240 eggs during her lifetime and as many as 400 eggs have been reported. The eggs hatch in about five days and the first instars remain clustered on the egg mass for several days before dispersing to new locations to begin feeding.

Research has shown that the fitness of brown marmorated stink august 18

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Figure 3. Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) third instar nymphs; note the tear-drop shape, the white bands on the antennae and the legs, and the spiny protuberances on the sides of the thorax (Photo Credit: David R. Lance, USDA APHIS PPQ; Bugwood.org).

bugs is dependent on a relationship with a bacterial gut symbiont that helps the insect obtain important amino acids and vitamins and that the symbiont inoculant is deposited on the surface of the eggs by the female during oviposition (egg laying). The symbiont is subsequently acquired by the first instar nymphs after hatching and accounts for the nymph’s extended interest in the egg mass. As the nymphs develop, they molt four times before becoming adults after a fifth molt. Molting involves the shedding and replacement of the rigid, protective exoskeleton with a new, larger version that allows the insect to grow in size. The five nymphal instars are wingless, but the nymphs are quite mobile. Under ideal conditions, with temperature being a primary factor, nymphs will develop into adults within 35 to 45 days and new adults will typically begin to be seen in August when they will most often be observed feeding on fruits. As with other insects, given the relationship between temperature and growth and development, the effect of temperature can be quantified and used as a predictive tool based on degree-days (also called growing degree-days; a temperature and time-based measurement used to quantify the rate of plant or insect development in response to temperature). As the days become shorter and cooler in the fall, the adults begin their search for overwintering sites in late September and October and the cycle continues.

In response to concerns about the threats posed to a wide array of agricultural crops, the brown marmorated stink bug is currently viewed as the top invasive insect of interest by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is a primary funding and research priority. The brown marmorated stink bug is also currently #4 on the Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center (MITPPC; University of Minnesota) priorities for research list of invasive insects after mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae), emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), and soybean aphid (Aphis glycines) based on the potential threats these insects variously pose to native plant communities and agronomic and horticultural crops across the State 26

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Figure 4. Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) fifth instar nymph; note the white bands on the antennae and the legs and the wing pads; also note that the insect is beginning to develop a shieldlike shape (Photo Credit: Gary Bernon, USDA APHIS; Bugwood.org).

Figure 5. Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) adult; note the shield-like shape, the triangular-shaped scutellum in the middle of the back, the mottled brown coloration, and the white and black bands on the antennae and abdomen (Photo Credit: Mohammed El Dimir; Bugwood.org).

of Minnesota. A special issue of the Journal of Pest Science published in 2017 (Volume 90, Number 4; September 2017) was also dedicated to research focused on the BMSB. Given these classifications at the federal and state level, and increased interest in this invasive and damaging insect from a research perspective, the brown marmorated stink bug is clearly an invasive species of concern and its harmful effects are only just beginning to be realized in many parts of the United States including Minnesota.

Although the brown marmorated stink bug is often associated with trees, it is a feeding generalist and is highly polyphagous meaning that it feeds on a wide variety of plant species. In fact, the diversity of plants attacked by brown marmorated stink bugs is tremendous with reports of more than 300 species from more than 45 plant families serving as hosts. The adults and nymphs are known to variously feed on both woody (trees, shrubs, and vines) and herbaceous species (herbaceous perennials and annuals, including vines and weeds) and on both vegetative and reproductive plant tissues and structures including leaves, vegetative buds and flower buds, stems (including the stems of thin-barked and young trees), developing fruits, and seeds. Many agronomic row and forage crops and specialty horticultural crops can be food sources including pome, stone, and vine fruits, citrus fruits, bush fruits and brambles, nut crops, legumes, cereal grains, and many vegetables. Numerous types of landscapes plants can also be impacted. Specific examples of host plants that highlight the diversity of crops affected include everything from apples, pears, cherries, peaches, apricots, hops, kiwis, and grapes, to pecans, walnuts, and hazelnuts, to blueberries, blackberries, juneberries/serviceberries, and cranberries, to field corn, sweet corn, soybeans, wheat, sorghum, string beans, shell beans, and peas, sunflowers, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants, cauliflower and broccoli, cucumbers, melons, and squash, and okra.

Corn and beans (including soybeans) appear to be strongly preferred and damage levels can sometimes approach 100%. Even houseplants

and horseradish and hot peppers (habanero and jalapeĂąo peppers) can be attacked. Damage to landscape plants has been reported for maple, birch, ash, catalpa, elm, hackberry, linden, and oak trees, crabapples, dogwoods, viburnums, willows, lilacs, and spireas, and many others. A more comprehensive list is available on the stopbmsb.org website. Once again, this is not a complete list of host plants and many more species can be damaged by the feeding activities of brown marmorated stink bug nymphs and adults. Depending on the plant and the tissues targeted, the damage caused by feeding can result in discoloration, deformities, tissue damage and subsequent necrosis and decay, aborted and tainted fruit (and juice and wine), delayed maturation and senescence, and other abnormalities that can significantly reduce yields and the quality and value of a crop. In many cases the damage may not be immediately apparent and, as for other piercing-sucking insects, the transmission of plant pathogens is also a potential concern. Given the number of species that can be affected and the damage that can be caused, the brown marmorated stink bug is clearly a significant pest and on a par with the gypsy moth and Japanese beetle.

Managing damaging populations of brown marmorated stink bugs can be a challenge and is a primary research focus. Although pesticide use has generally decreased in recent years, increasing populations of brown marmorated stink bugs and the resulting damage to crops has sometimes prompted significant increases in insecticide use along with increased concerns about non-target impacts on beneficial insects, outbreaks of secondary pests, and disrupted integrated pest management strategies. In general, brown marmorated stink bugs tend to be somewhat difficult to kill with insecticides and only a few insecticides that have been proven to be effective are available to homeowners and the options are further reduced for organic growers making the BMSB a potentially very serious threat in organic production systems. Targeted laboratory and field research indicates that the most effective insecticides for august 18

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controlling brown marmorated stink bugs include broad-spectrum insecticides such as pyrethroids, neonicotinoid insecticides, carbamates, and organophosphates. See the research papers by Kuhar and Kamminga (2017) and Lee (2015) included in the selected references for additional information on specific chemistries. Once again, these insecticides can have negative impacts on non-target organism including beneficial insects like natural insect predators and pollinators and often have label restrictions that can limit or preclude their use in many situations. The development of insecticide resistance is also a concern and has already been observed for some pyrethroids.

Interestingly, behavioral research has shown that brown marmorated stink bugs tend to be edge feeders that aggregate near the perimeters of production fields and treating field edges rather than the entire field can often provide adequate control wile substantially reducing insecticide use and decreasing the potential for negative effects on beneficial insects and the environment. Attract-and-kill strategies using synthetic aggregation pheromones designed to lure adults and nymphs to a particular location where they can be killed with insecticides may also provide effective control and limit insecticide use.

As is the case for many insect pests, and for pests and pesticides in general, there is a critical need for selective chemistries that specifically target stink bugs as alternatives to the broad-spectrum insecticides that are currently available. Other management strategies are also being investigated including various predators and parasites that attack eggs, nymphs, and adults.

Although the BMSB has been in North America for more than 20 years, and in Minnesota for at least 8 years, the insect is just beginning to get attention from the popular press. And while the story of the brown marmorated stink bug as an invasive species isn’t good news for the nursery and landscape industry and agriculture as a whole, one article in particular — When Twenty-Six Thousand Stinkbugs Invade Your Home — is well-written, full of information, and a fun read; it was written by Katheryn Schulz and published in The New Yorker earlier this year (March 12, 2018). See the selected references for the full citation and a link to the article.

In addition to being aware of the threat posed by brown marmorated stink bugs, nursery and landscape professionals can also play an important role in documenting the presence of brown marmorated stink bugs, and are encouraged to do so, by watching for brown marmorated stink bugs (BMSB) and reporting suspected finds. To help in the identification and reporting of BMSBs, a new app has been developed for this purpose by the University of Minnesota Extension IPM Program in partnership with the Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center (MITPPC) and Purdue University Extension. The Midwest Stink Bug Assistant app is designed to help users identify and distinguish native stink bugs that are common to the Upper Midwest from non-native species including the brown marmorated stink bug. The app includes high-resolution, side-by-side images to enable easy comparisons and other identification tools to assist in the identification of adult and immature stink bugs, including the BMSB, and also includes information about look-alike species. Very importantly, the app also includes a “Report Invasive” feature that makes it easy for users to report and upload photographs of suspected invasive stinkbug finds. The app is 30

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free and can be downloaded for Apple (iOS) or Android platforms (operating systems) at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/midweststink-bug/id1317807186?mt=8 or https://play.google.com/store/ apps/details?id=edu.purdue.ceris.stinkbug, respectively. As a recent appointee to the MITPPC Advisory Board representing the MNLA, I hope you will consider downloading this free app and helping in the early detection and reporting of this invasive pest in Minnesota and neighboring states.

Suspected brown marmorated stink bug detections, and other suspected invasive species finds, can also be reported to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) through the MDA Arrest the Pest program. Details on how to report invasive pests through Arrest the Pest are available at http://www.mda.state.mn.us/arrestthepest or by calling 1-888-545-6684 and leaving a detailed message that includes your name, location, contact number, and the pest being reported.

Like other pests spread by human beings, the brown marmorated stink bug is definitely a product of globalism and international trade, and green industry professional need to be vigilant to avoid spreading this pest and other invasive species to new locations locally and on a landscape, regional, and global scale. Nursery and landscape professionals should also be on the lookout for this destructive pest and be supportive of research efforts and aware of the research findings related to the effective management of the brown marmorated stink bug in production systems, garden centers, and landscapes.

For additional information about the brown marmorated stink bug, consult the following selected references and mainstream articles: Bergmann, E., K.M. Bernhard, G. Bernon, M. Bickerton, S. Gill, C. Gonzales, G.C. Hamilton, C. Hedstrom, K. Kamminga, C. Koplinka-Loehr, G. Krawczyk, T.P. Kuhar, B. Kunkel, J. Lee, T.C. Leskey, H. Martinson, A.L. Nielsen, M. Raupp, P. Shearer, P. Shrewsbury, J. Walgenbach, J. Whalen, and N. Wiman. No date. Host Plants of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in the U.S. Brown Marmorated Stink Bug IPM Working Group in conjunction with the Northeastern IPM Center. http://www.stopbmsb. org/where-is-bmsb/host-plants/ (Accessed June 12, 2018) Cira, T. and W.D. Hutchison. 2014. Brown Marmorated Stink Bug: Halyomorpha halys. University of Minnesota Extension. http://www. extension.umn.edu/garden/insects/find/brown-marmorated-stink-bug/ (Accessed June 12, 2018) Cira, T. and W.D. Hutchison. 2014. BMSB Factsheet. University of Minnesota Extension, Department of Entomology. http://www.extension. umn.edu/garden/insects/find/brown-marmorated-stink-bug/docs/ bmsb-factsheet.pdf (Accessed June 12, 2018) Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System (EDDMapS). Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Halyomorpha halys (Stal). University of Georgia — Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health. http://www.eddmaps.org/distribution/usstate.cfm?sub=9328 (Accessed June 18, 2018) Garrouste, R. 2018. The City-Loving ‘Devil Bug’ Lands in Paris… and Continues its March Around the World. The Conversation; April 18, 2018. https://theconversation.com/the-city-loving-devil-bug-lands-inparis-and-continues-its-march-around-the-world-94145 (Accessed June 13, 2018) Haye, T., T. Gariepy, K. Hoelmer, J.-P. Rossi, J.-C. Streito, X. Tassus, and N. Desneux, N. 2015. Range Expansion of the Invasive Brown Marmo-

rated Stinkbug, Halyomorpha halys: An Increasing Threat to Field, Fruit and Vegetable Crops Worldwide. Journal of Pest Science 88(4):1–9. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10340-015-0670-2 (abstract and literature cited only)

Meador, R. 2018. Meet the New Stink Bug Afflicting Crops – and Overrunning Homes. MinnPost; April 4, 2018. https://www.minnpost.com/ earth-journal/2018/04/meet-new-stink-bug-afflicting-crops-and-overrunning-homes-across-us (Accessed April 4, 2018)

Hahn, J. 2018. Help Identify Invasive Stink Bugs. University of Minnesota Extension Yard and Garden News; April 27, 2018. http://blog-yardgarden-news.extension.umn.edu/2018/04/help-identify-invasive-stinkbugs.html (Accessed May 23, 2018)

Minnesota Department of Agriculture. 2017. Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. https://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/insects/stinkbug.aspx (Accessed June 12, 2018)

Haye, T. and D.C. Weber. 2017. Special Issue on the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys: An Emerging Pest of Global Concern. Journal of Pest Science 90(4):987-988. https://link.springer. com/article/10.1007/s10340-017-0897-1 Hoebeke, E.R. and M.E. Carter. 2003. Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae): A Polyphagous Plant Pest from Asia Newly Detected in North America. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 105(1):225-237. https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/ abstract/20033040299 (abstract only) Hutchison, B., T. Cira, and B. Koch. 2018. New App for MN Farmers, Consultants: Midwest Stink Bug Assistant. University of Minnesota Extension Minnesota Crop News; April 10, 2018. http://blog-crop-news. extension.umn.edu/2018/04/new-app-for-mn-farmers-consultants.html (Accessed May 23, 2018) Ingels, C.A. and K.M. Daane. 2018. Phenology of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in a California Urban Landscape. Journal of Economic Entomology 111(2):780-786. https://academic.oup.com/jee/articleabstract/111/2/780/4830214 (abstract only) Kriticos, D.J., J.M. Kean, C.B. Phillips, S.D. Senay, H. Acosta, and T. Haye. 2017. The Potential Global Distribution of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys, a Critical Threat to Plant Biosecurity. Journal of Pest Science 90(4):1033-1043. https://link.springer.com/ article/10.1007/s10340-017-0869-5 (abstract and literature cited only) Kuhar, T.P. and K. Kamminga. 2017. Review of the Chemical Control Research on Halyomorpha halys in the USA. Journal of Pest Science 90(4):1021-1031. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10340-0170869-5 (abstract and literature cited only) Lara, J., C. Picket, C. Ingels, D.R. Haviland, E.G. Cardwell, D. Doll, J. Bethke, B. Faber, S.K. Dara, and M. Hoddle. 2016. Biological Control Program is Being Developed for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. California Agriculture 70(1):15-23. http://calag.ucanr.edu/archive/?article=ca. v070n01p15 Lee, D.-H. 2015. Current Status of Research Progress on the Biology and Management of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) as an Invasive Species. Applied Entomology and Zoology 50(3):277-290. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13355-015-0350-y (abstract and literature cited only) Leskey, T.C., G.C. Hamilton, A.L. Nielsen, D.F. Polk, C. RodriguezSaona, J.C. Bergh, D.A. Herbert, T.P. Kuhar, D. Pfeiffer, G.P. Dively, C.R.R. Hooks, M.J. Raupp, P.M. Shrewsbury, G. Krawczyk, P.W. Shearer, J. Whalen, C. Koplinka-Loehr, E. Myers, D. Inkley, K.A. Hoelmer, D.-H. Lee, and S.E. Wright. 2012. Pest Status of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha Halys in the USA. Outlooks on Pest Management 23(5):218-226. http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/resinf/ opm/2012/00000023/00000005/art00007 (abstract only) Leskey, T.C. and A.L. Nielsen. 2018. Impact of the Invasive Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in North America and Europe: History, Biology, Ecology, and Management. Annual Review of Entomology 63:599618. https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-ento-020117-043226 (abstract only)

Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center (MITPPC). 2016.

Minnesota’s Top 124 Terrestrial Invasive Plants and Pests: Priorities for Research. College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, University of Minnesota; St. Paul. MN. 91 pages. http://mitppc.umn. edu/sites/g/files/pua746/f/media/white_paper_final_11-14-16.pdf (Accessed June 13, 2018) Myers, J. 2018. This Next Insect Invasion is Going to Stink: Marmorated Stink Bugs Now Reproducing in Minnesota. Twin Cities Pioneer Press (www.pioneerpress.com); March 18, 2018. https://www.twincities. com/2018/03/18/this-next-insect-invasion-is-going-to-stink-marmorated-stink-bugs-now-reproducing-in-minnesota/ (Accessed June 13, 2018) Schulz, K. 2018. When Twenty-Six Thousand Stink Bugs Invade Your Home. The New Yorker; March 12, 2018. https://www.newyorker.com/ magazine/2018/03/12/when-twenty-six-thousand-stinkbugs-invadeyour-home (Accessed April 4, 2018) Skvarla, M. 2017; Revised. Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. PennState Extension; Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. https:// extension.psu.edu/brown-marmorated-stink-bug (Accessed June 12, 2018) Stop BMSB: Management of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in US Specialty Crops (website). Northeastern IPM Center; Cornel University, Ithaca, NY. http://www.stopbmsb.org/ (Accessed June 12, 2018) Valentin, R.E., A.L. Nielsen, N.G. Wiman, D.-H. Lee, and D.M. Fonseca.

2017. Global Invasion Network of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys. Scientific Reports 7, Article Number 9866. https:// www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-10315-z Wermelinger, B., D. Wyniger, and B. Forster. 2008. First Records of an Invasive Bug in Europe: Halyomorpha halys Stål (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), a New Pest on Woody Ornamentals and Fruit Trees? Mitteilungen der Schweizerischen Entomologischen Gesellschaft Bulletin de la Societe Entomologique Suisse 81:1–8. https://www.researchgate. net/profile/Denise_Wyniger/publication/228912610_First_records_of_ an_invasive_bug_in_Europe_Halyomorpha_halys_Stal_Heteroptera_ Pentatomidae_a_new_pest_on_woody_ornamentals_and_fruit_trees/ links/00b7d52f4d6031573c000000/First-records-of-an-invasive-bug-inEurope-Halyomorpha-halys-Stal-Heteroptera-Pentatomidae-a-new-peston-woody-ornamentals-and-fruit-trees.pdf (Accessed June 13, 2018) Xu, J., D.M. Fonseca, G.C. Hamilton, K.A. Hoelmer, and A.L. Nielsen.

2014. Tracing the Origin of US Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs, Halyomorpha halys. Biological Invasions 16(1):153-166. https://link.springer. com/article/10.1007%2Fs10530-013-0510-3 (abstract and literature cited only)

TO COMMENT ON THIS RESEARCH 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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âž¾ 2 0 1 8 SPRIN G TRIALS

SPRING TRIALS 2018

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Alisha Asleson | BFG Supply

18 REPORT

Stunning views, beautiful flowers, and gorgeous displays are all terms that I would use to describe California Spring Trials this year.

Photos courtesy of Alisha Asleson.

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➾ 2 0 1 8 SPRIN G TRIALS

alifornia Spring Trials is an event held annually by breeders and propagators where they proudly display their new creations. Every location is a little different and offers a unique look on what they think is the “newest thing.” The route taken this year was a little different due to scheduling, but I think that you will enjoy it all the same. Grab your sunglasses and settle in as we start out in Oxnard, make stops in San Luis Obispo, Salinas, Morgan Hill, and finally end in Gilroy. Bonus fun fact: Did you know that Gilroy is the “Garlic Capital of the World”?

PANAMERICAN Begonia Megawatt™ Pink Green Leaf — F1 variety that matches the others in the Megawatt™ series for habit and vigor. Great flower power with large blooms.

Calibrachoa Kabloom™ Denim — New color in the first seed calibrachoa that is good for 4–6" container production and hanging baskets. As blooms age they turn a silver-blue color with higher light and warmer conditions. More colors to come!

Ornamental Corn Pink Zebra — Fun new plant for late August and

Autumn planter combinations. Great dark green veining with hints of white and turning to pinks/purples with cool nights/long days.

Large plant with height measuring 48–60".

Salvia interspecific Big Blue — Very showy plant and first of its type

from seed! Vigorous growing with a height of 24–36" and spread of 18–20". Great for larger container production and attracts pollinators. This low maintenance plant flowers mid-July throughout the first frost in the fall.

Ornamental Corn Pink Zebra

Salvia interspecific Big Blue

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Tuberous Begonia AmeriHybrid® Ruffled Orange Mandarin Tuberous Begonia AmeriHybrid® Ruffled Orange Mandarin —

Amazing flowers on this plant that are 5–9" across. The leaves are just as impressive and large. A showstopper for mixed container production and a great conversation piece. There are a couple other new colors in the series, AmeriHybrid® Picotee Flamenco and AmeriHybrid® Picotee Calypso.

Vinca Tattoo™ Black Cherry — How fun is the pattern on this

plant? Lovely raspberry color swirling with purples and blacks. Color is dictated by light levels and changes with the temperature as well; best coloring is with high light and warmer temperatures. Tattoo™ Papaya, Tattoo™ Raspberry and Tattoo™ Tangerine are a couple other striking additions that are sure to make an impression.

Zinnia Double Zahara™ Salmon — This disease-resistant, all-season

performer thrives in hot and dry conditions. This new addition to the series offers a bright shade that will hold color all season long.

Salvia Skyscraper™ Orange Cosmos Sonata™ Purple Shades — Great garden performer

with bright shades of purple that hold their color in bright light conditions. Height of 24" and spread of 12–14".

SELECTA Dahlia Dalaya™ Pink + White — Large flower Dahlia that is

excellent for larger pot production. Great branching and is mildew resistant.

Salvia Skyscraper™ Orange — What a great color! The large, bright orange flowers are exhibited with the matching calyx color and pedicel. Very good for larger containers and will thrive throughout the whole growing season. Great pollinator plant.

Vinca Tattoo™ Black Cherry

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➾ 2 0 1 8 SPRIN G TRIALS

Geranium Sunrise Hot Pink — Barbie pink is the first thing I thought of when I saw this plant. What a great color — bright pink coloring with brushes of white towards the center of the petals.

It is an early bloomer with medium vigor. Great for mixing in combination pots and gallon container programs.

Petunia Headliner™ Starry Sky Burgundy — The third addition to

the Sky series. This one is unique as it exhibits the star pattern and spots. Great burgundy color with yellow spots and stars. Very fun for mixing in containers and hanging basket production. We heard that there are more colors on the way; stay tuned!

Geranium Sunrise Hot Pink

Petunia Headliner™ Starry Sky Burgundy

Petunia Sweetunia™ Fiona Flash

TERRA NOVA Heuchera Grande™ Amethyst — Great perennial landscape plant

bred for large dark purple/black leaves. Hardiness Zone: 4.

Artemesia Makana™ Silver — Fast growing, drought-tolerant and naturally insect resistant. This is an annual in our area but is a great filler plant. No PGRs nor pinches are required. The plant will arrive green and change to silver as it grows. Very fun plant!

Heuchera Grande™ Amethyst

Heuchera Northern Exposure™ Black — Medium-sized perennial

with great rust resistance. Boasts black, circular leaves that form a rounded mound. Hardiness Zone: 4.

SUNTORY SunParasol® Giant Marbled Crimson — Variegated foliage is what

sets this newbie apart from the others in the series. What’s great is that not only is it variegated, but it has beautiful giant crimson blooms. It is a sport off of the Giant Crimson variety and just as vigorous.

ABZ Strawberry Summer Breeze Pink & Rose — Double flowering

plants with sweet summer fruit. They are compact plants with very few runners.

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TAKII Canna South Pacific Orange — Prolific flowering with great disease

resistance. AAS Winner.

Ornamental Pepper Onyx Red — Beautiful dark foliage with shiny

red fruit for fall container production. AAS Winner.

DUMMEN Petunia Sweetunia™ Fiona Flash — Great addition to the series with red and burgundy coloring. Mixes well in hanging baskets and containers. Sure to be a favorite like the others in the series.

Petunia Potunia® Coral — Talk about a plant that has great flower

power; this one hits the mark. Bright pink flowers with darker veining that really stand out. Gorgeous in hanging baskets and will last all summer.

NGI Sunstanding® Magenta Borealis — Awesome bright fuchsia

flower with orange center. Great combination of the two colors on the flower.

Coleus Mainstreet Alligator Alley — This plant made me think

of an Andes mint. The coloring is great with chocolate brown predominantly on the leaves and lime green on the edges. Would look great in combinations of pinks and purples. Matches the great height and vigor that we have come to expect from the Mainstreet series.

Begonia I’Conia™ Buttercup — Large and showy flowers make a giant impression with this plant. The flowers are a buttery yellow with brushes of apricot. Absolutely stunning against the dark foliage.

Begonia I’Conia™ Portofino series — This series boasts numerous colors of plants that have double flowers that bloom on top of the foliage. Hot Coral and Hot Orange were favorites with their intense bright colors.

Petunia Potunia® Coral

Calibrachoa Aloha Nani Tropicana — Great uniform plant that

doesn’t require PGRs for its compact habit. Very nice and tidy with great bright coloring that would mix well in containers.

SAKATA SuperCal® Premium Series — Entirely new early flowering series

that exhibits a larger flower and very tight mounding habit. Colors are very bright with Cinnamon and Sunray Pink being favorites.

Sunpatiens® Compact Pink Candy — Upright habit with pink and

salmon bicolor flowers. Heat tolerant and an early flowering variety.

Sunpatiens® Vigorous Series — There were three new colors within

the series, Orchid, Rose Pink and Red. Mounding habit, strong plant vigor and early flowering. Orchid was the favorite with soft lavender petals with splashes of white.

Coleus Party Time™ Pink Fizz — Compact and mounded habit with eye-catching pink coloring with lime green edges. Can be used in full sun or shade as an accent plant in mixed containers.

Sunpatiens® Compact Pink Candy

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➾ 2 0 1 8 SPRIN G TRIALS

BEEKENKAMP Begonia Dreams Chocolate Orange — Large bright orange flowers

with dark, dark, chocolate black leaves. Very striking and a plant that will draw attention.

WESTHOFF Petunia Crazytunia® Cosmic Purple — Great coloring with purple

bicolor flowers that boast a black throat.

Calibrachoa Chameleon® Atomic Orange — Fun coloring of

yellows and oranges with great flower power. Like others in the Chameleon® series, coloring will fluctuate with temperature and light levels.

PROVEN WINNERS Succulents Coral Creations — These succulents are bred for great

bright color all season and for long lasting performance. They are introducing recipe tray combinations and single variety trays. There are over 30 cultivars to choose from and there is even a cute little turtle in the Coral Creations logo.

Salvia Rockin® Fuchsia — Great addition to the Rockin® series that

attracts pollinators with the dark bracts and bright fuchsia flowers.

Large plant that can get to be 36" tall with a spread of 30". Great for a thriller in large mixed containers.

Begonia Dreams Chocolate Orange

Calibrachoa Chameleon® Atomic Orange

Salvia Rockin® Fuchsia

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Calibrachoa Superbells® Holy Smokes!™ — Lavender and white flowers with a dark yellow

throat. Great unique coloring that are early to flower with a cascading habit. Very fun and unique color!

Supertunia Vista® Paradise

Supertunia Vista® Paradise — Finally, a NEW Vista® color and Paradise was worth the wait.

Great watermelon pink color that can keep up with the vigor of Vista Bubblegum®. Great heat and humidity tolerance with self-cleaning flowers.

Calibrachoa Superbells® Doublette Love Swept™ — Double, bright pink flowers with a cute picotee edge. Flowers are a little bit smaller than regular Superbells®.

Proven Harvest — Proven Winners has launched a line called Proven Harvest, which

includes tomatoes, strawberries, and basil. The ‘Garden Treasure’ tomato is an indeterminate type that produces slicer type fruit used for salads and sauces which has great heirloom flavor plus disease resistance. The ‘Garden Gem’ tomato is a determinate type that produces snacksize fruit with great heirloom flavor and disease resistance. Strawberries Berried Treasure™ Pink & Red produces double flowers with flavorful everbearing fruit without many runners.

Amazel™ Basil is the first downy mildew-resistant variety of Italian sweet basil. A very vigorous grower with high yields.

Calendula Lady Godiva® Yellow — Double, bright yellow flowers with reduced seed set.

Very cold tolerant crop with increased heat tolerance. Powdery mildew resistant and with interest all season long.

Calibrachoa Superbells® Doublette Love Swept™

Calendula Lady Godiva® Yellow

august 18

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➾ 2 0 1 8 SPRIN G TRIALS

Begonia Funky™ Orange

BENARY Begonia Funky™ White — Single flowers with yellow center.

Begonia Funky™ Orange — Double and single flowers with bright

orange blooms.

SYNGENTA Geranium Pretty Little™ Pink Splash — Interspecific type with

abundant beautiful bicolor pink flowers. Height of 12–14" and spread of 14–16".

Snapdragon Snaptini™ Series — F1 series that will be replacing Montego™. This series boasts reduced photoperiod sensitivity and consistent crop timing. The series offers 10 colors including a mix.

Geranium Calliope® Large Series — New fun colors have been

added to the series including Hot Pink, Hot Rose, Lavender, Lavender Splash, Red, and Rose Mega Splash.

Geranium Calliope® Medium Series — New additions to the series

include Hot Rose, Light Lavender and Rose Mega Splash.

DANZINGER Calibrachoa Lia™ Series — Large flowering variety that is an

aggressive grower. There are four great colors in the series that are prolific in flowering.

Geranium Pretty Little™ Pink Splash

As you can see, there are a lot of fun and exciting plants coming within the next year. Now that we have entered the summer months, trial gardens are in full force. I encourage you to get out and visit one near you to get a peek at some of the wonderful plants that I have noted above. Thanks for joining me on the trip through California to learn what is new for 2019.

ALISHA ASLESON

can be reached at alisha.asleson@bfgsupply.

com.

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âž¾ S E CT I O N TITLE

EXCELLENCE IN PLANTING DESIGN

PROJECT PROFILE Last year the MNLA Landscape Awards program introduced a new award to its lineup.

This special award was created by the Landscape Awards Task Team to promote projects that include outstanding plant design. The goal is to highlight the best example of how landscape designers use plants as they incorporate artistry, horticultural knowledge, and quality construction into their projects.

âžž P SE ROJECT CT I O N TITLE PROFILE

Before picture of the site showing the proximity of the buildings; the studio is on the left and the house is on the right. The patio was directly relating to the studio instead of the main house. It also shows the amount of the trees for the space.

Layout of the lines of the patios and walkways after the trees were removed. The paver area in front of the back door had settled over the years and was accumulating ice in the winter.

This picture shows the new pavers with the bed lines and their connections with the existing driveway. The crabapple in the background is the only tree kept. Its placement brings spring interest next to the eating area.

View of the garage and the studio. A positive slope and drainage toward the driveway was created to keep the water away from the foundations and buildings.

The panels from the existing pergola in the picture were removed and used for the new trellis.

The new trellis.

The space between the garage and the studio. The trellis is in the background with a spotlight behind. New pavers are installed.

Planting day.

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➾ S E CT I O N TITLE

Pollinator garden with the birdbath and allium, liatris, asclepia, achilleas, aster, coreopsis, and echinacea.

View of the main patio (eating area) from the studio patio.

Plantings along the fence and by the new trellis: Curly Fries Hostas, Heucheras, Astilbes and Boxwoods.

View of the studio patio.

ny project entered can win this award, and it is given in a similar fashion as the Judges Choice Award. At the end of reviewing all projects, judges submit their top picks for both the Excellence in Planting Design award as well as the Judges Choice Award.

The first winner of this award is Celine Schroeder of S&S Tree and Horticultural Specialists for the project “A Painter’s Garden.” The judges believed this project was award worthy for many reasons, and here are a few:

The backyard of this Summit House in St. Paul needed some major landscape renovation. The clients had bought this property after living in England for 10 years. During my first site visit and meeting, the owners showed me a photograph of their backyard in England. The image indicated a small space, reflecting the “simple elegance” of a relaxing and private garden, yet with a humble and welcoming feel.

The area that needed to be renovated was tucked in between the main house, an out building (the future art studio) and an imposing three-car garage. The outdated space was screaming for attention and was waiting to be recreated into an inviting and cozy courtyard. The space was overtaken by trees — one maple and four crabapples, thus affecting the amount of light required for the art studio. Adjacent to the garden was the existing large and older paver driveway.

The design intent for the new garden was to create two outdoor rooms within the existing space. The first room provides an intimate seating area that connects the art studio and the outdoor. The second room provides an outdoor gathering space for entertainment, particularly an eating area that can be easily accessible from the main house.

The owner is an avid painter. For this reason, I proposed and created his own private patio. This space serves as a contemplating place where he would take a break from painting and gain some inspiration from being outside. The owner also wanted to see flowers from his studio’s

• The ability to deliver a unique environment for the owner based on a thoughtful meaning of their past and how they want to use the space in the future.

• The attention to detail in creating a unique sense of place that has deep meaning for the owner.

• This design expresses and demonstrates unity, especially unifying new and old design elements. The consideration of surrounding building accents and incorporating them into materials choices also helped create unity.

• The colors, textures, and plant choices fit well and the trellis reuse is pure genius.

Celine described the project like this:

continued on page 57

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➾ S OCIAL MEDIA

#PLANTINGFORPOLLINATORS MNLA brought back a popular social media initiative in June which highlighted the importance of pollinator habitat and the green industry’s critical role in supporting these species. All month long, members were encouraged to snap pictures of pollinators and the plants they were loving, then share the photos on MNLA's

Photo courtesy of Home Sown Gardens.

Photo courtesy of Sargent's Gardens.

Photo courtesy of Julie Weisenhorm, UMN Extension.

Photo courtesy of Home Sown Gardens.

Photo courtesy of Julie Weisenhorn, UMN Extension.

Photo courtesy of Sargent's Gardens.

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Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts using the hashtag #plantingforpollinators. Check out a few of our favorite photos from this year's series here! Many thanks to all of our members who engaged in this effort; we appreciate the work you do to support the health and viability of many pollinator species, and know you’ll continue to prioritize “planting for pollinators”!

Photo courtesy of Bailey.

Photo courtesy of Faith Appelquist.

Photo courtesy of Kim Gaida-Wegener.

Photo courtesy of Sargent's Gardens.

Photo courtesy of Julie Weisenhorn, UMN Extension.

Photo courtesy of Home Sown Gardens.

Photo courtesy of Bailey.

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THE MNLA FOUNDATION

is happy to announce the 2018–2019 Academic Awards program to

benefit college and high school students. The MNLA Foundation is pleased to partner with members to provide the industry’s future leaders with monetary support for their education.

Since the program began in 1996, over $325,000 has been awarded to deserving students.

The goal of the MNLA Foundation Academic Awards program is to honor the academic achievements of students who have chosen the nursery and landscape industry as their profession. Furthermore, the program aims to encourage students to stay in this career path and help them make connections with nursery and landscape employers who are MNLA members. By partnering with interested member companies, over 23 scholarships are awarded every year to deserving students.

Have you considered sponsoring a student scholarship? Giving to a student will not only provided you with the satisfaction of knowing you made a lasting difference in a young person’s life and the future of the green industry, but there are additional charitable tax deduction benefits to you, as well. Consult your tax advisor about your own situation.

Sponsoring companies are asked to make a $500 commitment for a college scholarship or $250 for a high school scholarship, and the MNLA Foundation will match up to $300 or $250, respectively. Companies can sponsor more than one scholarship per year if they choose.

MNLA will provide the following sponsors with a press release to various media, including the company’s local paper, and the student’s hometown and college publications. You will also receive company recognition in the Scoop magazine and on the MNLA website, at Northern Green an introduction at the Scholarship Awards.

ACT NOW! Demonstrate your commitment the future of the region’s green industry by co-sponsoring a student scholarship. The deadline for 2018–2019 participation is August 31, 2018.

Complete the application at www.MNLA.biz/scholarships. Your generosity will be cherished by the student winners — the future of our industry. Contact us with any questions or additional details @ Paulette@mnla.biz or 651-633-4987

august 18

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www.MNLA.biz | ocTober 2012

7.5x5

Member-Get-A-Member Challenge The Member-Get-A-Member Challenge is an MNLA membership recruitment and reward program running September 1, 2018 through August 31, 2019. This campaign rewards MNLA members for encouraging their colleagues to join MNLA. Take time now to share the learning, resources, and connections of MNLA with your colleagues. Recruit 3 new members and receive a $50 VISA Gift Card during the campaign timeframe. Plus, recruit 6 new members and you will be entered into a drawing to win $300 cash!

New MNLA membership costs individuals less than 44 cents per day and provides benefits and services valued at near $5,000 per year. Spread the word about MNLA and reap the benefits.

HOW THE CHALLENGE WORKS

Simply tell your colleagues why you are a member of MNLA and encourage them to join too! They can join online (www.mnla.biz/joinnow) or mail in a completed application. Also be sure to tell them to include your name as the referrer. See guidelines and eligibility rules at www.mnla.biz/challengeguidelines.

MEMBER-GET-A-MEMBER BENEFITS

YOU – After 3 new members have used your name as the referrer upon joining, MNLA will reward you with a $50 VISA Gift Card. (No maximum reward per referrer.)

MNLA – Every time you recruit a member, you strengthen MNLA. Through member growth, MNLA can continue to develop new and enhanced programs to support you.

I have been a member since we started our company because it gives us the opportunity to talk to other landscapers and figure out what’s going on. I really believe in the industry, and once you believe in the industry enough to be a part of it, then it’s good to help it grow.

– Jason Rathe

The benefits of MNLA membership are countless. First and foremost, it’s networking – speaking to people who might either compliment your business and you could team up with, or with friendly competitors, people who are in the same boat as you.

– Tim Malooly MNLA is a hub, a center; it’s a critical mass of people that can help move yourself and your company forward.

– Heidi Heiland

We all win if we grow our membership.

As we grow our association, we build a stronger green industry. august 18

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➾ MNLA FOUN DATION

Finding a Job to Love Being in the industry for 35 years, my beginnings all started with the love of equipment, mechanics, and the need for a job.

Adam Zopfi Midwest Landscapes

I was 18 years old when this journey began and here I am today, still in the business. I now sit as the President and Owner of Midwest Landscapes, the company where it all began.

When I first started at Midwest Landscapes, I had no idea I would still be here today. Over the years my love for the job and the company have grown tremendously.

I now have a huge passion for the landscaping world and feel that there is so much to offer young graduates who are looking for something to do as they begin their life. At the young age of 18 I was in need of a job and I was determined to find something I loved. Little did I know that the green industry would have so much opportunity and provide a lifelong career for myself. I have always been fascinated by the way machines work and enjoy the hands-on labor of putting equipment back together. After taking advice from someone I had looked up to, I thought I would give labor work at Midwest Landscapes a go. Still to this day, I seek advice from my mentor who has helped me along the way.

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To me, because my love for this job started with machines, equipment, and a need for a career, it’s easy to see the variety that the green industry offers and I think it’s important that young professionals are aware of this.

When most people think of the green industry, planting trees, installing retaining walls, and mowing grass usually comes to mind. With that being very much true, I want to be an advocate for all areas in the field and want to encourage others to see that as well. If anyone has an interest in a career where you get to work outdoors, work with all types of equipment, work in a field that offers all types of variety, and work with people that have a huge passion for their work, then come join the GREEN INDUSTRY.

ADAM ZOPFI can

com

be reached at azopfi@midwestlandscapes.

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Develop the Next Leader in Your Business in 2019 Managing Conflict

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The program incorporates highly interactive Managing Change exercises, discussions, and project-based activities. Using these multiple learning methods increases takeaways for each person and creates a rich adult learning environment.

Plus, irreplaceable “from the trenches” Knowing Your Staying on Top experience will come from green Own Strengths of the Work industry personnel and other subject matter experts. More information and an application form is at www.MNLA.biz/leadership.

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1

➾ P ROJECT PROFILE

continued from page 45

Your One Tractor Solution

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Cushman Motor Company, Inc. 2909 E Franklin Ave • Minneapolis, MN (612) 333-3487 • 1-800-759-5343 www.cushmanmotorco.com View of the garage and the studio.

large viewing windows. After removing all the trees except for one, a medium size crabapple (the healthier one), I created a pollinator garden adjacent to the studio and separating the two outdoor rooms. The mixture of bright colored perennials framed by the two upright arborvitaes and the placement of a bird bath in the middle of the flower bed provides refreshment for wildlife and enjoyment to the client. Another planting bed between the large paver driveway and the new courtyard was created to give a visual break. The soft texture of the “prairie dropseed” grasses calms down the amount of hardscape and the clump serviceberry acts as a green screen and provides food for birds.

The owners did not care for the neighbor’s existing wood fence; therefore, I proposed to design and build four wood trellises and integrate decorative metal panels from an old gazebo that was onsite. They liked the idea of recycling and keeping some existing artifacts on site, as this would represent a “symbolic historical influence” of the Summit neighborhood. Two of these trellises were installed parallel to the existing wood fence and on each

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➾ P ROJECT PROFILE

Detail of pavers showing the existing Holland pavers for the driveway, Belgard Urbana Gascony tan pavers for the patio, and clay pavers 53DD for the sailor border.

Entire view of the completed space.

View of the new space from the driveway.

Plants under the crabapple.

BOOST SUMMER SAVINGS WITH REBATES. Adding Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) to water well pumping systems can increase efficiency and lower operating costs. Plus, we offer rebates from $400–$8,000 per VFD for various applications— from agricultural, golf course, and landscape irrigation, to municipal water supply. Other systems may also qualify. For more information contact an energy efficiency specialist at 855.839.8862 or visit xcelenergy.com/MotorEfficiency.

© 2018 Xcel Energy Inc.

4.75x4.75_MN-ScoopVFD_Summer_P01.indd 1

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6/19/18 10:54 AM

Another view of the space from the driveway.

Hydrangeas were planted along the foundation of the house. The clump form serviceberry provides an informal green screen between the patio and the driveway and attracts birds with their berries in June. The prairie dropseed grasses softens the hardscape.

side of the crabapple tree. Also, the placement of two spot lights backlight their dramatic silhouette at night.

The choice of materials was dictated by an intention to reflect the existing Italian/Mediterranean style of the studio’s building, the brick wall on the neighbor’s garage, and the red roof tiles from the main house. In contrast with the existing Holland paver driveway, I proposed larger pavers for the patios with a sailor border of red clay vintage pavers.

Later in the season, I made a site visit with the client. As we were walking thru the spaces within the garden, I noticed his art studio was full of colorful painted canvases. That reminded me how important it is to pay close attention to the client’s vision and that I truly created a Painter’s Garden.

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âžž G OV E RN MEN T AFFAI R S

Rep. Anselmo and Rep. Smith Receive Green Industry Advocate Award MNLA thanks all the elected officials who supported our initiatives during the 2018 session.

Larry Johnson Government Affairs Director

On Thursday, June 14th, MNLA members gathered for an annual End-of-Session Celebration held at our office in Roseville. We celebrated the accomplishments of Minnesota’s green industry during the 2018 legislative session and recognized a few of our outstanding advocates from the past year.

The event included a formal presentation of our Green Industry Advocate of the Year Award to Representative Dario Anselmo (R-Edina) for his tireless work in advancing our salt applicator liability reform bill (House File 3577) all the way through the session. Unfortunately, as with many proposals this legislative session, it did not pass in the final scrum that ended the session on 60

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May 20th. We will retool our language in the bill and be back on January 8, 2019 with renewed energy and new messages to move legislators toward our goal of protecting our vital lakes and rivers from over-chlorination and giving our snow plow members who spread salt some protections and relief for using less salt on their lots and sidewalks.

A few weeks later on July 11th, we were able to recognize Representative Dennis Smith (R-Maple Grove) with an award presentation and tour of Lynde Nursery and Greenhouse in his legislative district. Smith provided legal perspective and strategic advice on the salt bill. Senator Carrie Ruud (R-Breezy Point) is our

➾ G OV E RN MEN T AFFAI R S

TIME TO RENEW!

Ed Lynde, Heidi Nelson, Dennis Smith, Larry Johnson, and Derek Lynde.

third award winner, but her summer schedule has not yet allowed for a chance to present her with her plaque.

As we look forward to the November election and the 2019 session ahead, join us in thanking these elected officials for their dedication to clean water and protecting small businesses across the state.

LARRY JOHNSON can

be reached at: larry@mnla.biz.

WELCOME NEW MNLA MEMBERS!

RENEW YOUR MNLA MEMBERSHIP TODAY — DEADLINE IS AUGUST 31ST! If you have not already renewed your 2018–2019 membership with MNLA, you will have received a renewal notice in the mail.

Please take a moment to review your company information, including list of employees, so that we have the most accurate information for your company. Once you have reviewed your company information, please return your membership renewal form promptly.

If you prefer, you can renew your membership online — it is now easier than ever! Go to www.MNLA.biz, click “Sign in” in the upper right hand corner, and enter your username and password. While signed in, you will be asked to review and update your company’s information, which will be published in the MNLA Membership Directory and online directory.

Feel free to contact the MNLA office if we can be of any assistance to you during the renewal process or for more information on any of our products and services. We are available at 651.633.4987 or mnla@mnla.biz.

ABC Rentals, Inc. Rob Kellner South St. Paul, MN 651-451-2264

Rivard Stone, Inc. Steve Martens Houlton, WI 715-247-3856

Lodes Tree Service Christopher Lodes Sioux Falls, SD 605-759-4138

TLC of Hampton Robert Nivala Hampton, MN 612-282-7199

Master Clippers Elden Engan Cottage Grove, MN 612-419-1278

T-Ray Construction Co., Inc. Jim Sunderland Blaine, MN 763-757-6859

PA Lawn Service Patrick Amore Robbinsdale, MN 612-325-0689

VALUE OF MEMBERSHIP • Discounted educational sessions and webinars • Discounted Northern Green registration • Discounted rates when posting job openings on MNLA.biz/ Career Central • Sales tax benefits gained and protected by MNLA lobbying (exemption for nursery/greenhouse production equipment, lawn care input supplies, landscape services) • Two hours of discounted legal fees from Zlimen & McGuiness, a firm that understands the green industry.

• Many advertising, sponsorship, and scholarship opportunities

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT MNLA HAS TO OFFER TO OUR MEMBERS, VISIT WWW.MNLA.BIZ. Your continued support and involvement as a member of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association is greatly appreciated. Providing you with education, legislative support, networking, and other member services is why MNLA exists.

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NORTHERN GREEN 2019 KEYNOTES Opening Keynote Open Roads Open Minds An Exploration of Creative Problem Solving Steve Uzzell WEDNESDAY 8:30–9:45 AM | MAIN AUDITORIUM

Anyone who has had the good fortune to drive for any length of time on a true open road has experienced the remarkable mind-opening phenomenon that results: Our imagination is released, and problems resolve quickly in solution. Why? Why does this ALWAYS work? Steve calls this effect the Spirit of the Open Road. As adults, the continuum of every day is spent solving problems, so… how DO we access the Spirit of the Open Road and turn it into an attitude for everyday problem solving? A 58-minute presentation with over 250 photographs from 44 of the United States and 11 other countries covers 10 key points of the process and much more.

Steve Uzzell is an internationally renowned photographer and inspirational speaker. His photographic assignments have taken him to all 50 United States and 30 countries: from corporations, such as Boeing Steve Uzzell and IBM to more than 100 publications including National Geographic, Smithsonian and Time. As a speaker, he has taken his message of creativity and the power of ideas to over 490 organizations, associations, corporations and colleges (in all 50 states and 6 countries, India and China among them) including the U.S. Naval Post Graduate School, Merrill Lynch, J.P. Morgan Chase, Northrop Grumman, HSBC, Marriott, BNY Mellon and Adobe. Steve began his photography career as the assistant to the editor of National Geographic and a member of its photographic staff. He struck out on his own in 1975 and today spends six months of the year traveling the world for his photographic clients and the rest as a teacher and inspirational speaker. Along the way, Steve has published 3 books of his photography, and received 10 prestigious Communication Arts awards.

Closing Keynote The Work We Do

Ted Schick, Schick Corporate Learning THURSDAY, 3:20–4:00 PM | INNOVATION THEATER

We spend nearly 40% of our lives working. And let’s face it--- our work, to some degree, defines who we are. In this fun and engaging closing keynote, we will look at our work, our motivation and what we need to flourish every day. We’ll examine the roots of our professionalism as well as how to cultivate our teams, so they can grow and blossom. We will close with how to till our own soil, taking care of us as we tend to our health and well-being. A perfect way to close our conference as we anxiously wait for spring (and we will be waiting for a while more).

Ted Schick

With over 20 years in teaching, Ted holds a BA Business from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, a teaching certificate from Bemidji State University, and Master of Education from the University of Minnesota, Duluth.

Ted is a member and past president of the Lake Superior Chapter of the American Society of Training and Development located in Duluth, MN. Ted is active in his community with 13 years on the Spirit Mountain Ski KEYNOTES Patrol and volunteering with local WITH ALL animal humane societies such as PASSES Animal Allies in Duluth and Friends of Animals in Cloquet. Ted is also part of the Cloquet Rotary and Mentor Duluth. In his “spare” time, he has been a stand-up comedian, teaches Boot Camp fitness classes in the Twin Ports and is an accomplished triathlete.

FREE

Keynotes Supported by:

WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

YOUR TRUSTED PARTNER

Residing in Duluth, MN, Ted is a corporate trainer, professional speaker and consultant with his own business, Schick Corporate Learning. A retired naval officer who rose up from the enlisted ranks, Ted has over 30-years’ experience leading people.

Keynotes Supported by:

WHOLESALE NURSERY & HARDSCAPES

YOUR TRUSTED PARTNER

NORTHERN GREEN PREMIUM UPGRADES C E O

INTERACTIVE

Exclusive content for owners, CEOs, managers and top-level leaders, including access to the CEO Lounge.

Enjoy exclusive sessions and an upgraded experience.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019

THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2019

TRACK

CREATING A CAREER PATH FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES USING JOB DESCRIPTIONS AS A FOUNDATION In this workshop for CEOs, business owners and managers, Jim Huston introduces attendees to the process of creating a career path for their employees using the green industry job descriptions contained in his book. Plus, he also explains: • Why creating a career path mentality for employees is so important.

• The benefits of creating a career path for your employees.

• How job descriptions are used as a foundation for creating a career path.

• The eleven major components contained in a good job description.

• The benchmarking concept of minimal supervision and why it is so important.

• Finding, training and keeping good people.

• Implementing simple incentive and bonus methods.

• The FBI concept of profiling and how it applies to developing a career path.

• Why attitudes determine your company’s altitude and how to incorporate high-performance attitudes into your employees.

• How to measure performance both analytically and intuitively.

Attendees will be provided with numerous handouts and visual aids. Huston’s book, audio book, and MS Word CD will be available for purchase.

Jim Huston

James R. Huston, MBA, CPE, has over thirty-five years of diverse business management experience and holds an MBA degree in finance.

He is also a member of the American Society of Professional Estimators. He is a Certified Professional Landscape Estimator and he is one of only two such CPLE’s in the world.

As a Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps, he held positions in finance, aviation supply inventory management and procurement.

After his tour of duty, he became a senior production control analyst for the Electronics Division of General Dynamics.

Since 1987, he has been a management consultant to the Green Industry. Early in his career, he was in charge of the consulting division for Charles Vander Kooi and Associates, Inc.; and in 1989 he formed J. R. Huston Consulting, Inc. Huston has written seven books and developed five software programs for the green Industry.

TRACK

THE RIGHT TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGY TO TRANSFORM YOUR LANDSCAPE OR HARDSCAPE BUSINESS Technology is changing the way the green industry does business. Learn about the tools and technology that will increase your efficiency and business profits, no matter if you are a beginner or if you are already running a multimillion-dollar company.

PART 1: RIGHT TOOLS & TECHNOLOGY FOR EFFICIENCY ONSITE (8:00 AM – 10:00 AM) In this high impact morning session, you will learn the habits, tools, and technologies that are used by highly effective teams, field leaders, and crews. Get the latest information regarding the best industry habits and tools that can increase your efficiency, productivity, and profits as a landscape and hardscape company. This session focuses on several industry leaders/company case studies and how they created award-winning companies.

PART 2: RIGHT TOOLS & TECHNOLOGY TO SET UP YOUR MOBILE OFFICE (1:30 PM – 3:20 PM) You will spend the afternoon learning how to integrate technology and mobile applications in your business to set up your mobile office and increase productivity, efficiency, and profits with your teams. You will learn about available options to design, track, monitor, communicate, advertise, share and access information more easily at anytime from anywhere.

Frank Bourque is an award-winning hardscape professional, speaker, writer, consultant, and entrepreneur with an extensive background in business, landscaping and hardscape construction. His knowledge and experience have allowed him to coach various types of organizations in Frank sales, customer service, installation Bourque practices, peak performance and efficiency strategies. He has been a part of the Green Industry for more than 20 years as a business owner, working in various sectors including retail, landscape management and landscape design/ construction. Frank offers coaching and conferences at some of the largest contractor events throughout the US and Canada such as Hardscape North America, GIE Expo and Landscape Ontario Congress. He is the host of Hardscape Live in Toronto and, a certified ICPI & NCMA instructor.

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