Nursery & Landscape Notes Spring 2018

Spring 2018 | Vol. 52, No.2

Publication of the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc.

nuary 15-17 Education: Ja nuary 18-19 Ja e: lac tp ke ar M

P R E C A

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Nursery Landscape Notes &

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COMMENTARY President’s Message

5

NCNLA Executive Vice President’s Message

7

NCNLA NEWS NCNLA Honors Industry Superstars

9

In Memoriam

13

Member Spotlight: Arborscapes, Inc.

14

New Infographics Promote Benefits of Indoor Plants 16 2018 CYPP & CPP Test Date Schedule

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AROUND OUR INDUSTRY Legislative Update

38

Green Industry Council Update

40

GREEN & GROWIN’ 18 - THE SHOW GOES ON 18 Continuingly striving to offer the Southeast’s premiere industry event each year, G&G’18 featured fundamental show components infused with new and improved options to provide an excellent overall attendee experience.

RESEARCH UPDATE Reclaiming Boxwood from Boxwood Blight

43

New Members

46

Calendar of Events

47

Advertiser’s Index

47

BEST PRACTICES FROM GREEN & GROWIN’ 18 Pass the Elbow Grease and Open a Can of Why

32

How to Respond to Negative Ads

36

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Published by North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc. 968 Trinity Road, Raleigh, NC 27607

NCNLA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

NCNLA Staff Corey Connors Executive Vice President Cody Lewis Director of Finance & Administration Kathryn Stansbury Director of Business Development Kaley Jacobs Manager of Marketing & Communications Hannah Singleton Manager of Professional Development Nursery & Landscape Notes is published quarterly by the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc. especially for nursery production, nursery research, interior and exterior maintenance and design build contractors in the landscape industry. The publication is distributed to approximately 1200 horticulture producers, landscape professionals and industry suppliers.

NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES is provided as a member service.

2018 NCNLA Board of Directors Shanon Spivey President Spivey’s Nursery, Inc. Kernersville, NC Jamie Thomas Vice President/Secretary/ Treasurer Swift Creek Nursery Clayton, NC Chad Gragg Past President Buffalo Creek Nurseries, Inc. Lenoir, NC Hugh Crump Greenline Designs Charlotte, NC Educational Advisors Justin Snyder Alamance Community College Graham, NC

A New Beginning

L

ooking back, Winter Storm Inga did little to dampen demand for education credits, plants and supplies during

Green & Growin’ 18. Though there were certainly weather-related issues, we still had great numbers for education and a steady

Chris Mitchell Ewing Irrigation and Landscape Supply Garner, NC William Bass Hawksridge Farms Hickory, NC Richard Gant Gant’s Nursery Marion, NC Leslie Herndon Greenscape Inc. Raleigh, NC Jeff Allegood Old Courthouse Nursery Warsaw, NC

stream of buyers on the trade show floor.

Pre-registration for the show was at record levels. That we ended up with above average attendance (4,437) as compared to the last 10 years is a sign of how important Green &

Shanon Spivey Spivey’s Nursery, Inc. Kernersville, NC

Growin’ remains for the industry.

Looking ahead, as you may already know, the Board of Directors accepted the resignation of NCNLA Executive Vice President Corey Connors effective March 30, 2018. Just a month or so before I joined the Board, the organization brought Corey in to “move the needle” and get things going in the right direction. I have enjoyed working with him over the course of the last three-plus years to do just that.

Dr. Joe Neal North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC

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For Advertising rates and content submission, contact Stephanie Schaefer for a Marketing Opportunities Kit. 919-609-0803 or sschaefer@ncnla.com.

The facts are that NCNLA has never been stronger or more focused. We’re performing well financially, attendance and attendee satisfaction continues to grow at our events and we are continuing to expand our programs to better serve this industry.

As Corey departs, I hope you’ll all join me in thanking him for his service. With

The including of products or brand names in this publication is not an endorsement by the editor, or the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association.

his leadership, we were able to come a long way in a fairly short period of time.

Purpose Statement

never tell you about, always putting NCNLA’s interests before his own. As we

NCNLA’s purpose is to be a flexible, knowledgeable, responsive, environmentally-conscious organization providing the nursery and landscape industries with leadership, technological and business advancement opportunities and information services.

Goal Statement

NCNLA’s ultimate goal is to benefit its members’ economic, professional and personal growth.

Tax Deductible Dues Contributions or gifts to NCNLA are not tax deductible as charitable contributions. However, they may be tax deductible as ordinary business expenses. A portion of your dues is not deductible as an ordinary business expense to the extent that NCNLA engages in lobbying. The estimated non-deductible portion of your dues assessment is 20%.

Connect to NCNLA  facebook.com/NCNurseryandLandscapeAssociation/  twitter.com/ncnlacom ncnla.com | BuyNCPlants.com GreenandGrowin.com | NCGreenprints.com ©2018 NCNLA.

Corey worked very hard during his time here and made sacrifices that he would begin our search for his replacement, the Board and I are confident that the next executive director we hire will serve the industry as Corey has and take NCNLA to new heights.

As for our transition process, on March 1 the Board voted unanimously to appoint Cody Lewis, our current Director of Finance & Administration, as the Interim Executive of NCNLA beginning in April. Cody has been with NCNLA for more than 16 years. With her experience, a great Board and an extremely talented staff, I am confident that we will keep our current operations and strategic goals on track. In making this temporary appointment, the Board has also invited Cody to apply for the position on a permanent basis.

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The Board has convened a five-person search committee which includes three current Board members and two Past-Presidents — to assist in reviewing applicants and conducting initial screening interviews. In mid-March, we launched a nationwide search to find the most qualified

While it is important

applicants to serve this industry as our next Executive. The Board has established a target start date of October 1, 2018 — just in time for the beginning of the association’s 2019 Fiscal Year

to remember lessons

and a couple of months before Green & Growin’ 19.

learned so that we can

Should you know of a talented individual the Board might consider for the position, please

continue to get better,

encourage them to visit the Association Executives of North Carolina Career Center website, careers.aencnet.org, to apply. The Board will be accepting applications until close of business

it is just as important

on April 27, 2018.

to not get caught up in

In thinking about all of this, two sayings keep coming to mind. The first: “Change is inevitable.”

the past.

employees to our customers. But change is not a bad thing — something we would all do well

That is true for everyone we come across on a day-to-day basis, from our family to our to remember.

The second saying that comes to mind is: “Spring is a time for new beginnings.” While it is important to remember lessons learned so that we can continue to get better, it is just as important to not get caught up in the past. A great foundation has been laid for NCNLA to grow over the course of the past three years. The Board and I view this transition not as an end, but as an opportunity to begin something even greater.

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NCNLA EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

“What’s the Story, Corey?”

W

hen the American Nursery & Landscape Association was looking for a lobbyist back in 2007, I applied for the position. I had partnered with ANLA in advocacy coalitions previously, but I didn’t know a lot about this industry. My only exposure at that point was my father meeting me at the end of our driveway on the last day of school every year with a spare shovel and 40-50 yards of mulch looming behind him.

I traveled to Washington to interview with Bob Dolibois and Craig Regelbrugge. Meeting with them somehow felt as comfortable as an old pair of jeans. Still, I expressed concerns about representing an industry that I didn’t know a whole lot about. That’s when Bob shared what I’ve kept with me until this day.

Association professionals, by nature, are generalists. Generalists do well in association work because of their ability to adapt. They thrive in a culture where it’s valuable to know a little bit about a lot.

Common issues will be shared by other industries and overlap, while other challenges are unique to specific industries. Issues can be learned, talent can’t.

Programs and services offered by different organizations are variations on a theme: delivering real and/or perceived value to industry-leading businesses and business owners.

The best association professionals are knowledge workers that are heavily oriented towards and driven by the opportunity to serve.

In the decade since, I have found all of that to be true. But then Bob hit me with the difference-maker: “The thing that makes this industry unique is the people you serve. You will never meet more down-toearth, honest and good people. Even though they are competitors, they support one another. You will never feel uncomfortable or ashamed to stand up for them. You will have a chance to do something that matters to them every day.”

He couldn’t have been more right.

The great recession hit this industry and its national trade association hard. Common policy issues on the availability of wood substrates eventually led me to another job. Joint advocacy work on new specialty crop provisions in the Farm Bill quickly led me to another. And some three and a half years ago, as with the stops in-between, my wonderful experience at ANLA led me here to Raleigh to serve as the executive of this organization.

When I was approached a couple months ago about the opportunity to lead a North American trade association, I listened cautiously. Quite frankly, we have a great thing going here. Working alongside terrific leaders and thoughtful people throughout this state’s green industry, we reimagined NCNLA as a member-focused association that could live up to its full potential as a service organization.

We stabilized resources, the lifeblood of any successful organization. We engaged elder statesmen and new leaders alike and worked to gain a better understanding of what they needed. We listened, processed what they said, then set out to do it.

“The thing that makes this industry unique is the people you serve.

You will never meet more down-to-earth, honest and good people.

Even though they are competitors, they support one another. You will never feel uncomfortable or ashamed to stand up for them. You will have a chance to do something that matters to them every day.”

And somehow, in a socially-networked world where membership organizations like NCNLA aren’t faring particularly well, we began to grow.

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This is a mature industry with challenges that are well-documented.

I depart with every faith in your ability to confront and overcome them.

You have an incredible amount of talent in North Carolina, both known and emerging, from which to draw.

Sure, eventually leading a national trade association was a career aspiration of mine. Absolutely, the subject matter was very well aligned with my professional experience in agriculture, retail and family attractions. And as I came to know them, I instantly recognized another community of down-to-earth, honest people of integrity. Yet, it was ultimately one variable that tipped the scales on one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made: After spending all but 11 months of the last 22 years away, I’m finally headed back home to Pittsburgh, PA for good.

On my way home, I have had some time to reflect on what all of you have meant to me.

There are not any words to express how grateful I am for your allowing me to be a part of this industry. There are definitely things I wish I could have done better while I was here. But I have no regrets because I tried my best, each day, to do something that mattered to you. That is what you deserve and what I have tried, in earnest, to be all about…the name on the front of the jersey, not the one on the back.

This is a mature industry with challenges that are well-documented. I depart with every faith in your ability to confront and overcome them. You have an incredible amount of talent in North Carolina, both known and emerging, from which to draw. You have dedicated leaders that volunteer time away from family and business to support what you do. You have a dynamic staff who is committed to continuously improving the service NCNLA provides to this great industry. Most importantly, you have each other.

It has truly been a privilege and an honor to serve you. Thank you all, so very much, for providing me with that opportunity.

And thank you for being such a big part of the story that I will take with me.

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8 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SPRING 2018

MEMBER NCNLA NEWS NEWS

By Kaley Jacobs

NCNLA Honors Industry Superstars The North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association recognized the dedication and contributions of these industry members during Green & Growin ’18.

Jerry Ragland Young Landscape Professional Award

With deep admiration for an individual the green industry lost too soon, NCNLA recognized the late Hunter Stubbs, of B.B. Barnes Garden Center & Landscape Services (Arden, NC) as the recipient of the 2017 Jerry Ragland Award. Hunter was a partner at B.B. Barns, where he was in charge of landscape services. He helped make the world a more beautiful place through gardens he created and constantly sought ways to encourage and inspire those around him. His designs, articles and gardens were featured in several industry publications. Hunter also started ”Speaking of Gardening,” a popular garden symposium in Asheville, which continues on today in its 19th year.

The Jerry Ragland Award – named for the dedicated landscape contractor and past president of NCNLA – recognizes an outstanding young person in the landscape business who has worked in the industry between three and ten years. Honorees are members of NCNLA, nominated by the NCNLA membership and have made accomplishments to the industry and community.

In Memoriam Hunter Stubbs B.B. Barnes Garden Center & Landscape Services

Libby Wilder Award

NCNLA also posthumously honoured the life and countless industry contributions of Lynn McCleneghen, formerly of Parker’s Landscape Services, Inc. (Apex, NC), as the recipient of the 2017 Libby Wilder Award.

Lynn worked for several green industry organizations — most recently as the Head Designer at Parker’s — over the course of 30+ years. She also served on the boards of both the NC Landscape Contractors Association and NCNLA. Established in 1999 and named for long-time organizer extraordinaire for the North Carolina Association of Nurserymen, the Libby Wilder Award recognizes outstanding contribution to the nursery industry by a female.

In Memoriam Lynn McClenaghen Parker’s Landscape Services, Inc.

Oakland Award

Kirk Davis, owner and operator of Kirk Davis Nursery (Charlotte, NC), received this year’s Oakland Award. He has been in the green industry for more 40 years. Committed to and passionate about the green industry, Kirk willingly shares his knowledge to help others.

A past-President and Board Member of the NCNLA, he has shown leadership and dedication through his involvement in numerous industry organizations and activities.

Established in 1978 by Oakland Plantation, the Oakland Award is given to individuals for outstanding service to the landscape industry.

Kirk Davis Kirk Davis Nursery

More on next page 

SPRING 2018 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 9

Bill Wilder Outstanding Young Nursery Professional Award

Michael Gossett, of Gossett’s Landscape Nursery, Inc. (High Point, NC) is the recipient of the 2017 Bill Wilder Award. Michael is a 3rd generation nurseryman at the business started by his grandparents in 1955. He graduated from NC State University in 2007 and now enjoys giving back by mentoring and inspiring future industry professionals.

Michael is a true industry leader and role model through his involvement in multiple industry organizations and activities.

Established in 1994, and named for the longtime executive director of the North Carolina Association of Nurserymen, the Bill Wilder Award offers inspiration for others starting out in the field. Candidates must have a very strong record of industry leadership.

Michael Gossett Gossett’s Landscape Nursery, Inc.

Kim Powell Outstanding Contribution to the Horticulture Industry Award

Dr. Sandra Maddox of the University of Mount Olive (UMO) is the 2017 recipient of the Kim Powell Award. After completing a 30 year career working with the State of North Carolina in agriculture as an extension agent and director, she now serves as Director of the Lois G. Britt Agribusiness Center and Chair of the Division of Agriculture at UMO. Having found her passion as a teacher and advisor to future professionals, she works to develop and improve UMO’s course offerings in horticulture and plant sciences.

Established in 2004, the Kim Powell Award recognizes an individual’s outstanding contribution to the association and industry; specifically, involvement in program development and execution.

Dr. Sandra Maddox University of Mount Olive

Grower of the Year

The winner this year is Oakmont Nursery (Siler City, NC), owned by Philip Dark. A fifth generation Chatham County resident, Philip is a devoted farmer and plant breeder trying to create and introduce new plants (including the acclaimed Gardenia 'Crown Jewel') to the marketplace. With more than 30 years of green industry experience, Dark owes the success of his nursery to his dedication, hard work and perseverance.

Established in 1994, NCNLA’s Grower of the Year is an individual exhibiting a high level of professionalism in the management or ownership of a field or container nursery in North Carolina — or other states where that operation may be located. In addition, operators exhibit leadership in the nursery industry through participation in local, regional, state and national organizations.

Philip Dark Oakmont Nursery

Top honors take teamwork – congratulations to everyone

Started by his grandparents more than 60 years ago, Michael Gossett is proud to be a part of family-owned and operated Gossett's Landscape Nursery, Inc.

Philip Dark has multiple greenhouses at Oakmont Nursery 10 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SPRING 2018

Dr. Maddox has grown the UMO Horticulture program from 7 to almost 200 students during her tenure

D.S. Copeland Award

NCNLA Honorary Member

Established in 1972 and named for the founder of Apex Nurseries, the D.S. Copeland Award recognizes outstanding contribution to the nursery industry by a candidate working directly in the nursery industry – educators and allied industry members are not eligible.

The NCNLA Board of Directors selects the recipient of an Honorary Membership in recognition of lifetime contribution or achievements in the industry.

Alan Erwin of Panther Creek Nursery (Willow Spring, NC) received the D.S. Copeland Lifetime Achievement Award for 2017. Alan joined the 'Southern Landscapes' family in December of 2000 and soon took over the reins managing Panther Creek Nursery full time. Alan has served on the NCNLA Board of Directors and as both Vice President and President of the Johnston County Nursery Marketing Association. He has received multiple awards and accolades honoring his dedication to the industry, including the Bill Wilder Award and Grower of the Year. Alan continues to donate his time and effort to promote the green industry in North Carolina.

Doug Chapman of Plantworks Nursery, Inc. (Rougemont, NC) was recognized with an Honorary NCNLA Membership in 2017. Doug has been working in the green industry for more than 40 years. He most recently was the owner and head grower/propagator of Plantworks Nursery until he sold the company in July 2017.

He has said the most rewarding part of his career is being able to meet other professionals who have the same passion for plants and the green industry that he does. A long-time industry leader, he is a former NCNLA President and has served as an active member with various green industry boards and organizations.

Alan Erwin Panther Creek Nursery

Doug Chapman Plantworks Nursery,Inc.

Doug Chapman accepts his award in the gardens of the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, NC

Grower of the Year Award winner Philip Dark humbly poses with industry peers and friends in front of Oakmont Nursery's office in Siler City, NC

Alan Erwin gives students regular tours of Panther Creek Nursery, providing future industry professionals a taste of real-life in the nursery business

Dr. Sandy Maddox is honored at the University of Mount Olive alongside former student (and NCNLA staff member) Hannah Singleton Panther Creek has a hardworking, tight-nit team that keeps things running smoothly. Left to Right: Laura Taylor, Alan Erwin, Eric Mizner and Brian Puckett

More on next page  SPRING 2018 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 11

Award winner Q&A “And the winner was…” (Surprised, for starters).

Receiving the D.S. Copeland Lifetime Achievement Award “caught me off guard,” said Alan Erwin. He remembers thinking “what did I do to deserve this?” From his perspective, involvement and dedication just go hand in hand with belonging to a group.

Kirk Davis thought about what an honor it was to be named the Oakland Award winner, “especially in an industry where we have so many great people.”

Dr. Sandra Maddox said she “was shocked” to receive the Kim Powell Award. “I know what an impact Kim Powell had on this industry and feel lucky just to be included in the category.”

Outstanding Young Nursery Professional Michael Gossett thought about the need for “more people from my generation in our industry.” Honoree Philip Dark said his mind was on “so many others who are more deserving” of the Grower of the Year award; and Doug Chapman, named NCNLA Honorary Member, called the recognition by his peers “the highest honor I can ever receive.”

We asked them to share a few thoughts about life in NC’s Green Industry.

What have you found to be the most rewarding about your career?

CHAPMAN: The people, hands down. I have made so many connections over the years, and those relationships are priceless. I didn’t look at one plant while I was at Green & Growin’ this year – you know why? Because I was too busy talking to people. That foundation is something you don’t get if you are not a part of NCNLA. ERWIN: Getting to do what I love. I don’t make millions of dollars – but I know I have it better than most.

12 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SPRING 2018

DARK: Receiving the patent for the Gardenia 'Crown Jewel' — that took ten years; and the patent for the Gardenia 'Prince Charles' should be passing through later this year.

GOSSETT: I get a lot of gratification out of getting something in the Spring and making it saleable by fall. I also enjoy the way we work together here. There’s a very strong employee bond.

MADDOX: I was blessed to work in research from the start. I was out in the field doing testing and lab work. I’ve had great opportunities and learned a lot over the last 30 years, but I truly found my passion when I began teaching. I love working with kids and seeing them start at the bottom and watching them grow.

DAVIS: Working around good, honest people.

People who are willing to share their knowledge.

Who helped you become the professional you are today? What would you say to them now?

CHAPMAN: JC Raulston was a big influence, his passion for plants could not be matched. I’ve had the benefit of serving on the NCNLA Board of Directors with industry veterans like Ron Copeland, Eelco Tinga and Linda Bailey. We all share the history and tradition of this industry.

ERWIN: I’d thank my mother first, for instilling the love or horticulture in me, and my grandmother for passing it on to her. Then I’d thank my FFA instructor, Fred Fox, whom I accompanied to Kansas City to get my American Farmer Degree (it was the first time I ever flew!)

NC State University — my alma mater — fed my interest in and passion for plants. Bryce Lane was (and still is) the best professor, hands down. If you don’t love plants after listening to him speak about them, then there is just something wrong with you!

I’d thank Mike Creech, my boss at Carey Garden Center. I worked long hours there, seven days a week, for about 13 years. It helped develop the strong work ethic that has shaped me into who I am today. Then there’s Bill Adams, who hired me here at Panther Creek and placed his trust in me when he turned over this multi-million dollar business for me to run. I’d also thank everyone I work with now – because they all make me better. We are very much a ‘family.’

DARK: My dad always had a guiding hand on my shoulder. He was the Vice President of Farm Credit Carolina for his district and knew a lot of people in the horticulture industry, including Ron Copeland and the Wilders. He helped spark my passion for the field growing up and foster my business philosophy.

GOSSETT: My father taught me “actions speak louder than words” and that you sometimes have to make sacrifices for the greater good of the company. He and my uncle have always handed down information they learned over

the years. They’ve been my avid mentors ever since childhood.

me something unique to offer that helps capture sales.

MADDOX: My parents taught me that honesty, fairness and hard work are the cornerstones of success in anything you do. From my first employer at NC State to the Commissioner of Agriculture to the President of the University of Mount Olive, I have learned so much. I am thankful to all of those who helped me grow, gave me so many great opportunities and allowed me to do something that I love.

GOSSETT: Thomas Edison said “opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” You have to want to do this because you love it. It’s not about money. It takes a lot of determination and patience, and you can’t be afraid to get your hands dirty.

DAVIS: I’d thank my wife — for always being there for me!

What advice would you give to someone trying starting out in NC’s green industry?

CHAPMAN: If you don’t have start-up money, go to someone who is aging out of the industry and interview them. Soak up all of their knowledge and ask if they have an exit strategy — or need one. Folks in this industry are willing to share their experiences to help the next generation, and you can’t learn what they know through social media or technology. You only find it by networking through associations like NCNLA. ERWIN: Make sure you like what you are doing and don’t be too proud to do whatever type of work is required. While I was at NCSU, I helped to build up the Turf program when it was just getting started. That hands-on learning was one of the best decisions I ever made. I even helped to rewrite the program curriculum. This industry requires hard labor and it is not always glamorous. I don’t sugarcoat anything when Panther Creek does tours of the nursery for college students. I want them to get a real-world picture of the work.

DARK: A lot of people who think they want to get into this business probably shouldn’t. You have to be ready to give it 100 percent, stay focused and really work hard. If not, you won’t make it. Try to be positive but also realistic about your abilities. Have a vision.

Even better – have a niche. Patenting and introducing new plants to the market gives

MADDOX: Learn as much as you can before you dive into it yourself. When I started the horticulture program at Mount Olive there were seven students enrolled. I am proud to say there are 192 students today. I am doing everything I can to teach them about the joys of the industry while preparing them for the real world.

It’s important to make connections.

Everyone in this industry is willing to help and offer advice, so take advantage of that! I send my kids to Green and Growin’ so they can watch the pros and pick their brains. Work hard, do your best and you’ll succeed.

DAVIS: Go to work for someone who has been in the nursery/landscape business for a while and tap into all their knowledge. It will become priceless!

IN MEMORIAM It is with great sadness that NCNLA announces the passing of the following industry members, family and friends.

Keith Gossett

It is with great sadness that the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association (NCNLA) announces the passing of NCNLA member and beloved industry friend, Richard Keith Gossett, who passed on March 19, 2018 surrounded by his family.

Gossett, 62, was president and co-owner of Gossett's Landscape Nursery in High Point, NC. He lived his whole life and was always active in the Deep River Community, including a member of the Deep River Fire Department, Station 18. Out of all his accomplishments, he was most proud of his wife, children and grandchildren. He enjoyed spending time with all of his grandchildren, riding them around the nursery on his golf cart and Gator teaching and sharing in his love for life and all of God's beautiful creations.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Dennis Wayne Gossett, and one sister, Judy Lynn Gossett Boykin Quinn. Survivors include his wife and sidekick Paula Vincent Gossett; children Tracie Hedgecock (Chris), Ashley Pilcher (Nathan), Amanda Gossett (Dustin), Justin Rohme (Melissa), Meagan Rohme (Jonathan); grandchildren Lexie Powell and Landon Hedgecock, Ethan Magnante, Tyler Pilcher, Makayla Gossett, Aubrey and Macey Bailey, Riley Rohme, Kamden Petty, and Dominic West; brother Philip Gossett (Sherri); a special niece, Amy, and nephews Tommy, Michael and John, along with numerous other nieces and nephews and a host of lifelong friends, including two very special buddies, Danny Clegg "Digger" and Freddie Gossett "Bubba."

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Susan G. Komen Northwest, NC Foundation, 1106 Burke St., WinstonSalem, NC 27101.

NCNLA would like to express our sincerest sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of Keith Gossett.

SPRING 2018 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 13

NCNLA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Five Minutes with Jason Tebben, Arborscapes, Inc.

Arborscapes, Inc. Pineville, NC Principal Jason Tebben, President Services Tree Care, Landscape Installation, Residential Maintenance, Plant Health Care In Business 18 years Employees 50 Estimated Revenue $6 million NCNLA Member 7 years Hobbies Fishing, boating, rebuilding muscle cars and jeeps Mentors Marty Grunder, Grunder Landscaping, Miamisburg, OH Bob Slingluff, Yardmaster, Columbus, OH Kip Connelly, Landscape Supply, Roanoke, VA

Jake Tebben and Nathan Morrison started with a couple of pickup-trucks and a trailer.

What led you to a career in the green industry?

After enjoying several years of working in the various green industry fields through high school, I went to The Ohio State University and by my junior year knew I wanted to own my own landscape business. I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Landscape Horticulture, and two years later started Arborscapes together with my business partner Nathan Morrison. Nate and I have known each other since the sixth grade and were roommates at Ohio State. Our mindset at the time was, “we’re young and have nothing to lose.” It was probably one of the best decisions of our lives!

What are your responsibilities?

I handle the landscape installation and maintenance divisions of our company and Nate handles the tree care and plant health care divisions of the business. As co-owners, we work as a team to make sound business decisions to help Arborscapes grow.

What is a typical day like?

There is nothing routine or typical in any of my days. I can be meeting with a client one minute, fixing a piece of equipment the next, then running to meet a crew to check the layout of some plantings or calling the gas company to fix a ruptured natural gas line that wasn’t as deep as an employee thought.

14 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SPRING 2018

I’m constantly on the go from the minute I leave my house until I get home. I have a nice large desk in my office, but the reality is I spend maybe five hours a week behind it. My truck is my office on wheels and I’m good with that.

What is your company best known for — why do your customers love you?

Arborscapes offers full service tree care, landscape installation, maintenance and plant health care.

We provide all aspects of tree care — pruning, removals, cabling, fertilization, stump grinding, etc.

We have six tree crews, one stump grinding crew and one plant health care crew.

Our four landscaping crews do high-end residential installations that consist of drainage, irrigation, landscaping and outdoor lighting. We also have three crews that do landscape maintenance primarily for properties where we have done the installations.

Clients love us because we do what we say we are going to do, when we say we’re going to do it, very efficiently and professionally — and always with the ultimate goal of exceeding customers’ expectations.

What has been most rewarding part of your career?

It’s really satisfying to sit back and look at what Nate and I have built. We started Arborscapes with two pickup trucks and a trailer and now have a very reputable business in the Charlotte market . We have 25 trucks, more equipment than we can count — and 50 awesome employees. Hard work and determination pays off!

What keeps you up at night?

For the past two or three years, it has been labor issues.

We’re fortunate to have a solid workforce, but we’re consistently looking for quality employees to join our team. I sometimes feel as if they’re non-existent.

Another challenge is the economy. Business is great now, but at some point things are going to slow down or crash. When? How soon and how bad? Do we buy that new truck/equipment or sit tight and make do with what we have?

Why do you belong to NCNLA? Networking, education and the Green & Growin’ show The NCNLA is focused on improving our state’s green industry.

We love going to Green & Growin’ each year to get the latest news and network with other green industry professionals. It’s a great event.

What advice do you have for someone just starting out in North Carolina’s green industry?

Ask a lot of questions! There are a lot of great people in the green industry willing to share their experiences, both positive and negative. They’ll tell you about things they are glad they did and also stuff they wish they could do over again.

Clockwise from top left: Today there are 50 “awesome” employees on the Arborscape team.

Full service tree care is one of the company’s specialties.

A finished installation.

When we started Arborscapes, I must have asked a million questions of former employers and people working in green industry related fields. After almost 18 years as the owner, I still ask a lot of questions. Networking and aligning yourself with other successful business owners who share the same passion and work ethic as you do is the best tool you can have.

Get in touch 704.525.7148 | arborscapes.net SPRING 2018 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 15

MEMBER NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS New Infographics Promote Benefits of Indoor Plants Indoor plants have far reaching positive effects on our well-being and the interior environment where we live, work, learn and heal. To help spread the word, the National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture (NICH) has released a new, four-part infographics series titled “PlantsDoThat Inside.”

“Greening the great indoors is a way to help create sustainable indoor ecology and healthy minds and bodies,” said Dr. Charles Hall, Ellison Chair, Texas A&M. According to research from NASA and others, plants clean indoor air, stabilize carbon dioxide and create comfortable ambient air humidity. Plants also boost healing, happiness and productivity.

Based on a scientific literature review evidence base developed Dr. Hall and his students, the infographics highlight facts such as:

Rooms with plants have fewer pollutants like VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

Plants in our homes increase room humidity by 10%.

Plants remove up to 90% of formaldehyde from a room.

Classrooms with plants improve test scores by 10% or more.

Plants in our offices and workspaces increase feelings of creativity and productivity, elevates our mood and promotes a more professional work environment.

Plants in rooms help people heal faster, reduce stress and lower blood pressure

16 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SPRING 2018

INDUSTRY NEWS MEMBER NEWS “We envision this series of infographics as tools to promote the power of indoor plants,” said Debbie Hamrick, NICH Economic Committee chair. “We want to raise awareness of the positive benefits of plants in our everyday lives.”

2018 CYPP & CPP Test Date Schedule

2018 CPP Test Dates:

May 16 – Alamance Community College, Graham, NC

May 24 - Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, NC

June 14 – Wilkes Community College, Wilkesboro, NC

July 18 – NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh, NC

September 13 – Asheville Arboretum, Asheville, NC

October 23 – Alamance Community College, Graham, NC

Fall 2018 (Date TBD) – Wilkes Community College, Wilkesboro, NC

December 5 – University of Mount Olive, Mt. Olive, NC



2018 CYPP Test Dates

Designed by Jennifer Gray of AmericanHort and the Horticultural Research Institute, the brightly-colored infographics can be downloaded free from NICH’s website, consumerhort.org. Growers, retailers, teachers, extension agents and interiorscapers are encouraged to use them for promotional and educational materials and in social media posts.

April 25 – University of Mount Olive, Mt. Olive, NC

May 16 – Alamance Community College, Graham, NC

May 24 - Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, NC

June 14 – Wilkes Community College, Wilkesboro, NC

July 18 – NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh, NC

September 13 – Asheville Arboretum, Asheville, NC

October 23 – Alamance Community College, Graham, NC

Fall 2018 (Date TBD) – Wilkes Community College, Wilkesboro, NC

December 5 – University of Mount Olive, Mt. Olive, NC

“We envision this series of infographics as tools to promote the power of indoor plants,” said Debbie Hamrick, NICH Economic Committee chair. “We want to raise awareness of the positive benefits of plants in our everyday lives.”

NICH’s first #PlantsDoThat infographic spotlighted consumer horticulture’s contribution to the U.S. economy — $196 billion and more than two million jobs.

The National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture (NICH) is a consortium of industry leaders who are promoting the benefits and value of horticulture. NICH brings together academia, government, industry, and nonprofits to cultivate the growth and development of a healthy world through landscapes, gardens and plants — indoors and out, and to get 90 percent of U.S. households gardening by 2025.

For more information on CPP & CYPP, please visit ncnla.com SPRING 2018 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 17

Education: January 15-17 Marketplace: January 18-19

“…love the variety and scope of the education available, the professionalism and enthusiasm of the speakers, and the venues for both the educational programs and the tradeshow.”

“I like being able to get information, (earn) CEU’s and meet others in the industry in one place.”

“I attended a wonderful trade show and got my CEU’s for the year all at the same time.”

“Great speakers and a full, diverse marketplace.”

G&G’18 Attendees G&G’18 Attendees

By Kaley Jacobs

G&G’s Education Conference ran Monday through Wednesday, followed by the G&G Marketplace’s expansive green-goods tradeshow on Thursday and Friday.

Continuingly striving to offer the Southeast’s premiere industry event each year, G&G’18 featured fundamental show components infused with new and improved options to provide an excellent overall attendee experience.

The Show Goes On Despite Green & Growin’s one unexpected and certainly uninvited guest, WINTER STORM INGA, the 2018 show went on as scheduled. Not to be stopped by half of foot of snow (or the state of emergency declared across North Carolina) on Wednesday morning, NCNLA staff knew ‘the show must go on.’ We pulled on our snow boots and rolled with the punches. Our goal was to keep everyone informed about show details and changes during the week while encouraging all of our attendees and exhibitors to put safety first, as that was our upmost concern.

Green and Growin’ 18 will certainly go down in the history books as one heck of a snow (er, show), portraying the resilience and reliability of our staple annual event – no matter what mother nature throws our way.

GG'18 welcomed about 4500 industry members to “Get in the Game” at NCNLA’s annual education conference and marketplace, January 15-19 in Greensboro, NC. A broad range of green industry buyers and sellers attended this year, representing 38 states, Canada and Australia.

4,500 Total Attendees

400

38

Exhibiting Companies

States Represented plus Canada and Australia

SPRING 2018 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 19

GAME ON EDUCATION Despite Winter Storm Inga’s impromptu appearance, attendance was up nearly 10% at G&G Education sessions this year. A total of 1,775 industry professionals came to “Get in the Game” by making the most of G&G’s world-class learning opportunities. Three days of timely, targeted education kicked off on Monday, January 15. The program was packed with CEU-infused seminars, interactive workshops, specialty classes and two dynamic Keynote presentations.

This year’s stellar line-up included 55 seminars across nine education tracks including the new Landscape Design University. The NC Landscape Contractors License Review Course — another new addition this year — was one of six specialty and certification classes available. More than 200 CEUs were offered — affirming G&G’s role as the “one-stop shop” for green industry professionals looking to earn credits at the national, regional and state levels.

Dynamic, renowned speakers included best-selling author and hall of fame speaker Eric Chester, who fired up the crowd with his powerful "On Fire at Work,” keynote presentation. Industry veteran and national award-winning NCSU instructor Bryce Lane provided his unique, valuable perspective on industry issues and trends; while garden Retail Business Advisor Ian Baldwin gave a timely presentation on competing with online sales in the retail garden industry.

Eric Chester

20 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SPRING 2018

Bryce Lane

Brie Arthur

Ian Baldwin

Denise Ryan

9 100

hours of business education

education tracks

200+CEUs 1,775

attendees

6

specialty/ certification classes

“…extremely happy with the education classes. The broad spectrum of topics was appreciated and classes were conducted smoothly.”

55

seminars/ workshops

“I can get all my continuing education (credits) in one place.”

“…diverse options for learning. There seems to be a little something for everyone.”

“Very efficient way to secure CEU credits.”

G&G’18 Attendees SPRING 2018 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 21

GAME ON NETWORKING North Carolina’s green industry enjoys a unique culture of cooperation and camaraderie among its family-owned farms and small businesses.

Connecting with peers is an essential part of the G&G agenda, and networking opportunities throughout the show make it a great place to connect and build relationships.

Green & Growin’ 18 offered a plethora of networking opportunities, including NEW evening events, Green & Gather and Confection Reception, which took place at the Sheraton Hotel. Both events offered industry professionals the perfect platform to kick back and chat with their peers over drinks and light hors d’oeuvres.

The Women in the Green Industry Gathering once again was well attended and successful – welcoming dozens of professional women in the industry to have dessert while sharing fellowship and fascinating information.

“I enjoyed the chance to network with colleagues and get a variety of questions answered (in regards to vendors for products I use) in one place”.

“Loved seeing old friends and making new ones.”

G&G’18 Attendees

22 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SPRING 2018

NCNLA

MARKETPLACE BOOTH AWARDS

Best in Show

Best Floral Ornamental Booth

Neuse Plant & Bark, Inc.

Kings Greenhouse, Inc.

Four Oaks, NC

Matthews, NC

Best Allied Booth

Best Woody Ornamental Booth

Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply

Panther Creek Nursery

Zebulon, NC

Willow Spring, NC SPRING 2018 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 23

GAME ON MARKETPLACE Inclement weather didn’t stop 4,500 industry professionals from gathering at the Greensboro Coliseum on Thursday and Friday for the G&G’18 Marketplace.

They came ready to do business, network and get a heads-up about what’s trending in the industry.

With 649 booths and some 400 exhibiting companies this year, the two-day green-goods tradeshow was the prime opportunity to see products from a wide array of producers

649 400

Booths Exhibiting companies

and suppliers.

This year’s selection of growers, producers, suppliers, hard goods, tools, and equipment dealers included companies from North Carolina, the southeast and across the nation — ensuring that attendees could find everything they need for a successful 2018.

New features at the G&G’18 Marketplace included a Game Lounge — stationed right on the show floor – it was a place for attendees to network and relax while trying their hand at pinball and other arcade games. The new Food Truck Rodeo was a huge hit this year as well. Attendees who wanted to opt out of the usual concessions found an array of delicious food choices waiting — gourmet burgers, southern style barbeque and more —just steps from the Marketplace floor.

“Food trucks and games this year were great. New ideas keep people wanting to spend time coming to these shows.”

G&G’18 Attendee

24 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SPRING 2018

“Green & Growin’ is extremely relevant for us, as there is a great mix of nurseries and related products represented here every year. It's also a chance for us to build relationships in a more intimate setting than some of the larger nursery shows. Big thanks to the Green & Growin’ team for making this show a success despite the snow storm!”

Bill Heinrich, Van Belle Nursery

EXHIBITORS 2Plant International A & A Plants, Inc. A.D.R Bulbs, Inc. Aarons Creek Farms, Inc. Acer Acres, Inc. ACF Environmental ACT Construction Equipment Adcock's Nursery After Hours Nursery, LLC Agri Supply

Baker Environmental Nursery, Inc.

Bryan Wagoner Tree Farm

Carolina Native Nursery

Curv-Rite, Inc.

BASF Corporation

Buds & Blooms Nursery

Carolina Perlite Company, Inc.

Daddy Pete's Plant Pleaser

Buffalo Horticulture Sales

Carolinas Irrigation Association

Davidson Farm

Baucom's Nursery Bennett's Creek Nursery Big Frog Nursery Biosafe Systems

Buy Sod BWI Companies Byron Lakeview Nursery LLC

Blalock Machinery and Equipment Company, Inc.

C and J Nursery

Blankenship Farms & Nursery

Caldwell County Nurserymen's Association

Bluefields Nursery Co. LLC

CAI

Bob Young's Nursery

Cam Too Camellia Nursery, Inc.

Bobbex, Inc.

Camellia Forest Nursery

Bobcat Company

Cape Fear Turf Farm Inc.

Amplex

Bold Spring Nursery

Carlton Plants LLC

Apex Nurseries, Inc.

Bottoms Nursery, LLC.

Carolina Boxwoods

Arbor Fields

Boulder Design

Carolina Cat

Arborbrace Staking Systems, Inc.

Bouldin Nursery & Greenhouse

Carolina Cedar Planters

Atlas Manuafacturing

Brantley Nurseries

Audubon North Carolina

Breezy Acres Nursery

Autrusa, Inc.

Brookshire & Associates

A-V International

Brooksville Palms

Back Road Farms

Brunson Wholesale Nursery

Agri-Carts/A Complete Assembly All American Gutter Protection

Bailey Nurseries, Inc.

Carolina Crepe Myrtle & Shade Tree, LLC. Carolina Finest Fountains & Statuary

Carroll's Plant Center, Inc. Carver Bros Turf Casey Nursery, Inc. Catawba Valley Community College Charleston Aquatic Nurseries Charlie's Creek Nursery, Inc. Cherokee Manufacturing Clark's Liner Farm Classic Groundcovers, Inc. Cold Mountain Nursery Commercial Pine Straw Concrete Creations Coor Farm Supply Service, Inc. Country Ridge Nursery

Dave Wilson Nursery, Inc. Davis Floral Company Davis Insurance Agency Day Lily Nursery, Inc. Dayton Bag & Burlap Devroomen Garden Products Diddley Dadburn Tree Plantation Ditch Witch of North Carolina Dutchman Industries Inc. Dykes & Son Nursery Earth & Turf Products LLC Eason Horticultural Resources, Inc. Eco Fabriks, LLC Elliott's Nursery Encore Landscape Lighting

Carolina Golf Cars

Creekside Farms Nursery

Carolina Landscape Supplies Inc.

Crumpler Plastic Pipe

Equipment Tracking Solutions

Currins Nursery, Inc.

Ernst Conservation Seeds

Continued on next page SPRING 2018 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 25

MARKETPLACE Continued from previous page

EXHIBITORS Evergreen Partners of Raleigh

H.E. Anderson Company

Jones Insurance Agency

Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply

Haaga/Bissell Commercial

K & M Nursery

Hackney Nursery

K E A Growers

Mid-Atlantic Stihl

Oldcastle Adams Products, Inc.

Hamner Tree Farm

Kenneth Myers and Sons Nursery

Miller's Ground Cover

Oldcastle Lawn & Garden

Mize Farm and Garden

King-Hughes Fasteners

ML Irrigation Systems, Inc.

Pack Manufacturing Company, Inc.

King's Greenhouse, Inc.

Modern Turf

King's Sunset Nursery, Inc.

Monrovia

Kirk Davis Nursery

Moon's Tree Farm, Inc.

Knats Creek Nursery

MV Enterprises

KT Ornamentals

Native Forest Nursery

L & H Enterprises

NC Dept. of Agriculture Marketing Division

Fair View Nursery, Inc. Farm Credit Association Fertileeze Five Oaks Nursery & Tree Farm

Harrell's Fertilizer, Inc. Haviland Plastic Products Hawkins Nursery, Inc. Hawksridge Farms

Flowerwood Nursery, Inc.

Hefner's Nursery

ForeverLawn of the Carolinas

Heritage Block

Fowler's Nursery

Hibernia Nursery

Fraser Knoll

Hickory Hill Nursery

Gant's Nursery

High Country Nursery

Lake Tree Growers

Gardenscape

Hillside Nursery Wholesale Co., LLC.

Lamb Nursery Lambert Peat Moss Inc.

Gilmore Plant & Bulb Co., Inc.

Hoffman Nursery, Inc.

Lanes Creek Trees

Holloway's Nursery

Lathams Nursery, Inc.

Glen Cole's Twin Cedars Nursery

Holmberg Farms, Inc.

Lemon Hole Nursery

Homestead Nursery & Farm, LLC

Lilley Farms & Nursery, Inc.

Hortica Insurance & Employee Benefits

Liner Source, Inc.

Garick L.L.C.

Gold Hill Sales, Inc. Goodson & Associates Gossett's Landscape Nursery, Inc.

Heritage Farms

I Must Garden

Lake Oconee Tree Farm

Little River Nursery LMN

GPS Fleet Consulting

ICL Specialty Fertilizers

Gra-Mac Irrigation

Ignite Business Advisors

Long Branch Farm Nursery

Grants Creek Nursery, Inc.

Irrigation Association

Long Pond Nursery

Great Lakes Fastening

Iseli Nursery

Green Biz Nursery & Landscaping, Inc.

ITB Co. Inc.

Low Falls Wholesale Nursery

Green Infrastructure Alliance Green Resource Green Thumb Nursery Green Touch Industries / Trailer Racks Greenleaf Nursery Co. Greensboro Shrub Nursery Greenscape Tools, Inc. GreenSource Direct, Inc. Greenthumb Nursery, LLC Griffin Griffith Propagation Nursery, Inc. H&H Farm Machine Co.

J & B Herb and Plant Farms J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co. J. Parlier & Associates

Lumber River Native Plants Mack Bros. Landscape Nursery

Jackson Nursery

Mark E. Snapp & Associates

Jake A. Parrott Insurance Agency

Marlboro Bulb Company

James Greenhouses James River Equipment JC Raulston Arboretum Jericho Farms JLPN, Inc. John Holmlund Nursery Johnson Nursery Corp.

Johnston County Nursery Marketing Association

26 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SPRING 2018

Marmiro Stones, Inc. May Nursery, Inc

Mid Atlantic Concrete Products

NC Invasive Plant Council NC Irrigation Contractors' Licensing Board NC Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board NC Pine Needle Producers Assn.

NC Sod Producers Association

Old Courthouse Nursery

PAKGlobal, LLC Panther Creek Nursery Paradise Home Improvement Parker Bark Co., Inc. Parsons Nursery, Inc. Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden Pender Nursery, Inc. Pennington Seed Perennial Plant Association Performance Outdoor Products Piedmont Carolina Nursery Piney Mountain Tree Farm

Nelson Nursery

Plant & Supply Locator

Netherland Bulb Company, Inc.

Plant Delights Nursery, Inc.

Neuse Plant and Bark, Inc.

PlantANT

New England Ladder Co LLC

Plantworks Nursery, Inc.

Next To Nature Landscape Design, Inc

Powell Nursery

Nicholson Farms North 40 Nursery, Inc. North Carolina Christmas Tree Association North Carolina Composting Council North Carolina Native Plant Society

Poplar Ridge Nursery, LLC. Powell's Nursery, LLC Premier Growers, Inc. Premier Products of America Prichard's Nursery Equipment, LLC. Pritchett Farms Nurseries Pro Green Inc.

McCorkle Nurseries

North Carolina State University

ProLine Equipment Division

McHutchison

North Creek Nurseries

Puckett Greenhouses, LLC

McLamb Nursery, Inc.

Nufarm Americas, Inc.

R.A. Dudley Nurseries, Inc.

McMakin Farms Inc.

Nursery Supplies, Inc.

Rainbow Trees

Mellow Marsh Farm, Inc.

NurserySouth, LLC

Ralph Modlin Farm

MHC Kenworth

NYP Corp.

Ray Bracken Nursery, Inc.

Michigan peat / BACCTO

OHP

Reaves Nursery Farm, LLC.

Reddick Equipment Company of NC LLC Rhodes Nursery Rimol Greenhouse Systems

Shady Rest Nursery

STI Turf Care Equipment

Tiftuf Turf

Vereens Turf Products

Shenandoah Stone Supply, Co.

Stockhaven Nursery, LLC

Tinga Nursery, Inc.

Vermeer Mid Atlantic, LLC.

Shiloh Nursery

Stone-Mart

Todco Inc.

Vole King

Stony Point Nursery and Farms

Tom Dodd Nurseries, Inc.

Wagoner's Nursery, LLC

Stover Manufacturing

Tom Landreth Greenhouses

Walnut Hill Farms

Stuppy Greenhouse

Transplant Nursery, Inc.

Sugar Mountain Nursery

Tree Equipment Design, Inc.

Waste Reduction Partners

Riverbend Nursery, LLC

Sides Spreader & Equipment Company

River's Edge Nursery, LLC

Simpson Nurseries

Riverside Plastics, Inc.

SiteLight LD, Inc.

Robbins Nursery, Inc.

SiteOne Landscape Supply

Robert M. Gragg & Sons Nursery

Smith's Nursery, Inc.

Robinson Nursery

Sonco Tube

Roger Coffey & Sons Nursery, Inc.

Southeastern Growers

Rose Creek Nursery and Landscaping

Southern Pine Needles

Round Grove Products Rusty Mangrum Nursery S & J Greens Sampson Nursery, Inc. Sandhills Community College Sandy's Plants, Inc. Saunders Brothers SCAG Power Equipment Scott Stone, Inc.

Southern Ag Southern Stone Supply Specialty Tag & Label, Inc. Spivey's Nursery, Inc. Spring Creek Nursery Spring Meadow Nursery, Inc. SRW Products Stalite Environmental (PermaTill) Star Ridge Aquatics, LLC

Scottree

Star Roses/The Conard Pyle Co.

SePRO Corporation

Starling Nursery

Sester Farms, Inc.

Stephenson's Nursery, Inc.

Shady Grove Plantation & Nursery, Inc.

Steve Myers and Son Nursery

Sumter Gardens Tree Nursery

Tree Town USA

Sun Gro Horticulture, Inc.

Tri Est Irrigation

Superior Greenery

Triad Irrigation & Landscape Supply

Super-Sod Swift Creek Nursery Swift Straw T.H. Blue, Inc. Tankard Nurseries

Triangle Turf & Ornamental Turf Mountain Sod, Inc. TurfCo

Warren County Nursery Waynesboro Nurseries, Inc. Weeks Roses Weigel Farms Wetland Plants Inc. White House Gardens WHS Trading Australia Pty Ltd Willifords Nursery Willow Oak Nursery

Tasco Corp.

Turfgrass Council of North Carolina

Taw Caw Creek Nursery

Turner & Sons Nursery

Wind River Growers

Taylor's Nursery, Inc.

Turtle Creek Nursery, Inc.

Tennessee Valley Nursery, Inc.

UpShoot, LLC.

Windmill Nursery of Louisiana

The Greenhouse Company of SC, LLC.

USDA APHIS Plant Protection Quarantine

The Perennial Farm

USDA-National Agricultural Statistics Service

Thomas Nursery

V&G Topiary Nursery

Three Volcanoes Farm, LLC.

Van Belle Nursery Inc.

Thumb's Up Nursery

Vans Pines Nursery

The Holly Factory

Wind Chime Nursery

Windy Acres Nursery, Inc. Worthington Farms, Inc. Wyatt-Quarles Seed Company

Vandemark Farms L.L.C.

Tidwell Nurseries, Inc.

SPRING 2018 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 27

LO & BEHOLD® ‘Blue Chip Jr.’

LO & BEHOLD® ‘Blue Chip’

LO & BEHOLD® ‘Ice Chip’

LO & BEHOLD® ‘Pink Micro Chip’

LO & BEHOLD® ‘Purple Haze’

It’s time to rethink Buddleia Lo & Behold® Butterfly Bush If you think of butterfly bush as something to put in the back of the border, think again. These continuously blooming, non-invasive plants are small enough to go in the front of beds or as a mass planting. They’re a great tool for sunny, dry landscapes under heavy deer pressure. Lo & Behold® Buddleia will provide your clients with fragrant flowers and lots of butterflies all summer long, and since they’re non-invasive you won’t have the hassle of unwanted seedlings.

Available from these suppliers Bud & Blooms Nursery Browns Summit NC • 800-772-2837

Johnson Nursery Company Willard NC • 910-285-7861

Piedmont Carolina Nursery Colfax NC • 336-993-4114

Gossett’s Landscape Nursery High Point, NC • 336-454-2548

Latham’s Nursery Monroe, NC • 704-283-5696

Taylor’s Nursery Raliegh, NC • 919-231-6161

NCNLA - Lo & Behold.indd 1

28 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SPRING 2018

LO & BEHOLD® ‘Lilac Chip’

2/9/18 10:58 AM

THANK YOU SPONSORS! FEATURED VENDORS Ruby

Platinum

Gold

Silver

Bronze Fowler’s Nursery Low Falls Wholesale Nursery North Carolina Composting Council Piedmont Carolina Nursery

EXCLUSIVE SPONSORS Lanyards

Coffee Station

Badges

Food Truck Rodeo

GG18 App

Ice Sponsor

Networking & Reception Events

Women in the Green Industry Gathering

Tote Bags

Game Lounge

Official Education Sponsor

Save the date for Green & Growin’ 19 January 14 - 18, 2019 | Greensboro, NC SPRING 2018 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 29

Best Practices from

Here's a recap of some of the most informative and up-to-date sessions from Green & Growin’ 18.

Pass the Elbow Grease and Open a Can of Why

W

hile other kids on my block were eating Fruit Loops and watching cartoons on Saturday mornings, my weekends were spent working alongside my father out in the garage or at the small print shop he owned in Denver. He would allow my four sisters to sleep until eight on weekends, but he got me up for bacon and eggs at a quarter-to-seven so we would have the energy to get our work done and “wouldn’t waste any daylight.”

W. Grant Chester, my father, was raised by a single mother during the Great Depression and was forced to drop out of school in 10th grade to help support his family. What he lacked in formal education he more than made up for in drive, ingenuity and work ethic — and he was determined to pass these values on to his only son.

So while we were working side-by-side on the weekends, dad would hit me with an endless barrage of clichés (and original ‘Grant-isms’) designed to teach me about hard work, sacrifice, success and money.

The timeless truths and precious values are now permanently etched on my brain: “If it’s worth doing,

30 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | WINTER 2018

it’s worth doing right.” “Put some elbow grease on it.”

“No one’s ever going to give you anything in this life; you’ve got to earn it.” “You sign your name to each and every job you do, so take pride in it.” “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” “Don’t ever let a little hard work scare you.” ”The harder you work, the luckier you’ll be.”

If you’re north of forty, you’ve heard at least some of these before.

Now flash forward.

Outside of the Gen Y’s who were raised on a farm, what percentage of your front line workforce would you estimate has heard similar messages from their parents? What percentage are hard-wired to get up and get productive at the crack of dawn, cut the grass, do the dishes and shovel the snow off the walk — without being begged or bribed?

Conversely, how many of your young, emerging leaders believe that “good enough is good enough” and if they can manage to “lay low and fly under the radar” they can get by with the “minimum daily requirement” and “coast until something better comes along?”

Ouch.

We all agree that teens and twenty-somethings approach work in a radically different way, but most of us struggle with understanding why. We’re really lost when it comes to motivating them to get out the elbow grease and take pride in their work without an immediate pat-on-the-back or tangible reward attached.

I like money and I love praise. However, I learned years ago that it doesn’t take either to motivate me to work.

Whether I’m clicking out an article on my laptop or planting a tree in my yard, hard work feels darn good.

Nothing else provides the same satisfaction as tackling a difficult project and seeing it through to completion; but, I don’t know if I would have this view of work had I not spent Saturdays with dad in the garage or at the print shop.

By Eric Chester A leading voice in the global dialogue on employee engagement and building a world-class workplace culture. A bestselling author, Chester based his keynote address at Green & Growin’2018 on his book “On Fire at Work: How Great Companies Ignite Passion in Their People without Burning Them Out.”

Messaging influences behavior

As adults, we live out the messages ingrained in our hearts and minds throughout our youth. That’s why as parents, we take great care to protect our children WINTER 2018 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 31

www.hawksridgefarms.com Growers and marketers of unique plants and new cultivars.

Flowering Shrubs Flowering Trees Conifers Vines Perennials Ornamental Grasses West Coast Specimens

4243 S. NC 127 Hwy Hickory, NC 28603 (800)874-4216 Fax (828)294-4299

Delivering from Connecticut to Georgia and everywhere in between!

32 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SPRING 2018

Three steps to get to buy-in and develop work ethic.

1. Frame the mindset. Develop a list of about a half dozen quotes, axioms or “(your name)isms” that you want etched on the minds of everyone who reports to you. Keep them short, simple, easy-to-remember and positive. Refrain from anything that makes people feel stupid or incompetent. These are used to build work ethic, not destroy it. Gradually, begin to interject these in team meetings and individual coaching sessions.

2. Embrace imagery. Reinforce your key messages with icons, images, posters and subtle imprints on workplace communication pieces like schedules, notes and meeting agendas.

3. Keep it relevant. Search for fresh, current messaging and imagery that speaks to the mindset of today’s teens and young adults. Telling them to “keep their nose to the grindstone” means about as much to them as “rich, chocolatey center.”

from harmful influences. This is getting harder to do, but even if you succeed in blocking the bad, where are they supposed to see the good played out?

A study by Yankelovich Research concludes that Americans are exposed to almost three times the number of advertisements that they were thirty years ago and this figure does not include the enormous amount of ads on the Internet. Unquestionably, advertising that encompasses imagery and messaging impacts human behavior.

Look around the workspace and you’re likely to see motivational messages and inspirational quotes imprinted on your mouse pads, calendars and coffee mugs. You may walk by two or three framed Successories posters featuring photos of eagles, waterfalls or mountaintops and thought-provoking axioms.

By themselves, these ubiquitous messages are not going to propel you to a greater level of productivity or “stay past quittin’ time.” However, they may help keep you focused or philosophically balanced when you're traveling down a rocky road.

Most of these kinds of messages are targeted toward a mature or experienced adult. Not much is available in the way of inspiration and direction that appeals to a young mind beyond the ridiculously trite mantra “don’t give up on your dream.” (I believe there are millions of people who should give up their dream and get serious about their work, but that’s a topic for another day.)

Eager to tap into the billions Gen Y annually pumps into the national economy, marketers are consistently searching for new and creative ways to get them to buy. Employers who want to tap into this rich talent pool need to match that effort in order to get them to buy-in.

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SPRING 2018 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 33

How to Respond to Negative Reviews

By David McBee Internet marketing strategist David McBee presented the educational session “Online Reputation Management” at Green & Growin’ 18. Learn more about him at davidmcbee.com

N

o matter how good your business is, no matter how hard you try to make your customers happy, it's eventually going to happen. You're going to get a negative review.

Maybe you deserve it. You messed up. You are human after all, and so is your staff.

Maybe it's undeserved — an unreasonable customer or even a former employee.

No matter the reason for the negative review, follow these steps to ensure that future readers of the review will still consider doing business with you.

Respond quickly There are consumers who live and die by their internet devices and would rather communicate via twitter or Facebook than simply pick up the phone and call you.

If you don’t think like that, okay. But remember, some of your customers do. For their sake, and for the sake of those who read reviews before making a buying decision, you have to respond within hours or days.

There is nothing worse than a negative review sitting there without a response from the business.

Thank the reviewer Whether you agree with the review or not, that reviewer had a reason for taking the time to write it.

They may be looking to help your business get better with feedback you need to hear, or they may be looking to protect others from a negative experience.

Either way, in their mind, they are doing the world a favor with their review. So thank them for taking the 34 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SPRING 2018

time to do it. Besides, it looks very professional and polite.

Don’t try to win There’s nothing worse than seeing an argument between a customer and a business owner on a review site. Even if you’re right, potential customers aren’t going to take the time to weigh both sides of the argument and determine that because you were right, they want to do business with you. There are simply too many choices on the internet, so they’re just going to steer clear of an argumentative business owner.

Respond privately After you respond publicly (“Thank you for taking the time to write a review; I’ll be in touch privately to work with you on a resolution to this issue…”) email them directly. Better yet — pick up the phone and call them. The sincerity of your voice is lost in an email; and frankly, it’s a lot harder to be a jerk to you when you’ve caught them on the phone.

If you do email them, be nice. If they don’t like your response, they’re likely to copy and paste it into the original review, and it could make things worse.

Consider compensation with caution If you are willing to provide a refund or credit of some kind, be careful to do that in private. Offering this in public could generate new negative reviews from folks who are just looking for freebies. Also, you don’t want to lose money just because someone complains, especially if their complaint is unfounded.

Reputation Management 101 Know what people are saying about you. Google your business name regularly to see what’s out there.

Include variations like abbreviations, alternate spellings and even common misspellings of the name.

Go to google.com/alerts/ to set up searches and automatic notifications. Use the “search” feature on key social sites like Yelp, Facebook and G+ to look for reviews and comments.

Do online reviews matter? You bet!

93% of consumers say they use online reviews to determine if a local business is good or bad

68% are more likely to use a local business after reading a positive review

Source: BrightLocal Consumer Review Survey

Source: Cone Communication

92% trust online information more than sales clerks or other sources

Yelp, Facebook, Google and BBB. org are the most trusted review sites for local searches

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Source: BrightLocal Consumer Review Survey

77% say a positive online review makes them trust a business more

A single star increase on Yelp alone can boost revenue up to 9%

Source: BrightLocal Consumer Review Survey

70% of those who read online reviews share them with friends, family and colleagues Source: Deloitte & Touche

Ask every customer for a review.

Consumers love to read reviews, but only 10% write them. Make it easy to submit reviews and remind customers to share their experiences. Put a “Review us here” button on your website, enewsletter and email template. Add it to your Facebook page. Include the URL on print materials like business cards and brochures.

Source: Harvard Business Review

79% of people who read negative reviews find responses from business owners reassuring Source: TripAdvisor research

After reading a negative review, 4 out of 5 consumers reversed a purchasing decision

Readers of mixed reviews form more positive judgements of a business than those exposed to positive reviews alone

Source: Cone Communication

Source: Coker

If your efforts bear fruit, request removal or an update If you work things out with the reviewer and make them happy, it’s okay to ask them to remove their negative review – or better yet, to update it.

Finally, fall on the sword Right or wrong. True or false. Accurate or lies. It does not matter. You are not responding for the benefit of

Googled yourself lately? David McBee did – with interesting results

the person who wrote the review. You are responding for the benefit of hundreds of people who are going to read the review in the future and decide if they want to do business with you. Do everything you can to make that reader understand how serious you are about good customer service and quality of work — and how hard you’re willing to work to make your customers happy.

SPRING 2018 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 35

January 14 - 18, 2019 | Greensboro, NC

Piece It Together

36 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SPRING 2018

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Provided by NCNLA and AmericanHort as a Lighthouse Program partner benefit. For the latest information about these and other federal legislative concerns, visit AmericanHort.org

Will Immigration Enforcement Bill Ride on Omnibus?

As Congress works to finalize and pass an omnibus FY2018 spending bill, immigration hardliners in the House are pushing for a vote on H.R.4760, the Securing America’s Future Act. As a refresher, the ideologically far-right bill seeks a wide array of get-tough border and interior immigration enforcement measures, as well as making mandatory E-Verify the law of the land for all employers.

It includes limited relief for DACA recipients, as well as an agricultural guest worker component.

AmericanHort and coalition partners continue to have deep concerns with the AG Act component of the legislation. While it has some positive features and recent tweaks have brought a measure of improvement, very fundamental concerns remain respect to both how the bill treats the estimated 1.1 to 1.5 million unauthorized but essential agricultural workers and their families, and the imposition of an artificial visa cap.

Will the bill get a vote? While it does have 95 Republican cosponsors, it would take 216 or more yes votes to pass in the House, which is a tall and uncertain order. Recent court actions have delayed the pressure on Congress to resolve the DACA/Dreamer dilemma for now. If it did pass the House, it is unlikely to go anywhere in the Senate. Stay tuned.

AmericanHort understands the significant financial hardship that many of our members are facing due to being shut out by the cap. Economic harm will impact the entire vertically-integrated horticulture industry. We are continuing to fight aggressively for H-2B cap relief. If you have not done so recently, please take a moment now to let Congress hear from you.

Omnibus Bill Takes Shape: H-2B or Not to Be

The fate of thousands of seasonal businesses is down to the wire. Congress is in final negotiations on a fiscal 2018 spending bill which offers perhaps the last and best opportunity for H-2B visa program cap relief. AmericanHort and our H-2B Workforce Coalition allies continue to urge Congress to include meaningful cap relief in the spending bill.

As of March 5, the Department of Labor received petitions for the second half of the fiscal year for 98,956 visas. Given that the cap set by Congress is 33,000 visas, without immediate Congressional intervention, roughly 67 percent of requested H-2B positions will go unfilled. The Department of Homeland Security announced on February 28 that that cap had been reached the day before.

AmericanHort Op-Ed Calls for Trucking Rule Flexibility

In mid-March, AmericanHort successfully placed an op-ed in the Washington, D.C., based publication The Hill, calling for flexibility with hours of service rules and a potential delay of hard enforcement of the ELD mandate until various issues can be addressed and fixed.

Entitled “Federal regulators need to revisit electronic tracking rule for truckers,” the SPRING 2018 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 37

NCGreenPrints.com NCNLA’s consumer website is an update to TarheelGardening.com.

It’s purpose is to engage both “next generation” young consumers and traditional audiences by connecting the quality of life, economic and environmental benefits that come from a well designed/maintained landscape using NC nursery crops. In addition to increasing the perceived value of NC trees and landscape plants, the site emphasizes the importance of hiring certified professionals and promotes green industry businesses across North Carolina.

NC GreenPrints.com is designed to provide next generation consumers with a clear, straightforward and easy way to learn more about NC nursery crops — and to connect with NCNLA’s community of members as the people who can provide those products and services. It offers all the knowledge, tools and product information consumers need on an accessible digital platform.

38 48 || NURSERY NURSERY && LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE NOTES NOTES || SPRING SPRING 2018 2017

op-ed details the confusion with the current rules, price increases for freight in the industry and the specific challenges the horticulture industry faces when it comes to this new regulation.

If additional guidance on the issue is not provided in due time by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), expect to see continuing advocacy by AmericanHort on this issue.

HRI Launches New Boxwood Variety Evaluation Initiative

HRI recently relaunched its Emerging Issues: Boxwood Blight Fund and will use it to coordinate development efforts for a standardized evaluation of boxwood varieties’ tolerance of, or susceptibility to, boxwood blight. (See the article on page 43.)

HRI established the fund in 2012 in response to confirmations of boxwood blight in the U.S. and dedicated more than $16,000 towards research on mitigation efforts. Since then, HRI has leveraged those funds to gain an additional $2.7 million through multiple funding sources including the USDA-ARS Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative

and USDA-APHIS Farm Bill. HRI continues to fund boxwood blight research directly, including two projects funded in 2018.

In addition to mitigation research, the industry needs to better understand which boxwood varieties exhibit tolerance or susceptibility.

Previous research has shown potential variability among results. For example, a variety may show high tolerance in one site but moderate tolerance at another site. HRI is using the re-established Boxwood Blight Fund to help establish a standardized testing protocol. Ultimately, HRI hopes to endorse a labeling system indicating a variety’s tolerance level to guide better choices by nursery growers, retail customers and landscape managers. Both the Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association and the West Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association have committed $10,000 toward this work.

USDA Revises Protocol for Citrus Nursery Stock

USDA’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has revised the protocol for interstate movement of citrus nursery stock.

This protocol, originally published in 2013,

contains standards and requirements that a nursery must meet in order to move citrus nursery stock interstate from areas quarantined for citrus canker, citrus greening (huanglongbing, HLB) and/or Asian citrus psyllid (ACP). A nursery would need to meet the standards and requirements to obtain a certificate or limited permit for the interstate movement of citrus nursery stock from areas quarantined for citrus canker, citrus greening, or ACP. The revised protocol, developed in consultation with industry stakeholders, took effect March 12, 2018. All nurseries shipping from an HLB quarantine area will be required to ship under the provisions of the previous protocol until mother and increase trees have been tested by APHIS. The Citrus Health Response Program (CHRP) will accept the last state test of the mother tree as long as the test meets APHIS requirements and occurred within the last 12 months. Mother trees must be tested according to APHIS instructions and in an APHIS-approved lab within 12 months to maintain eligibility for shipment.

APHIS will review the protocol again in March 2019.

SPRING 2018 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 39

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GREEN INDUSTRY UPDATE

8th Annual NCGIC Water Symposium Registration Is Open NCGIC will host its 8th Annual Water Symposium on June 21, 2018 at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh, NC. This year’s theme is Cultivating Water Stewardship: Embracing North Carolina’s water future. The Water Symposium committee has lined up a number of local and national experts to speak on leading edge topics, including:

Quenching the Thirst of 3 Million More North Carolinians Dr. Mike Walden, NC State University

The Georgia Experience, A Cautionary Tale Chris Butts, Executive Director, Georgia Green Industry Association

Thriving in the California Drought by Managing Water in the Landscape Peter Estournes, Vice President, Gardenworks

Update from the Dean Dr. Rich Linton, Dean, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, NC State University

Florida’s New Water Efficient Landscapes Michael Dukes, University of Florida

It’s About Outcomes: Creating Value in the Landscape Dr. Mark Schmidt, Manager of Global University Relations, John Deere

Nominate Your Company or a Colleague for NCGIC’s Blue Green Innovator Award NCGIC’s Blue Green Innovator Award recognizes outstanding leadership and innovation in environmental stewardship in regards to water conservation, efficient water use and the development and implementation of green infrastructure by an individual, organization or government entity.

If your company, or another green industry company, meets the award description, email NCGIC – ckirven@ncgreenindustrycouncil. com – with the company’s name, contact information and reasons why it should be nominated for this year’s award.

Continuing education credits will be available. The all-day event includes presentation of the 2018 Blue Green Innovator Award, sponsor exhibits and lunch. Online registration is open at www.savingwaternc.com. NCGIC urges you to register early as the event has sold out the last two years.

2018 Election Year Makes Member Involvement Crucial “Our fight for North Carolina’s green industry has been very successful but it is never over,” said Jonathan Richardson, 2017 President of the North Carolina Green Industry Council (NCGIC).

“Maintaining and building relationships with existing and newly-elected legislators and officials ensures our voice is heard during policy discussions.”

2018 is an election year and every effort counts. NCGIC urges all members to get involved:

Visit www.ncleg.net/representation/ WhoRepresentsMe.aspx to find your legislators, then simply call or visit them to introduce yourself as a resource on green industry businesses and issues.

Participate in NCGIC events and advocacy efforts.

Donate to the NCGIC PAC.

Sponsor events.

All of these efforts will help educate and build relationships with elected officials to ensure the green industry is represented at the policy table.

Please visit the NCGIC website – www.ncgreenindustrycouncil.com – for news, donation and volunteer forms, or call 919.372.1586 or email ckirven@ncgreenindustrycouncil.com for more information.

Save the Date: 2018 Legislative Ice Cream Social

NCGIC will once again host a Legislative Ice Cream Social on the lawn of the North Carolina Legislative Building in Raleigh on Tuesday, June 26, 2018.

NCGIC board members and representatives will be on hand to scoop ice cream, network with legislative staff, and talk with legislators.

All NCGIC members are welcome to attend the event and urged to set up a meeting to visit with their legislators in Raleigh.

If you need assistance, or would like an NCGIC board member to accompany you to a meeting, please contact the NCGIC office – 919.372.1586 or ckirven@ ncgreenindustrycouncil.com.

SPRING 2018 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 41

Visit us at www.ncnla.com for the latest information.

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19960 Gore Mill Road, Freeland, MD 21053 www.signaturehort.com • kevin@signaturehort.com 42 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SPRING 2018

INDUSTRY RESEARCH

By Jill Calabro, PhD, Horticultural Research Institute

Reclaiming Boxwood from Boxwood Blight

B

ack in the late 2000s and early 2010s, before boxwood blight became a household name among nurseries, growers reported a slump in sales of boxwood and plentiful inventory. This was during the period where the great recession was in full swing and new housing construction was at low levels.

Fast-forward a few years and it’s a whole different story.

boxwood blight, caused by Calonectria pseudonaviculata, is the primary concern in the US at the moment.

This was confirmed at the recent American Boxwood Society (ABS) meeting, where new developments in boxwood blight research were featured. Some in the industry are concerned that the U.S. is on the cusp of exponential boxwood blight spread.

The recession is over and the U.S. real estate market has rebounded. Growers now report an inability to meet consumers’ demands for boxwood — the number one woody plant sold in the U.S. In 2014, the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service estimated the value of U.S. boxwood production at more than $126 million, beating azalea, holly, hydrangea, arborvitae and many others. Even some greenhouse producers are handling boxwood at certain times of the year.

“The American Boxwood Society was overwhelmed at the response to the Boxwood Blight meeting in Beltsville on February 20, 2018,” commented Bennett Saunders, President of ABS. “It is obvious to the Society that the industry is very interested in fighting this disease.”

With demand at an all-time high, it’s unfortunate that growers must contend with boxwood blight, the impact of which increasingly is felt in production. For most growers, boxwood production costs are also at an all-time high.

Spreading concern

Boxwoods are threatened by other diseases and pests such as boxwood leafminer, Volutella and mites; but

Consumer demand for boxwoods is at an all-time high. So is the cost to produce them.

While the talks centered on keeping the disease out, “there is an increasing realization that in the future we will manage the disease through better pruning techniques, better ground cover management, more resistant cultivars and other practices,” Sanders said. As boxwood blight becomes better managed, “we see a continued strong demand for this ‘Aristocrat of Plants,’ in spite of the higher cost of production.”

To date, boxwood blight has been positively identified in 25 states. However, consensus among researchers is that it is likely present throughout the contiguous

Photo credit: Jill Calabro

The Horticultural Research Institute (HRI), founded in 1962, has provided more than $7 million in funds to research projects covering a broad range of production, environmental, and business issues important to the green industry. Nearly $11 million is committed to the endowment by individuals, corporations and associations. For more information about HRI, its grant-funded research, or programming, visit hriresearch.org or contact Jennifer Gray at 614.884.1155.

SPRING 2018 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 43

The U.S. may be on the cusp of exponential boxwood blight spread.

Finding tolerant boxwood varieties is critical.

U.S. wherever there is a sizable population of boxwood.

In states where boxwoods are used in the landscape but blight has not been reported, it may not have been identified yet.

Early research efforts focused on fungicide efficacy trials. Since then the research has morphed into the investigation of novel control strategies and longerterm solutions.

In any event, incidence of boxwood blight is increasing in production and landscape settings as well as in cut greenery. Several reports emerged during the 2017 holiday season of boxwood blight-infected cuttings used and sold in wreaths and greenery in floral arrangements; horticultural inspectors issued quarantines on some of this material.

Dr. Chuan Hong, Virginia Tech, is coordinating a number of valuable research projects with a “you got questions, we got answers” attitude.

Margery Daughtrey, Senior Extension Associate with Cornell University specializing in ornamental plant pathology, noted, “in any given locality, the fungus that causes boxwood blight is usually moved only short distances, mostly by rain splash or wind-driven rain…but we help it out in its distribution by inadvertently moving infected plants over large distances via the nursery trade.

Diseased boxwood leaves and cankered shoots travel via B&B material, gallon containers and even in Christmas wreaths.”

In parts of Europe, where boxwood blight has become almost ubiquitous in production and landscapes, treatment with fungicides is the norm. Eradication is not their primary control strategy, since the disease is widespread. The U.S. may get to that point — or maybe not. Our industry strategy is to keep boxwood blight out of areas, especially historic gardens, by relying on a “start clean, stay clean” mantra. Time will tell how successful we are. In the interim, research continues.

Searching for solutions

Though boxwood blight was only identified in the U.S. in Fall 2011, a tremendous amount of research has been done since then. From 2014 to 2017, USDA APHIS has dedicated more than $2.7 million to boxwood blight research through the Farm Bill, Section 10007. Additional research funds have come from the Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative program through USDA ARS and the IR-4 Ornamental Horticulture Program with funding from USDA APHIS and USDA NIFA. The Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) sponsors research directly in tandem with its education and advocacy efforts.

44 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SPRING 2018

One example is the evaluation of mulch to help prevent spread in landscape situations. The spores of C. pseudonaviculata are very large and sticky; therefore, they do not readily spread via air currents. Tools, boots, rain splash, animal movement (even cats and dogs!) and infected plant material are prime ways boxwood blight is transmitted. Dr. Hong has found that mulching can effectively suppress disease through reduction in rain splash transmission and possibly by a change in the microbiome. Dr. Anton Baudoin, Virginia Tech, is considering the impact of mulch in production.

Dr. Hong is also working with Dr. Len Coop, Oregon State University on development of a boxwood blight forecasting model. The model can be found online now but should only be used as reference at this point.

Future validations are needed and will enable it to more accurately serve as a guide for fungicide applications.

Release of a mobile app is expected later this year.

Regarding fungicides, Dr. Jim LaMondia, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, has been testing the efficacy of commercially available products. Dr. LaMondia’s work has indicated some potential, early curative effects from certain demethylation inhibitor (DMIs, also known as sterol biosynthesis inhibitors or FRAC code 3) fungicides. More work is needed here, since many DMIs regulate plant growth or can cause severe plant injury.

Dr. LaMondia is also considering the impacts of alternate host plants, such as Pachysandra and Sarcococca, on disease development. Pachysandra production is different than boxwood and is not considered a likely source of boxwood blight. However, Pachysandra can serve as a reservoir for the pathogen in landscape settings.

Sanitation should always be a consideration — regardless of what disease is at play — for both producers and landscape managers. Several products are effective, such as ethanol, bleach, Lysol™ and Zerotol™. Ethanol, in particular, has been shown to effectively kill C. pseudonaviculata microsclerotia. This is great news because microsclerotia are masses of hardened fungal material capable of tolerating extreme weather conditions for an extended period of time.

Microsclerotium formation is one way boxwood blight can persist in the soil for a very long time.

Other key research areas include biocontrol options, betterment of diagnostic tools (maybe even one suitable for field use), the disease cycle and a breeding program.

The industry’s role

Finding tolerant boxwood varieties is a critical need identified by many throughout our industry. Mark Sellew, President of Pride’s Corner Farm, added, “At Prides Corner Farms we still grow and sell susceptible varieties but have dramatically changed our cultural practices to minimize disease pressure from limited access to the plants, to careful water management and finally to an aggressive chemical program with multiple MOA’s.”

“I believe our industry has to do a better job of policing ourselves, particularly when it comes to growing very susceptible varieties like Buxus suffruticosa. This plant, in my opinion, should be absolutely banned. It is highly

susceptible and is most likely spreading the disease and jeopardizing the future market potential of the entire genus of Buxus.”

Once boxwood blight was discovered in the U.S, HRI acted quickly and established a fund for boxwood blight research, making some of the first fungicide efficacy trials possible. Since then, HRI has continued support of the industry by leveraging these funds for additional support and the development of a best management practices (BMP) document through collaboration with AmericanHort and the National Plant Board. The BMPs help gold standard growers ensure clean boxwood production.

Once boxwood blight was discovered in the U.S, HRI acted quickly and established a fund for boxwood blight research, making some of the first fungicide efficacy trials possible.

One of HRI’s latest projects is working with researchers towards a standardized protocol where boxwood varieties can be assessed for boxwood blight tolerance. Previous studies have been conducted to evaluate boxwood varieties in terms of tolerance and susceptibility; however, the studies varied in methodology and, in some cases, results. Due to this variability, a more streamlined approach is desired.

The boxwood blight research fund was reopened in 2018 and is now accepting donations to help guide the industry towards production of boxwood blight tolerant varieties.

Jill Calabro, Ph.D., is the Science & Research Programs Director at AmericanHort

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Welcome New Members!

As of March 20, 2017

Member Company

City

State

Mem. Type

South Creek Construction

Cornelius

NC

Platinum

Stone Image Works Inc.

Youngsville

NC

Gold

YM Landscape LLC

Winston Salem

NC

Silver

A Green Valley

Matthews

NC

Regular

Artistic Design Landscapes

Lenoir

NC

Regular

BH Enterprise & Landscaping, Inc.

Clemmons

NC

Regular

Conaway Lawn Care Service

Summerfield

NC ??

Regular

Cornelius Lawn & Land LLC

Cornelius

NC

Regular

Davis PHC

Glenville

NC

Regular

Grass Masters Landscape Services LLC

Youngsville

NC

Regular

Great Gardens Nursery and Landscape

Wilson

NC

Regular

Hager's Landscaping

Salisbury

NC

Regular

Hope Mills Landscapes

Fayetteville

NC

Regular

Izzys Nursery Inc of Oregon

Forest Grove

OR

Regular

Katydid Greenhouses

McLeansville

NC

Regular

Legacy Landscapes & Tree Service Inc.

Pfafftown

NC

Regular

Live Oak Trees

Wilmington

NC

Regular

Morgan Creek Nursery

Pfafftown

NC

Regular

PWN Companies Inc

Durham

NC

Regular

Roots Farm 2, LLC

Charlotte

NC

Regular

Royal Design and Maintenance, Inc.

Charlotte

NC

Regular

South East Lawn Care

Greensboro

NC

Regular

Stormwater Management Services, Inc.

Winston Salem

NC

Regular

Terrell Landscaping, Inc

Raleigh

NC

Regular

Tilson Hardscapes, Inc.

Clemmons

NC

Regular

Top Notch Pruning, Inc

Cary

NC

Regular

Triangle Custom Landscaping

Apex

NC

Regular

Turf Teacher Inc.

Pfafftown

NC

Regular

Twin Oaks Landscaping, Inc.

Boone

NC

Regular

Whitfield Lawn and Landscape

Hillsborough

NC

Regular

Ernst Conservation Seeds

Meadville

PA

Regular Affiliate Member

Birchmeier/ITB Co., Inc.

London

KY

Regular Affiliate Member

Tasco Corp.

Riverside

RI

Regular Affiliate Member

Robert M leineweber Jr

Simpsonville

SC

Regular Affliliate Member

Modern Turf

Rembert

SC

Regular Affliliate Member

Member Name

Organization Name

City

State

Mem. Type

Michael Cole

NC Dept. of Agriculture - Marketing Divisionâ€

Raleigh

NC

Regular for Individual

46 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SPRING 2018

NLN CALENDAR OF EVENTS NCNLA Events 2018 CPP Test Dates:

May 16 – Alamance Community College, Graham, NC

May 24 - Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, NC

June 14 – Wilkes Community College, Wilkesboro, NC

2018 CYPP Test Dates

April 25 – University of Mount Olive, Mt. Olive, NC

May 16 – Alamance Community College, Graham, NC

May 24 - Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, NC

June 14 – Wilkes Community College, Wilkesboro, NC

Check page 17 for the full list of test dates.

June 26, 2018 2018 GIC Legislative Day and Ice Cream Social

December 3 – 7, 2018 Irrigation Show & Education Conference

NC General Assembly 16 W Jones St Raleigh, NC 27601 ncgreenindustrycouncil.com

Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center 300 East Ocean Boulevard Long Beach, CA 90802 irrigation.org

July 18, 2018 JOCO Plant Show

February 13 – 16, 2018 PROGreen EXPO

Kerr Scott Building – NC State Fairgrounds 1025 Blue Ridge Road Raleigh, NC 27607 http://jocoplants.com/

Colorado Convention Center 700 14th St. Denver, Colorado 80202 progreenexpo.com/

National Events July 11 - 13, 2018 VNLA Workshop, Field Day and Summer Tour 2018

Advertisers’ Index

August 24, 2018 Robert Cagle Memorial Golf Tournament

Colesville Nursery 14011 Nursery Rd Ashland, VA 23005 vnla.org

Lochmere Golf Club 2511 Kildaire Farm Road Cary, NC 27511

July 14 – 17, 2018 Cultivate ‘18

Ewing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Greater Columbus Convention Center 400 North High Street Columbus, OH 43215 cultivate18.org/

Green & Growin’ 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

North Carolina Events May 6, 2018 JCRA's 'Gala in the Garden' JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University 4415 Beryl Road Raleigh, NC 27606 jcra.ncsu.edu

June 21, 2018 2018 8th GIC Water Symposium McKimmon Center 1101 Gorman Street Raleigh, NC 27606 http://www.ncgreenindustrycouncil.com

For the latest events, please visit ncnla.com

August 16 – 18, 2018 NURSERY/LANDSCAPE EXPO

Buy NC Plants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Cam Too . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Carolina Bark Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Fair View Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Hawksridge Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 JOCO Plants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Kirk Davis Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center 900 E Market St. San Antonio, TX 78205 nurserylandscapeexpo.org

NC Greenprints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

August 22 – 24, 2018 FarWest Show

Parker Bark Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Oregon Convention Center 777 Northeast M L King Boulevard Portland, OR 97232 farwestshow.com

Proven Winners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

October 17 – 19, 2018 GIE + EXPO

Triangle CC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

OHP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Old Courthouse Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Pender Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover

Sampson Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Signature Horticultural Services . . . . . 42

Kentucky Exposition Center 937 Phillips Ln. Louisville, KY 40209 gie-expo.com

SPRING 2018 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | 47

North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc. 968 Trinity Road Raleigh, NC 27607

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PA I D Raleigh, NC Permit # 2255

Rediscover PENDER NURSERY

Meet Your Pender Nursery Sales Team!

Doug Wright NC dwright@pendernursery.com

Nick Wright Central NC and In-house Sales nwright@pendernursery.com

Craig Banton VA, WV, MD, DC, DE cbanton@pendernursery.com

Joseph Reynolds SC, TN, GA jreynolds@pendernursery.com

PHONE: 800-942-1648 • FAX: 919-773-0904 • ONLINE: www.PenderNursery.com 48 | NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES | SPRING 2018