The Buckeye, Jan/Feb 2020

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 Vol. 31, Issue 1

The Official Publication of Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association

INSIDE: The Winners of the 47th Annual Landscape Awards

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Homeowners · Contractors · Excavators · Landscapers

January/February 2020 Vol. 31, Issue 1

The Buckeye is published six times per year by Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc. 72 Dorchester Square, Westerville, OH 43081 614.899.1195 | www.onla.org

EDITORIAL / ADVERTISING ISSN 1536-7940 Subscriptions: $75/year alana@onla.org OFFICERS Emily Showalter, President Willoway Nurseries, Inc. Tim Clark, Immediate Past President H. J. Benken Florist & Greenhouses, Inc. Devon Stanley, President-Elect Benchmark Landscape Construction, Inc. DIRECTORS Jason Cromley Hidden Creek Landscaping, Inc. Brandon Druffel Dan Druffel, Inc. Michael Hall Harrell's LLC Molly John M.J. Design Associates, Inc. Scott Knowles Wolf Creek Company Wendy Moore Davis Tree Farm & Nursery, Inc. Steve O’Neal Columbus State Community College

STAFF Ken Fisher, Executive Director Karen Lykins, Accounting Roni Petersen, Membership & Certification Alana Settle, Marketing & Communications Mary Ann Shrum, Education Tracie Zody, Member Summit

CONTENTS 3

Executive Director's Message

5

President's Perspective

8

Legislative Update

6

Photos from the Member Summit: Management Retreat

FEATURE STORIES 9

Sell Your Way to Success in 2020 by Marty Grunder

14

ONLA 47th Annual Landscape Award Winners

24

The Cultivar Solution: Taming Invasive Species with

Plant Breeding by Tim Wood

29

A Lavender for Those Who Can't Grow Lavender

by Stephanie Cohen

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE THE FINE PRINT The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, directors or staff and do not constitute an endorsement of the products or featured services. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or their identification as members of the ONLA does not constitute an endorsement of the products or featured services.

onla.org

31

In Memoriam

33

Classifieds, Calendar of Events, Advertising Index

January/February 2020

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2020 MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS Membership Renewal Fees were due on December 31, 2019 Renew today or your membership will end on March 31, 2020.

Questions? Contact Roni Petersen at roni@onla.org or 614.899.1195 For more information about ONLA Membership, visit www.onla.org

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE Ken Fisher, ONLA Executive Director, ken@onla.org Welcome to 2020—a New Year and a New Decade which promise great accomplishment and progress for our industry, our world…and ourselves!

Like rings on a tree or the deepening lines on my forehead, we mark our time on this earth by the years and decades behind us and in front of us. The future is always intriguing and exciting.

We live in a period of extended economic prosperity. The 2010’s marks the first time ever, the U.S. started and ended a decade without a recession. We can debate the strength of the economy, continued economic inequality, policies that have helped or hurt the economy, difficulty in finding good workers—but we start 2020 in an enviable economic position.

What will the economy do and will we be ready?

This year’ Presidential election, and probably the other two in this decade, will be marked by greater partisan divide than we’ve experienced in the recent past and growing rhetoric and policy split among our major candidates. President Trump has only been tweeter-in-chief for three years—and how we view politics and politicians has changed. How will these elections and politics shape our world and our industry and will we be ready?

Consumers continue to drive our economy and our industry.

Their buying patterns, evolving channels of product distribution, changing preferences for new products and services, and desire for personalized content delivered at an ever increasing rate are creating an inflection point in consumer products and services.

Amazon Prime, Netflix, and grocery delivery will impact our society, consumers, and ultimately our industry. They are reshaping consumer preferences and expectations. Garden Retail, Big Box, Online—what will happen to brick and mortar retail and front door logistics and will we be ready?

If you’re not finding ways to keep up with technology, the next decade might be a challenge. The official terms are cloudbased automatic speech recognition and natural language understanding, but we just know that smart devices are getting smarter with the help of Siri, Alexa and their voiceactivated friends. Appliances, plugs, switches, cameras, cars, and about every other piece of consumer gadgetry will have these technologies embedded and at your command. Can we harness this power—and other artificial intelligence and virtual reality—to benefit our industry and companies? Will we be ready?

onla.org

In the last decade we were introduced to Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Instagram (TikTok anyone?) Growth and influence of these social media platforms has transformed our entire society. From consumerism, to fashion, to entertainment, to politics, to global affairs—like it or not social media impacts your world. It is almost unimaginable how this platform might be used for good and evil in this decade. Will it benefit our industry and will we be ready?

The Farm Bill passed in 2018 ushered in legalized hemp and our industry is abuzz with the promise of new markets and gold-rush riches. This year and the new decade will separate the successful from the rest as many are already finding the challenges and pitfalls of a new product, underdeveloped markets, and an immature industry to be a difficult path. But a new market for horticulture capacity and resources, with new potentially strong product sales and margins, cash-rich outside investors, and attractive look to the next generation? What could go wrong?

I could play this game all day long. I am intrigued, energized, and excited about this new decade, and you should be, too. At Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association we are finalizing our 2020 events and programming but suffice it to say that each of these issues is on the list of topics that ONLA will be working on to support you, your business, and the industry.

What we do together matters when it comes to growing and protecting the future of our industry in Ohio and beyond.

Your membership and participation in ONLA events will encourage others to join. I appreciate your continued support of ONLA. Help us get the word out: the industry benefits from a growing ONLA membership. B

Ken can be contacted at ken@onla.org January/February 2020

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Welcome New Members!

The following companies and individuals have been approved for ONLA membership, pending the completion of the application process, which includes requesting comments from the current ONLA membership regarding the qualifications and/or dues classifications of applicants within three weeks following receipt of this issue of The Buckeye.

Brian Hibbard Grounds Elite Brian Hibbard 2727 Symmes Rd. Fairfield, OH 45014

4  The Buckeye

Upscale Lawncare Chris Gum 4200 North Bend Rd Cincinnati, OH 45211

onla.org

PRESIDENT'S PERSPECTIVE Emily Showalter, Willoway Nurseries, Inc.

I would like to start my first Buckeye article by thanking Tim Clark for an amazing job leading the association in 2019 and for trusting me to fill the shoes of the President of the ONLA for 2020. Thank you also to our Board Members who completed their term this past year: Mindy Moore from Cardinal Landscape, Tree Service & Lawn Care, Ryan Kolb from Ryan Kolb Co., and Tom Hilgeman from White Oak Gardens, and Andy Doesburg from Ward + Thorton Landscape. Your contributions to the association have been instrumental.

Welcome to our new board members: Jason Cromley from Hidden Creek Landscaping, Mike Hall from Harrells, Scott Knowles from Wolfcreek and Devon Stanley (President Elect) from Benchmark Landscape Construction, Inc. I truly look forward to leading our members alongside our board members and the ONLA staff for the next year. I see great things coming in 2020 for the ONLA and the green industry. I know 2019 was a successful year for many of our members. As we begin 2020, ONLA is here to help you repeat that success and grow your businesses even further. Even though the green industry is one of the toughest industries to do business in with many unknowns such as weather and labor, the best thing about this industry, and the ONLA especially, is the people.

Our members always work together as a team to share ideas, help each other succeed, face challenges, and grow for the future. We have banded together many times before when things were not going well in our industry. Let’s band together while things are good and make 2020 our best year ever – and if we do it together imagine what an impact we can make! For those who know me, I hear you laughing about my optimistic message. I do plan to lead the association optimistically, but with reality always backing up our decisions. Now, a little more about me:

I am currently the Chief of Human Resources for Willoway Nurseries, Inc. in Avon, OH and the C.O.O. at our sister company, Premier Plant Solutions with locations in Hilliard, Avon and Broadview Heights, OH. I am proud to be a member of the third generation of the Demaline family of owners of Willoway and Premier Plant Solutions. I have been working with Willoway full time for 12 years (plus all of my childhood years spent watering, weeding, fertilizing, and learning the ropes of the administrative side of the business including shredding papers and filing – I truly started at the bottom and am proud of it!). I am also a proud graduate of The Ohio State University with a BS in Ag Business. My husband and I are parents of two little Buckeyes: Scarlet, age 4 and Grayson, age 7. Yes, we are some of the biggest buckeye fans you will ever meet.

My goal for the ONLA for 2020 and beyond is to be here for you when things are bad, but also when things are good. And 2020 is going to be a great year! Thank you for the opportunity to lead the ONLA and please contact me directly if you would like to discuss ideas for how we can add more value to the association’s already impressive list of member benefits. B

Emily can be contacted at eshowalter@wwninc.com

2020 Board of Directors Top Row, Left to Right: Ken Fisher, ONLA Executive Director, Jason Cromley, Brandon Druffel, Steve O'Neal, Scott Knowles Bottom Row, Left to Right: Molly John, Tim Clark, Emily Showalter, Devon Stanley, Wendy Moore Not Pictured: Michael Hall

onla.org

January/February 2020

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Member Summit M A N A G E M E N T R E T R E AT

Thank you to our generous sponsors!

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PRESENTING SPONSOR:

onla.org

On December 11–12, 2019, 100 nursery and landscape owners and managers gathered in Columbus, OH for ONLA's annual Member Summit. Themed as a Management Retreat, the Summit included three nationally recognized business and motivational keynote speakers, and breakout sessions designed to build better teams and stronger leadership skills.

PREMIER SPONSORS:

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Belinda Jones, Capitol Consulting Group.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BILLS SET TO BECOME LAW When I speak to green industry groups around Ohio, I typically ask, "What keeps you up at night?". Invariably, the answer is the same: securing an adequate workforce. Having represented the industry for quite some time, my assumption was we were a workforce anomaly. After all, nursery and landscaping work is... face it... hard work. Turns out, our industry does not own the market on that worry. Workforce development is a problem across industry sectors throughout Ohio. The Ohio General Assembly has heard your concerns and has passed two bills that are aimed to provide help/relief: HB 2 and HB 4.

support in their passage of the House and the Senate and they are awaiting signature by Governor DeWine.

We will be working with the administration to find ways to avail our industry of these programs. If you have questions, please call me at 614-679-5062.

2020 HAS ALL LOOKING TOWARD A BIG ELECTION YEAR Certainly, we are looking forward to (?) the Presidential election in 2020 but there are some contentious races already heating up in the Ohio House and the Ohio Senate, including primary contests with incumbents.

HB 2 creates a new program called the TechCred Program.

Republicans currently hold a super majority in the Ohio House TechCred is intended to assist employers with filling workforce (61-38) and in the Ohio Senate (24-9). It is highly unlikely that vacancies along with assisting with "upskilling" current democrats could win control but democrat caucuses to win at employees. TechCred is a program that is already in place but least a few seats to negate the supermajority which would allow HB 2 codifies and provides more detailed guidelines for the them to override a veto by the governor and put measures on administration of the program. To apply for the program and/ the statewide ballot without democratic votes. In addition to or find out more information, visit: www.techcred.ohio.gov. the partisan challenges, there are some primary races that are In addition to HB 2, the Ohio General Assembly also passed already drawing attention.

HB 4 which requires the Governor's Office of Workforce Transformation to act as a liaison between the Ohio Dept of For example, in southwest Ohio, there is an open Senate seat Education (ODE) and Ohio business communities with regard created by the departure of term-limited Senator Bill Coley. to industry-recognized credentials or certification programs.

Representative Candice Keller, Representative George Lang HB 2 and HB 4 have passed both chambers and are aimed and Chester Township to help employers in attracting and retaining employees that more Learn on page 25! Trustee Lee Wong are all vying for Colley's Senate seat. are both qualified and skilled. Both bills have enjoyed wide 8  The Buckeye

onla.org

Another Senate seat that has a contentious primary is Senate District 26, a seat currently held by term-limited State Senator Dave Burke (R; Marysville). This Senate District is a very large district that stretches from Lake Erie to Marysville. State Representative Bill Reineke (R; Tiffin) will face off against Melissa Ackison. Ackison has run previously (unsuccessfully) for the US Senate and has been accused of a few campaign violations but to date no penalty has been assessed against her.

As you may know, Franklin County has become a solid "blue county" so it is no surprise that the one Republican Senate Republican, State Senator Stephanie Kunze (R; Hilliard) has three democratic challengers: Justin Adkins, Troy Doucet, and Crystal Lett. Certainly, this seat is considered vulnerable.

Expect this race to be one that results in heavy campaign spending on both sides. NOTE: Sen. Kunze was the 2018 ONLA Legislator of the Year. She serves on Senate Finance and Senate Ag and this will be a race in which we will likely get involved.

Belinda Jones can be contacted at bjones@capitol-consulting.net or 614.224.3855

Most of the other primary races are in districts where the incumbent is departing due to term limits, including: • House District 25 in central Ohio where seven democrats are vying to take the place of democrat Rep. Bernadine Kent who isn't running presumably due to contention within the caucus • Term limited Fred Strahorn (D; Dayton) is leaving the House and a number of democrats have filed to try to replace him • As mentioned above, Rep. Candice Keller (R; Butler County) is leaving her House seat to run for the Senate and several republicans are tee'd up to run for that seat • House District 66 in southwest Ohio has an open seat made available by the departure of term-limited Rep. Doug Green; three republicans have filed to run in the primary for this district Another interesting primary with a green industry bent is in the 43rd House District, a seat currently held by Rep. J. Todd Smith of eastern Ohio. He is being challenged by Preble County Commissioner and lawncare company owner Rodney Creech.

Overall there are 17 open House seats (12 Republican and five democratic) and five open seats in the Senate.

The eyes of the nation may be on Ohio for our electoral college delegates for the presidential race but our eyes need to be focused on races that are closer to home that in some ways mean more to our businesses that those at the federal level.

If you have local "intel" on any of these candidates, please call me. B onla.org

Landscape Plants for Ohio A Professional’s Guide

LANDSCAPE PLANTS FOR OHIO

A 78-page, fullcolor reference guide for popular evergreens, ferns, grasses, perennials, shrubs and trees. Includes key terminology & planting info.

EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE FROM ONLA • • • •

Education and training for employees Leave-behind item for clients Garden Center Retail Item Landscape Design/Build Sales Tool

Buy online at www.onla.org/store or call 614.899.1195

January/February 2020

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Professional Award Recipients Congratulations to Our 2020 Honorees: Distinguished Contribution Award Karl Losely, Herman Losely & Son, Inc. Educator and Public Service Award Pablo Jourdan, The Ohio State University Service Award Jodi Dawson, Oakland Nurseries, Inc. Young Professional of the Year Shawn Rine, Rine Landscape Group, Inc.

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onla.org

SELL YOUR WAY TO SUCCESS IN 2020 Marty Grunder, Grunder Landscaping Co. Recently my team at The Grow Group, the green-industry consultancy I run, held one of our sales bootcamps in Cincinnati. Ambitious sales pros came from all over the country to spend the day together learning what successful landscaping companies do to win at selling and how to apply these strategies and tactics in their own day-to-day work.

It was a remarkable group of sellers—smart, professional, engaged, and motivated to succeed. It’s also remarkable how often so many of us search for a quick fix to making sales while overlooking the most fundamental but undeniable truths.

In my 35 years of experience, I’ve learned there’s no magical expressway to closing deals. What there is instead is a series of actions, big and small, you have to learn and repeat over and over again. Here are four of the most important: Know your unique value proposition, or UVP. This is what distinguishes you from your competition.

What does your company do or offer that’s better than other landscaping companies in your market? Do you offer better customer service? Better horticultural practices?

Better response time? Better price? Better environmental stewardship? There are many different ways to compete but if it’s your job to sell you have got to know what value it is you’re selling and be able communicate it in a way that matters to your prospects.

Establish clear selling processes and ensure your company is aligned with them. I am a firm believer that good processes and systems enable ordinary teams to do extraordinary things. Successful selling organizations map out the steps they need to take for every aspect of sales, from how to set goals and screen prospects to how to job-cost accurately and win back clients. With these steps in writing and with practice, they become second nature and you’ll find yourself wasting less time on bad leads, delivering more accurate bids, and closing more sales.

Stay in touch with your client all the way through the project, from beginning to end and after. There are few things more detrimental to the long-term success of your business than to focus all your efforts on selling work and then not follow up with your clients to ensure their expectations were met, if not exceeded. Yet at many landscaping companies, the salesperson makes a sale, hands the job off to production, and moves on to chase the next prospect. To the client, this can feel like a bait and switch. To avoid this, check in periodically with your clients, send them handwritten notes, and ensure your company is doing what you said you would do when you sold them the job. Reach back out to your clients from time onla.org

Marty Grunder leads landscape pros in a role-playing exercise to improve their selling technique at The Grow Group’s recent Sales Bootcamp in Cincinnati. to time after the job is complete, too. Down the road you may just find they have another project for you, or a new home they need work done at, or a good friend who wants a patio.

Referrals are among the best leads you’ll get, but you have to ask for them. Studies show that those who actively seek and follow up on referrals close as many as five times more sales than those who do not. Yet most of us don’t ask for referrals, whether because we don’t feel comfortable doing so or because we simply don’t think to. The truth is most happy clients are happy to give you referrals—they want to see you succeed and they want their friends and family and neighbors to be well taken care of. Do yourself a giant favor by putting a regular, repeatable referral plan in place for yourself, even if it’s just a line-item on a sales checklist. I guarantee you’ll be glad you did.

I hope your year is off to a great start and that I’ll get to see you soon. We’ll be in Charlotte, February 24–26, for our GROW! 2020 Annual Conference, and we’ll be holding more sales bootcamps in the months ahead. Learn more at growgroupinc. com. B

Contact Marty at marty.grunder@ grunderlandscaping.com January/February 2020

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GET CERTIFIED IN 2020!

Become an Ohio Certified Nursery Technician WHY? • Improve your skills and increase your worth as an employee •

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•

Provide professional development for your employees

2020 TEST DATES January 16, February 20, March 19, April 16, May 21, June 18, July 16, August 20, September 17, October 15, November 19 Ready to take the test? Register online at onla.org.

SPECIALIZATIONS: Grower The grower is the base of the green industry. In order to have healthy plants to sell, the nursery employee must be knowledgeable in a wide variety of subjects including plant identification, development and health; growing and harvesting techniques; plant nutrients; pest and disease elimination; plant maintenance and more.

Landscape The public, architects and contractors have come to rely on landscape contractors and installers for dependable landscape construction techniques and horticultural expertise. In order to provide sound scientific horticultural advice and proper installation, the landscape installer must be knowledgeable in a wide variety of areas including plant identification, plant usage, plant health, soils, turfgrass management, use of pesticides, construction techniques, design, sales and more.

Garden Center The retail garden center is the information center on which homeowners have come to rely for dependable horticultural expertise. In order to provide sound scientific horticultural advice to customers, garden center employees must be knowledgeable in a wide variety of subjects including proper plant usage, plant health, soils, turfgrass management, landscape design, proper planting and maintenance of nursery stock and more.

Core Core is important to all aspects of the Green Industry. Plant ID, Professionalism, Safety & First Aid are examples of the Core chapters of which all nursery and landscape professionals should have knowledge.

A program of:

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MEMBER RATES (Call for non-member pricing) * Landscape + Core ______ x $125.00 = $_______ Garden Center ______ x $75.00 = $_______ Grower ______ x $75.00 = $_______ All Manuals ______ x $250.00 = $_______ Replacement CD Rom ______ x $25.00 = $_______ Total = $_______ * Written Manual and Computer Based Training CD Rom for each

Return to: The Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association • 72 Dorchester Square • Westerville, OH 43081-3350 Ph: 614.899.1195 • 800.825.5062 • F: 614.899.9489

onla.org

January/February 2020

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47TH ANNUAL

Landscape Awards

PROJECT OF THE YEAR Grunder Landscaping Co., “Winch Residence”

47th Annual Landscape Awards Winning GRAND AWARD Residential Installation $50,001 & Over Exscape Designs, “Harcourt Manor” This property’s new owners were very committed to restoring the 1920’s era house to its original grandeur and had two requests. First, they wanted to develop the landscape to host large charity events, secondly the new landscape needed to blend with the traditional architecture of the house and surrounding neighborhood. The installation was in conjunction with a 2 ½ year remodel of the house.

Residential Installation $50,001 & Over Yard Smart Landscaping, Inc., “The Kemper Residence” This landscape renovation includes a new patios space, carpentry, new plantings and LED landscape lighting. The client was seeking a classic garden style in this grand lakefront space. The home sits high above Lake Erie, thus plant selection for northern Ohio’s winter winds was essential.

Projects

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Residential Installation $50,001 & Over Hidden Creek Landscaping, Inc., “Uncovered Beauty” The design blends new hardscape and landscape elements into the existing architecture with the goal that it appears as if it was all built at the same time. The overall result is a cohesive landscape that compliments the architecture of the home and creates inviting places to sit and enjoy the outdoors.

Residential Installation $50,001 & Over Exscape Designs, “A Shaker Heights Backyard” The owners of this small, urban property wanted to create an outdoor entertainment area which had a feel of an Adirondack summer home for their family and friends. The wish list of features included were a pool, roof structure, grilling station, fire pit, and seating areas. With all of these features to fit into a small backyard; while maintaining a small lawn area for their dog.

47th Annual Landscape Awards Winning Residential Installation $50,001 & Over Exscape Designs, “A Private Backyard” The client wanted an outdoor entertainment area which flowed out of the back of the house and off the existing concrete patio. With the existing uphill slope in mind; we designed a two level patio/pool space with a natural feel. There is pavement on three sides, with the back of the pool tucked into a landscape mound which prevents an existing creek from over flowing into the pool.

Residential Installation $50,001 & Over Bremec Greenhouse & Nursery, “Bonitati Residence” This backyard retreat includes a curved pool, custom natural rock waterfall, and rock outcropped landscape. The result has the feel of a private resort, inspired by the family’s vacation to Arizona.

Projects

SPONSORED BY:

Residential Installation $50,001 & Over Bremec Greenhouse & Nursery, “Listati Residence” A beautiful design and installation with a raised deck, pergola, lighting, stamp concrete pool surround, fence and planting.

Residential Installation $50,001 & Over Hidden Creek Landscaping, Inc., “Vibrant Revival” Time had taken its toll on this client’s backyard and pool. The landscape was overgrown in areas, the pool deck cracking and the koi pond deteriorating. The revived outdoor space blends seamlessly with the existing home. The design provided a modern landscape aesthetic that combined traditional materials of travertine and bluestone with the modern material of Ipe wood, a Brazilian exotic wood.

47th Annual Landscape Awards Winning GRAND AWARD Residential Landscape Maintenance Grunder Landscaping Co., “Winch Residence” Crisp edges and mow lines accentuate the lush lawn, several outdoor living areas, and natural vistas.

The landscape features extensive perennial gardens and the topography of the property requires constant monitoring of water and drainage.

GRAND AWARD Seasonal Color, Container or Perennial Gardens Crocker Park, “Seasonal Color” Annuals, perennials and tropicals are used in the seasonal plantings at this mixed-use lifestyle center. The vibrant displays invite feature signage that helps visitors learn more about the plantings.

Projects

SPONSORED BY:

GRAND AWARD Theme, Show or Educational Gardens Bremec Greenhouse & Nursery, “Bremec Garden Center” The garden center layout beautifully showcases plants and designs to stimulate vision and creative inspiration for guests. Hand crafted pots are a feature throughout the garden center.

Seasonal Color, Container or Perennial Gardens Brightview Landscape Services, Oakwood Village “Legacy Village” Vibrant seasonal displays adorn this upscale lifestyle center that welcomes a steady flow of traffic year and hosts many special events year round.

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January/February 2020

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11/16/18 9:32 AM

THE CULTIVAR SOLUTION

Taming Invasive Species with Plant Breeding

By Tim Wood, Spring Meadow Nursery

Sunjoy Todo® Barberry 24 The Buckeye

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It is welcome news that people now recognize the threat of invasive, exotic species that can displace native species and alter our native ecosystems.

Gardeners, nurserymen, landscape architects and other land stewards should all see the need to act responsibly to preserve our native ecosystems. No one wants to be responsible for the next purple loosestrife, kudzu, or multiflora rose, all wellknown examples of problematic, invasive species.

We can all see that the proverbial Pandora’s box has been opened and now the question is how do we close it.

State and local lawmakers are attempting to solve the problem with legislation that bans the sale of invasive species. Most of us can agree to give up kudzu and garlic mustard, but should gardeners and landscapers be forced to forgo some of our best performing ornamental plants? The question might be irrelevant if we better understood that weedy, seedy species can be tamed with plant breeding.

Plant scientists, horticulturists, farmers and gardeners have been selecting and breeding cultivars since the dawn of agriculture. Historically, cultivars have been developed to produce greater crop yields or larger, more colorful flowers. These same techniques can and have been used to produce well behaved, environmentally friendly plants that are not invasive threats like their parents. There are essentially five methods of taming an invasive species; flower doubling, male clones, wide crosses, triploids, and mutation breeding using chemicals or irradiation. One of the oldest methods for taming a weedy species is to create fully double flowers, where the reproductive organs (stamen and pistil) are turned into petals. Double flowered cherry trees (Prunus sp.) are an excellent example.

Have you ever seen fruit on Kwanzan cherry tree?

Doubled flowers typically first occur as chance

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mutation and are then exploited by plant breeders to increase the petal count by transforming all the stamen and pistil. Typically, the more petals you have the greater the degree of sterility. Rose of Sharon, Hibiscus syriacus is a good example of a weedy garden plant that was tamed by means of doubled flowers. There are a number of fully double flowered cultivars in a range of colors and none of them set much, if any, seed.

Selling and planting cloned male plants is another very simple way to eliminate seed and thus invasiveness. Male plants produce no fruit or seed and are rarely invasive. Unfortunately, this method is limited to plant species that are dioecious, having male and female flowers on separate plants. There are a number of plant species we could tame using this method, including Amur cork tree (Phellodendron,) bittersweet (Celastrus), mulberry (Morus), poplar (Populus) and willow (Salix).

Creating a mule, or making a wide cross between two distantly related species can solve invasiveness.

Mules rarely produce offspring. The key with this method is finding parents with the proper amount of genetic distance. If they are too closely related the offspring can be fertile. If they are too distantly related, it’s impossible to make a successful cross.

Dr. Tom Ranney at North Carolina State University has used this technique on several potentially invasive species. He developed Sunjoy Todo® Berberis x ‘NCBX1’ (see Table 1) and Golden Ticket® Ligustrum x ‘NCLX1’ using the wide cross technique to reduce fertility. Dr. Dennis Werner, also from North Carolina State University, developed the Lo & Behold® Buddleia series utilizing wide crosses.

One of the more useful methods for taming an invasive species is to create a triploid (3x) plant,

January/February 2020

25

Double Play Doozie® Spirea

Lo & Behold® Blue Chip Buddleia

Table 1. Comparison of female fertility traits among cultivars of Berberis.

Cultivar n Fruit Set Seeds/ Germination Seedlings/ (%) Fruit (%) Flower 2012 ‘NCBT1’ Sunjoy Mini Maroon ‘NCBX1’ Sunjoy Toto ‘Golden Devine’ ‘Emerald Carousel’ 2014 ‘NCBT1’ Sunjoy Mini Maroon ‘Golden Devine’ ‘Emerald Carousel’

Relative fertilityZ (%)

10

0.3 B

0.10 B

0.0 B

0.0 B

0.0 B

5

0.0 B

0.00 B

0.0 B

0.0 B

0.0 B

5 8

33.8 A 42.7 A

1.15 A 1.26 A

38.3 A 41.1 A

0.16 A 0.22 A

71.3 A 100.0 A

10

37.4 B

0.09 B

23.3 B

0.003 B

1.2 B

4 8

66.0 A 33.5 B

1.30 A 1.13 A

30.3 B 56.4 A

0.284 A 0.220 A

100.0 A 77.6 A

Relative fertility = seedlings/flower of that cultivar divided by seedlings/flower for the highest cultivar measured that year x 100. Means followed by the same letter, within a column, for a given year, are not significantly different, P<0.05, based on a Waller-Duncan ANOVA means separation.

Z

To evaluate female fertility, plants were arranged outdoors in a completely randomized design prior to flowering in Mills River, NC. Study plants were intermixed with 40 additional Berberis taxa to ensure for optimal cross pollination conditions utilizing natural pollinators. Individual branches were marked and the number of individual flowers on each branch was record. Fruit were collected when mature. Seeds were extracted, counted, sowed, and stratified for 90 days at 43° F. Pots with stratified seeds were then moved to a greenhouse maintained at approximately 70° F for 90 days and the number of seedlings were counted for each replicate.

Photos courtesy of Spring Meadow Nursery 26 The Buckeye

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which is one that has three sets of chromosomes instead of the normal two, called a diploid (2x). This was the technique used to create the seedless watermelon. The process starts by treating young seedlings with colchicine or oryzalin which doubles the chromosomes, creating a tetraploid (4x) plant.

The tetraploid plant is then crossed back with a normal diploid plant. The resulting triploid seedlings are often rendered sterile or nearly sterile. Double Play Doozie® Spiraea japonica ‘NCSZ2’ is a seedless triploid as well as a wide cross. One of the potential added benefit sterility is that the plant puts its energy into flowering instead of setting seed. With Double Play Doozie® Spiraea the results are flowers all summer long.

Seedless plant mutations can also be induced by using chemicals or radiation. For example, seedless oranges, grapefruit, lemons and other citrus fruit have been created by using gamma radiation. Dr. Ranney used irradiation to develop the seedless Sunjoy Todo® Berberis x ‘NCBX1’. All of the aforementioned techniques have been used to create seedless ornamental plants that were otherwise considered weedy or invasive. We now have seedless ash, barberry, bittersweet, buckthorn, butterfly bush, mulberry, privet and rose of Sharon, and plant breeders are working on Amur maple, Bradford pear, Norway maple, as well as other useful, but invasive species.

Promoting an exclusively native plant agenda underestimates

species that are not indigenous. Gardeners, like environmentalists, are proud of our natural heritage and want to preserve native habitats. They want to do what is morally right, but they also want to create beautiful gardens in our man made habitats. Cities and suburbs present challenging growing environments and exotic plants often perform better than native plants. Contrary to popular dogma, native plants are not more adaptable than exotic species, and they are not more resistant to insect and disease attacks. Quite the contrary, exotic species are often used by plant breeders to create new, pest resistant cultivars that reduce the use of pesticides.

The cultivar solution is the answer to the complex problem of invasive species. We need to embrace and promote safe, seedless cultivars regardless if the species has been banned in our state or market. The time to act is before a plant species is banned. Legislation by state governments that restrict the sale of invasive plant species should include a means for exempting non-invasive cultivars regardless of species. As the green industry, we need to lead and show others that we are serious about the environment.B Tim Wood is the New Product Development Manager at Spring Meadow Nursery. He can contacted at Tim@SpringMeadowNursery.com

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28â&#x20AC;&#x192; The Buckeye

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THE PERENNIAL DIVA'S

A Lavender for Those Who Can't Grow Lavender

By Bobbie Schwartz, FAPLD

Like most gardeners, I love the idea of lavender. How could you not with its intoxicating scent? It’s almost impossible to pick up a gardening book and not see romantic photos of lavender paired with frothy roses. Unfortunately, many of us live in places where the summers are not only hot, but humid--and humidity is not lavender’s friend.

the last frost has passed, cutting them back to 8 inches. ‘Phenomenal’ will bloom from summer to fall. After the first bloom flush, perform surgery and cut the spent flowers off to encourage further blossoming. At one time these plants were relegated to the herb garden, but can be used as edging in a perennial border, or as a small hedge.

On top of that, lots of winter moisture can spell disaster for these purpleblooming beauties. Given these facts, it’s no surprise that many types of lavender languish and die a slow and painful death in gardens across the country. Luckily, plant breeders have been working on making hardier versions of lavender for years. The culmination of their efforts is Lavendula x intermedia which has improved flower color and habit. But, more important, this group of lavenders is more disease resistant, tolerant of heat and humidity, and can survive harsh winters.

Other intermedias are: ‘Provence’, ‘Grosso’, ‘Betty’s Blue’. All of these are sometimes called Lavindins.

There are other lavenders that are not hardy in zones 6 and lower. French lavender (Lavendula dentata) is hardy in zones 7–9 and handles the heat of zone 8 better. Spanish lavender (Lavendula stoechas) is hardy in zones 8–11. I have used these in containers and the flowers are handsome and unusual, but they do handle dry heat very well. Just remember they will die come frost. Don't be upset,

lots of herb sellers have them as well as growers who carry tender perennials.

I can also guarantee Mr. and Mrs. Bambi will not eat lavender. Although, if you plant it with roses, all bets are off for their companions. B Stephanie Cohen is an avid plantswoman, who lectures frequently around the country about her favorite plants—and about ones she wishes she never met.

Contact her at perplants@aol.com Photos: Lavender ‘Phenomenal’, courtesy of Peace Tree Farm

Among the many cultivars of Lavendula x intermedia is ‘Phenomenal’ which truly lives up to its name. This plant is more vigorous, more compact, and it produces larger wands of blossoms. An unexpected bonus is the sparkling gray foliage, which looks outstanding in winter. In spring, after the plants begin to leaf out, you can prune them. I try to make sure onla.org

January/February 2020

29

In Memoriam

Lloyd Eugene Fullmer, son of Everett and Hazel (Caylor) Fullmer was born on July 28th, 1941. He died on December 6th, 2019 at 78 years of age. Lloyd accepted Christ as his Saviour and was baptized in 1958.

He was a member of the Old German Baptist Brethren New Conference Church. On August 19th 1961, Lloyd married Opal Irene, daughter of Elmer and Fannie (Lavy) Garber. This marriage was blessed with four children, Gail Pegg (Wyatt), Karla Riffey (Ed), Kent Fullmer (Janine), and Grant Fullmer (Leanne). He is survived by his wife, children, 18 grandchildren, and 34 great grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers Ed Fullmer (Karen) and Ron Fullmer (Regina), and one sister Bernadine Holsinger (Allen), brothers and sisters-in-law Ralph Garber, Harold Turner, Nancy Garber, Calvin and Ethel Jamison, and Norman and Donna Denlinger. Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents, his wifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parents, brother and sisters-in-law Betty Garber, Harold Garber, and Dorothy Turner. His life consisted of faith in God, care of family, his work as a deacon in the church, and a love of plants and landscaping. He liked guns, sharp-shooting, and was an enthusiast for whatever he attempted to do. Thus ends the time-span of a husband, father, grandpa, employer, mentor, teacher, generous benefactor, brother and friend. Each of our lives has been enriched by the life and example of Lloyd. To God be the Glory.

Ruth Strader, age 90, passed away on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. Ruth was born on May 1, 1929 in Mount Vernon, Ohio to the late Charles and Nellie. Also preceding her in death was her brother Harold and sister Helen. Ruth will be deeply missed by her loving husband of 68 years, Jack Strader; children Mary, Susan , Patricia and Stephen ; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Eugene; and niece Betsy. Ruth grew up as a farm girl in Ohio on her parent's farm. Then graduated from OSU where she met her husband, Jack Strader. Together with Jack and while raising four children, they built a small garden supply store on King Ave, which eventually grew into one of the largest family-owned garden centers in the country, Strader's Garden Centers. From her early life on the farm, Ruth had a strong work ethic and strived to teach it to others. She always found time to chat with the customers that came into their store and made many life-long friends from those times. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to share memories and condolences.

D. Garth Hetz, age 81, passed away in his sleep on December 21, 2019. He was born in his parents' home on Water Street, in Fairview, on October 2, 1938, the first born and only son of Clifford Burton Hetz and Estella Mae Lamb Hetz. Garth was the grandson of Frank C. Hetz, the founder of Fairview Evergreen Nurseries, Inc., the family's business established in 1911. Garth developed a strong work ethic while growing up working in the fields with the crews planting and harvesting the evergreens, flowering shrubs, and shade trees that would go on to beautify the landscapes of the nursery's wholesale customers and their clients throughout the eastern and midwestern United States and Canada. He spent most of his long career as foreman of 'Crew 2', and as the company's President/CEO and Chairman of the Board, until his retirement in 2003. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Planetary Society, 60 South Los Robles Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101-2016 or to the Autism Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania.

30â&#x20AC;&#x192; The Buckeye

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PLANT HEALTH CARE

NEWSLETTER Receive the latest information on plant health care problems and suppression techniques. ONLA’s Plant Health Care Newsletter provides timely information on the identification and treatment options available for the pests, diseases, and abiotic disorders seen in landscapes and nurseries.

CONTRIBUTORS Jason Douglas is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist with 15 years of experience in the fields of tree care, nursery growing, and landscaping. He is currently a Crew Leader for City of Reynoldsburg Parks and Recreation.

Joe Puperi is the owner of Advanced Tree Health, Ltd. in Findlay. He has more than 20 years of experience as an arborist and forester. He is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist.

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Growing for Generations Cultivating Relationships for a Lifetime

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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

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Landscape Training Specialist Environmental Management, Inc. Plain City, OH

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UPCOMING EVENTS

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OCNT Exams January 16, February 20, March 19, April 16 Westerville, Ohio onla.org/ocnt

Ernst Seeds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Fairview Evergreen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 fairviewevergreen.com Green Velvet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Tri-State Green Industry Conference O February 6 Sharonville, Ohio go.osu.edu/2020GIC

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PLANT HEALTH CARE

NEWSLETTER Receive the latest information on plant health care problems and suppression techniques. ONLAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Plant Health Care Newsletter provides timely information on the identification and treatment options available for the pests, diseases, and abiotic disorders seen in landscapes and nurseries.

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