I spent last week in Orlando, Florida, attending The Landscape Show, the premier green industry trade show for the landscape industry. The show is hosted by the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA) and brings in people from all over the south—and even some from further away. This year’s theme was “Growing Through Connections” and what a fitting theme that was. I made so many new connections at the show, visiting with growers I had not had a chance to talk with in quite a while and meeting many new people. Everyone was so eager to connect, it was refreshing. 

 

 

The new expansions to the Knowledge College were a hit. I had a chance to sit in on a few talks, and picked up quite a bit of new information. I heard buzz on the floor about the new Irrigation track. Plus, I had a chance to send my students there to offload their teaching to someone else for a short while!

 

I also had an exciting orientation to a new program. I was recently selected to participate in the Emerging Leaders Program with the FNGLA, a relatively new program dedicated to providing leadership training and unique opportunities to Florida’s green industry members to help build the future foundation of the industry. I have participated in a few different leadership programs in my time, both through my previous position at LSU and with my national academic society, ASHS, among others, so I had a rough idea what this program might be like. What a surprise, from our first meeting, the potential was on display. Most leadership programs are a few online modules and some open discussion—to be honest I find many to be quite performative. However, this one sounds fun and engaging. I fully expect to get a lot out of this program, and this was just day 1!

 

If you haven’t had a chance, I highly recommend checking it out next year. It’s a great time, with great people, and the best place with dedicated support for the landscape industry. I also have to say, that this is one of the most “attractive” shows ever. Now, I don’t want to pick favorites, but since the show is dedicated to the landscapers, the nurseries are on full display. The sheer volume of plant materials lining well-crafted booths was unbelievable. Plus, it’s Florida, so you get a nice mixture of classic plant materials and unique, tropical and sub-tropical material that you wouldn’t find anywhere else. Some growers go all out and bring massive 30 ft.+ trees for displays. If that isn’t dedication, I don’t know what is. 

If you’re coming to town for the Oregon Nursery Field Day, you might as well stick around for a week (go take a hike in the mountains or maybe hop on a kayak), because September 29-30, the AmericanHort Nursery Tour is hitting the Willamette Valley. This tour takes attendees on an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of some of the most innovative nurseries in the business. You will spend two full days deep in the heart of the Willamette Valley, one of the nation’s well-renowned nursery areas. 

 

The tour is organized to blend multi-generational family operations with high-tech automation to explore progressive plant development. You have a front row seat to see how robotics are fitting in the nursery industry. You will walk away with some new ideas and insights. The first day kicks off with a stop at Woodburn Nursery & Azaleas, before heading to Bountiful Farms, J. Frank Schmidt & Son, Hans Nelson & Sons and Iseli Nursery. The second day includes stops at Microplant Nurseries, Oregon Perennial Company, Robinson Nursery, Bailey Nursery and Monrovia. 

 

Registration is limited to maximize learning and ensure hands-on activities are possible. So, be sure to sign up soon. Check out the event HERE.

Ball Horticultural Company has announced an expansion of its tropical plant lineup through acquisition of the Tradewinds Hibiscus line from Aris Horticulture, a leading producer and developer of ornamental plants. This transfer includes all commercial varieties, breeding stock, future introductions, and the Tradewinds trademark, which will further strengthen Ball FloraPlant’s world-class genetics assortment and build innovation in the tropical category. “Expanding our tropical portfolio helps Ball meet the needs of the evolving market. We welcome these exciting additions to the Ball family,” says Allan Davidson, President of Ball Horticultural Company. “This transition combines industry-leading genetics, production expertise, and customer support to deliver even greater value to our customers and partners.”

 

That’s not all, Ball Seed will acquire the commercial business responsibilities for Aris’ tropical liner, prefinished and finished programs. This includes Hibiscus, Mandevilla and Tropical Fern classes, along with select Igloo Mums and Green Leaf Plants Florida perennials (Transferred Products). Aris will continue to produce and finish the Transferred Products but will turn over all direct sales and distribution to Ball Seed. The Transferred Products will also have availability and be sold through Star Roses and Plants.

 

“Ball has a compelling vision for leveraging Tradewinds and expanding its tropical plants portfolio, and Aris has the production and growing experience to make it happen,” says Scott Schaefer, President & CEO of Aris Horticulture Inc. “This strategic partnership allows each company to focus on core strengths and ensures the continuing supply of the premium products our customers have come to rely on.” Aris continued to accept orders through Aug. 17 and will operate as a separate, independent company producing and marketing Keepsake Plants and contract production services.