GrassSolutions - June 2019

In this issue:

A Different Lawn with Buffalo Grass
I'm Done Mowing My Lawn
Native Turf Grasses
New Catalog Coming Soon!
Bill Hall in Greenhouse Grower's Medal of Excellence Awards
Upcoming Events

Green Infrastructure: Rethinking Lawns

Green infrastructure includes rethinking traditionally managed turf areas. We see increased demand for landscapes that use fewer resources and add ecological value. There's a place for turf grass in modern landscapes. Nonetheless, with increasing drought and the emphasis on ecosystem services, many people are taking a different approach. They're investigating native species as alternatives, reducing the amount of space devoted to lawn, or converting lawn to different plantings all together.

We love using grasses and sedges to create a low ground cover that does not need regular mowing or fertilizing. Below we highlight several recent stories that address rethinking lawns. A post on our newest selection, Buffalo Grass, leads the way.

A Different Lawn with Buffalo Grass

Would you like a lawn that doesn't require fertilizer, pesticides, or frequent mowing? Buffalo Grass is a warm-season native grass that makes a great alternative to traditional turf grasses.

Read more
hoffmannursery.com

I'm Done Mowing My Lawn

A manicured swath of grass may be the ultimate symbol of suburbia, but perhaps it shouldn't be. In the suburbs, homeowners take their lawns seriously. Folks in this article are bucking the system and going for something different.

Read more
www.nytimes.com

Native Turf Grasses

This post on the popular Garden Rant website points out that neat turf doesn't have to be fussy and problematic. Moving from Euro-centric turf grasses to North American species can offer great alternatives. Turf grass research is going there, too.

Read more
www.gardenrant.com

Our 2019-2020 Catalog of Grasses

New Catalog Coming Soon!

Every year we look forward to it, and we hope you do, too. Our updated catalog for 2019-2020 is almost here. It's at the printer and should be hitting mailboxes in early July.

The cover image features nursery favorite, Muhlenbergia capillaris ‘White Cloud’. With showy, ornamental qualities and steadfast performance, it fits a range of applications. This year’s catalog theme focuses on what grasses can do for our customers. You'll find success stories highlighting the benefits of growing good grass!

What else is new?

A list of salt tolerant grasses joins our already helpful quick guides. Check out this earlier blog post for a preview.
Buffalo Grass, a stellar alternative to traditional turf grasses, has joined our lineup.
Another newcomer, Blackhawks Big Bluestem, brings an intense pop of color to a native favorite.
Updated lists and comparison charts for:
Carex
Miscanthus
Switchgrasses
Fountain Grasses
Little Bluestem
Plants for green infrastructure

If you haven't received the catalog by mid-July, send us an email or contact our sales team at 800-203-8590.

Greenhouse Grower Awards

Hoffman Nursery's Bill Hall - Excellence in Leadership Award

Our own Bill Hall is a finalist for the 2019 Head Grower of the Year award. It follows his being recognized for excellence in leadership. He shares outstanding traits with these distinguished finalists. Find out how they're making a difference.

Read more
www.greenhousegrower.com

Upcoming Events

Cultivate'19

July 13-16, 2019; Columbus, OH

It's become the biggest, and everyone's invited to this horticultural party! Join us at Cultivate'19 for days filled with presentations, networking, and great conversations. We'll be there in Booth 3013 with our team.

Bill Hall, our Head Grower, and winner of Greenhouse Grower's Excellence in Leadership Award, will be on the education stage. He's presenting the Switchgrass half of Perennial Production: Better Baptisia and Problem-Free Panicum.

Martha Hamblin, our Senior Director of HR and Legal, will lead a round table discussion during Saturday's workforce workshop. Designed for horticulture HR, safety professionals, and green business owners, this workshop is for those who source, recruit, onboard and train employees. " It's All About the Workforce," takes place on Saturday, July 13.

National Perennial Plant Symposium

July 28-August 2, 2019; Chicago, IL

The Perennial Plant Association's annual symposium brings together all kinds of professionals devoted to perennials. In Chicago this year, it will be held for the first time in conjunction with All-American Selections and the National Garden Bureau. Our Marketing Director Shannon Currey will be speaking on Success with Sedges.

Early bird rates are available through June 21. The tours fill up quickly, so register soon to get your preferred choices. See you there!

TNLA Nursery/Landscape EXPO

August 8-10, 2019; San Antonio, TX

After a great experience last summer, we are going back to the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association's (TNLA) big show. Grasses and sedges are also getting big in Texas, and we're thrilled to be a part of it. Find us at there in Booth 4014.

Our Marketing Director, Shannon Currey, will be part of the educational sessions. Her presentation, Time to Think Green...Infrastructure will give an overview of green infrastructure and factors driving its implementation. Using examples from Hoffman Nursery’s palette of grasses and sedges, she'll explore new approaches and ways to capitalize on this expanding market. Catch her on Thursday, August 8 from 3-4pm.