In this issue:
  • Thanks for Joining us at MANTS
  • Chat with the Breeder: Piet Oudolf on New Grasses
  • It's Blue, and It's Back: Carex flaccosperma
  • Re-Envisioning the American Lawn in Green Profit
  • Podcast Natchez Glen House Stories: U.S. Grass History and Trends
  • Upcoming Events
Thank You for Joining Us!
MANTS was a unique experience this year, and we're proud of everyone involved. We heard from you, we saw some of you, and we had fun.

The online events we hosted during the show were a welcome bright spot. We recorded them and will be releasing them over the next few weeks. Check out the first release—a chat with Piet Oudolf—in the story below.

The MANTS.com Business Hub remains available through early April to those who registered. We encourage you to visit and explore our online profile if you haven't already.
Chat with the Breeder: Oudolf on New Grasses
Our virtual “Chat with the Breeder” sessions during MANTS focused on our newest selections, and they were a big hit. We recorded sessions, and our first release is posted on our YouTube channel.

This recording includes a chat between Piet Oudolf and John Hoffman, followed by excerpts from the attendee Q&A with John and David Hoffman. In the discussion, Piet talked about our newest Switchgrass, Panicum virgatum 'Purple Tears' PP28518. He also gave a preview of several new Moor Grasses and a stand-out Little Bluestem called 'Ha Ha Tonka'.


As we release more recordings, we'll give you a heads up here in GrassSolutions and will post links in multiple places: our Virtual Events page, our blog, our MANTS.com Business Hub profile, and social media.
It's Blue, and It's Back
Blue Wood Sedge
Carex flaccosperma, which left our lineup for a few years, has returned. With half-inch-wide, greenish blue leaves, it's a charming addition to shady spots.

Blue Wood Sedge occurs naturally across the Southeast U.S. and into the Mid Atlantic. It's often found on wet sites and is tolerant of poorly drained soils. It's also adaptable to average garden soil. With consistent moisture, it will take partial sun. It's a lovely selection for a ground cover, as it is mostly evergreen and will spread slowly via short rhizomes.

For more images and details, see our plant profile.
Quick Facts: cool season, blue-green foliage, 6-12" tall, part sun-shade, average-moist conditions, flowers late spring, Zones 5-8, origin: South Central and Southeastern U.S.
Selling Consumers on Smaller Lawns
Re-Envisioning the American Lawn

Traditional lawns have their place, but reducing their size and promoting plantings with more ecological benefits and fewer inputs is smart. In the January edition of Green Profit, Hoffman Nursery contributes ideas to help consumers make the switch.

Read more
www.greenprofit.com
Let's Talk Grasses
Natchez Glen House Stories:
U.S. Grass History and Trends
The podcast Natchez Glen House Stories seeks to tell the story of either a person, a place, or a plant—and sometimes all three. It aims for real conversations about topics from the natural world. Host Steve Mydelski asked Hoffman Nursery to join him in talking about the history of grasses and understanding how to use them in gardens.

Our Marketing Director Shannon Currey chatted with Mydelski about the changing role of grasses, the rising popularity of sedges, and how both fit into current trends.

You can link directly to the podcast on PodBean and on Apple Podcasts. Or, find it by searching any podcast app for "Natchez Glen House Stories" and go to the the Nov. 19, 2020 episode.
The podcast discussion ranges from designers who popularized grasses in the U.S. to trends that are changing consumer preferences.
Upcoming Events
Available through April 1, 2021
MANTS adapted in 2021 by shifting to an online business hub. If you registered for MANTS, the Business Hub is available for 90 days post-show.

During MANTS 2021, Hoffman Nursery hosted grass chats and virtual visits using Zoom. We will be posting recordings of most of these events online. The first, with Piet Oudolf is already posted. Keep an eye out for emails, social media, and our MANTS Business Hub profile for details on the others. To see session descriptions and links to what's been posted, go to our Virtual Events page. 
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Thursdays at 2pm, February 11 through March 11
The folks at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden have been looking for a way to share information from their extensive plant trials with the green industry and avid gardeners. They've found it. They're hosting a virtual series with five one-hour sessions focused entirely on the very best garden plants. One session each on perennials, annuals, woodies, pollinator plants, and native plants on Thursday afternoons at 2:00PM.

While you're on their Botanical Gardens Events page, check all the other upcoming programs. They've got a fantastic roster of topics and speakers.
Feb. 12, 2020 - Winter Virtual Symposium
Perennial Professionals: At Work and Play
The Perennial Plant Association, known for its networking and plant intensity, is offering webinars, happy hours, and garden tours virtually. They're interesting, informative, and offer an inside look at some of the best gardens and projects in North America. And they feature designers, growers, curators, and other perennial plant professionals who will give you the scoop.

Join your perennial colleagues in these engaging virtual events. Check out the full schedule at the link above.
Virtual is the current event mode. We'll be posting events we're involved in or are related to what we do. Keep an eye out for details as they become available. Check the full calendar on our Upcoming Events page for the most up-to-date info.
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