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As winter's quiet grip remains strong, savvy green industry professionals recognize it's the ideal time to plan for a lush landscape resurgence in the upcoming season. Forrest Keeling Nursery, is here to support your 2026 goals with RPM®-powered native plants that address urban challenges, restore wetlands, and enhance agroforestry — from flood-resistant pecans to pollinator-attracting American Hornbeam. Dive in for expert picks and trade show updates to secure your stock and stay ahead. | | | | |
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American Hornbeam:
Reliable, urban native
| Landscape professionals, specify American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) to add structure to winter urban projects. Known as "musclewood" for its smooth, thin, distinctive bluish-gray bark—fluted with sinewy ridges resembling flexed muscles—this Midwest native understory tree (20-30 ft tall/wide) provides reliable form in urban landscapes, with catkins offering bird forage through cold months. | | |
Hardy in zones 3-9 on moist loam, it tolerates shade, flooding, and drought. It attracts spring butterflies, offers vibrant fall colors and delivers impressive benefits across multiple seasons for clients. Low maintenance and RPM®-grown for quick establishment, it supports wildlife without overpowering sites. Build durable, native-focused landscapes that perform year-round.
Order RPM-produced hornbeam now for spring in #3, #5 and #7 containers.
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Spring Surge: Lock in FKN Natives Now | | Winter's hush? It's your cue to gear up for lush landscapes ahead. As 2026 unfolds, Forrest Keeling Nursery's native seedlings and container plants are ready to enhance urban edges, rain gardens, and reforestation projects. Get ahead of the crowd: Place early orders to secure prime stock of climate resistant stars, such as RPM native pecan seedlings (bottomland nut powerhouses) or grafted pecan and pawpaw varieties in #3 and #5 containers. | | | |
Why now? Our RPM root revolution provides twice as fast establishment and is specially tuned for the Midwest's diverse conditions—ranging from drought to flood. From bald cypress to buttonbush and ninebark, Forrest Keeling natives thrive with over a 95% survival rate.
Specify FKN RPM-produced plants to help keep your project on time and within budget. Browse real-time inventory and place orders early at FKNursery.com, or contact us to discuss upcoming projects.
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As 2026 dawns, urban wellness gardens—semi-enclosed retreats featuring curved native hedges and varied textures that stimulate our senses—are becoming popular. These spaces help reduce the stress of city life, lowering cortisol levels by 20-30% through biophilic immersion. According to trends highlighted in a recent Veranda article, these sanctuaries combine privacy, sensory relaxation, and the added benefit of attracting songbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Forrest Keeling's RPM™-grown Midwest natives perform well in urban settings and tough backcountry areas: drought-tolerant roots help prevent erosion, cut water needs by up to 75%, and support biodiversity. These advantages can help earn LEED credits.
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Register Now for Fall Field Day
September 17, 2026
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Join us for the 2026 Forrest Keeling Fall Field Day: "Rooted in Natives." Connect with professionals dedicated to clean air, pure water, and renewed earth as we celebrate how native plants, resilient cultivars, and specialty crops like chestnut and hazelnut harmonize to create profitable, functional landscapes that nourish ecosystems and communities.
Through engaging discussions and hands-on insights, explore strategies for integrating these elements to build enduring, sustainable designs. Register today and help shape the future of horticulture.
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Whether you're a landscaper, nursery pro, or conservation expert, 2026 is your chance to discover cutting-edge trends in sustainable planting, native species, and eco-friendly solutions. Forrest Keeling Nursery will be there, showcasing our premium selections of the hundreds of native trees, shrubs, perennials, and grass species we grow.
Where to find Forrest Keeling Nursery:
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Great Lakes Trade Expo
January 20-22, Novi, MI | Booth 906
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Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference
January 25-28, Fort Wayne, IN | Booth TBA
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InVigorateU
January 27-28, Bloomington, IL | Booth 21
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Indiana Green Industry Conference
February 8-11, Indianapolis, IN | Booth 339
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iLandscape
February 24-27, Schaumburg, IL | Booth 819
Mark your calendars and register today—these events sell out fast! Questions? Reach out at sales@fknursery.com or visit fknursery.com – trade show page for more.
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Forrest Keeling Nursery (FKNursery.com) is the leading producer of native plants in North America. With over seventy-five years dedicated to environmental stewardship, Forrest Keeling’s innovative technology and meticulous attention to superior plant provenance make it exceptionally equipped to provide premium native plant materials for any project. |
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WHOLESALE HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday-Friday: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Sunday: Closed
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