GrassSolutions - September 2019

In this issue:

Great Grasses in Oudolf Meadow
The Details on Problem-free Panicum
Seeing More Green
Excellence with Livings Roofs, Inc.
NYC Expanding Green Infrastructure Program
Focus on Roots: A Deep-Rooted Prairie Myth
Upcoming Events

Great Grasses in Oudolf Meadow

Grand Opening of Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek

The planning and planting have been extensive. Anchored by a large meadow designed by Piet Oudolf, this new garden turned heads even before it opened. The Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek in southern Delaware hosted a gala event for its grand opening this month.

Hoffman Nursery was one of the sponsors, and John and Jill Hoffman attended the opening. Piet Oudolf spoke, and friends of the garden toured his masterpiece meadow. You can read more about our first visit and read this charming post about the waves of planting that led to the gorgeous meadow highlighted in the opening.

We are thrilled to have grasses from Hoffman Nursery at this promising new public garden. Congrats to the everyone involved for a spectacular event and for realizing their vision!

The Details on Problem-free Panicum

Part 1: Understanding Switchgrass

Last month we highlighted a talk on Panicum by our head grower, Bill Hall. He delivered a great session at Cultivate’19 on Panicum virgatum. Because so many of our customers grow Switchgrass in container production, we wanted to share more details from Bill’s talk.

The most common production concerns we hear about with Panicum are yellowing, rust, and slow emergence in spring. Yellowing and rust are often related to cultural conditions and management practices, which we’ll address. In addition, as a warm-season grass Switchgrass is one of the last to emerge in spring. Across multiple posts, we’ll cover production scheduling and finish timing to help you take advantage of the Panicum growth cycle.

This first post gives an overview of Panicum virgatum, which sets the stage for growing it successfully. We cover its geographic range and how it differs across that range. And we take a look at its warm-season growth cycle that shows amazing efficiency in the face of difficult conditions. That has implications for how it behaves in container production.

Continue reading to understand Switchgrass and move closer to problem-free Panicum.

Green Infrastructure

Seeing More Green

"Trends drive consumers, and consumers drive sales." That's one of the first points in Seeing 20/20, Garden Media Group's report on garden trends for 2020. We're thrilled see trends that follow the plants and projects we've been promoting. Green infrastructure, green collar jobs, and a continued emphasis on low-resource use make sense. Take a look and see where your business plans fit.

gardenmediagroup.com

Excellence with Living Roofs, Inc.

North Carolina-based Living Roofs, Inc. recently won an Award of Excellence from Green Roofs for Healthy Cities. Their project in Asheville, NC was cited for excellence in innovative and integrative green roof design. The roof is part of an infill revitalization project aimed at providing environmental and social sustainability. Hoffman Nursery grasses are on the roof, and we love seeing them do such great work.

NYC Expanding Green Infrastructure Program

New York City has announced a major expansion of their Green Infrastructure Program. They've already begun construction of more than 5,000 specially designed curbside rain gardens in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens. More plants doing good work!

Read more
rew-online.com

Focus on Roots

A Deep-Rooted Prairie Myth

Most of us familiar with prairies have seen illustrations showing the incredibly deep root systems of prairie grasses and other grassland plants. But do deep roots mean the plants use them for water uptake? Not necessarily. There's more to the story.

Read more
prairieecologist.com

Upcoming Events

Nursery Management Conference

October 1-3, 2019; Fort Worth, TX

This event is almost here. Nursery Management is bringing together nursery professionals to discuss the issues impacting the horticulture industry today, and the impact they will have in the years ahead.

Their goal is to give you actionable, tangible ideas that that will improve production processes, bolster business management techniques and grow profits. Check out the schedule and details at the link above.

IPPS Southern Region Annual Meeting

Oct. 12-16, 2019; Baton Rouge, LA

This premiere conference for plant producers takes place this year in Southern Louisiana. The tours and networking are only part of the treat. Our Production Supervisor, Kata Kreß Wallace, will talk to attendees about the rewards and challenges of working with an international workforce.

See the schedule of events and registration brochure at the link above.

Ecological Plant Conference

Dec. 6, 2019; Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, NY

The Ecological Landscape Alliance will host its 4th annual Ecological Plant Conference at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Spend the day with friends and colleagues who share your passion for plants and the planet. This year's conference includes our Marketing Director, Shannon Currey. She'll be sharing grasses and sedges for every layer in the landscape. Get more information on her talk and the outstanding lineup at the link above.