In this issue:
  • Our 2020-2021 Catalog of Grasses
  • A New Alliance for Native Grasslands
  • Dig Deeper into Sedges
  • Dr. A Spends Time with Cherry Blossom Sedge
  • Cities Invest in Green
  • Policies Aim for Green
  • What is Naturalistic Planting Design?
  • Learning the Language and Exploring the Beginnings
  • How Growers are Responding to COVID-19
  • Different Growing Media
  • Visit us at Cultivate'20 Virtual
Our 2020-2021 Catalog of Grasses
We are thrilled to announce our 2020-2021 Catalog of Grasses will be printed and mailed out in a few weeks. We expect hard copies to arrive in mailboxes in late July or early August.

As readers of GrassSolutions ™ , you get an early look. We've posted the online version to our website today. You can view it here or download the PDF .

See what's new and find out how grasses and sedges are helping create landscapes that matter. We grow better together, and this year's catalog will show you how!
Native Grasslands
A New Alliance for Native Grasslands
There's new hope for bringing back our native grasslands. Several organizations have joined together to promote the voluntary restoration of native grasses on working lands in the U.S. The Native Grasslands Alliance will provide a single voice to promote the importance and value of these unique ecosystems.

They launched on National Prairie Day earlier this month and have a great video introducing the alliance. Click on the video to view or see their press release for more info.
Click the video above to learn more about the Native Grasslands Alliance.
Focus on Sedges
Dig Deeper into Sedges
Whether you call them Carex or sedges, they're capturing industry attention. Carex offer a wide range of colors, textures, and cultural adaptations. From handsome selections for containers and ground covers to workhorses for naturalizing, they provide practical solutions.

If you'd like to know more about sedges, our Carex Learn page is a great place to go. You'll find out how they're different from grasses and what makes them so useful in the landscape. Discover your inner sedgehead with these remarkable plants.

If you're growing sedges in container production, don't miss our page on Considerations for Carex Container Production . We've updated it with key points and tips for transplanting and production scheduling.
Dr. A Spends Time with Cherry Blossom Sedge
Dr. Allan Armitage has seen a lot of perennials, so it's exciting to us when he's excited about a sedge. Calling it, "a fabulous sedge with handsome flowers," Dr. A discussed Carex scaposa recently in one of his garden stroll videos .

We've enjoyed wandering his beautiful, eclectic garden with him on these walks. He's spreading the word about great plants and the joy of gardening. Big thanks to Dr. A for promoting the power of plants and featuring this charming sedge we love!

Read more about Cherry Blossom Sedge
Click the video above to see Dr. A's garden take on Cherry Blossom Sedge.
Going with Green Infrastructure
Cities Invest in Green
Cities and states around the country continue to see the value in going with green infrastructure (GI). Compared to conventional approaches, GI offers a better investment for communities. It helps them manage storm water, reduce the impact of development, and increase amenities. They also offer our industry opportunities to share our products, services, and expertise.

See how these three areas are pursuing GI:

Cities invest are investing in green infrastructure features like this bioswale. Photo from EPA.
Policies Aim for Green
Two recent articles addressed ways green infrastructure can lead to better outcomes. One discusses the role green roofs can play in our economic recovery. The other examines a new report called The Protective Value of Nature. The report shows that natural infrastructure can protect communities from flooding and other natural hazards and is often more cost-effective than traditional built structures.

Read more:
An aerial view of floodwaters flowing from the Tittabawassee River into the lower part of downtown Midland on May 20, 2020 in Midland, Michigan. Credit: Gregory Shamus Getty Images ( from article )
Naturalistic Planting Design
What is Naturalistic Planting?
Whether you've never heard of naturalistic plantings or are still trying to get your brain around what they are, this video from Dr. Jared Barnes will make it so much clearer. With his typical knowledge and enthusiasm, he explains the fundamentals. He also shares how his students at Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas put together a planting that featured plants in different layers. Read more about Dr. Barnes on his website.
Learning the Language and Exploring the Beginnings
Landscape designer Caleb Melchoir wrote two companion articles for LAND8, a social network site for landscape architects. The first piece addresses the language of contemporary planting design. It helps us understand terms like "naturalistic," "ecological," and "matrix" that are often used. It's a helpful and informed look.

The second piece explores the historic roots of naturalistic planting design. He takes us on a thoroughly enjoyable and short history lesson to bring us to modern designers like Piet Oudolf. Both articles are must-reads, especially if you're growing or designing with perennials.
Hoffman Nursery in the News
How Growers Are Responding to COVID-19
Greenhouse Grower wrote this month about how growing operations are adapting in the face of COVID-19. The article notes that when restrictions first started, a good number of operations made the necessary short-term changes to survive. Will those changes last beyond the pandemic?

Hoffman Nursery was one of those making changes, and some of what we've done is included in the article.

Different Growing Media
Greenhouse Management talked to growers at greenhouse operations across the country about their growing media. It's an enlightening look at what matters and how they're handling media in their operations. Head Grower Bill Hall shared our growing needs and the media we use to meet them.

Upcoming Events
This signature event has moved 100% online. Hoffman Nursery will have a virtual booth and will be there to chat with you, show you our new catalog, and talk about new plants. Join us for what will certainly be an exciting and unique experience! See cultivatevirtual.org for more information.
Many in-person events are suspended for now, and virtual is the new event mode. See our upcoming events page to find out where we hope to be and what's happening.
Our office will be closed Friday, July 3th in observance of Independence Day. We will resume normal business hours Monday, July 6. We hope you have a safe and happy Fourth of July weekend! 
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