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You're Invited to California Spring Trials 2012
Nursery growers across the country are cordially invited this March to visit with Ball Ornamentals and Darwin Perennials during Spring Trials 2012 in Santa Paula, California.
See new introductions and top-selling shrubs and perennials ... The products you know and grow, such as:
Trials are open Saturday, March 24, thru Thursday, March 29. Stay for our Days End event 4:00 - 6:30 pm. Fill your glass, sample tasty treats, mingle with our breeders and staff, and enjoy our indoor and outdoor displays.
Reserve your place by March 5 with Mary Long at 630 588-3187. Set up your visit and receive travel information, including special early-booking hotel rates.
We'll see you soon!
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Flutterby rules the Midwest
Home gardening magazines are all a “flutter” about Ball Ornamentals' Flutterby series of buddleia. Better Homes & Gardens recently showcased Flutterby Petite as part of its “Top Garden Trends for 2012”, and garden editor Justin Hancock named Flutterby Petite Blue Heaven as one of his hot new faves.
The Better Homes & Gardens website receives approx. 4 million visitors each month!
Throughout the Midwest, five State-by-State Gardening publications featured award-winning Flutterby Grande Peach Cobbler and other Flutterby varieties as some of the “Hottest Plants for 2012.”
Wisconsin Gardening
Indiana Gardening
Pennsylvania Gardener
Missouri Gardener
Ohio Gardener
These magazines are reaching thousands of home gardeners now! Be sure to supply the Flutterby series for your customers this year.
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Partnership Continues For Tidal Creek Growers And Ball Ornamentals
Ball Ornamentals announced its continued partnership with Maryland-based Tidal Creek Growers, which recently assumed the production management of Homestead Growers’ finished annual and perennial business. Tidal Creek Growers’ change in management will be finalized Jan. 1, 2012, when the company will assume the production and sales of Homestead Growers’ finished annuals and perennials to their independent garden centers and home center retail customers.
Ball Ornamentals general manager Pete Kruger and supply chain manager Tom Foley met recently with Jake Van Wingerden, owner of Tidal Creek Growers; Mike Leubecker, general manager of Tidal Creek Growers; Brian Riddle, owner of Homestead Growers and Homestead Gardens; and James Doukas, production manager of Homestead Growers/Tidal Creek Growers. The meeting solidified the partnership between Ball Ornamentals and the companies, and the group expressed excitement about bringing new woody plants to the market via a young plant supply chain.
“As you can imagine this is a new business for Tidal Creek, as they grow annuals. Adding a new line of woody plants is a change of pace for them,” explains Kruger. “Tidal Creek sees the opportunity to work with us, and appreciates Ball Ornamentals’ hands-on approach to success.”
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Tom Foley 'Friends of the Arboretum' Lecture, Oct. 27
Join Ball Ornamentals Supply Chain Manager Tom Foley for his horticulture presentation "A Business Perspective in Global Horticulture" at the JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University, October 27, 2011.
The North American and international horticultural business climate is experiencing rapid changes. Markets, customers, supply chain, products and distribution channels are being impacted, both positively and adversely. Innovative companies with a long-term outlook towards the future are experiencing growth opportunities and are gaining market share. These growth opportunities are available to suppliers that are focused on the local market.
Come learn about the global horticultural markets to see how you can participate and already benefit.
Cost: $5.00. Free for Friends of JC Raulston Arboretum; NC State University students (with ID); and Department of Horticultural Science faculty and staff.
Location: Ruby C. McSwain Education Center, JC Raulston Arboretum, 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Parking: Available at the Arboretum and along Beryl Road.
Questions or Directions: Please visit www.ncsu.edu/jcraulstonarboretum or call 919 513-7005 for more information.
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Flutterby Grande™ Peach Cobbler Named ‘Best of Show’
During this year’s Farwest Show in Portland, Oregon, Flutterby Grande™ Peach Cobbler Buddleia was named "Best of Show" by New Varieties Showcase judges. Peach Cobbler grows 4 to 6 ft. tall and wide, with bright peach-and-pink, full-size blooms with silvery-colored foliage. Notably, it is certified by the Oregon Department of Agriculture as a non-invasive/sterile buddleia variety.
In other Farwest news, ‘Georgie Red’ Mimulus was chosen as the show’s "Best Annual/Tender Perennial." Introduced exclusively by Ball Ornamentals, ‘Georgie Red’ was bred by Dr. Scott Trees. Its large, deep red flowers are edged with an orange border, and it blooms April through autumn.
“This is a huge honor for Ball Ornamentals and a great validation of our products. Farwest continues to be an important show for us,” says business manager Pete Kruger. “Kudos to our west coast rep Joey Wiseman for managing and arranging the beautiful plant material for our New Products Showcase display.”
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