THE DIRT

Spring Issue 2023, Volume 49, Issue 1

The 2023 Vermont Flower Show page 4

The VNLA Winter Meeting Recap page 14

The
1 VNLA Award Winners page 16
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
Aaron Smith
COMMITTEES

S & D Landscapes

BUDGET AND FINANCE

Gabriel Bushey
91 Ethan Allen Drive, Unit C

COMMITTEE CHAIR

Crafted Landscapes, LLC

S. Burlington, VT 05403

Bruce Gagne - Gagne Insurance Agency

176 South Maple Street

802-497-0032

Vergennes, VT 05491
aaron@landscapevermont.com

EVALUATION & PLANNING

802-233-8551

COMMITTEE CHAIR

info@craftedland.com Linzy Vos

Gabe Bushey - Crafted Landscapes, LLC

898 Mason Hill North

VICE-PRESIDENT
Starksboro, VT 05445
INDUSTRY AWARDS COMMITTEE CHAIR

802-673-0083
Ashley Robinson, Landscape Designer

Ralph Fitz-Gerald
linzyvos@gmail.com

Horsford Gardens & Nursery

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE

2111 Greenbush Road

Marijke Niles

Ralph Fitz-Gerald - Horsford Gardens &

Charlotte, VT 05445
Marijke’s Perennial Gardens Plus

Nursery

802-425-2811
1299 Robert Young Road

field@horsfordnursery.com
Starksboro, VT 05487

MARKETING & EDUCATION

802-453-7590

COMMITTEE CHAIR

marijke.niles@gmail.com

SECRETARY/TREASURER
Gabe Bushey - Crafted Landscapes, LLC

Annie White

Bruce Gagne

Nectar Landscape Design Studio

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIR

Gagne Insurance Agency

UVM Lecturer Agroecology

Aaron Smith, S & D Landscapes, LLC

PO Box 1688

PO Box 3773

St. Albans, VT 05478

Stowe, VT 05672

802-527-0350
PROGRAM COMMITTEE CHAIR

802-777-1350

bruce_gagne@american-national.com
Ralph Fitz-Gerald - Horsford Gardens &
annie@nectarvt.com

Nursery

DIRECTORS
Annie.White@uvm.edu

RESEARCH & AWARDS

Linzy Vos

Ashley Robinson

Ashley Robinson Landscape Designer

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
VERMONT CERTIFIED HORTICULTURIST
PO Box 28
COMMITTEE CHAIR

Charlotte, VT 05445
Kristina MacKulin
Annie White - Nectar Landscape Design
802-922-1924
VNLA/Green Works
Studio

arobinsonld@gmail.com
P.O. Box 92

N. Ferrisburgh, VT 05473
VOLUNTEER PROJECT OUTREACH
Ray DeFeo
Toll Free: 888-518-6484
COMMITTEE CHAIR

Prides Corner Farm

P: 802-425-5117
Ashley Robinson, Landscape Designer

122 Waterman Road

Kristina@vnlavt.org

Lebanon, CT 06249
www.vnlavt.org

860-468-6052

rdefeo@pridescorner.com

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2
 PRESIDENT’S LETTER Gabe Bushey, Crafted Landscapes, LLC

Dear Fellow VNLA Members,

inside
Colleagues, & Friends,

 
this issue
Spring is upon us and I’m sure you are
Board of Directors 2
all as busy as we are. We hit the high
80’s in early April. I’m sure that is not The President’s Letter 3
a good thing but it certainly means we The Buzz
4

are now in the thick of another The 2023 VT Flower Show

landscaping season. Magnolias are Recap

blooming, the grass is green, and The VNLA Winter Meeting 14

mulch is being delivered. I’m excited Recap

and honored to be going through my The VNLA Award Winners 17

first season as the VNLA president.

2022/23

Presidents Le+er April 18, 2023 Lori King of Claussen’s

Looking back at the last few months we certainly had a busy schedule. The 19

Wins Prestigious Award!

winter meeting was a big success. Our programing committee did an

amazing job with the schedule and lining up the speakers. It is always great The Dr. Leonard Perry
21

Scholarship Fund

toDear
reconnect withmembers,
fellow VNLA everyone and hearand
colleagues, new ideas. Of course then the
friends
Vermont Flower Show was presented for the first time in 4 years. To say is Other VNLA News
22

Spring is upon us and I’m sure you are all as busy as we are. We have already hit the high 80’s in early
was a success would be an understatement. We are only able to put on such
April. I’m sure that is not a good thing but it certainly means we are now in the thick of another VNLA Welcomes New 24

and amazing and unique event due to the amazing team that comes Members & VCH

landscaping season. Magnolias are blooming, the grass is green, and mulch is being delivered. I’m
together and puts in a tremendous amount of work. I want to thank all the Calendar of Events 26
excited and honored to be going through my first season as the VNLA president.
sponsors, committee members, and volunteers that so generously put in
Leonard’s Clippings 27
time, materials,
Looking and
back at the lastmoney to pull
few months we off suchhad
certainly a big event.
a busy   The The
schedule. show wasmeeIng
winter a was a big
success.
huge Our programing
success both in how commiKee
it was did an amazing
received jobpublic
by the with theand
schedule and lining
financially.   
up the speakers.
The Lab
It 31
is always great to reconnect with everyone and hear new ideas. Of course then the Vermont Flower Observations from the
Looking forward there is a busy year ahead. We have several Vermont
Show was presented for the first Ime in 4 years. To say is was a success would be an understatement. UVM Diagnostic Lab

Blooms
We are volunteer
only able to projects
put on suchweand
areamazing
workingandon. There
unique aredue
event bigtothings in theteam that comes
the amazing News from the VT Agency of
works for and
together theputs
Vermont Blooms Passport
in a tremendous amount ofprogram including
work. I want anthe
to thank all app! The commiKee Agriculture Foods &
sponsors,
Markets
program
members, committee is working
and volunteers hard on put
that so generously twilights
in Ime,and a program
materials, for the
and money to pull off such a big
summer meeting.
event. The show wasThere is lots
a huge of both
success workinahead
how it and I encourage
was received by theanyone who
public and financially. The Idea Factory
36
is interested in getting involved to get in touch.
Top Trends Influencing
Looking forward there is a busy year ahead. We have several Vermont Blooms volunteer projects Consumerwe are Plant Choices
working
Good luckon.toThere are bigthis
everyone things in the works
season. for the Vermont
I’m looking forwardBlooms Passport
to hearing program including an
what
Strictly Business
37
app! The program commiKee
you are working on this year.
is working hard on twilights and a program for the summer meeIng. There
Why Don’t I Have Enough
is lots of work ahead and I encourage anyone who is interested in geUng involved to get in touch.Profit? Overhead Recovery
101
Good luck to everyone this season. I’m looking forward to hearing what you are working on this year.
The Plant Lounge
39
  Sorbus alnifolia - Korean
  Mountain Ash

 
 
Cover Photo Credit: Ed Burke,
Rocky Dale Gardens

3
 THE BUZZ

the low down on what’s up!

The 2023 Vermont Flower Show Recap!

by Kristina MacKulin
After a four-year hiatus and months Vermont Flower Show, how it came
to be, and who we would like to
of planning by two committees made
thank.

up of 30 people in addition to the

 

plant forcing team, many of us were The Grand Garden Display

wondering how attendance would go  

for the 2023 Vermont Flower Show. I In November of 2021 the Grand
am happy to say we broke records!   Garden Display Committee began
With some 13,000 visitors over 3 brainstorming ideas for a theme for
days (March 3-5), Out of 2023 and just before the holidays
Hibernation! Spring Comes to the landed on “Spring: Live in Concert!”.
100-Acre Wood was much At the beginning of 2022, Liti Bass,
anticipated and wowed the Committee Co-chair, brought to
crowds.  Even with the snow that the group’s attention that the
fell on that Saturday, it did not original story of Winnie-the-Pooh
seem to deter Flower Show goers. 
had just entered the public
 
domain. Almost immediately the
The Grand Garden Display brought creative wheels starting turning
to life the magical world of and Out of Hibernation! Spring
Winnie-the-Pooh and walking Comes to the 100-Acre Wood was
through the display was pure born.  There was no turning back!

magic.  One thing is for certain –

there is no other flower show like
ours. We are fortunate to have such
a dedicated group of people who
volunteer and collaborate on the
design/build of the Grand Garden
Display. This group effort truly
south of London and visible from
speaks to what we are all about and
Written by A. A. Milne and
wonderfully illustrated by E. H.
Shepard in 1926, the tales of the
imaginary Hundred Acre Wood
were influenced by the real
Ashdown Forest, located just
Top: Friday morning before the doors opened.
Bottom: The illustration by David Flaschenriem

why we are a part of the Vermont Milne’s window as he sat at his

of the Grand Garden Display. writing desk. The author’s real son,
Nursery & Landscape Association.
When the doors open and the public Christopher Robin, and his ragtag
enters it makes all the effort worthwhile and reinforces why the collection of stuffed animals were transcribed into the famous
VNLA continues to produce the Vermont Flower Show. We characters we know and love today. A. A. Milne’s own childhood
spread the “horticultural” word as well as educate and inspire. spent rambling freely through the English countryside was
We bring Spring alive for a few short days and remind everyone woven into his stories as well.  

that winter is almost over. The true draw of the Flower Show is Since there are many facets/characters to the story, the
that it appeals to all ages – there is really something for Committee members divided up and each took charge of
everyone.
fourteen different “locations” that were chosen to represent the
 
story.  The designers and builders created a display which
Over three days we greet many visitors and get to talk about
plants, gardening, designing, landscaping, flower arranging, brought the magical and natural world of Winnie-the-Pooh to
soil, insects, worms, and so much more! Visitors hailed from all life and hundreds of volunteers showed up for 3 days of set up
over Vermont, New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, to work on implementing the design and building the various
Canada, and beyond. Following is a snapshot/recap of the 2023 structures and waterway.  Following is a walk-through of sorts
of that magic they created.

4
The Stone Book
Water cascaded and bubbled its way
along, happily meandering under a
At the entrance to the display was a
bridge. Pools of water created quiet
larger-than-life stone book crafted
places to stop and reflect.

by skilled dry stone artists Dan

 

Snow (who designed the book), The Bee Tree

Jamie Masefield, and Jared Flynn.  As one continued down the path, you
Winnie-the-Pooh literally leapt to came upon a meadow with a very tall
life off the pages and as you entered tree in the middle of it. It was the “bee
and a recording of A.A. Milne tree” with loud buzzing sounds all
reading from his book was playing. 
around.  A magnificent handwoven bee
hive hung in the treetops. 
Christopher Robin’s
Pooh is always after ways to
House

find honey and in the story,

 

To the right of the with the help of

stone book, a lovely Christopher Robin, he
brick cottage covered concocts a plan involving a
in vines sat at the edge big blue balloon.  That
of the Hundred Acre balloon was beautifully
Wood. The team recreated by using paper
created a replica of mache and was lit
the inside of from within.  Aah the
Christopher Robin’s details!

house, where he lives

Rabbit’s House

with his stuffed

friends. A core team Next up was Rabbit’s
spent weeks traveling house, where you
to the Stowe Theater could see a table set
Guild, whom had very for tea. Rabbit is
generously lent us known for not being
some of their theater fond of visitors, but of
sets as well as garage course he is way too
space for building.   polite to say so. He is
As the set-up week also known for having
drew near, the “sets” a stocked pantry,
were transported to being tidy, and always
Vermont Stone and ready for a good book
Horticulture’s before he retires to
workspace so the team bed.   All of this was
could be closer to the captured in the
Expo. Once on site, sections of Rabbit’s
the house was put house and there were
together complete many a child that
with electricity, tried to crawl into the
wallpaper, a window burrow to have a
box, and the many peak. 

finishing touches that

embodied Christopher Kanga’s House

Robin’s house.   It was  

Kanga’s home was in a corner

a thing of beauty to of the woodland that time and
say the least.
nature have begun to reclaim,
 
as was depicted in the display.
Big Stones and Rox

In the story Kanga keeps a

 

The Hundred Acre Wood had many beautiful settings, warm and cheerful house for
both in the book and in our display.  The team created a her and Baby Roo. 

big rocky stream that wound its way through the woodland.

5
Six Pines Trees and Where the Woozle Wasn’t
 Piglet’s House

Leaving Pooh’s house the path meandered into the Six Pine The team recreated Piglet’s grand house which resides in the
Tree area, a place in the story many of the characters visit middle of a beech tree in the middle of the forest and as the
followed by a grove of Birch trees, where Piglet and Pooh set off store goes, his house is next to a board which has
for an adventure hunting for “TRESPASSERS W” on
Woozles. 
it. As Piglet explains,
this was short for
Pooh Bear’s House
Trespassers Will,
 
which was of course
In the story, Pooh-Bear lives
in a tree in the forest under short for Trespassers
the name of “Sanders”.  The William, Piglet’s
build team outdid grandfather.  The
themselves here!  house was built out
Volunteers from Green of paper and bark and
Mountain Habitat for was a true
Humanity, whom the VNLA masterpiece.  The
has completed three team spent countless hours
volunteer projects for, brainstorming the design
offered to build the and construction! Nearby
approximate 10’ x you could see Piglet’s red
10’ “shed” that would umbrella floating in a
eventually be turned into puddle. 

Pooh’s House resembling

Owl’s House

a giant tree.  Once the

structure was on-sight Next came Owl’s House
for set-up week the team where Pooh believed it was
and volunteers worked in the grandest house of all
earnest to create a because it had a knocker
beautiful interpretation and a bell-pull and so did
of the inside and outside ours!  The team
of Pooh’s house nestled and volunteers
in the 100-Acre Wood.  outdid
The attention to detail themselves in
was astounding.  A log creating an
for sitting and thinking, interpretation of
a table for breakfast – tea Owl’s House
and honeycomb with surrounded by a
marmalade perhaps, a grove of trees. 
mirror where Pooh does You could
his Stoutness almost hear Owl
Exercises in hooting. 

front of, a soft

chair for
napping and of Pooh Trap for Heffalumps and Eyeore’s Gloomy Place

course, lots and The team took mossy stumps and gnarled roots to create the
lots of honey.  place where Pooh and Piglet set traps to catch a Heffalump with
As part of a the path continuing on to Eeyore’s Gloomy Place.  Knowing
fundraiser for that Eeyore, who is quite glum, lives in a dark and boggy place
Green Mountain in the forest the team used dancing lights to mimic fireflies
Habitat for Humanity, they sold raffle tickets during the show floating about which made your feel maybe Eeyore is not so
for Pooh’s House.   The lucky winners were a family of four, one glum after all. 

being 6 and the other 3, and they were thrilled to win Pooh’s

house. Mom is looking forward to having it be an art studio one Nice Place for Piknicks

day.  Vermont Construction volunteered to transport Pooh’s

The end of the journey through the display brought you to a
House and delivered it to its new home. 

path to the viewing platform where you could look down on a

6
Nice Place for Piknicks.  The table was set with
colorful flowers and tableware in celebration,
as the story goes, when Pooh saved Piglet from
peril one very soggy day.  You could truly
imagine each of the Winnie-the-Pooh
characters sitting there, laughing in merriment
and having quite a grand time. 

Upon exiting the pathway, the VNLA

information booth was on display and staffed
by VNLA members all weekend.  These
volunteers were there to talk about the
Association, its members and programs, and of
course, the Vermont Flower Show. 

More Flower Show Features!

Exhibitors:  While the Grand Garden Display is

our true creative masterpiece there are many
other show features / happenings offered each
day. Our goal is to have something for everyone
and appeal to all ages. Our average attendee
spends 3-4 hours at the Vermont Flower Show.
We had 98 exhibitors participate this year, 18 of
which were VNLA members. Exhibitors offered
plants, flowers, products, information, books, and
services that related to plants, landscape design,
gardening, composting, home goods, and more. The
Vermont Specialty Food/Spirits exhibitors were also
back.  A big thank you to Delaney Event
Management, the firm who oversees the facility and
vendors.  They work with us over many months and
on site to ensure the show and the exhibitor end of
things runs smoothly.

Friday Night Gala:  The Committees for many

years have talked about putting together an
evening “gala” event and we finally did it!  
seminars continue to be a big draw, some
We partnered with Green Mountain Habitat
with standing room only and almost half
for Humanity (GMMH) to host a Friday
of the speakers were VNLA members. 
evening Gala event that offered delicious
Keynote speaker, author, and award
food and drinks, walks through the Grand
winning plant expert pictured in the
Garden Display, and a live band, The Good
center, Kelly D. Norris, gave two
Parts, performed.  While it was not a black-tie
presentations, one of which was based on
event some folks got pretty gussied up for the
his book New Naturalism:  Designing and
evening and we had 75 people in attendance. 
Planting a Resilient, Ecologically Vibrant Home Garden.  A very
The Gala was held in an effort to raise funds for GMMH and
big thank you to Cheryl who spent countless hours putting
after covering the expenses, we split the proceeds with GMMH. 
together the schedule which offered an eclectic variety of
All in all, for our first ever Gala we deemed it a success and
topics. Kristina MacKulin organized the 13 hands-on
look forward to building on this event for the next flower show!

workshops that were held and offered an opportunity for

 

Seminars/Workshops:  Longtime organizer, Dr. Leonard Perry attendees to get their hands dirty so to speak as there was a
officially retired from the position of seminar organizer, a wide array workshops to choose from.   Nicko Rubin of East
position he has held for over 20 years.  We are so very grateful Hill Tree Farm, pictured at the bottom, gave a workshop on
for Leonard’s longtime commitment and support of the Flower grafting.

Show and the VNLA.  We are also very grateful to Cheryl  

Dorschner who happily took up the torch to organize the 25 Family Activity Room:   This room is always a big attraction
seminars held over 3 days with a wide array of topics.  The and was filled with kids and families all weekend long planting

7
pansies, digging for worms, artwork for the
creating beautiful floral show pro bono and
hats, making owls and bees, captured the
and other fun craft projects.  essence of Winnie-
There was also scheduled the-Pooh in such a
entertainment all three beautiful way. 
days.  On Friday, magician Kathleen
Tom Verner of Magicians approached the
Without Borders wowed the VNLA at the end of
crowd with his magic.  Just the 2019 show and
days later Tom was headed back asked to be considered 
to Ukraine to perform some as the artist for our next
much-needed magic for show.    In creating her
families there.  On Saturday artwork, Kathleen
Emma Cook was there with her shared “The colors came
3-piece band for some naturally to me until the
singalongs and dancing in whole thing came
celebration of the changing together so that it made
seasons. Both on Friday and you want to walk right in. 
Saturday certified master I hope this is how it
herpetologist Kevin Clarkson of makes the viewer feel”! 
802Reptiles wowed the crowds Her artwork was used on
with his live reptiles for some the poster, the Flower
hands-on exploration of their Show tote bag, the seed
world and what they are all packet and in other
about.  Lastly, on Sunday No formats in our
Strings Marionette Company marketing.   We are very
performed two grateful to Kathleen who
shows – shared her love of art with
Synchronized us. 

Springing – which  

they wrote just for We also had a variety of

the Flower Show.  artists that signed up to sit in
We owe a debt of the display over the 3 days
gratitude to many and paint in the garden.  I
people who worked would like to extend our
very hard to make thanks to the following: 
this room such a Monique Dewyea, Shanley
success this year! 
Triggs, Trish Murtha,
 
Kimberly Provost, Reed Prescott, and James
Federated Garden Clubs of Vermont:  This
Rauchman.   Both Shanley and Trish held hands-
group was back for a fourth show and displayed
on workshops at the show as well.    We dearly
their “Small Standard Flower Show” entitled Out
missed local artist Gina Carrera who passed away
of Hibernation:  The Magic of Pooh. The display
unexpectedly last year.  Gina had been a long
was organized by VT Garden Club members
time contributor and supporter of the Flower
Kathy Perkins and Wendy Howard.  This is a
Show.

judged competition with entries from VT garden

 

club members from all over the state vying for
ribbons. There were 5 divisions to enter:  design,
horticulture, education, botanical arts, and
youth.  Entrants must abide by a set of rules in order for their
entry to qualify.  Amateur gardeners are also encouraged to
enter in the horticulture division.  It is a fun competition for all
that participate!
Creamery. 
Food:  We continue to build on the food options
at the Flower Show with an array of choices for
people.  Our food vendors for 2023 were Skinny
Pancake, North Country Specialty Foods, Mediterranean Mix
Buffet, Green Mountain Smoothies, Dizzy Dozen Gourmet Mini
Donuts, Muffin Man Bakery & Coffee Bar, and Kingdom

Local Artists Connection:  I would like to acknowledge Tote Bag, Seed Packets and Raffles:  We had to change
Katheleen Berry Bergeron, an artist from Jericho, who painted strategies for the 2023 show regarding our Flower Show tote

8
bag.  In past shows, we The Flower Show
sought out sponsors to Committees spent
cover the cost of printing hundreds of hours
the bags and then we organizing and planning
would hand them out for our signature event over
free.  Four years later the these past 18 months.
price of the bags had Please take a moment to
doubled and we made the recognize these
decision to continue to committee members
seek out sponsors to help listed on page 12.

cover the costs but we would  

need to pivot to selling the bags A big thank you to all the
instead.  We also decided we committee members! I remain
would share some of the very proud and appreciative at
proceeds with the Ronald what these people accomplish
McDonald House in Burlington, each show and they certainly
VT.  Last October we completed pulled out all the stops! They
a VT Blooms Initiative planting give up numerous hours of their
project there.  We were able to time, often taking away from
donate $3,000 out of our bag their own businesses and home
sales to this very worthy life, to meet monthly/weekly,
organization.
coordinate donations, build
 
structures, send so many emails,
Thanks to seed packet sponsor American Meadows, we were texts, and see to all the aspects and minute details of the show.

able to produce 10,000 seed packets containing a wildflower  

mix for the Northeast with the beautiful artwork on one side. A shout out to the many who were instrumental in supplying
We handed these out for FREE to all attendees.  People loved and forcing the plant material for the show - the plants were a
them and we are so very grateful to American Meadows for this work of art! There is a lot that goes into timing things right,
donation!
dealing with fluctuating temperatures, and making sure we
 
have as many blooming plants as possible.   Without these
We held two raffles during the show.  The first one raffled off people, Claussen’s Florist & Greenhouse and Fairfax
the original artwork with proceeds being shared with Kathleen Perennials, there would be no beautiful plants and no show! All
Berry Bergeron and the Ronald McDonald House per Kathleen’s of the committee members deserve many thanks and
request.  The raffle raised $715 and the winner was thrilled to recognition for their team effort and collaboration!!

be chosen.  The second raffle was courtesy of Claussen’s Florist,  

Greenhouse & Perennial Farm.  They graciously donated four The Sponsors

newly introduced/sought after houseplants and asked that the  

We are ever so grateful to our monetary and in-kind sponsors

VNLA keep the proceeds.  That raffle netted $695. We thank
which help keep our show in the black and truly contribute to
Claussen’s for their continued support and generosity.

the success of the show.

Plant Sale:  At the close of the show we once again held our  

Here is a list of the 2023 monetary sponsors and WE

end of the show plant sale which includes selling flowering
THANK THEM SO VERY MUCH:

bulbs, perennials, and some select shrubs.  Marijke Niles leads

 

this charge and had a great team of volunteers who had a very Presenting Sponsors:  Gardener’s Supply Company, Market
streamlined process of getting the plants out of the display and 32/Price Chopper and The Essex Resort.

up on the sales tables.  It is always a somewhat frenzied affair Media Sponsors:  Seven Days Newspaper and WCAX, Channel 3

but this year people were unusually polite and laid back about
Grand Garden Display Sponsor:  American National

it all.  Some of the flowering bulbs were taken to area nursing

Bag and Seed Packet Sponsors:  American National, Bartlett
homes.  The proceeds from the plant sale netted $6,045, which
Tree Experts, Gardener’s Supply Co., Horsford Gardens &
was a record!

 
Nursery, and Proven Winners

More Thank You’s

Family Room Sponsor:  Green Mountain Mulch

 
Out of Hibernation Sponsor:  MVP Health Care

The Vermont Flower Show is no small TASK – that is for sure. 

Seminar Sponsors:  VT Agency of Agriculture, Food &
While it seems like magic occurs in 4 short days to build/set up
everything – the true magic is the many wonderful people who Markets, Marijke’s Perennial Gardens Plus, and McElwain
collaborate and come together to actually make it all happen. Equipment Rental

9
Tulip Sponsor:  L.D.
Thank you to Sarah
Oliver Seed Company
Holland and Aaron
Daffodil Sponsor:  Smith, our clean-up
Branch Out Burlington!
Coordinators who
Sound Sponsor:  spearheaded not only
Perseid Gardens
the organization of the
Equipment Sponsors:  clean up efforts, but
Acker Waste also secured the
Management, Church necessary equipment
and labor (all donated) it takes to
Hill Landscapes, Inc., Greenhaven
build and take down the show.
Gardens & Nursery, Isaac
Along with volunteers, many
Paquette Property Services, J. committee members also tackled
Labrecque Land Management, the herculean effort of cleanup
McElwain Equipment Rental, Sunday through Monday, noon. 
Milton CAT, and United There are many people and
Construction & Forestry.
moving parts to this effort to get
 
the Expo broom clean by Monday. 
Other Sponsors:  UVM Extension/ The committee and volunteers did
Master Gardeners and CW an amazing job and it truly was the
Stageworks.
smoothest ever. Much of the
 
material at the end goes to a nearby
In-Kind Sponsors: We are also
biomass plant and we have a storage
extremely grateful to the over 80+
container on-site at the Expo where
in-kind sponsors that donated time,
we save things from show to show
labor, equipment, plants and
that we can reuse. 

materials. We could not continue to

produce the Flower Show without all Top: Volunteers during set-up.
Students

this support and the donations we Center: Students from Northland Job Corp.
 

Students from the Natural

receive.   You can view the entire list Bottom: Students from the Patricia

Resources Department at the Center

HERE and also see the list on page Hannaford Career Center.

for Technology at Essex grew sod for

13.   The show would not be able to Below: Some of the clean-up crew.

the display; students from the

happen without these many and
Mechanical and Small Engines
varied donations.

program designed and fabricated metal

 

The Volunteers
bee and butterfly sculptures.   Students
from the Northland Job Corps in
There are hundreds of volunteers that Vergennes, UVM Hort Club, Patricia
came forth over the course of the week Hannaford Career Center in
to help set up and staff the show. Middlebury, and Vermont Technical
Many of the volunteers have been College in Randolph were instrumental
helping with set-up for 15+ years, in helping with set up.  Thank you to all
which is truly amazing! We are forever these students and it remains a goal to
grateful for this continued support. continually involve students in our
Thank you to our VNLA members, show.

master gardeners, students, and  

community members who came out to Why We Do This

help build the show, to staff the show  

Its fun, its collaboration at its best and it speaks to what the
and to help do the not so fun work of clean-up! A very special
VNLA is truly all about and going strong since 1964!!  The Show
thank you to Shari Johnson, the Flower Show Committee
creates a sense of belonging to something bigger than yourself.
Volunteer Coordinator. It is a big task answering all those
Over the years, the VNLA flowers shows have evolved and
emails and getting everyone where they need to be. Also, a
grown and the central theme remains. It is all about inspiring
special thank you to the team of volunteers who kept everyone
the future stewards of the earth - one flower show at a time,
well fed (Sue Stanne, Anne Bowers & Patricia Johnson), in
one plant at a time, one landscape at a time. You get the
addition to all the other help they offered during set up week.

picture.   The benefits of producing a flower show are many and

 

Clean Up
far reaching.  Each show we produce promotes every VNLA

10
member, our Association as a collective group, and the green
industry in Vermont and beyond.  The Vermont Flower Show is
 an elaborate event that inspires, educates, and entertains
people of all ages and speaks to what a dedicated group of
professionals can create and implement in the dead of Winter! 

Through the show, we market our Association, its members and

associates statewide and beyond through television, radio, print
and social media platforms. It continues to be the VNLA
mission to enhance and support the horticulture industry of
Vermont as well as promote a greater awareness to the public of
YOU – our green industry professionals that offer plants,
products and services. The Vermont Flower Show offers us a
spectacular way to send that message home with the 13,000
people that attended this year’s show.

The beginning of planning will not be far away for the 2025
Vermont Flower Show. I invite you get involved and
participate! New committee members and new ideas are always
welcome. Come help us pick the next theme! In the meantime,
we have a couple growing seasons to work through, all the
while dreaming up what comes next! Here’s to your best season
yet. We are thrilled to report the 2023 Vermont Flower Show
It is all about inspiration, collaboration, and spreading the word
was our most successful show yet.

about the VNLA and all that our members do!

2021 VNLA ad.qxp_Layout 1 8/23/21 8:10 PM Page 1

Cobble Creek Nursery, LLC

W e grow a diverse selection of

B&B trees and shrubs at our
nursery in Monkton, Vermont. We
offer shade trees, ornamental trees,
flowering shrubs and dwarf conifers.
At Cobble Creek Nursery we are known
for quality Vermont Grown plants,
exceptional service and extensive
woody plant knowledge. Stop by for
a visit or give John a call for more
information.

John Padua
991 Tyler Bridge Road, Bristol, VT 05443
phone/fax: 802-453-3889 / e-mail: cobcreek@gmavt.net

11
 A very special thank you and with our deepest gratitude to

the 2023 Vermont Flower Show Committee Members, the In-Kind

and Monetary Sponsors, and all the Volunteers.

We could not do the show without you!

Grand Garden Display Committee

Melita J. Bass, Committee Co-Chair
 Bringing Plants to Bloom

Ed Burke, Rocky Dale Gardens, Design Coordinator

Brett Wilbur, Claussen’s Florist, Greenhouse, & Perennial Farm

and Co-Chair
 Center for Technology Essex Students

Gabe Bushey, Crafted Landscapes, LLC, Co-Chair
 Chris Conant, Claussen’s Florist, Greenhouse, & Perennial Farm

Ashley Robinson, Co-Chair

Claussen’s Florist, Greenhouse and Perennial Farm Staff

Designers and Builders:
Hannah Decker, Fairfax Perennial Farm, Inc.

John Padua, Cobble Creek Nursery

Aaron Smith, S & D Landscapes
 Lezlee Sprenger, Narrow Path, LLC

Ashley Robinson, Landscape Designer
 Dr. Mark Starrett & UVM Horticulture Club

Ed Burke, Rocky Dale Gardens
 Mark Storch, Claussen’s Florist,Greenhouse, & Perennial Farm

Dan Snow
 Michelle Brunell, UVM Greenhouse Facilities

David Flaschenriem, Architect
 Nate Carr, Church Hill Landscapes, Inc.

Guinnevere Hand-Boniakowski, Perseid Gardens


Hannah Decker, Fairfax Perennial Farm, Inc.

Jamie Masefield, Masefield Dry Stone Masonry

Jared Flynn, Jared Flynn Stonework

John Padua, Cobble Creek Nursery

Keith Porter, Cedar Goods

Lezlee Sprenger, Narrow Path, LLC

Liam Murphy, Murphy Landscape Design & Siteworks

Linzy Vos

Marijke Niles, Perennial Gardens Plus

Michelle Brunell, UVM Greenhouse Facilities

Nate Carr, Church Hill Landscapes, Inc.

Sam Chicaderis, SJC Garden Services

Sarah Holland, River’s Bend Design, LLC

Tanya Retz, Mama’s Gardens

VJ Comai, Burlington City Arborist

Vermont Flower Show Committee

Kristina MacKulin, VNLA/Green Works, Flower Show

Committee Chair

Leslie Pelch & Emma Allen, Delaney Event Management

Cheryl Dorschner, Vermont Gardener, Seminar Coordinator

Kathy Perkins, Federated Garden Clubs of Vermont

Marijke Niles, Perennial Gardens Plus, Plant Sale
Coordinator

Melita Bass

Shari Johnson, UVM Master Gardener, Volunteer Coordinator

Terry Skorstad, Family Room Coordinator

12
 Thank You to Our Sponsors
Presenting Sponsors

Media Sponsors Radio Sponsor Grand Garden

Display Sponsor

Bag and Seed

Packet Sponsors Out of Hibernation Friday Seminar
Sponsor Sponsor

Family Room Sponsor Saturday Seminar

Sponsor

Equipment Sponsors Tulip Sponsor

Sunday Seminar
Sponsor
Supporting Sponsors Daffodil Sponsor

In-Kind Sponsors
Acker Waste Management J. Hutchins, Inc. Peet Farm Greenhouses
American Meadows J. Labrecque Land Management Perseid Gardens
Ashley Robinson, Landscape Designer James Rauchman Prides Corner Farm
Black River Quarries / Quimby Stone Jared Flynn Stonework Quimby Mountain Stone
Cedar Goods Kathleen Berry Bergeron Reed Prescott, Verde Mountain
Center for Technology, Essex Kimberly Provost River’s Bend Design
Cheryl Dorschner Landshapes River Walk Farm
Church Hill Landscapes Linzy Vos Rocky Dale Gardens
Claussen’s Florist & Greenhouse & Luke Awtry Photography R.R. Charlebois, Inc.
Perennial Farm Lyric Theatre Company Ryder Truck Rental
Cobble Creek Nursery Mama’s Gardens S&D Landscapes, LLC
Corrigan & Klein Artisan Builders Mark Starrett, UVM Associate S&J Stearns, Inc.
Crafted Landscapes, LLC Professor Samantha J. Chicaderis
Craig Scribner Marijke’s Perennial Gardens Plus Saratoga Sod Farm
CW Stageworks Market 32 and Price Chopper Shanley Triggs
Dan Snow Masefield Dry Stone Masonry Shelburne Farms
David Flaschenriem McElwain Equipment Rental Stowe Theater Guild
David Loysen Melita J. Bass Trish Murtha
Ellen Howrigan Michelle Brunell United Ag & Turf
Fairfax Perennial Farm Middlebury Agway Farm & Garden UVM Extension
Federated Garden Clubs of Vermont Millican Nurseries UVM Extension Master Gardeners
Gardener’s Supply Company Milton CAT UVM Greenhouse Facilities
Greenhaven Gardens & Nursery Monique Dewyea UVM Horticulture Club
Green Mountain Florist Supply Murphy Landscape Design & Van Berkum Nursery
Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity Siteworks Vermont Compost Company
Green Mountain Mulch Narrow Path Vermont Department of Forests, Parks
Hera’s Bees North Branch Farm and Gardens & Recreation
Horsford Gardens & Nursery Northern Nurseries Vermont Stone & Horticulture
Isaac Paquette Property Services Northland Job Corps Center Village Hardware/Agway

13
The VNLA Winter Meeting Recap!
THANK YOU TO OUR EDUCATION SPONSORS - 2023!

by Kristina MacKulin
The VNLA Winter THANK YOU TO OUR EDUCATION SPONSORS - 2023!

Next came a morning

Meeting & Trade Show
break giving everyone a
was held on February 16,
chance to visit with
2023 with approximately
exhibitors. We reconvened
150 people in attendance,
for the VNLA annual
including 22 exhibitors.
business meeting.
It was fantastic to be back
Oak Sponsor Maple Sponsor Maple Sponsor Maple Sponsor President Ashley
in person at UVM’s Davis
Robinson recognized new
Center!

2022 members and

First, we would like to VCHERs. Ashley also
extend OUR GRATITUDE announced a January 5, 2023
to our Education Sponsors board decision to create the
for their generous support:
Dr. Leonard Perry
Scholarship Fund in
✴ Prides Corner Farms - recognition of Leonard’s
Oak Sponsor
dedication to the
✴ Read Custom Soils - ornamental horticulture
Maple Sponsor
industry, his 35 years as a
✴ Saratoga Sod Farm - UVM Extension Professor
Maple Sponsor
and the legacy he has left
✴ Van Berkum Nursery - behind. Please see the
Maple Sponsor
article on page 21 for more
details. Board members and
the VNLA Executive Director
In addition to our Education gave committee reports on
sponsors who also exhibited the 2023 VNLA budget and
at the meeting, other year in review, the 2023
exhibitors included: Vermont Flower Show,
Agresource, Inc., Cobble membership, upcoming
Creek Nursery, Fairfax volunteer projects for 2023,
Perennial Farm, Full Circle the Plastic Pot Recycling
Gardens, Gagne Insurance Program and the VT Blooms
Agency, Horsford Gardens & Passport Program for
Nursery, Horticulture member retailers. You can
Marketing, Inc., Ideal view the 2022 VNLA Year in
Concrete Block/Pavers by Sam Hoadley gives the keynote address and
Review / Annual Report
Ideal, MiltonCAT, Northern attendees visit with vendors.
which includes all committee
Nurseries, New England reports HERE.

Nursery Sales, Northeast Greenhouse & Nursery/Turf Supply,

OESCO, Savage Farms, Inc., Trees ROI, Tuckahoe Turf, River
Next the floor was open to the membership. Sarah Salatino
Walk, and VT Agency of Agriculture, Foods & Markets.

shared she is the VT representative for the upcoming New

England Greenhouse Conference which is being held on
The day began with people taking the VT Certified
November 8-9, 2023 in Manchester, NH. On behalf of the
Horticulturist exam. Our keynote address was from Sam
Board of Directors, Ashley Robinson recognized and thanked
Hoadley, Manager of Horticulture Research at Mt. Cuba
Ed Burke of Rocky Dale Gardens for his 12 years of service
Center in Hockessin, Delaware. Sam is also a graduate of
and his dedication to the VNLA and the VT Flower Show. Ed
UVM. He spoke about “Knockout Natives” and shared
joined the board in 2009 for a total of 10 years on the board,
information on Mt. Cuba’s research trials on native species
having been President for 3 of those years. A slate of
and cultivars. Some of the top performers include Monarda,
candidates was then presented and elected for two year terms
Phlox, Helenium, Echinacea, wild hydrangea, and Carex. You
as follows: Gabe Bushey as president, Ashley Robinson as
can learn more about Mt. Cuba and their research HERE.
past-president, and the board of director positions were filled
14
by Ray DeFeo and Marijke Niles. It is worth noting here that the
Existing board member Bruce Vermont Legislature has been
Gagne was elected as Secretary/ considering a bill to establish
Treasurer for the remaining one state goals of conversing 30% of
year of his existing term. the land of the State by 2030
Welcome to new VNLA board and 50% by 2050% in an effort
member Marijke Niles!
to protect biodiversity. You can
read H.126 as it stands HERE.

After the lunch break attendees

gathered for the VNLA Awards
Presentation, which included
the yearly VNLA awards and the Industry
Awards. Please see the article on page 17.
During the awards ceremony we were
pleased to offer the stage to Chris Conant
of Claussen’s Florist, Greenhouse and
Perennial Farm who presented the
Northeastern IPM Center’s 2022
Outstanding Achievement in
Integrated Pest Management Award to
Lori King of Claussen’s. Please see the
feature article on page 19.
The awards presentation was followed by
sponsor spotlights who each spoke for a
few minutes. There was another break to
visit with vendors followed by the
remaining presentations for the day.
Curt Lindberg and George Schenk,
authors of Our Better Nature:
Hopeful Excursions in Saving
Biodiversity and Alicia Daniel,
spoke about their new book which
features stories about creative
Vermonters who are working toward
protecting and restoring nature. The
book contains essays by regional
Top: George Schenk, Curt Lindberg, and Alicia Daniel
conservation experts and has an
well as her work in helping to develop
“afterword” written by Doug Tallamy.
The other concurrent
educational sessions in the
afternoon were a presentation by Judy
Rosovsky, VT State Entomologist and
Ben Dillner, VT Agency of Ag Plant
Health Team on “What’s Out There?
Highlights of the 2022 Nursery
Inspections, Pest of Concern and
Regulatory Updates”, which included
management and identification tips.
Attendees earned one pesticide credit.
The second concurrent session was a
presentation on “Lakeshore Landscaping
in Vermont: Bioengineering and Native
Plants to Restore Shorelines” given by
Holly Greenleaf of Greenleaf Designs,
LLC. Holly shared her experience working
with Lake Wise, a VT Agency of
Natural Resources initiative that
awards lake-friendly shoreline
properties and is meant to establish
a new culture of lakeshore
landscaping in an effort to protect
Vermont’s lakes. Holly has worked
on designing and installing
lakeshore restoration projects
around Vermont and shared her
experience on the Best Management
Practices used in such projects as
talking about Our Better Nature.
the Vermont Bioengineering Manual.

Center: ID test takers and spectators Paul Wieczoreck,

The book depicts photographs,
Tim Parsons, Dave Berg, and VJ Comai.

illustrations and the work of many

On-going throughout the day was the
local residents, professionals, Bottom: Holly Greenleaf speaking about
VNLA Identification Quiz of shrubs,
educators and students aiming to help lakeshore landscaping.
trees, and perennials so one could test
save biodiversity in Vermont. The their plant and latin knowledge. The
speakers shared readings and highlights from the book and quiz contained live specimens, thanks to the help of VJ Comai,
listened to participants share their stories.
as well as photographs. David Berg and Paul Wiecrzoreck tied
and shared the $100 prize.

This session was followed by a “Round Table Discussion”, led

by the same speakers and Ashley Robinson, on “Saving We were so pleased to have so many in attendance for the
Biodiversity in Vermont”. The group explored topics that Winter Meeting. The true highlight was being back together
included how to engage and encourage clients on the beauty of and indoors for a “winter” event. I am not sure what normal is
biodiversity and discussed way to support landscapers and anymore but that sure felt close to it! Thanks again to all who
nurseries in cultivating a more diverse landscape.
attended.

15
 Specializing in Vermont Grown Plants
A Claussen tradition since 1972

Claussen's Greenhouse offers an extensive selection of plants, including annuals, perennials, herbs,
vegetables, chrysanthemums, poinsettias, spring bulbs, tropical houseplants and much more.
187 Main Street, Colchester, VT 05446 ~ (802) 878-2361 ~ WWW.CLAUSSENS.COM

Wholesale Horticultural Distribution Centers

• Quality Plant Material • Complete Selection of Hardgoods • Stone Products & Stone Display
• Landscape Lighting & Water Garden Supplies • Spyder Delivery • Competitive Pricing
2234 N Hartland Rd. PO Box 1048, White River Jct., VT Phone: (802) 295-2117 Fax: (802) 295-4889
Proud Member of VNLA www.nor thernnur s eries.com Manager: Mike Trombly Sales: Tucker Homan

16
VNLA Award Winners - 2022-2023

by Kristina MacKulin

The presentation of the VNLA/Green Works awards occurred Retailer of the Year Award - 2022

at the Winter Meeting on February 16, 2023 held at the UVM

Davis Center. We are pleased to recognize those individuals Full Circle Gardens

below and extend our congratulations. Winners received their Sarah Salatino

awards in the order listed below. You can read their glowing
Essex, VT

nomination / testimonials HERE.

This award is presented annually

VNLA Young Nursery Professional of the to a retail garden center or
Year Award - 2023
 greenhouse operation that
Aaron Smith
stands apart for their excellence
in any or all of the following
S & D Landscapes, LLC
categories: customer service,
S. Burlington, VT quality of plant material,
knowledge of staff, creativity and
This is an annual award that was innovations in marketing and
established by the New England presentation of retail space, and
Nursery Association and has been overall customer experience and satisfaction.

adopted by the VNLA. Its purpose is

to reward, to honor and to
encourage participation,
Allen B. Crane Horticultural Employee
achievement and growth by an
individual who is involved in a Acknowledgement Award - 2022

related horticultural industry and Ranee “Nee” Russell

has not reached the age of 40 years, Fairfax Perennial Farm

who has shown involvement in his or her state and/or regional

nurserymen’s association, has contributed to the growth and Fairfax, VT
success of their company of employment and has portrayed an
image to the public of what our products and services can do
This award is presented annually
for them.

and is sponsored by member

Claussen’s Florist & Greenhouse
Environmental Awareness Award - 2022
in honor of Allen B. Crane, head
Red Wagon Plants
grower there for over 42 years.
Hinesburg, VT
Allen was “a great friend,
wonderful colleague and an
incredible grower”. This award
recognizes employees that make a
This award is given in recognition of difference in the horticultural
an individual that has implemented industry. The winner receives a
an environmentally sound practice cash prize of $275. Nominees must
that contributes to the protection of meet the following criteria: be
our environment.
employed by a member business
for a minimum of 5 years and be employed in the horticultural
industry. Nominees should be exemplary leaders and display
an ability to grow and excel in the workplace and beyond.

17
 Horticultural Achievement Award - 2022
Sustainable Landscape Horticulture. She works seasonally at
Claussen’s, Florist, Greenhouse & Perennial Farm. Abigail’s
Leslie and Peter Van Berkum
studies connect her love for plants and the natural world in
Van Berkum Nursery
ways that can work together to improve the health of both
Deerfield, NH people and the environment.

This award is given to VTC Student Merit Award for 2023

The
The Vermont
TheVermont Flower
VermontFlower
Flower Show
Show is
is back!
back!
individuals connected to the

Flower Show is back!

horticultural industry in
Vermont, who are over 40

Brandon Schnopps

The $500 VTC Student Merit Award for

years of age and whose
2023 was presented to Brandon
March
March 3rd --5th, 2023
accomplishments have


March 3rd - 5th,2023

3rd 5th, Schnopps of North Adams, MA. Brandon
March 3rd - 5th, 2023
2023
advanced our industry
OutofofHibernation!
Out Hibernation!
educationally, or by plant Out
is a senior in the Landscape Contracting
Out of Hibernation!
Program and is looking forward to

SS
Champlain development
Valley Expoor growing,
PRING
beginning a full time career that is
comestoto
• Theeffort.
outstanding personal 100-Ac
100-Acre
through literature, or through
Wood
This award is thecomes
most prestigious SPRING
PRING
PRING comes
focused on native plant restoration
comesand
comes toto
alive
and distinguished
Works.

that with
can bethe sitesfrom
received
fragrances of spring
andthe VNLA/Green T
T
T he100 100 A
100-A
100 Acre
conservation design.

Thehehe creW
cre
cre Wood
W ood
ood
ood
All winners were featured in a Seven
Days Newspaper insert on April 26, 2023.
UVM
• Over Student Merit
90 exhibitors to visit Award
in for You can view the feature on-line HERE,
the Flower Show Marketplace
2023
which begins on page 57.

PAbigail Chastaine

• Over 35 Presentations and The Industry Award’s presentation followed this award
Workshops about Gardening,
Gar ceremony and also included a presentation of the winning
The $500 UVM
Landscaping, Student Merit Award for
Beekeeping... project by Crafted Landscapes, LLC. This project was featured in
2023 was presented
and SO MUCH MORE!!! to Abigail Chastaine the Winter Issue of The Dirt, 2022/23 and in the Seven Days
of Richmond, VT. Abigail started out Newspaper spread. You can also view that project and previous
• majoring
Crafts andinEntertainment
Biology and switched to
year projects HERE.

for kids and famlies, an Art

Show featuring Local Artists,
SAVE THEFoods
Specialty DATEand - THE VNLA SUMMER MEETING & TRADE SHOW

Spirits and MORE!

AUGUST 17, 2023 @ KINGSLAND BAY STATE PARK / FERRISBURGH, VT

We’reAll
We’re
We’re All about
All boutcommunity!
about ommunity!
community!
ommunity!
y!
Over the last 4 years our members have
jumped in to partner with Green Mountain
Habitat for Humanity building vegetable
gardens, patios, and sustainable
landscapes for their projects. We also
sponsor the Vermont Blooms Initiative,
a VNLA endeavor that completes small
volunteer projects around the State to
beautify public outdoor spaces. Please visit

The Vermont Nursery and Landscape Association – visit us at VNLAVT.org

18
Lori King of Claussen’s Wins Prestigious Award!

by Kristina MacKulin
On February 16, 2023 Lori King of nomination. Margaret Skinner shared
Claussen’s Florist, Greenhouse and “Lori’s award is a big deal. The competition
Perennial Farm took center stage as she was stiff and regional, covering all the
was presented the Northeastern IPM Northeast. Lori deserves it for sure!”

Center’s 2022 Outstanding Achievement

in Integrated Pest Management Award Nominations must be made by a grower,
during the VNLA’s Winter Meeting & Trade consultant, researcher, educator, or
Show awards ceremony at the UVM Davis manager working in IPM. Alternatively, you
Center. Co-owner Chris can co-nominate with
Conant of Claussen’s someone who meets the
presented the award above criteria. Nominations
alongside Margaret Skinner must also be supported by
and Cheryl Frank-Sullivan. letters of recommendation,
Margaret and Cheryl, both supporting newspaper
research professors from articles, photographs, letters,
UVM’s Entomology Research as appropriate.

Laboratory who work in pest

management and biological
control. Margaret and
Cheryl were instrumental in
the nomination process. The
award came as a complete
surprise to Lori!
The criteria to be
nominated/considered for
this award are individuals or
organizations whose work on
IPM in the Northeast
deserves special recognition.
This award recognizes efforts
in:
• developing new IPM
tools
• implementing or
evaluating IPM methods
in their operations,
done for us as a company, for
businesses, or
the community, and obviously
organizations
Bottom: Lori giving a tour last summer to VNLA members at a
• encouraging
twilight gathering of the greenhouses at Claussen’s and sharing with
demonstrations and
adoption of IPM
In addition to receiving this
much deserved and
prestigious award, Lori was
featured in a WCAX Channel
3 news interview dated
February 21, 2023. Lori
shared in that interview “We
all want to save the butterflies
and the bees, so that’s a goal -
is to use less chemicals and
more natural predators”. Lori
receiving this award is proof
of her dedication to this
work. Claussen’s has been
able to reduce their use of
chemicals by almost 99% and
only uses chemicals for
specific circumstances. Chris
Conant was quoted “I’m really
proud of her and what she has
Above: from R to L - Cheryl Frank-Sullivan, Lori King,
Chris Conant, and Margaret Skinner.
for the environment and the
safety of our employees.” You
can see the full interview
the group about her work in IPM.
HERE.

• promoting IPM and

bolstering the adoption of IPM practices
On behalf of the VNLA we extend on CONGRATULATIONS TO
• educating others about IPM
LORI for receiving this award in recognition of her incredible
• collaborative efforts
work and dedication to IPM! Lori was also recognized for her
accomplishment in a WCAX Channel 3 interview on February
Undergraduate, master’s, or PhD students showing outstanding 21, 2023 which you can watch HERE.

interest and accomplishments in IPM are eligible for

19
20
The Dr. Leonard Perry Scholarship Fund

by Kristina MacKulin

At the 2023 VNLA Winter Meeting & Trade Show the Board of Beyond his decades of
work at UVM, Dr.
Directors announced during the annual business meeting the
Perry also served as
establishment of the Dr. Leonard Perry Scholarship Fund. The
Horticulturist in
board had met in early January, 2023 to make it official. This
Residence for the
fund is in honor of Dr. Perry’s career working at the University
King’s Garden in Fort
of Vermont and because of his service and support of the
Ticonderoga. 

VNLA.  Since 1962, the University has served in partnership

with the VNLA connecting Horticulture students with industry
As a part of the VNLA
professionals, and Dr. Perry has been greatly influential in that
mission, we provide
effort. 

educational
opportunities and
Dr. Leonard Perry worked as Extension Greenhouse and
award scholarships to
Nursery specialist for 35 years before retiring (somewhat!) in
college students
2016. Many in the public know him for his TV appearances on
studying in Vermont.
the regional Across The Fence program, radio interviews and
Currently we offer two $500 scholarships – one for  a UVM
news articles. We at the VNLA know him for his many
student and one for a VTC student.  This new fund will allow us
contributions to the association from leading twilight meetings
to increase this amount.   You can donate by filling out the form
and bus tours to beautiful gardens, to overseeing our VT
below.

Certified Horticulturist Program by updating our manual and

proctoring/grading  VCH exams.  Dr. Perry has also been the
It is our great pleasure to announce the establishment of this
Flower Show Seminar Coordinator for 20+ years. He writes a
fund in recognition of Dr. Leonard Perry’s legacy which honors
regular column in our quarterly publication,  The Dirt.  Students
his dedication to the horticulture industry in Vermont for over
know him for his work leading research programs on perennial
three decades.  Please think about making a donation, which
production, overwintering and well, all things perennial!
you can do HERE.

Take a Few Moments - its the VNLA Survey!

We know everyone is super busy but we have a BIG ASK

of our members and associates.   The VNLA Board of
Directors is seeking your input to better serve you as an
Association as they look toward the future.  Please take
a few minutes to fill out the VNLA SURVEY and

share your feedback! 

Please visit the QR code to complete the

survey or CLICK HERE!  .  You will be

entered into a drawing for $100 and

we would really appreciate your

participation in this endeavor!  

21
Other VNLA Happenings

by Kristina MacKulin
VERMONT BLOOMS PASSPORT PROGRAM/EVENT
schedule soon. Look for collection times to begin in July. You
can read about the program HERE.

The program was launched on May 1st

and runs through October 31. It was VOLUNTEER PROJECT/OUTREACH COMMITTEE

featured in Seven Days Newspaper on

4/23/23 and is being promoted on VPR for
the month of May. There is more
promotion coming in June and July. We
have 23 participating businesses and it
has been organized using an Eventzee
App. Eventzee is a platform to create
The Volunteer Project/Outreach Committee met just before the
season kicked in. They have two Vermont Blooms Initiative
projects they are working on. The first project is to install a
rain garden at an elementary school in Burlington. It is
tentatively scheduled for July 8 from 8am - 3pm. The second
project is to help with a town green project in Shoreham.

mobile scavenger hunt type events. So far 47 people have

signed up to participate.
Lastly, the committee is planning to return to Vergennes for a
Please help us spread the word. Anyone who plays earns second volunteer landscape planting collaboration with
badges along the way. The more places visited the more Habitat for Humanity of Addison County in the Fall.

chances players have to win prizes. You can see all the details
HERE.
You will be hearing from us more about these upcoming
volunteer opportunities and how you might help! You can see
PLASTIC POT RECYCLING PROGRAM
past projects HERE.

Thanks to Prides Corner Farms and our six collection sites we

will be in our third year of offering ways for our VNLA members
to recycle their #2 and #5 plastics. We will be posting the

The New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill is

researching the feasibility of a workforce
development program. They are gathering
information from employers to assess their needs
in filling open positions and employee training
needs.

The survey is open until July 31 and takes

approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.
Anyone who completes the survey will be
entered into a drawing for a one-year
membership to New England Botanic Garden at
Tower Hill.

Take the survey HERE.

22
id
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SSSSSSSSSSSSSsssSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

23
Welcome to our NEW VNLA Members & VCH!
Custom Landscapes, LLC
NEW VERMONT CERTIFIED HORTICULTURIST

Schuyler Timmons

524 Oneil Drive

Danielle Norris

Richmond, VT

Greenhaven Gardens & Nursery

802-999-8635

2638 Ethan Allen Highway

schuyler55@yahoo.com

www.customlandscaesllc.com
New Haven, VT 05472

Active Member
802-453-5382

Category: Landscape Design/Build, greenhaven@greenhavenvt.com

Maintenance, Hardscaping, Tree Removal and www.greenhavengardensandnursery.com

Pruning
Category: Garden Center, Nursery, Greenhouse,
Landscape Design/Build/Maintenance
Vermont Compost Company

Emma Marks

1996 Main Street

Montpelier, VT 05602

802-223-6049

info@vermontcompost.com

www.vermontcompost.com

Associate Member

Category: Supplier, Compost

Vermont Certified
Get Certified Today!

Horticulturist Program

Don’t delay and order

your study manual today!

Exam offered by appointment

virtually and in-person.

Learn more about the program HERE.

“For me, being a VCH is an expression

of commitment to the field of horticulture.
The discipline of maintaining certification

Or call 888.518.6484
ensures that I am current on topics that
translate to better landscape design
and plant care practices. For my clients,
it’s another check mark of professionalism.”

Joan Lynch, The Inner Garden, Inc.

Find a Vermont
Certified Horticulturist
Today!
vnlavt.org

24
Equipment & Tools for Landscape Professionals
Sprayers • Rakes • Loppers & Pruners • Saws & Extensions • Ladders • & More

800-634-5557 www.oescoinc.com
8 Ashfield Rd./Rt. 116, P.O. Box 540 Conway, MA 01341

elmoreroots.com
!"#$%"&'()$)**#"+'!"$,' elmOre fruitpal@elmoreroots.com
802.888.7668
-./+)0"+)'()$)**#"+'1$/2)$0' Help your customers by guiding them to a place
where they can see the mature trees growing
' and find out what will actually thrive at their
home and in their yard.

'
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3'4+"567)$$8'9#++':/";'<'!"#$%"&='>?'@ABAB'
C@DECBFED33A' VT NATIVE TREES and SHRUBS are our specialty!
Along with FRUIT TREES and BERRY PLANTS for
G)$)**#"+%"$,H0I$%J+/7"+K*)L' the COLDEST HILLSIDES
25


CALENDAR OF EVENTS
June 22, 2023
July 27, 2023
October 26, 2023
November 27 - December 1,
VNLA Summer Twilight MNLA’S Annual Summer Ecological Landscape 2023

Gathering -6:00 - 7:30 pm

Conference & Trade Show
Alliance’s Season’s End Irrigation Show &
Red Wagon Plants
Marshfield Fairgrounds
Summit - In-person
EducationWeek

Marshfield, MA
8:30am-5:30 pm

2408 Shelburne Falls Road

San Antonio, TX

Learn more HERE.

New England Botanic Garden

Hinesburg, VT
Learn more HERE.

Tower Hill, MA

August 2-4, 2023

Learn more HERE.

July 20, 2023

Garden Center Conference & December 1, 2023

VNLA Summer Twilight Expo

November 8-9, 2023
Ecological Landscape Alliance

Minneapolis, MN
Northeast Greenhouse
Gathering -6:00 - 7:30 pm
Ecological Plant Conference -
Learn more HERE.
Conference

Marijke’s Perennial Gardens Hybrid 8:30am-5:30pm

Plus
DoubleTree by Hilton
Location TBD, NY

August 17, 2023

1299 Robert Young Road

Manchester, NH
Learn more HERE.

VNLA Summer Meeting &

Starksboro, VT
Learn more HERE.

Trade Show

Kingsland Bay State Park

November 9, 2023
January 10-12, 2024

July 24-28, 2023

Ferrisburgh, VT 05456
Ecological Landscape MANTS Means Business

Perennial Plant Association’s Alliance: Regenerative Baltimore Convention Center

National Symposium
September 10-13, 2023
Solutions for Resilient Baltimore, MD

Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

NALP’s ELEVATE National Landscapes - Hybrid
Learn more HERE.
Learn more HERE.
Conference & Expo
8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Dallas, TX
Longwood Gardens, PA

Learn more HERE

Learn more HERE.

THINK GREEN BE GREEN

Recycle Your Nursery Pots
with Prides Corner Farms

Better Together
Contact Ray DeFeo for more info rdefeo@pridescorner.com
A Wholesale Nursery located in Lebanon, Conn pridescorner.com (800) 437-5168
26
 LEONARD’S CLIPPINGS!
by Dr. Leonard Perry, UVM Horticulture Professor Emeritus
Spring, 2023
White), Fundamentals of Soil Science
What a wonderful surprise, both an
honor and humbling, when I learned
your association had set up a student
scholarship fund bearing my name.    Diversified Farm Operations (lab,
I know such funds helped me get
from a
through undergraduate college, just as
I hope this one will with future
students.    Thanks again to the VNLA
for creating this, and to members who
are able and desire to add to it.  which some of
In addition to my Extension main
duties while at UVM, I figure I had
several thousand students in my
courses over 25 years—first in the
classroom for a few years, but mainly
in my many online courses.   Although
I continued these for a few years after
retiring, then “retired” from all this
teaching last year, I will be “coming
Research Center will be headquartered
out of retirement” in a small way this
coming year to resume teaching a
course a semester (primarily Indoor
Plants). UVM has switched to
Brightspace— a new LMS (Learning
Management System) for online
courses, which follows the previous
Blackboard, and originally WebCT
before it.    So, I’m now underway
entirely redesigning the course layout,
updating content, and learning this
third LMS—more complex and robust
than the previous, but more user-
friendly and much richer with features
(all the more to try to learn).   
Each semester I give a course
snapshot of the PSS department,
reflecting focus and student interest. 
Here’s what is being offered this
summer (hybrid being a mix of lecture
and online): Home and Garden
Horticulture (online, Starrett),
Agroecology (hybrid, Wilson), Home
Vegetable Growing (online, White),
Cold Climate Viticulture (lecture,
Bradshaw), Permaculture (online,
guided this through the process of
(lecture/lab, Gorres), Introduction to setting up a new institute. The UVM
Beekeeping (online) and Hands-on Board of Trustees made it official at
Beekeeping (lecture/lab, Alger), Plant- their February
based Healing Medicine (online, Elmer), 10 meeting. 
• You may recall
Stievater).   
previous Dirt
mention that
the Hills
Building,
you were in as
students and
housed PSS for several decades, was
being gutted and repurposed for new
occupants.   The first floor now has
finished walls, while the second and
third floors where the ARS (Ag
Research Service of the USDA)
In PSS Department and Campus news:
research unit and our Food Systems
(items courtesy CALS Dean’s notes and
CALS Blog)
are moving right along. The building
also has general purpose classroom
space, which is expected to be ready
for use by this August.
• Laura Eckman, a second-year PhD
student in the Department of Plant
and Soil Science’s Entomology
Research Laboratory, and Sydney
Miller, a senior undergraduate student
studying agroecology (PSS), have been
awarded funding from the Robert L.
Parsons Fund for Professional
Development in Production
Agriculture. The Parsons award is
• Many of you are familiar with the
HREC (formerly HRC or Hort Farm),
which recently welcomed two new
staff members – Operations
Coordinator Brian Vaughan (a PSS
alum and VNLA member) and
Catamount Farm Production Manager
Tanamá Varas. Terry Bradshaw (in
action in photo), Assistant Professor in
PSS, still manages “the farm”.
• The Institute for Agroecology is
official. PSS former chair Ernesto
Méndez and his team successfully
27
 offered in honor and remembrance
of “Bob” Parsons (in photo), a dear
colleague of many in the UVM
College of Agriculture and Life
Sciences (CALS). The funding
presentations in
supports expanded educational
opportunities for students and
agricultural producers.
Laura Eckman’s dissertation
research focuses on vegetable crop
production between vertically-
installed solar panels, in order to
learn if vegetables can grow well in
the unused space between the
fence-like rows of panels, and how
the panels affect plant growing
conditions.
Sydney Miller’s academic interests
in agriculture, ecology, and species
interactions have spurred her
program has offered a Gardening
Helpline, where trained volunteers
respond to home and community
gardening questions from Vermonters
throughout the state.
over 25,000
individuals to see their part in the greater
“Since its founding
by Doug Tallamy
[you may recall his
past visits to and
Vermont] and
Michelle Alfandari,
individuals have
registered on the
map on HNP’s
website as “fireflies,”
indicating the native plants they have
added to their landscape.  The HNP map is
an interactive community-based visual that
shows each person’s contribution to
planting natives and provides a way for
whole – creating new ecological networks
and restoring biodiversity.” [Based on
percent of active users as percent of total
population, Vermont currently ranks 2nd].

involvement with the Vermont Bee
Lab over the past two years. This
UVM laboratory is focused on the
health of honey bees and native
bees and the drivers to global
pollinator decline.
ask their questions online through Ask
Over the past few years, the helpline has
pivoted from a telephone call-in service
to going completely online during
COVID-19, and in 2022, to a blended
service. Vermonters can either call in or
Extension (a national initiative created
and maintained by the Extension
Foundation).

It may come as no surprise that the

blended service helpline responded to a
record number of gardening questions in
2022: it served 1,069 Vermonters, a five-
year high.
“Launched in 2020, Homegrown National
• The UVM Beekeepers (advisor: Dr. Park® (HNP) is a massive cooperative
The types of questions volunteers receive conservation movement that engages and
Mark Starrett from PSS) tied for
range the gamut of home and mobilizes anyone with a flowerpot, lawn,
third place for the greatest number
community-based landscape and garden, woodlot, ranch, farm, or campus to
of donors in UVM’s 2023
gardening topics. During 2022, the top plant and preserve native species and
LUVMYCLUB fundraising event.
questions helpline volunteers addressed remove invasives to support the plants and
The LUVMYCLUBcampaign is a
were about:
animals that are essential for human
fundraising challenge for student
clubs and organizations at UVM.  survival. This grassroots call-to-action will
1. Trees – 17%.
regenerate biodiversity by restoring healthy
The UVM Beekeepers are a
2. Insect, weed and disease pests – habitats on millions of acres of private land
community for those interested in
17%.
—creating large interconnected ecological
all aspects of bees and beekeeping.
3. Vegetables and berries – 15%.
networks outside of parks and preserves.”

The Beekeeping Club was

4. Ornamental plants – 15%.

instrumental in obtaining the Bee

5. Soils and soil test reports – 12%.
“HNP has a unique focus on reaching those
Campus designation for UVM every
year since 2018. There are only 18 unaware of the biodiversity crisis – an
Volunteers also responded to queries on enormous and diverse population – while
such campuses nationally, and we
insect and plant identification, lawn care working and collaborating with aligned
are the only one in New England.

and pollinators, and many other topics.

businesses, nonprofit organizations, and
• Since its start in 1991, the UVM
Heard of Homegrown National Park? other entities with aligned missions. HNP is
Extension Master Gardener
(homegrownnationalpark.org) 
the largest cooperative conservation
28
project ever conceived or attempted and
has an initial goal of adding 20 million
acres of native plantings in the U.S. This
represents approximately half of the
green lawns of privately-owned
properties. Ultimately, HNP’s  target is
that all privately held land will include
native plantings.”
Finally, for those growing and using
Make some time to check out this site,
register, have your clients and customers
register—a great way to promote native
plantings.   The website is very well
designed, easy to navigate, with a wealth
of information from various parts and
links, including podcasts and videos with
Doug.   For instance, just checking out
natives for our area (there are several
plant finders such as from nwf.org/
NativePlantFinder and
nativeplanttrust.org—the latter for
New England) and my balsam firs in
particular, I learned that 124 species of
butterflies and moths use this as a
caterpillar host plant. 
The NWF (National Wildlife
Federation)
plant finder is
interesting, as it
lists choices
ranked by number
of butterflies and
moths that use
each plant.    I
remember from
one of Doug’s
talks and research, that the number one
perennial is goldenrod—which came up
first in my list, attracting 122 species of
and reaches up to 18-in. tall when in
moths and butterflies.   (A great line I
use when anyone sees my perennial beds
reverted to so much goldenrod.)
good choice for growers, landscapers and
A sign of how they’ve grown in only a
couple years, is the fact HNP is currently
searching for an executive director.   series. There are eight colors and a mix
Being a non-profit organization, they
also welcome donations to support this
cause.  If you’re wondering about the
name, it was a term coined by Doug.
“Our National Parks, no matter how
grand in scale are too small and
separated from one another to preserve
species to the levels needed.  Thus, the
concept for Homegrown National Park, a
bottom-up call-to-action to restore
habitat where we live and work, and to a
lesser extent where we farm and graze,
extending national parks to our yards
and communities.”
perennials in plantings, here are a few
new perennials to get familiar with, if
you aren’t already (courtesy of Paul
Pilon, Ball Publ. Perennial Pulse e-
newsletter; photos courtesy AAS,
PanAmerican Seed, Terra Nova—in
order).
Besides the unique colors, the Earlybird
series has reduced vernalization
“Leucanthemum Carpet Angel is an
requirements; they can be vernalized
in five weeks with temperatures below
55F (13C). As the name suggests, they
flower about one to two weeks earlier
than the original Songbirds. The
Earlybird series has a compact,
controlled habit with upward-facing
flowers…The unique flower colors,
blooming uniformity and consistent
plant size are appealing attributes of
the Earlybird series.
incredible, first-year flowering perennial  Raspberry Frost Pulmonaria (left
that was selected as a 2023 All-America photo, dark raspberry flowers) from
Selections (AAS) Perennial Winner. Terra Nova Nurseries is an enhanced
Carpet Angel is the only groundcover version (albeit a rare sport) of the
shasta daisy in the world. With no popular Raspberry Splash (right whole
vernalization or daylength requirements, plant photo, spotted leaves without
Carpet Angel blooms continuously… cream margins). It has beautiful, heavily
With its compact size, superior basal veined leaves with cream-silver margins.
branching, fully double flowers and It covers itself with bright coral-red
continuous flower power, Carpet Angel flowers in the early spring. The foliage
is a must have for retail and wholesale remains compact at approximately 10 in.
growers. Hardy to Zone 4a.
bloom. Hardy to Zone 4.”
The Earlybird series of columbine is a  
gardeners alike. This series of aquilegia
is an improvement to and replacement
for the ever-so-popular Songbird
available in the new series, including
several unique colors such as Red Yellow
and Purple Blue shown above. The other
colors in the series include Blue Yellow,
Blue White, Purple White, Red White,
Yellow, and White.
           
29
 Give us a call
for access to
our 2023
pricing.

Spring/Summer Wholesale Hours

Weekdays 7am–6pm, Sat. 8am–6pm, Sun. 9am-5pm
472 Marshall Avenue, Williston, VT
802-658-2433 • wholesale@gardeners.com

Dirt_523.indd 1
30 5/4/23 11:00 AM
 THE LAB

putting it under the lens . . .

Discover Fort Ticonderoga & King’s Garden

by Ann Hazelrigg, Phd, UVM Extension &

Stuart Lilie, V.P. of Public History, Ft. Ticonderoga

Just an hour and a half south fort but a verdant garden

behind them. British soldiers
of Burlington is Fort
tended this garden as their
Ticonderoga. This beautiful
own, adding carrots, onions,
site offers a one-of-a-kind
mustard, & more. As victory
experience, with its museum
became certain for the
exhibits, living history
British, they added endive,
programs, restored fort, and
pumpkins, watermelon,
a historic landscape enjoyed
potatoes, and even asparagus,
by visitors of all ages. Fort
to a garden that reflected the
Ticonderoga’s 2-day pass
sweet taste of success. When
allows time to enjoy daily
the Green Mountain Boys
programs, narrated cruises,
captured Fort Ticonderoga in
and the incredible vistas seen
1775, they captured the
from Mount Defiance,
gardens as well. These
overlooking this storied
gardens helped feed sick
place. With 2,000 acres
soldiers in the American
situated along the shore of Fort Ticonderoga & King's Garden 2022

army in 1776, expanding all

Lake Champlain, this Photo: Carl Heilman II @ Fort Ticonderoga.

the way to Mount

landscape includes a
Independence on the
battlefield trail, to explore the 1758
Vermont side of the Lake.

Battle of Carillon, and epic

American defense of Ticonderoga In July 1783 George Washington
during the Revolutionary War. Fort became Ticonderoga’s first tourist,
Ticonderoga’s grounds also include visiting the ruins of the Fort and
the King’s Garden, which evokes paving the way for centuries of
the layers of stories found at this visitors to come. In 1820,
historic site, through beautiful, businessman and avid gardener
bountiful gardens surrounding the William Ferris Pell, bought the 500
restored 1826 Pell Pavilion.
acres surrounding the Fort, in
The King’s Garden of Fort America’s first act of historic
Ticonderoga grew along with the preservation. He continued the
many chapters of this site’s history. Sarah Gibbs Thompson Pell and architect Alfred Bosom garden legacy, adding pleasure
As French soldiers began raising gardens, a kitchen garden, and an
greeting President Taft at the Ticonderoga train station for
the star-shaped bastions of the Fort orchard around his 1826 summer
opening day at Fort Ticonderoga July 6, 1909.

in 1756, they also broke ground on home, the Pavilion. The Pavilion
a soldiers’ garden to the east. With Hotel, with its fare of fresh garden
each campaign season the French army grew cabbages and strawberries and asparagus was a favorite for tourists through
greens to supplement their dried and salted rations, all the the 19 th century.

while defending French Canada from British invasion in the

 In 1908, Fort Ticonderoga Museum Co-Founders Stephen and
French & Indian War. In July 1759, the French blew up their
Sarah Pell hired English architect Alfred Bosom to restore the
Fort, as they retreated down Lake Champlain, leaving a ruined

31
Officers’ barracks of the fort as well as the Pavilion. The
Officer’s barracks, the Pavilion, and a new King’s Garden
were completed in time for President Taft to visit on
opening day, July 6, 1909. At Sarah’s request, Alfred Bosom
added a teahouse, brick paths, and the distinctive brick
walls that are a hallmark of the King’s Garden today.
selected based on Coffin’s garden design, if not the
In 1920, Sarah Pell hired Marian Cruger Coffin to redesign
The King’s Garden was restored in 1997 and is filled with
colorful annuals grown every spring by area Vermont and
New York greenhouses. Perennials (lavender, Turks Caps
lilies, peonies among others) are also incorporated in the
garden beds separated by brick pathways. Flowers are
heirloom flower itself, a varietal to match the color and
size of the original.

the King’s Garden in the new tapis vert style. Coffin was
born in NYC and educated at the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology as a special student of landscape architecture.
She was a pioneer, being one of the first female landscape
architects in the U.S. (Cruger Coffin and Beatrix Farrand
were contemporaries and both have been cited as being the
first female Landscape Architect!). As part of her training
and education, Cruger Coffin travelled to all the great
gardens in Europe. Her most important commission was
Winterthur in Delaware but she designed more than 50
estate gardens in the northeastern U.S. she describes her
theories on design in her book, Trees and Shrubs for
Landscape Effects.

Above: Walled King's Garden & Teahouse. Photo: Fort Ticonderoga

Below: 2022 Garden Party. Photo: YM Photography

Detail: 1920 Marian Cruger Coffin Garden Design. Photo:

Museum Collections of Fort Ticonderoga.

https://www.fortticonderoga.org/

32
 News from the VT Agency of Agriculture,

Foods & Markets

By: Bethany Creaser and Judy Rosovsky, State Plant Regulatory

Official and Entomologist, VAAFM

Spring Brings Worker How can you determine if the WPS

apply to you? Ask yourself a series of
Protection Standards and

questions. The first question to ask

SLF Egg Masses.
yourself is, do you manage or own a

farm, forest, nursery, or greenhouse

Happy spring to all. The staff at Plant that produces an agricultural
commodity? An ag commodity
Health hope that you had a chance to
includes but isn’t limited to food/oil
visit the beautiful Flower Show, back at
crops, turf, forest products, ornamental
last after the long COVID caused
plants, and mushrooms. It includes
pause. Maybe you stopped by the
conventional and organic operations. 

invasive species booth or attended our


workshop or just took in the tulips but
Do you use pesticides to produce the
in any case we hope you enjoyed the
ag commodity? A pesticide is any
event.

substance used to kill, control, or repel

Spotted lanternfly (SLF) update
Both Massachusetts and New
Hampshire nurseries have received
trees with SLF egg masses on them this
spring. MA found 200 egg masses and
Now, look at the labels of the
NH had 9 shipments
that came from 3 states
with a total of 69 SLF
egg masses. The trees in
question were about
12-16 feet tall. Please
be sure to check your
incoming nursery stock
for SLF egg masses and
a pest. This includes insecticides,
fungicides, herbicides, etc. and
Figure 1. Plant Health staff Ben Dillner and Forest includes natural and organic pesticides
Pest First Detector Marie Ambusk at the invasive as well as conventional pesticides.

species booth at the 2023 Vermont Flower Show. 

Photo courtesy Judy Rosovsky.
pesticides you use?
Does it have a section
on the pesticide label
that says ‘Agricultural
Use Requirements’? It’s
fairly easy to spot on a
label and is usually on
the first few pages of a
pesticide label.

other life stages.

Do you hire employees

Figure 2. Spotted lanternfly egg mass, nymphs, adult.

who are not family nor

Photo courtesy Emilie Swackhammer.

are they owners of the

Employee Safety – agricultural
The Worker Protection Standard
establishment? Do these employees perform plant related tasks
related to the production of the ag commodity, such as
The safety of your employees is of huge importance and the weeding, repotting plants, pruning, watering, applying
federal Worker Protection Standard (WPS) is one step pesticides, etc.?

among many that help with the goal of employee safety. The
WPS is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) law
designed to protect workers from pesticide poisoning and
injury. It aims to reduce pesticide exposures for workers and
their families. It applies to farmworkers, and those that work in
a forest, nursery, or greenhouse that produce agricultural
If you answered ‘Yes’ to the above questions, then the WPS
likely applies to you, and you will need to take steps to comply
with it. You are responsible for providing employees with
protections required by the WPS. Some of those requirements
are:

plants. Think of it as OSHA for those producing an agricultural

commodity.

33
 • You must provide annual safety training Your employees are one of your top assets.
for workers and handlers before work Protect them by decreasing pesticide
begins. In Vermont, training
exposure incidents at your farm, forest,
• There must be a central location where nursery, or greenhouse by training them
pesticide application and emergency under the WPS. Fewer incidents mean a
information is posted. These include healthier workforce and fewer lost wages,
safety data sheets and a required safety medical bills and absences from work and
poster. The Vermont Agency of school.

Agriculture (VAAFM) can provide you

with safety posters.
The Vermont Invasive Exotic Plant
• Access to decontamination sites and Advisory Committee

routine washing stations is required.

• All pesticide handlers and early-entry The Secretary of Agriculture, Food and
workers must be 18 years or older.
Markets appointed members to the Vermont
• You must provide employees with Invasive Exotic Plant Advisory Committee
personal protective equipment (PPE) that (VIEPAC) to recommend plants to be added or
Figure 3. The Easter Bunny or a removed from the Vermont Noxious Weed
is required by the label.

fit test? Image courtesy PERC.

Quarantine A and B lists. These lists represent
• If the label requires use of a respirator,
everyone using the pesticide, including species of plants, both naturally occurring and
owners and family, will need annual training and fit those found in the nursery trade that are
testing, and medical evaluations.  
prohibited from movement, sale, and/or distribution, and/or
• If a possible pesticide poisoning or injury occurs, you must possession, cultivation for those found on the Class A list;
provide emergency information and transportation, https://agriculture.vermont.gov/sites/agriculture/
promptly.
files/documents/PHARM/Plant_Pest/
• All pesticide application and hazard information must be NoxiousWeedsQuarantine1.pdf.
kept on file for 2 years. These records must be provided to
an employee if requested. VAAFM can provide you with
WPS record keeping forms.

•
Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the WPS.
There are some great resources available to help you learn
more about the WPS and to help you comply with it. They are:

EPA - https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safety/
agricultural-worker-protection-standard-wps

Pesticide Educational Resource Collaborative (PERC) -

https://pesticideresources.org/

VAAFM– reach out to Anne Macmillan at

anne.macmillan@vermont.gov or call 802-461-6118. Figure 4. Signage helps keep your employees safe.

Anne is also the one you can ask about how to obtain a Image from EPA WPS trifold brochure.

Vermont private pesticide applicator’s license.

34
 Three Things to know about Van Berkum Nursery
1) We are passionate about what we grow, from New England
Woodlanders to Wicked Ruggeds. Northeast Greenhouse & Nursery Supply
2) We specialize in healthy NH grown perennials, personal service, a division of Northeast Nursery, Inc. – Est. 1982

and extensive plant knowledge.

3) We have friends in low places. (ribbit). GROWING FOR OVER 40 YEARS
Phone (207) 499-2994 • Fax (207) 499-2912
sales@piersonnurseries.com
WH AT WE • www.piersonnurseries.com
OFFER. . .
Mailing Address:
Professional Growing Media Physical Address:
24 Buzzell Road 291 Waterhouse Road
Biddeford ME 04005 Dayton ME 04005

CARRYING A FULL LINE OF B&B AND CONTAINER

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PRO-LINE
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NATIVE PLANTS FERNS & GRASSES
SHADE TREES PERENNIALS
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WETLAND PLANTSGolf & Turf Supply
a division of Northeast Nursery, Inc. – Est. 1982
EVERGREENS BROADLEAFS

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LLC
(603) 463-7663 Fax 7326 • salesdesk@vanberkumnursery.com
www.vanberkumnursery.com

18

Get
Certified
Vermont Certified GROWING FOR OVER 40 YEARS
Horticulturist Program Today!
Phone (207) 499-2994 • Fax (207) 499-2912
sales@piersonnurseries.com • www.piersonnurseries.com
Mailing Address: Physical Address:
Don’t delay and 24 Buzzell Road 291 Waterhouse Road
Biddeford ME 04005 Dayton ME 04005
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person.
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35
 THE IDEA FACTORY

tips & trends, food for thought…

Top Trends Influencing Consumer Plant Choices

Monrovia’s Trend Spotter Highlights

times, they are looking for climate
Customer Interests For 2023:

 
appropriate plants, pollinator
Azusa, California – What plants will attractors or drought tolerant
your customers be looking for this varieties. Showing your customers not
season? A few consumer trends are only natives, but other problem-
emerging that offer some insights into solving plants can open a whole new
the styles, plants, and gardening selection for their garden.”

topics your customers are interested

Private Retreats

in right now. “Tapping into these

 

interest can inspire your customers

Focusing on personal health is now a
and spark purchases,” says Katie
status symbol. Many homeowners are
Tamony, chief marketing officer and
looking to create a relaxing, private
trend spotter for Monrovia. “Our
oasis where we can shut out the
consumer research tells us that home
gardeners are going to independent chaos of everyday life. They are also
garden centers looking for ideas and recognizing the well-being benefits of
inspiration. Creating displays and nature, and the calming effects time
developing educational opportunities in the garden can bring. “Our
on these trending topics provides followers are very interested in
value your customers won’t get upscale relaxation spaces,” says
anywhere else. It also give you the Tamony. “Plants are the perfect
opportunity to tell them what they Helping your customers connect the design accessory for these private
didn’t know they needed.”
old with the new can play to their retreats. They help define the space
Here is a look at the top three trends affection for the past.”
and allow us to connect to nature.
influencing the plant choices your  
We’re seeing larger houseplants
customers will be making this season.
Wilding
being brought outdoors for instant
 
 
impact, use of grasses to create
Nostalgia Varieties
Interest in more natural garden movement and consumers splurging
 
spaces is also on the rise. “This trend on a ‘must-have’ plant. Creating
Home gardeners are returning to appeals to customers who want displays that help customers envision
classic flowers. Roses, hydrangea, landscapes that don’t look their own calming retreat can serve
peony, and other flowering shrubs landscaped,” says Tamony. as inspiration and push them to
that may be thought of as old “Homeowners are welcoming purchase.”  

fashioned are now in demand. These pollinators into their gardens with  

timeless flowers, with large blooms plants that offer pollen, nectar, and About Monrovia

bring gardeners back to simpler times
and offer a connection to older
relatives that may have influenced
their love of gardening. “This return to
nostalgic plants is part of the larger
trend we’re seeing called the New
Victorian Garden,” adds Tamony.
“Think big, beautiful blooms, softer
colors, and a return to romance in
the garden. Modern breeding is
making these traditional plants even
better for home gardeners, making
them easier to grow and providing
more blooms than shrubs of the past.
structure. They’re mixing edibles with
shrubs and perennials, creating their
own Eden. Wilding builds on the
Garden of Abundance trend, with a
newfound freedom in garden design,
and an increased interest in soil heath
and doing good for the
environment.” Gardeners interested
in this trend are often drawn to
natives. “It’s a wonderful educational
opportunity,” adds Tamony. “Home
gardeners are drawn to the term
native, but that term can mean
different things to each person. Many
Inspired by the beauty of plants, gardens,
and landscapes everywhere, Harry E.
Rosedale, Sr. founded Monrovia in 1926 to
be a premier grower of shrubs and trees.
Monrovia collaborates with plant
breeders around the world to introduce
improved plant varieties to North
America. Monrovia plants flourish once
planted to beautify gardens and
landscapes.

36
 STRICTLY BUSINESS

no kidding …

Why Don’t I Have Enough Profit? Overhead Recovery 101

by Jacki Hart

If you find yourself asking this question Depending on how your accountant
has set up your chart of accounts,
at the end of every year, you’re in good
you may have to do a bit of fiddling
company. Many small business
around with numbers to be able to
entrepreneurs (under $10M in revenue)
compare your COGS, Gross Profit
work very hard on the operations and
and OH Expenses on the P & L
sales of the business, keeping all of the
(income statement) with the
balls in the air to ensure customers
industry standards method.
receive great service and pay their bills on
Accountants typically put field
time. Often, working ‘in’ the business
labour into ‘expenses’, ‘below the
trumps working ‘on’ the business. Herein
(gross profit) line’. If you want to
lies the problem.

benchmark along side your peers, then you’ll need to move it up

‘above the line’.

We all gravitate to do what we prefer. And most entrepreneurs lean

away from ‘the numbers’ and the nitty gritty details of actions and
Everything in ‘overhead expenses’ should be ‘fixed’ – and not
decisions that build a healthy balance sheet (and bank account).
proportionate to sales. Here are a few examples of overhead
While operational excellence is important, unfortunately, neither
expenses: rent, utilities, communications (phones, internet,
the balance sheet nor overhead recovery factors can perform at
software etc), small tool purchases / shop expenses, business
their best when left on autopilot.

insurance, professional services, bank charges, management and

admin salaries / vehicles (not billable in the field), etc. Note that
What the heck is ‘overhead recovery’ (OHR)? It’s the act of making
truck lease expenses aren’t in this list. If you have 1 or 2 trucks
sure that the company’s ‘fixed costs’ are fully recovered in the
leased, it’s ok to include them and their related costs here in
prices charged to customers for products and services. Notice I
‘overhead’ for a SORS (Single Overhead Recovery) method ‘below
said that it’s the ‘act’ of recovering costs. It doesn’t happen
the line’. If either your trucks or equipment are financed, their
automatically, and unless you intentionally add the right % to your
loans will appear only on the balance sheet. If you have a larger
costs of good sold (COGS), PLUS a margin for profit (see my last
fleet, all field trucks, equipment and their related costs should be
column) into the price you charge your customers, you will reported ‘above the line’ in Cost Of Goods Sold.

always fall short of the money you’d hoped to make.

So, let’s use an example on calculating OHR: If sales are $700,000

Here’s why it matters: For most entrepreneurs, both the business (100% of revenue), COGS are $455,000 (65% of revenue) and
and the value that’s built into it over the years, is the retirement Overhead Expenses (including owner’s salary or income) are
‘pension’ plan and security. Whether planning to develop a $175,000 (25% of revenue), then profit would be $70,000 (10% of
business for sale, or for making additional acquisitions, taking on revenue).

partners, or franchising – eventually, the track record of profit and

assets acquired determine the value of the business in the future. So to price a contract that includes recovering overhead, in this
And the ‘retirement plan’ cash flow. So, to get there from here, example, here’s the calculation:

overhead recovery (OHR) and Return on Investment (ROI) are

important - so let’s take a look at the basics:
Let’s say that the Cost of Goods Sold for a soft landscape
installation = $2500, and you want to make 15% profit after
We commonly refer to numbers on the Profit and Loss statement recovering all of your ‘overhead’. Using the JPL formula I explained
as either ‘above the line’ or ‘below the line’. The ‘line’ is Gross in my last column, here’s answer:

Profit. Gross Profit is calculated from the numbers ‘above’ it on the

P&L: Sales minus the Cost Of Goods Sold (materials, equipment, $2500 = $2500 = $3300. So, $3300 is your BREAK EVEN Cost.100%
field/billable labour, subcontractors) = Gross Profit. 
- 25% = 75%

37
Then add your desired profit of 15%:
things will turn out this year for Overhead Expenses as a % of sales
this year. 

$3300 = $3300 = $3882.35 is your price to your customer.

100% - 15% = 85%

Recover your company overhead in every charge-out hourly rate,
and every material or subcontractor cost you incur on a job. You
If you use the incorrect, but commonly deployed ‘markup’ method, work hard. You’ve earned it. You just might be lousy at math is
your price to your customer would be $2500 x 1.25 (to incorrectly all….

‘add’ 25% Overhead recovery) = $3125 Break Even price x 1.15

(incorrectly ‘adding’ 15% profit) , your price would be $3593.75.
Which would have left $288.60 in the customer’s pocket instead of About the Author: Jacki Hart is
yours. So, on $2500 worth of labour, materials etc, if you don’t president of Consulting by Hart in Ontario,
properly recover overhead and profit margin, you have fallen short Canada. She is an entrepreneur, advisor,
of your profit projections for the end of the year by almost $300 business consultant, and workshop facilitator
bucks.
with a career in the Green Industry spanning
35 years. Jacki is one of Canada’s first
Many of you reading this might be glazing over, and you might not women to hold the North American Green
have actually read the numbers, thought about them and tried it Industry certificate for business management
on your own calculator to see if I had a typo. And you might not yet excellence. Jacki also manages the Prosperity
have tested this out on your own P&L against your own quotes. I’ll Program and Peer to Peer Network for
encourage you to suck it up and try it. 
Landscape Ontario.

If you are falling short of your goals, then please re-read this, and
my last column which you can find here . Use your budget
for the year, and at the very least, if you don’t have one, then use
your Quickbooks Profit and Loss Statement to get your total
Overhead Expenses as a % of the total sales from last year, and
make necessary adjustments to forecast your best guess on how
Jacki writes for other trade magazines and will be a regular
contributor to our business column. CBH is a consulting firm that
“passionately believes that entrepreneurial success depends on
sustained forward momentum - across all areas of business - both
the visible and the invisible. To learn more about CBH visit
www.consultingbyhart.com.

Let us be your guide!

603.298.8904 | Office

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38
 THE PLANT LOUNGE

wiry stems, hairy leaves and bodacious blooms. . .

Sorbus alnifolia - Korean Mountain Ash

by Mark Dwyer, Landscape Prescriptions by MD

It’s rare to be able to make the rate of this species would be

described as moderate to fast.   

claim that you have actively

 

observed the same tree up close

The smooth, grey, beech-like bark
almost daily for many years.  I can
is finely striped and notable,
only make this claim for the
particularly during the winter
Korean mountain ash that I’ve
months.  The creamy white, flat-
enjoyed observing for the last 12
topped flower clusters in late
years along our dog walking route
spring attract bees and butterflies
(Janesville, WI).  I’ve seen the
and the fruits form quickly but
transition from dormancy to
mature well into autumn and
amazing white flower clusters in
hang in loose, colorful groupings.
spring, enjoyed the glossy green
These fruits (tiny, globose pomes)
foliage that ultimately turns
are typically an orange-red to
shades of yellow and orange in
scarlet color (rarely yellow) and
fall and noted the progression of
are very persistent on the tree. 
the colorful and persistent
Migrating and local birds certainly
fruiting from up close. I feel that I
enjoy the feast.  The simple,
know this plant and recommend it
beech-like leaves transition to an
is an excellent candidate for a
impressive yellow to golden-
smaller tree specimen that really
orange in autumn. Fall color will
offers ornamental contributions
vary but is consistently
throughout the year.

impressive.  Pruning is rarely

 
needed although it can be
Native to Asia (Japan, Korea, China accomplished in late fall through
and Taiwan), this member of the early spring.  The dense branching
Rosaceae family is densely of this species does create heavy
branched and while pyramidal in shade under the canopy.

youth, does develop a consistently  

symmetrical, oval form as it Korean mountain ash is

matures. The variety ‘Red Bird’ is a significantly less susceptible to
very narrow selection with all the the range of diseases that afflict
same attributes.  While tolerant of other Sorbus species.
part shade, the best flowering and  Furthermore, this species is very
fruiting displays are observed in resistant to the borers and other
full sun situations.  This species in pests that visit other mountain
not urban or pollution tolerant so ash species.  However, stressed
minimize stress by providing specimens will be more prone to
adequate open space for root displaying symptoms of bacterial
development which will maximize fireblight, scab, cankers, crown
health and longevity.  Korean gall, powdery mildew and rust. 
mountain ash is mildly drought Propagation is most common by
tolerant once established although seed but can also be accomplished
well-drained soils are required.  This species grows well in with softwood cuttings or grafting.

slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soils (pH 5-8).  The growth   

39
Why Grow Sorbus alnifolia?

·      Showy white flowers in late spring

·      Amazing fall color peaking at orange

·      Nice smaller-scaled, durable specimen

·      Showy and persistent fruits (birds!)

·      More disease/pest resistant than other Sorbus sp.

Specifics

Name: Sorbus alnifolia (syn. Alniaria alnifolia and Aria alnifolia)

Common Name: Korean mountain ash, alder-leafed

whitebeam, Korean whitebeam

Description: Densely branched, smaller tree, 30-50’ tall by

20-30’ wide in time, white flowers in late spring, beech-like,
dark green leaves transition to an amazing orange fall color,
persistent fruiting (orange-red to scarlet, rarely yellow)

Hardiness: USDA hardiness zone 3-7

In the Landscape: Given ample soil and space to grow, the

Korean mountain ash is an ideal specimen for the smaller
garden or in locations where its transitional and significant
seasonal interest can be best appreciated

  

Reprinted with permission from Nursery Management Magazine.

About the Author:

MARK DWYER is currently the Garden

Manager for the Edgerton (WI) Hospital
Healing Garden after 21 years as Director
of Horticulture at Rotary Botanical
Gardens (Janesville, WI). He also
operates Landscape Prescriptions by MD,
a landscape design and consultation
business. mcdwyer@zoho.com Visit:
www.landscapeprescriptionsmd.com.

40
 A Professional
The Vermont Association
Nursery & Landscape for
Association
Growers,
missionRetailers, Garden
is to support andCenters, Nurserymen
strengthen the
and Women, Landscape Designers and Contractors,
horticulture industry of Vermont by creating
greater awareness
Landscape of the benefits
Architects, Maintenance of
Experts,
landscaping
Arborists, and promoting
Turf Specialists, Industrythe professional
Representatives,
burgh, VT 05473
F: 802.425.5122
services and products of our members.
Allied Trades People, Students, and Educators.
orksvermont.org
41
visit us at www.vnlavt.org