THE DIRT

Fall Issue 2023, Volume 49, Issue 3

VNLA Summer Meeting Recap page 4

News from the Urban & Community Forestry Program page 8

Native Solitary Bees and How

1 You can Support Them page 29
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT Ashley Robinson COMMITTEES
Ashley Robinson Landscape Designer
BUDGET AND FINANCE
Gabriel Bushey PO Box 28
COMMITTEE CHAIR
Crafted Landscapes, LLC Charlotte, VT 05445
Bruce Gagne - Gagne Insurance Agency
176 South Maple Street 802-922-1924
Vergennes, VT 05491 arobinsonld@gmail.com
EVALUATION & PLANNING
802-233-8551
COMMITTEE CHAIR
info@craftedland.com Aaron Smith
Gabe Bushey - Crafted Landscapes, LLC
S & D Landscapes
VICE-PRESIDENT 91 Ethan Allen Drive, Unit C INDUSTRY AWARDS COMMITTEE CHAIR
S. Burlington, VT 05403 Ashley Robinson, Landscape Designer
Ralph Fitz-Gerald 802-497-0032
Horsford Gardens & Nursery aaron@landscapevermont.com
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
2111 Greenbush Road
Ralph Fitz-Gerald - Horsford Gardens &
Charlotte, VT 05445 Linzy Vos
Nursery
802-425-2811 898 Mason Hill North
field@horsfordnursery.com Starksboro, VT 05445
MARKETING & EDUCATION
802-673-0083
COMMITTEE CHAIR
linzyvos@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
Ray DeFeo Linzy Vos
Prides Corner Farm EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR VERMONT CERTIFIED HORTICULTURIST
122 Waterman Road COMMITTEE CHAIR
Lebanon, CT 06249 Kristina MacKulin Annie White - Nectar Landscape Design
860-468-6052 VNLA/Green Works Studio
rdefeo@pridescorner.com P.O. Box 92
N. Ferrisburgh, VT 05473 VOLUNTEER PROJECT OUTREACH
Marijke Niles Toll Free: 888-518-6484 COMMITTEE CHAIR
Marijke’s Perennial Gardens Plus P: 802-425-5117 Ashley Robinson, Landscape Designer
1299 Robert Young Road Kristina@vnlavt.org
Starksboro, VT 05487 www.vnlavt.org
802-453-7590
marijke.niles@gmail.com

Connect with the VNLA/

Advertise with us! Green Works on Social Media!
Connect with us, follow us and share our posts.
It's another way for us to help your business thrive.
Contact the
THE You can find us at ...
VNLA office today! DIRT
Fall
Issu
e 20
22,
Volu
me
48,
Issu
e3

Facebook: @vnla.vt & @VermontFlowerShow

888.518.6484
Habi
tat
for Hu
VNLA man
Sum ity C

Instagram: @vnla.vt & @vtflowershow

VNLA mer olla
Twilig bora
Prog ht @ tion
rams - Cla page
So
1 m
usse 4
ethi n’s
ng fo page
11
r Ev
eryo
ne page
16

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

Hello VNLA Members, Friends and Colleagues,

inside
I begin writing this letter from the hospital in early this issue
September awaiting the birth of Kerri and my’s
baby boy William. We are so excited to bring this Board of Directors 2
little man into the world and teach him all the
ways of our green industry. The weather we have The President’s Letter 3

had certainly makes me concerned about the The Buzz

challenges he and others of his generation will VNLA Summer Meeting & 4
experience. I don’t think we have had extended Trade Show Recap
flooding over the course of several events, at least 6
With Deep Sadness
not in my lifetime. If it wasn’t raining it was very
hot. Time will tell if there is any chance of coming VT Blooms Initiative 7
Project: Allen Brook
back from the global climate change path we seem to be on. We will all have to
adjust and adapt. News from VT Urban & 8
Community Forestry
Program
It is not all doom and gloom though. I have seen our amazing membership really
VNLA Summer Twilight 10
step up on several occasions Presidents
in the last Le+er
severalAprilyears.18,
The 2023
Flower Show this past Gatherings
March was a massive success and it is truly a unique and incredible group that
Millican Nurseries Awards
comes together to make it happen. The summer meeting was very well attended. Scholarships
13
Thank you to everyone that came and especially to all the vendors and sponsors
Dearparticipated.
fellow VNLA members, colleagues, and friends impressive volunteer projects that have VNLA Welcomes New 16
that We also have had several
Member
been completed and th in Vergennes. I
Spring is upon us and I’manother
sure you one
are allcoming
as busy as upweonare.October
We have14 already hit the high 80’s in early
strongly Calendar of Events 17
April. I’mencourage anyone
sure that is not who but
a good thing is interested in getting
it certainly means we are involved
now in the in any
thick of these
of another
activities to please reach out to any of us on the board or to the executive director.
landscaping season. Magnolias are blooming, the grass is green, and mulch is being delivered. I’m Leonard’s Clippings 19
You willand
excited notice I didn’t
honored say Kristina
to be going through my andfirstasseason
manyasof theyou
VNLAknow she will be stepping
president.
down around The Lab
Looking back atthe endfew
the last of months
the year.we I’m surehad
certainly you all will
a busy join The
schedule. me winter
in thanking
meeIng her
was afor
big Observations from the 23
her 20+ years of service to this organization. We are in the process
success. Our programing commiKee did an amazing job with the schedule and lining up the speakers.of finding a It UVM Diagnostic Lab
replacement,
is always great tobut no onewith
reconnect willeveryone
truly fill andher
hearshoes. Her last
new ideas. scheduled
Of course then theofficial
Vermont Flower
News from the VT Agency of 26
meeting
Show waswill be theforAnnual
presented the first Winter
Ime in 4 Meeting
years. To sayonisFebruary 15,would
was a success 2024beatanthe UVM Davis
understatement.
Agriculture Foods &
Center.
We are only able to put on such and amazing and unique event due to the amazing team that comes
Markets
together and puts in a tremendous amount of work. I want to thank all the sponsors, commiKee
members,
OK update!andWilliam
volunteersisthat
now so nearly
generously put in Ime,
5 weeks old. materials,
He and mom and money to pull offand
are healthy such a big Native Solitary Bees and 29
event. The show was a huge success both in how it was received by the public and financially. How You can Support Them
happy. He loves baths and hanging out with his big sister. I hope to see you all
soon. Thank
Looking you
forward all!is a busy year ahead. We have several Vermont Blooms volunteer projects we are
there The Idea Factory 24
working on. There are big things in the works for the Vermont Blooms Passport program including an 2024 Garden Trends Report
Inapp!
solidarity,
The program commiKee is working hard on twilights and a program for the summer meeIng. There
Nursery Management
is lots of work ahead and I encourage anyone who is interested in geUng involved to get in touch.
Magazine’s State of the
Good luck to everyone this season. I’m looking forward to hearing what you are working on this year. Industry Report 2023

NALPD’s The Edge

Magazine

Strictly Business 33
What the Market Will
“Bare”

Gabriel Bushey The Plant Lounge 35

Lespedeza thunbergii
‘Gibraltar”

Cover Photo Credit: Jake Dombek

3
 THE BUZZ
the low down on what’s up!

VNLA Summer Meeting & Trade Show Recap

By: Kristina MacKulin
The VNLA Summer Meeting & longest Q&A’s we have had. Tom
shared follow-up information
Trade show was held on August 17,
related to contacts, a video and
2023 on the shores of Lake
resources related to his
Champlain at Kingsland Bay Start
presentation. You can find that on
Park in Ferrisburgh, VT. Believe it
our website HERE. You can also
or not the sun actually shined that
reach out to Tom anytime with
day!
questions: tom.rogers@tnc.org.

We had 110 people in attendance Next attendees visited with vendors.

and 13 exhibitors joined us for the We are grateful to the following
day and some folks stayed at the vendors who made the trek and were
end of the day for a dip in the lake, able to join us for the day:
casual conversation and some •Agresource, Inc.
snacks. The day was filled with
•Charter Oak Nursery Sales
interesting presentations, good
•Cobble Creek Nursery
food, and time to visit with
exhibitors. We also held the
•Horsford Gardens & Nursery
annual live summer auction. •Medford Nurseries/Northern
Following is a short recap of the Nurseries
day. •Pavers by Ideal
•Pierson Nurseries, Inc.
A BIG thank you to our Education •Prides Corner Farms
Sponsors for the year: Prides •Read Custom Soils
Corner Farms (Oak Sponsor), •River Walk Farm
Read Custom Soils, Saratoga •Van Berkum Nursery
Sod Farm and Van Berkum •VT Agency of Agriculture,
Nursery (Maple Sponsors). We Food & Markets
appreciate their generosity and
•Vermont Wetland Plant
support!
Supply Company.
Our keynote speaker was Tom
Next the VNLA held a Special Membership
Rogers, the Associate Director of
Meeting to discuss a membership dues
Philanthropy at The Nature
increase and share some updates. The
Conservancy, VT Chapter. Tom’s
vote was unanimous and membership
presentation, “Vermont’s Natural
dues will be increased for 2024 by
World in a Changing Climate” was
approximately 3.5%. This increase
thought provoking as he spoke about
continues to be an effort to close the gap
Vermont’s changing climate and how it
between membership dues revenue and
is affecting our natural world, from
the administrative expenses incurred to
flower bloom times to when bears
run the Association.
hibernate. Tom also discussed The
Nature Conservancy’s efforts to combat the dual crises of
Others items discussed during this meeting included a recap of
climate change and biodiversity decline. It was one of the
the 2023 Vermont Flower Show attendance and finances. Both
4
broke records! Gabe Bushey, VNLA
President, also shared the job search for A big thank you to Ralph Fitz-
a new executive director will begin in Gerald, our auctioneer for a second
September. year in a row and his helpers VJ
Comai, Gabe Bushey, and Tim
After a delicious lunch catered by Lucky Parsons. We would like to thank
Star Catering located in Starksboro, the the following for their generous
second presentation of the day was donation of a wide variety of plants,
given by Annie White, owner of Nectar tools, plant labels, books, an art
Landscape Design and lecturer at the class, venison, a ball cart, pottery,
University of Vermont. Annie’s compost, pies, apple crisp, fresh
presentation, “Lessons from Lakeshores: garden produce, berries, and garlic:
Case Studies in Ecological Landscape
Design on Vermont’s Shorelines”. •Andrew Wolf
Annie’s work seeks to create a new •Charter Oak Nursery Sales
culture of lakeshore landscaping that •Cobble Creek Nursery
helps protect the lake while balancing •David Loysen
the recreational, functional, and social •Elmore Roots Fruit Tree Nursery
expectations of property owners. Annie •Fairfax Perennial Farm
shared both her successes and •Full Circle Gardens
challenges including how to meet the •Garden Ink
requirements of Vermont’s Shoreline •Horsford Gardens & Nursery
Protection Act. •Kristina MacKulin
•Mama’s Gardens
Following Annie’s presentation •Marijke’s Perennial
there was a break to visit with Gardens Plus
vendors and then Elise Schadler, •Narrow Path, LLC
Program Manager for the VT •Northeast Greenhouse
Urban & Community Forestry Supply
Program (VT UCF), gave the group •Pierson Nursery
a presentation - “Urban & •Prides Corner Farms
Community Forestry Grows •Read Custom Soils
Bigger than Ever in VT”. Elise •River Walk Farm
shared that VT UCF is gearing up •Rocky Dale Gardens
for their largest ever grant award •Van Berkum Nursery
in the amount of $500,000 which •VJ Comai
will be available for urban and •VT Compost Company
community forestry activities
through their program in 2024. To wrap up the day from
Elise provided an overview of the 4:30-5:30 people stayed for a
funding landscape, including dip in the lake and some social
projections on the uptick for time to just hang out and relax.
demand for shade and ornamental It was a beautiful summer day
trees. VT UCF is seeking input from and a gathering to remember.
the nursery industry related to this Thanks to all who were able
substantial investment in planting community trees across the to join us and to those who
state. Please see Elise’s article on page 8. lent a hand at the end of the
day packing up!
To conclude the day we held the annual live auction. Normally
proceeds from the auction go toward funding VNLA
horticulture-related educational awards and programming.
This year the board agreed to donate the proceeds to NOFA-
VT’s Farmer Emergency Fund. We raised $2,142 which was a
record! It is always fun to see the bidding war over Hannah
Decker’s Mom’s homemade pies. The two pies raised $85!

5
With Deep Sadness
It is with deep sadness that we
share the news of Dorothy Pellett’s
passing. Dorothy was a long-time
member, supporter, and past board
member of the VNLA. She was avid
about spreading the word on
horticulture in Vermont.
Just after the terrible flooding in
July, Dorothy phoned the VNLA
office to ask about how the
Association was offering aid to
flood victims. Dorothy spent her
life thinking of others. Her phone
call planted the seed for the VNLA
to donate the Summer Meeting a
auction proceeds to NOFA-VT’s
Farmer Emergency Fund. Dorothy
will be deeply missed and certainly
left this world and Vermont a better
place. Below is a reprint of Dorothy’s obituary found
on Legacy.com.
Dorothy Jean (Engel) Pellett passed peacefully in her sleep
surrounded by family on August 26th, 2023.
Dorothy was born to the late Clarence Arthur Engel and
Stella Frances Starr Engel on June 25, 1935, in Cedar
Rapids, Iowa. She graduated from Iowa State University
with a bachelor’s in science in horticulture. It was here
that she met the love of her life and husband of 67 years,
Norman E. Pellett.
Most important to her was her faith and her family.
Although she had two diverse careers in her lifetime, the
most important one to her was that of wife and mother.
As owner of Rock Crest Gardens, a wholesale nursery, she
was known throughout the state of Vermont for her unique
selections of hardy hosta, day lilies, trillium, other
perennials, and native plants and had an unrivaled
reputation for providing specimens of incomparable
perfection. She was also a member of the Vermont Nursery
and Landscape Association, including serving on the
board.
She was a longtime, dedicated member of the Charlotte
Congregational Church providing years of gentle
leadership and support, serving as president, treasurer,
clerk, financial secretary, and
cabinet secretary. She was also a
deacon and her family suspects she
probably served on most every
other committee. She initiated a
program of milk donation through
the church to the Salvation Army
for the benefit of pregnant
mothers. Over time, this caused the
church to be known as the "milk
church." Dorothy donated her
exceptional hostas that still adorn
the side of the vestry. Along with
Norman, they gave time and
resources to create a playground at
the church in 1996 in memory of
their daughter Kerri. Lastly,
Dorothy was appreciated for her
habit in her various leadership
roles of quietly asking thoughtful
questions that needed to be asked.
As a freelance writer, Dorothy was published in many
national home, industry, travel, and horticultural
magazines. She also wrote as a Chittenden County local
news correspondent for the Burlington Free Press for
fourteen years. She was inspired to write by her favorite
author, Ronald Rood.
Perhaps most noteworthy, Dorothy’s family still marvels at
how they never ever—not even once—heard her say a bad
word about anyone.
She is predeceased by her son Dwight Allen Pellett in 1959
and by her daughter Kerri Pellett Frost in 1994.
She is survived by her husband, Norman Pellett; sons,
Alden Pellett (Tara Brown) and Andrew Pellett (Rachel
Smith); grandchildren, Hannah Frost and Laurel Pellett;
son-in-law, Gregory Frost; and her dear friends, Vic and
Wanda Bean and Jim (and late Joan) Olson.
A service of thanksgiving for her life was held on Thursday,
September 21st at 2:00 p.m. at the Charlotte
Congregational Church. In lieu of flowers, donations in
Dorothy’s memory can be made locally to the Nature
Conservancy (of Vermont), 575 Stone Cutters Way,
Montpelier, VT 05602.
6
VT Blooms Initiative Project:
Allen Brook Elementary School Planting
by Ashley Robinson
We’re at it again! The VNLA’s Volunteer Project Outreach
Committee organized another planting project in the
community, this one to benefit the Allen Brook School in
Williston. Kids returning to school were welcomed back to a
newly planted, colorful, pollinator perennial garden. What
once was a neglected planting area adjacent to the school
entrance, has been transformed into a garden for all seasons!
Alive and abuzz with bloom, fragrance, seed heads and
textures, it will be a space filled with beauty for many seasons
to come.

It began with a thought. Fred Erdman, school volunteer and

Richmond resident saw a need to enhance the plantings
around the school. As someone who enjoys his own garden and
appreciates the impact it can have on the look and feel of a
space, he was inspired to make a change. When the idea was
presented, it seemed just the kind of project for our VT Blooms
Initiative Program, so we were excited to begin organizing!

After just a few weeks, the helpful hands of many volunteers

and even a break in the rain for planting, we completed the
project just in time for the first day of school. Not only will this
garden be enjoyed by many, but it can also be interactive. We
hope kids are encouraged to plant bulbs later this fall,
engaging them in the project. And we hope everyone is
encouraged to help the VT Blooms Initiative Program spread
projects throughout the state!

We aim to encourage all communities to support the

important work of our VNLA members, local plant nurseries,
growers, landscapers, and horticultural enthusiasts. Read
about our past VT Blooms projects & programs HERE.
THANK YOU to ALL who helped make this project possible!!

We could not have done this project without the generous

donors and volunteers from the VNLA, Allen Brook School,
and community members from Williston and Richmond.

Special thanks to: Ashley Robinson, Claussen’s, Rocky Dale

Gardens, Full Circle Gardens, Gardener’s Supply , Fred Erdman
& Cindy Cole, Mark Saunders and Lynn Walker.

Fred Erdman shared a note of thanks: “I want to thank your

organization with donating Ashley’s time toward the garden at
the Allen Brook School in Williston. She may have told you but I
was a substitute lunch/recess supervisor at the school last year. It
was a fun retirement activity. The garden was a mess and I
wanted it to look beautiful for kids, parents, and staff going in and
out. It now does!! Thanks to the VNLA.”

7
News from VT Urban & Community Forestry
Program
by Elise Schadler
I started planting trees in All this funding
urban spaces in 2008 and
culminates to two take-
for most of my career I
aways for the VNLA
have had to explain what
audience:
“urban forestry” is to a
most people (especially in
1.There will be more
Vermont). If you have
money available for
been following the
municipalities, schools,
national urban forestry
and non-profit
buzz or have read our VT
organizations. VT UCF
Urban & Community has announced the 2024
Forestry Program (VT grants totaling near
UCF) TREEmail e- $500,000 which are
newsletter recently, you available in 3 categories
will not be surprised that for urban and community
the story has changed. We forestry activities in 2024.
are seeing an In comparison, our
unprecedented level of federal funding for urban and normal annual grants program hovers around $40,000.
community forestry nationally, as well as historic state level The applications are due January 5, 2024. You can
investment. learn more HERE.

From where has this funding come, you might wonder? Last
August President Biden signed into law the Inflation
Reduction Act. Among many other things, this legislation
allocated $1.5 billion to the U.S. Forest Service's (USFS)
National Urban & Community Forestry Program. This
investment is a recognition of the many benefits of trees and
urban canopy cover in combating climate change, improving
public health, cleaning water, creating jobs, promoting
equitable community investment, and enhancing quality of life
in downtowns and neighborhoods. The USFS allocated
funding to state Urban & Community Forestry programs to
administer their own competitive grant programs, as well as a
public grant opportunity that closed on June 1st.
In addition to this federal funding, last year Governor Scott
approved $1 million for VT UCF to plant up to 5,000 trees to
improve air quality and water quality and to reduce heat island
effects in urban areas statewide. This initiative is in alignment
with the Vermont Climate Action Plan and is supported
through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. This
funding will allow VT UCF to hire an Urban Forester,
expand the Vermont Community Canopy free tree
giveaway program, and develop an urban tree planting block
grant program in the coming year.
2. There will be more demand for trees. While the
funding will support an array of activities including
deferred tree maintenance, risk tree removal, staff and
public education and training, tree inventory, and
urban and community forest planning activities, tree
planting will be in the mix as well. While we won’t
know specifics until grant proposals are submitted
early next year, we are confident that there will be
more tree planting activities occurring in communities
for the next several years thanks to this funding.
If this forecast is of interest to
you, I encourage you to sign up for
our TREEmail newsletter. I
also encourage you to reach out
with your thoughts or questions.
My email is
elise.schadler@vermont.gov
and my number is 802.522.6015.

8
 PREPARE FOR WINTER.
VENTRAC and OREC can handle winter’s worst.
The Ventrac SSV (Sidewalk Snow Orec’s Snow Rhino Zero-Turn Plow
Vehicle) has a 36” working is compact and powerful.
width, so sidewalk snow and Experience its Zero-turn
ice management are easy and maneuverability! Its trackdrive
efficient. can power through even the
most brutal of snowstorms.
Orec’s Snow Bull’s dual tracks
provide great traction, even
in heavy, wet snow. The plow
angle is easily adjustable.

Call 800-634-5557 Ventrac SSV

8 Ashfield Rd., Rt. 116, P.O. Box 540 Conway, MA, 01341 www.oescoinc.com

OREC
2021 VNLA ad.qxp_Layout Snow Bull
1 8/23/21 8:10 PM Page 1 OREC Snow Rhino

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

9
VNLA Summer Twilight Gatherings
by Kristina MacKulin
We managed to squeeze in three more
Summer Twilight gatherings over the
summer, despite a cancellation due to the
devastating flooding in early July and
navigating some not so fun thunderstorms
on two other occasions. We are grateful to
those of you who were able to make it.

On August 3 we held a gathering at

Marijke’s Perennial Gardens Plus
located in Starksboro, VT and hosted
by owner Marijke Niles. Marijke’s
place is located on 8 acres in a
beautiful mountain setting. Starting
with a blank slate in 2001, the site has
grown into a haven for wildlife with
many native plantings. Marijke’s
gardens have been featured in Seven
Days, Yankee Magazine, and Jana
Millbocker’s The Garden Tourist’s New
England’s Guide to 140 Outstanding
Gardens and Nurseries. Storms did
crop up late that afternoon and the
group got a tour inside looking out
through the picture window that
overlooks the gardens, a unique
vantage point for sure. Marijke Top left: Marijke Niles in her garden. Top right: Don Avery speaking to the group.
also shared a wonderful spread Center left and right: touring the garden spaces at Cady’s Falls.
of drinks and snacks. Bottom: Tim Parsons addresses the group before they head out to view the rewilding project.

On September 7, members gathered

at Cady’s Falls Botanical Gardens
located in Morrisville, VT for an
evening tour hosted by Don and Lela
Avery. Upon retirement the Averys
closed their nursery but opened up
their gardens to the public to tour.
They also sometimes offer plants for
sale. Cady’s Falls was hit hard by the
early July flooding. You would have
never guessed that all their gardens,
barn, and home was under almost 4’
of water. The Averys have been
collecting and propagating plants for
Fish & Wildlife to return their property back to floodplain. I
over 40 years and their collections include some 1,400 species
encourage everyone who has not been to Cady’s Falls to make
and cultivars from around the world. The gardens were truly
it a priority over this next year and take some time to visit their
spectacular and despite the rain and thunderstorms, we had 16
beautiful gardens.
people that were able to attend. Don and Lela shared with the
group that this was their last flood and that over the next
Our last Summer Twilight was held on September 14 on a
couple of years they will be working with the VT Department of
beautiful sunny evening at Middlebury College. Tim Parsons,
10
head of the landscape department, led
the tour on a “Rewilding and
Restoration of Ecological Habitats
Campus Project” that he has been
working on with students from the
Sustainability Solutions Lab at
Middlebury College. Tim is also
working with Tom Irwin, Inc. ,
greenspace professionals, and S&D
Landscapes, a VNLA member. You
can learn more about the two-year
pilot project plan HERE. We had 20+
people in attendance. It was an
interesting evening learning about the
ins and outs of returning turf grass to a
natural grassland, which has a beauty
all its own, in addition to viewing some
of the plantings that have been
installed as part of their rewilding
efforts. The group toured the various sites on
campus that are part of the rewilding project.

Vermont Blooms Passport

Program Update
This program, funded by a $19,000 USDA
Specialty Block Producer Grant, comes to
a conclusion on October 31, 2023. To
date we have 114 people who
IT IS THAT TIME OF YEAR!
downloaded the Eventzee App and
participated in visiting the 23 VNLA & RENEW YOUR VNLA MEMBERSHIP
VT Vegetable & Berry Grower businesses FOR 2024 TODAY!
over the course of the season. Six of the
participants earned the 23 badges necessary to be considered
to win the prizes we offered. The first five who earned those YOU CAN SAVE THE
badges have been awarded those prizes. All will be entered
into the grand prize drawing for a $250 gift certificate to a
PAPERWORK AND RENEW ON
participating business of their choice. Any participant who LINE HERE!
earned 15 or more badges will also receive a $25 gift certificate
donated by some of the participating business. You can see all
the program details HERE.
NOMINATE A COLLEAGUE OR
One winner shared: "What fun this was visiting all of the EMPLOYEE FOR VNLA AWARDS
nurseries in the Passport program! This was my first visit to most
of them and a few I have already revisited.”
HERE!

A second winner shared when she found out she had won:
“Yay! I've worked very hard to be a winner and have enjoyed
visiting the nurseries, very much.” JOIN US NEXT YEAR IN
CELEBRATING 60 YEARS AS
Overall, we are thrilled with the response to this program and
look forward to what comes next. YOUR TRADE ASSOCIATION!
11
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. . .
MailingGrowing
Professional Address:
Media Physical Address:
24 Buzzell Road 291 Waterhouse Road
Biddeford ME 04005 Dayton ME 04005

CARRYING A FULL LINE OF B&B AND CONTAINER

PLANTS READY TO BE DELIVERED TO YOU
PRO-LINE

NATIVE PLANTS FERNS & GRASSES

SHADE TREES PERENNIALS
FLOWERING SHRUBS Northeast Golf
WETLAND PLANTS & Turf Supply
a division of Northeast Nursery, Inc. – Est. 1982
EVERGREENS BROADLEAFS

Check our website for our

WH AT WEmost
O F recent
F E R . availability
..
(password: pni2019)
Turfgrass Seed

Or contact our office if you

would like to receive our
Van Berkum Nursery • 4 James Road Deerfield, NH 03037 weekly availability emails
LLC
(603) 463-7663 Fax 7326 • salesdesk@vanberkumnursery.com
www.vanberkumnursery.com

18
Let us be your guide!
603.298.8904 | Office

2021 RETAILER OF THE YEAR AWARD

( VT Nursery & Landscaping Assoc.)

JM LANDSCAPING
& GARDEN CENTER

757 LOWER PLAIN ROAD

ROUTE 5 —BRADFORD, VT 05033
Well established garden center & landscaping business
located on busy Route 5 (Lower Plain) in Bradford, VT.

• Strong and Loyal Customer Base

• Great Selection of Annuals and Perennials
• 11.8+/- acres along busy Route 5

For Sale! • 12,000 + /- cars daily

• Lots of room to expand business

For more information please contact:

CAM BROWN | LANG MCLAUGHRY COMMERICAL REAL ESTATE
cam.brown@lmsre.com | 603.252.8902 | www.langmclaughrycommercialrealestate.com

12
 Millican Nurseries Awards
SAVE THE DATE
Scholarships THE VNLA WINTER MEETING
Millican Nurseries LLC, of Chichester NH is & TRADE SHOW IS
proud to announce the six winners of the FEBRUARY 15, 2024
2023 Managers Scholarship Award. The @ UVM DAVIS CENTER,
Scholarship award is for those outstanding BURLINGTON, VT
summer seasonal employees and interns of
the nursery pursuing post-secondary
education in any field or trade. It is with
great pleasure the Management team of Get
the nursery can assist these hardworking
individuals fulfill their educational pursuits Vermont Certified
Certified
with a $1,000.00 award. Horticulturist Program Today!
W!
W! The Vermont
TheVermont
The Flower
VermontFlower
Flower Show
Showisisisback!
FlowerShow back!
back!
Don’t delay and
March
March 3rd
3rd- 5th, 2023
t! March 3rd---5th,
March3rd 5th, 2023
5th,2023
2023 OutofofHibernation!
Out
Out Hibernation! order
Out of Hibernation! your study
SS
Champlain Valley Expo
PRINGcomes
comestoto
• The 100-Acre
100-Ac Wood comes SPRING
PRING
PRINGcomes
comestoto manual today!
alive with the sites and
fragrances of spring
T
Thehehe
T
T he100 100 A
100-A
100 Acre
creW
cre
cre Wood
W ood
ood
ood
Exam offered by
• Over 90 exhibitors to visit in
the Flower Show Marketplace appointment
• Over 35 Presentations
P and virtually and
“For me, being a VCH is an expression
Workshops about Gardening,
Gar of commitment to the field of horticulture.
The discipline of maintaining certification
in-person.
Landscaping, Beekeeping... ensures that I am current on topics that

and SO MUCH MORE!!!

translate to better landscape design
and plant care practices. For my clients,
Learn more about
it’s another check mark of professionalism.”
the program HERE.
From left to right: Sarah
• Crafts and Letourneau,
Entertainment Joan Lynch, The Inner Garden, Inc.

forMadeline
Bailey White, kids and famlies,
Apgar,an Art
Show featuring Local Artists, Find a Vermont Or call
Calvin Michael, EliSpecialty
Stuart, Matthew
Foods and
Wagner. Certified Horticulturist
Spirits and MORE! Today! 888.518.6484
vnlavt.org

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

13
 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

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

14
 Bag and Seed
Packet Sponsors Out of Hibernation Friday Seminar
Sponsor Sponsor

Thank You to the 2023

Family Room Sponsor Saturday Seminar
Sponsor

Vermont Flower Show Sponsors!

Equipment Sponsors Tulip Sponsor
Sunday Seminar
Sponsor
Supporting Sponsors Daffodil Sponsor

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Presenting Sponsors
Media Sponsors Radio Sponsor
Bag and Seed
Packet Sponsors Out of Hibernation
Sponsor
Family Room Sponsor
Equipment Sponsors Tulip Sponsor
Supporting Sponsors Daffodil Sponsor
In-Kind Sponsors
Acker Waste Management J. Hutchins, Inc.
American Meadows J. Labrecque Land Management
Ashley Robinson, Landscape Designer James Rauchman
Black River Quarries / Quimby Stone Jared Flynn Stonework
Cedar Goods Kathleen Berry Bergeron
Center for Technology, Essex Kimberly Provost
Cheryl Dorschner Landshapes
Church Hill Landscapes Linzy Vos
Claussen’s Florist & Greenhouse & Luke Awtry Photography
Perennial Farm Lyric Theatre Company
Cobble Creek Nursery Mama’s Gardens
Corrigan & Klein Artisan Builders Mark Starrett, UVM Associate
Crafted Landscapes, LLC Professor
Craig Scribner Marijke’s Perennial Gardens Plus
CW Stageworks Market 32 and Price Chopper
Dan Snow Masefield Dry Stone Masonry
David Flaschenriem McElwain Equipment Rental
David Loysen Melita J. Bass
Ellen Howrigan Michelle Brunell
Fairfax Perennial Farm Middlebury Agway Farm & Garden
Federated Garden Clubs of Vermont
Gardener’s Supply Company
Millican Nurseries
Milton CAT
Greenhaven Gardens & Nursery Monique Dewyea
Green Mountain Florist Supply Murphy Landscape Design &
Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity Siteworks
Green Mountain Mulch
Hera’s Bees
Narrow Path
North Branch Farm and Gardens
Horsford Gardens & Nursery
Isaac Paquette Property Services
Northern Nurseries
Northland Job Corps Center
Grand Garden
Display Sponsor
Friday Seminar
Sponsor
Saturday Seminar
Sponsor
Sunday Seminar
Sponsor
Peet Farm Greenhouses
Perseid Gardens
Prides Corner Farm
Quimby Mountain Stone
Reed Prescott, Verde Mountain
River’s Bend Design
River Walk Farm
Rocky Dale Gardens
R.R. Charlebois, Inc.
Ryder Truck Rental
S&D Landscapes, LLC
S&J Stearns, Inc.
Samantha J. Chicaderis
Saratoga Sod Farm
Shanley Triggs
Shelburne Farms
Stowe Theater Guild
Trish Murtha
United Ag & Turf
UVM Extension
UVM Extension Master Gardeners
UVM Greenhouse Facilities
UVM Horticulture Club
Van Berkum Nursery
Vermont Compost Company
Vermont Department of Forests, Parks
& Recreation
Vermont Stone & Horticulture
Village Hardware/Agway
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
Kimberly Provost River’s Bend Design
Center for Technology, Essex
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
Siteworks Vermont Compost Company
Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity
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
GROWING FOR OVER 40 YEARS
Phone (207) 499-2994 • Fax (207) 499-2912
sales@piersonnurseries.com • www.piersonnurseries.com
Mailing Address: Physical Address:
24 Buzzell Road 291 Waterhouse Road
Biddeford ME 04005 Dayton ME 04005
CARRYING A FULL LINE OF B&B AND CONTAINER
PLANTS READY TO BE DELIVERED TO YOU
NATIVE PLANTS FERNS & GRASSES
SHADE TREES PERENNIALS
FLOWERING SHRUBS WETLAND PLANTS
EVERGREENS BROADLEAFS

Check our website for our

most recent availability
(password: pni2021)

Or contact our office if you

would like to receive our
weekly availability emails

15
 Welcome to our NEW VNLA Members!
Gavin Boyce-Ratliff Landscape Design, LLC
Dicot Land Studio, LLC Gavin Boyce-Ratliff
Brett Towle 62 Alba Street
PO Box 471 Portland, ME 04103
Hinesburg, VT 05461 802-281-2268
847-651-8048 gavin@gbrlandscape.com
brett.towle129@gmail.com www.gbrlandscape.com
www.dicotdesignstudio.com Associate Member
Active Member Category: Design Consultation, Ecological
Category: Landscape Designer, Landscape Consulting, Landscape Designer, Landscape
Design/Build, Landscape Install Maintenance Design/Build

Ethan Bond-Watts Kingdom Gardens, LLC

494 Hills Point Road Laura Bradley
Charlotte, VT 05445 1021 Route 2
802-922-3367 East St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
ethanbondwatts@gmail.com kingdomgardens@proton.me
www.ethanbondwatts.com www.kingdomgardensvt.com
Active Member Active Member
Category: Landscape Design Build, Wildflower/ Category: Retail Nursery
Pollinator Meadows

Participate in the 2023

Industry Awards Program!
Start your planning today and see
guidelines HERE.
No project is too small
or too large!

See past winning

projects HERE.

16
 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
October - November, 2023
New Directions in the
American Landscape
Fall Webinar Series: Ecology-
based Landscape Design &
Gardening
Learn more HERE.
October 25-26, 2023
10am - 12:30 pm
UMASS Amherst Invasive
Insect Certification Program
Live Webinars
Learn more HERE.
October 26, 2023
Ecological Landscape
Alliance’s Season’s End
Summit - In-person
8:30am-5:30 pm
New England Botanic Garden
Tower Hill, MA
Learn more HERE.
November 2, 2023 November 27 - December 1, January 23, 2024
UCONN Native Plants & 2023 VT Vegetable and Berry
Pollinators Conference Irrigation Show & Growers Association Annual
2100 Hillside Road EducationWeek Meeting
Storrs, CT San Antonio, TX Capitol Plaza Hotel
Learn more HERE. Learn more HERE. Montpelier, VT
Learn more HERE.
November 8-9, 2023 December 1, 2023
Northeast Greenhouse Ecological Landscape Alliance February 15, 2024
Conference Ecological Plant Conference - VNLA Winter Meeting &
DoubleTree by Hilton Hybrid 8:30am-5:30pm Trade Show
Manchester, NH Location TBD, NY UVM Davis Center
Learn more HERE. Learn more HERE. Burlington, VT 05401
Details coming soon.
November 9, 2023
January 10-12, 2024
Ecological Landscape
MANTS Means Business February 17-18, 2024
Alliance: Regenerative
Baltimore Convention Center NOFA-VT Winter Conference
Solutions for Resilient
Landscapes - Hybrid Baltimore, MD UVM Davis Center
8:30 am - 4:30 pm Learn more HERE. Learn more HERE.
Longwood Gardens, PA
Learn more HERE.
17
id

charlotte, vermont

Your one-stop shop for the most diverse selection

of trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals in Vermont.
Horsford’s has over 40 acres of field and container
production dedicated to growing hardy plants that
survive Vermont winters.

• ONLINE CATALOG WITH REAL-TIME INVENTORY

• SHOP AT THE NURSERY
• ONLINE ORDERING FOR PICKUP

Commercial pricing is available to approved customers.

We consider anyone who sells or installs plants as their
primary source of income a potential commercial customer.
Contact us for an application.

HORSFORDNURSERY.COM • orders@horsfordnursery.com

18
 LEONARD’S CLIPPINGS!
by Dr. Leonard Perry, UVM Horticulture Professor Emeritus
Fall, 2023
Each semester I give a snapshot of
the PSS department focus and
student interest, gleaned from
courses. Here’s what is offered this
fall, in-person unless noted. As you
also will see, and as I mentioned in a
previous issue here, I’m returning
from retirement (partially) to teach
one of my online courses.
Courses (with faculty instructor and
numbers of students as of this writing)
include: Home and Garden
Horticulture (lecture online, Starrett,
165; labs 39), Intro to Agroecology
(Izzo, 133), Illustrating Botanicals
(Zahn, 15), Living Landscapes (White,
36), Entomology and Pest
Management (Chen, 22), Weed
Ecology and Management (Bishop-Von
Wettberg, 28), Plant Pathology
(Delaney, 19), Indoor Plants (online,
Perry, 50), Garden Flowers (White, 24),
Woody Landscape Plants (Starrett, 13),
Landscape Design Fundamentals
(Hurley, 63 lecture, 17 labs), Forage
and Pasture Management (Alvez, 10),
Composting Ecology and Management
(Neher, 62), Permaculture (online,
White, 94), Fundamentals of Soil
Science (Gerlicz, 99), Plant Based
Healing Medicine (Elmer, 30),
Advanced Agroecology (Izzo, 44), Soil
Morphology (Gerlicz, 10). In addition,
there are several graduate level
courses such as the Professional Skills
Colloquium.
In PSS Department and Campus
News:
• Dr. Mark Starrett’s Jeffords
gardens were featured in an
article on pollinators in the Share
America website (https://
share.america.gov/planting-
help-pollinators-becomes-popular-
u-s/) (courtesy UVM PSS Facebook).
A few UVM highlights:
• There were nearly 30,000
applicants to attend this
year. Of those accepted,
there will be 8% more
Vermonters than last year.
Aid programs provide full
tuition scholarships to
students from Vermont
households with income
under $60,000. This will be
the fifth year, too, of frozen
tuition and fees.
• This year there is a 35% increase in
international grad students, on top of
last year’s 22% increase. Nearly a
quarter of medical students entering
this fall come from backgrounds
underrepresented in medicine.
• This was the second year in a row that
external research funding exceeded a
quarter billion dollars. More than 45
awards exceeded $1 million last year.
The Northeast Sustainable
Agriculture, Research, and Education
(SARE), hosted at UVM, won $100
million from USDA over ten years to
serve as the coordinating body for
regional efforts.
19
• Three faculty members in the College
of Medicine, and members of the
Vermont Cancer Center, achieved top
500 national and worldwide rankings
in the first ever ranking of female
scholars. This was out of 166,000
scholars.
• If you’ve been on campus the last
couple years, you may have noticed
yet another new building under
construction, just next to the water
tower (green on the aerial view). The
Firestone Medical Research Building
opened last fall. It was possible from
a lead philanthropic gift of Steve
Firestone, M.D., a graduate of the
UVM Larner College of Medicine
Class of 1969, and will focus on
biomedical research for the Larner
College of Medicine.
If you’re a greenhouse grower, and you’re
not familiar with the Ball RedBook, check
it out. Even if you have an older copy, you
might consider the latest edition. From
Ball Publishing,
“Now in its 19th edition, the Ball RedBook
is bigger and better than ever—nearly
1,000 pages across two volumes covering
every topic the modern greenhouse
operator needs to know. This latest edition
includes sections on robotics and artificial
intelligence, controlled-environment
agriculture, and cannabis production, to
 name just a few of the many updates
and additions.
First published in 1932, the Ball
RedBook is considered to be the “bible”
for the greenhouse industry. It’s
loaded with detailed production
information for annuals, perennials,
cut flowers and other floriculture
crops (one volume), plus in-depth
chapters on greenhouses and growing
technology (other volume).”
“There’s yet another pest to watch for
(sigh), this time a new thrips,
specifically what’s being called the
pepper thrips (Thrips parvispinus).”
From Paul Pilon (Perennial Pulse, Ball
Publ) on this super thrips, “…it's a new
thrips in Florida that's been wreaking
havoc on various tropical crops. With
Florida being one of the main hubs for
tropicals, it’s only logical that this new
pest will easily be distributed across
the country…Not only is this thrips
new, but it also causes extensive
damage, is difficult to control and has
already shown some resistance to
pesticides.” You can learn more about this
pest on a Univ. Florida website, which so far
lists over 40 host crops ranging from
vegetables like potatoes and peppers, to
foliage like ficus and hibiscus, to flowers
like roses and marigolds, to fruits like
citrus and strawberries.
(mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/lsolab/thrips/thrips-
parvispinus, photo of damage on pepper).
You may recall from a previous newsletter
(or, if you missed it check it out here) my
mention of Doug Tallamy’s (Univ. Delaware
entomologist, who has spoken to the
Association here in the past) latest effort to
encourage biodiversity (i.e. more insects to
feed more birds, and more for pollinators)
nationwide. HomeGrown National Park
(homegrownnationalpark.org) is a wealth
of resources to do just this, with lots of
links and info on choosing native plants for
specific regions.
One aspect now promoted through this site
is that no site is too small, not even one
container, to help biodiversity. There is a
whole section there now on Keystone
Plants—“Simply put, Keystone Plants are the
most productive plants for the most
productive insects! …a few genera of native
plants, or keystone genera, form the backbone
of local ecosystems, particularly in terms of
producing the food that fuels insects. By
planting just one of these keystone plants you
can help restore native biodiversity!”
You can click on a specific eco-region on a
map to find the appropriate keystone
20
plants—ones you may want to promote for
customers or install in client landscapes.
For Vermont, the Champlain Valley is in the
Mixed Wood Plains eco-region, while most
the rest of Vermont is in the Atlantic
Highlands. Check these out for the
handful of key plants listed for each. Most
appear to be late summer and fall blooming
perennials. Keystone plants listed for both
regions include autumnale sneezeweed
(Helenium autumnale), grass-leaved
goldenrod (Euthamia graminifolia, yes new
genus name), common evening primrose
(Oenothera biennis), black-eyed Susan
(Rudbeckia hirta), old field goldenrod
(Solidago nemoralis), and asters—blue wood
(cordifolium), calico (lateriflorum), and New
England (novae-angliae).
The first ever Biosolutions Guide was
published with the June 2023 issue
of GrowerTalks from Ball Publishing, and
you can download as a pdf file. The goal
“was to provide invaluable information from
industry experts, share efficacy tables for
bioinsecticides and biofungicides, provide a
list of biocontrol agents, and deliver a go-to
resource on biosolutions products and how to
use them.” (thanks to Paul Pilion for this
mention, and as an author).
(https://www.growertalks.com/pdf/
Biosolutions_Guide_2023.pdf).
Beginning in 2021, the world renown
Arnold Arboretum (Boston) began their
Arnold Selects program to make available
each year to the nursery industry select, top
introductions of theirs—either new or from
the past. “This program blends the art and
science of horticulture to bring exceptional
plants from our living collections to gardeners around the world.
Throughout the Arboretum’s 150 years of exploration,
introduction, and stewardship, staff have developed and retained
stories about the origins and quirks of individual plants. Our
model is to provide this unique material to nursery partners for
propagation, along with cultural information and backstories, so
that a new audience can feel a personal connection to what is
growing in their gardens…. continuing annually, we will offer our
partners extraordinary, reliable, and valued up-and-coming
selections, as well as already registered, historical Arboretum
varieties that are not widely available in commercial nurseries.”

If you’re interested in woody landscape plants, especially

unique ones or the stories behind them and their introduction,
Shown courtesy Arnold Selects, Schlesingeri Red Maple with
check out this program and the plants (even if not much time,
quite early, vibrant and long-lasting red fall color, one of their
each is a quick and fun read).
first introductions in 2021) -
https://arboretum.harvard.edu/plants/plant-
introductions/arnold-selects/

DONATE TO THE DR. LEONARD PERRY SCHOLARSHIP FUND!

In honor of Dr. Perry’s 35 years as UVM’s Extension Greenhouse and Nursery specialist,
the VNLA established this fund in January, 2023.

Learn more and DONATE HERE!

21
 WHOLESALE

Give us
a call and
WHOLESALE HOURS get a quote
Weekdays 7am-6pm today!
Saturday 9am-6pm l Sunday 10am-5pm
472 Marshall Avenue, Williston, VT

802-658-2433 l wholesale@gardeners.com
22
 THE LAB
putting it under the lens . . .

Fall Updates
by Ann Hazelrigg, Phd, UVM Extension

A lot of Vermonters are noticing that their crabapples and complete its lifecycle. This rust disease causes bright yellow
leaf spots on the apple or crabapple host.
apples (Malus spp.), in addition to many other
deciduous trees such as birch, maple and cherry, have
dropped many of their leaves well before the first
autumn frost. This has been a common occurrence for
the past few years in many parts of the state depending
on the microclimate of the area. The cause is typically
stress-related. The good news is that these early
defoliated trees usually will look fine next spring.
The emerging leaves and blossoms of many trees were
damaged by the low temperatures in the third week of
May. Although the trees have recovered and new leaves
replaced those that were damaged, the energy required
to replace the foliage causes stress in affected trees.
(L) Apple scab (Venturia inequalis) on apple. J. O’Brian, US Forest Service.
Vermont also experienced a very rainy summer. Trees are bugwood.org. (R) Cedar apple rust on apple host.
susceptible to a wide variety of foliar fungal diseases, and Photo: J. Strang, University of Kentucky.
all these fungi like wet weather. Diseased leaves tend to
color and drop earlier in the season than healthy leaves, and
My birch trees are also showing early defoliation likely due to a
these fungal leafspot diseases are a big contributing factor to
variety of fungal leafspot diseases such as those caused by two
the early coloration and leaf drop.
common pathogens on this host, Septoria and Marssonina
betulae.

Early defoliation in tart cherries has been common throughout

the state. This is typically caused by the fungal pathogen
Blumeriella jaapi. The leafspots start out purple, then turn
brown. Often the center of the spot drops out and causes a
“shot hole” appearance.

Early leaf drop in a wild apple tree. Photo: A. Hazelrigg

Apple scab is the primary disease that will infect crabapple and
apple fruit and leaves, causing olive brown spots on the foliage.
Another contributor to diseased leaves is cedar apple rust, a Fungal leafspot (suspected Septoria or Marssonina
fungus that requires both a Malus host and a juniper host to
sp.) on birch. Photo: A. Hazelrigg.

23
 clues of their presence are the shredded leaves and the silvery
trails they leave behind. During cold weather, snails and slugs
hibernate in the topsoil. Managing these pests requires a
combination of methods including eliminating their daytime
hiding places. Often they hide under dense ground covers or
boards, stones, or weedy areas. You can use boards or stone
“traps” to collect slugs and destroy them on a regular basis.
Baits such as Sluggo or Escargot can also be used to help with
management once the hiding places have been eliminated.

Cherry leafspot (Blumeriella jaapii) on tart cherry.

Photo: J. Boggs

If you notice early leaf drop in your

trees, check to make sure there is a
good bud set on the tree for next
year. These are the dormant buds
that will start to grow next May.
Scratch the bark lightly to make
sure you see green healthy tissue
under the bark. Both indicate that
the tree is ready for next spring
and is still alive despite the leaf
drop.

To improve the vigor of the trees

and to minimize fungal diseases
next year, rake and destroy fallen
leaves this autumn. This
minimizes the overwintering stage
of most leaf spotting fungus
Healthy bud set on crabapple in late
diseases. If raking is too much
September. Photo: A. Hazelrigg.
work, mow over the leaves several
times to encourage them to
break down quicker. Prune
any fruit trees this winter (T) Magnolia scale on magnolia.
when dormant to open them (B) Waxy secretions covering magnolia
up to air and light to scale. Photo: Morton Arboretum.
minimize leaf wetness during August and September are good
rainy seasons. times to scout for the crawlers
Slugs and snails have been (immatures) of magnolia scale.
very active this past season Magnolia scale is a soft scale, can be
due to the wet weather. I have up to ½ inch long, and are typically
noticed different cultivars of easy to find. Star magnolia and
hostas have varying levels of saucer magnolia, in addition to
susceptibility to these pests. several magnolia hybrids, can be
Slugs and snails are most severely infested. Rather than
active at night or during noticing the actual scale on the
cloudy, wet days. In sunny twigs, you often will see the black
weather, they hide from the sooty mold associated with the scale
Varying degrees of slug and snail damage on different Hosta
heat and light. Often the only honeydew on the foliage. When
cultivars. Photo: A. Hazelrigg.

24
heavily infested, the scale and the leaf
can impact the vigor of mining larvae
the tree. The active feed for about 2
crawlers can be weeks.
controlled in August and The larvae then
September with emerge from the
horticultural oils. mines and begin
Dormant oils can also be to make
used in late winter in protective cases
addition to the using the leaf
horticultural oils. In disks glued
severely infested trees, it together with
may take a couple of silk. The larvae
years to clean up the feed around the
scale. (L) Defoliated rings with green centers caused by the maple leaf cutter. edges, leaving
(R) Leaf miner larvae feeding around the edges, leaving ring-like patterns on the leaf. ring-like
Hikers are often curious Photo: Hanson, T. and E. B. Walker. patterns on the
this time of year about the leaf and as the
circular holes present in larvae grows and molts, it builds cases of bigger leaf disks.
maples. This little pest prefers maple but can also attack red The larvae drop to the ground near the end of September,
maple, birch, beech, and other hardwoods. The damage starts spin cocoons and pupate.
in June with small mines in the leaves. As the season
progresses, the mines grow into round or oval-shaped holes As always, if you have a pest or disease question, start with
of various sizes with defoliated rings with green centers picture to me at Ann.hazelrigg@uvm.edu. We may be able
causing the leaves to brown prematurely. The insect to identify the problem from the picture or we can discuss
overwinters as a pupae and moths appear just as the leaves whether a physical sample is needed.
are opening, laying eggs. The eggs hatch in a couple of weeks

!"#$%"&'()$)**#"+'!"$,' elmOre elmoreroots.com

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.

'
'
'

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
 News from the VT Agency of Agriculture,
Foods & Markets
By: Judy Rosovsky, State Plant Regulatory Official and Entomologist,
VAAFM
September 2023
Updates from the Public Health and Agricultural
Resource Management Division (PHARM).
Greetings to the growers and other friends out there. The
season is starting to change but there is still a lot of life out
there. Here are some updates and general information about
events in the regulatory world this fall.
Flooding in July caused damage to farms, homes and roads.
We are Vermont Strong and Tough.
Flooding:
If you were affected by the July flooding, there are a few
resources to consider, including some changes to the Business
Emergency Gap Assistance Program, known as BEGAP, for
agricultural operations. They have raised their payment cap
from $20,000 to 30% of net uncovered losses. More details can
be viewed at https://agriculture.vermont.gov/business-
emergency-gap-assistance-program-begap. Individuals who
wish to help and get groovy swag can do so via Vermont Strong
gear. Help raise money for Vermonters impacted by flood
damage and show your Vermont pride with the “Vermont
Strong and Tough Too” license plates and socks. Go to https://
dmv.vermont.gov/vermontstrong23 to purchase your
Vermont Strong gear. And Vermonters affected by the flooding
26
can continue to find resources and referrals by visiting https://
Vermont.Gov/Flood.
Mosquitoes:
Please continue to take precautions against mosquitoes that
may be carrying Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus or
other diseases. EEE has been detected in Franklin and Grand
Isle Counties but it is best to get in the habit of wearing insect
repellents and protective clothing regardless of where you are.
Mosquitoes and ticks can carry various diseases and bite
prevention is the best defense. The following is the advice from
the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Market’s Vector
Surveillance Program:
Avoid outdoor activities at dawn or dusk when mosquitoes are
most active.
• Use an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET,
picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Information
on mosquito repellents is available at https://
www.epa.gov/insect-repellents
• The repellent/insecticide permethrin can be used to treat
clothing to protect through several washes. Always follow
the directions on the label.
• Wear long sleeves and pants and/or mosquito netting.
• Have secure, intact screens on windows and doors to keep
mosquitoes out.
• Eliminate mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing
water from flowerpots, buckets, barrels, and other
containers. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out.
Keep children’s wading pools empty and on their sides
when they aren’t being used.
Bethany Creaser moved into a new role with the Agency as the
Pesticide Certification and Training Coordinator. Bethany was
previously an Agricultural Resource Management Specialist, or
field agent, for the Public Health and Agricultural Resource
Management (PHARM) Division in the northeastern part of the
state. Bethany brings pesticide use knowledge and training
experience to the position and hit the ground running creating
online exam scheduling capabilities. The Agency will continue
its close relationship with the Pesticide Safety Education
Program at UVM Extension to serve your training and
education needs. You can reach Bethany at
agr.pest@vermont.gov or call her at 802-828-1732.
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets (VAAFM) Noxious Weed page, at https://agriculture.vermont.gov/
operates a Fertilizer, Plant Amendment, Plant Biostimulant, public-health-agricultural-resource-management-
and Soil Amendment Program under Vermont Statute Title 6: division/plant-health-and-pest-management/plant-2. And
Agriculture, Chapter 28: Fertilizer and Lime. This includes if you need help identifying weeds you can try downloading a
registering of all these products. See the VAAFM fertilizer weed ID app such as one produced by the University of Missouri
program at https://agriculture.vermont.gov/public-health- Extension at https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id-weeds/
agricultural-resource-management-division/animal-feeds- id559906313.
seed-fertilizer-lime/fertilizer for guidelines on labelling and
product registration. The only terrestrial plant on Vermont’s Class A noxious weed
list is pale swallowwort, Vincetoxicum rossicum. Its presence in
Pesticide Related Announcements and Information: Burlington was confirmed by a collaborative effort between
Agency of Natural Resources, Agency of Agriculture, Food and
The VAAFM Pesticide Applicator Report is going digital in Markets and City of Burlington personnel. This plant has not
2024. To ensure that you receive it we want to be sure we have been confirmed in Vermont until now. In addition to the usual
the best email address to reach you. Please provide an email characteristics of noxious weeds, (takes over and outcompetes
address that you actively check using the form link below, and native species, grows and spreads rapidly, does not contribute
we will send the PAR to that email address in the future. The to local ecosystem), this plant is allelopathic, meaning it can
link is https://forms.office.com/g/fNFGigN3FF. emit chemicals that adversely affect the growth and
With the changes in the pesticide rules come changes in development of other plants. Furthermore if monarch
container specifications and butterflies lay eggs on pale
use. There is a helpful blog swallowwort and the caterpillars
that covers pesticide feed on the plant, they will die. It
container recycling at is reported to have detrimental
https:// effects on other organisms too.
agriculture.vermont.gov/ Removing the seed pods prior to
agency-agriculture-food- bloom can help slow the spread,
markets-news/recycling- but be sure to wear gloves when
pesticide-containers- handling it. For more information
vermont. These containers on this plant see our PHARM blog
can be recycled but not at https://
through the usual agriculture.vermont.gov/
neighborhood recycling pharm-blog/pale-swallowwort-
system. They need to go to vermonts-newest-invasive-
the Agricultural Container plant-explained or go to
Recycling Council (ACRC) www.VTinvasives.org.
which can be accessed at
https://agrecycling.org/
about-acrc/. Click on the Other Invasive Pests:
Recycling tab at the top for Pale swallowwort, Vincetoxicum rossicum, a noxious weed new to
lots of resources and Vermont. Clipping the seed pods before the flowers bloom can help There have been many reports of
information. slow the spread of this plant. the invasive jumping worm,
The Annual Pest formerly known as the crazy snake
Management Professionals worm. You can find FAQs and Best
training is scheduled for Oct 31, 2023 at Judd Hall at the VSU – Management Practices for these worms on the Plant Health
Randolph campus, (formerly VT Technical College) in Randolph and Pest Management page of the VAAFM website, https://
Center. this year. Doors open at 7:50 am and the talks begin at agriculture.vermont.gov/public-health-agricultural-
8:30. The training is geared towards categories 7A – Structural resource-management-division/plant-health-and-pest-
and Rodent Control, 7B – Vector Pest and 7C – Food Processing. management/vermont-2, and other information on the
Please register by October 18th, 2023. If you require registration www.VTinvasives.org website. Ben Dillner, our State Survey
information, please email agr.pest@vermont.gov. Coordinator and lead for the VAAFM nursery program, wrote a
piece about them in the Fall 2022 VNLA newsletter too.
Noxious Weeds:
It can be hard to tell European earthworms apart from jumping
The Plant Health Team of the PHARM Division created a worms, but if you touch them and they writhe wildly they are
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sheet that is available on the likely to be jumping worms. We have been getting more reports
VAAFM website’s Plant Protection and Weed Management of hammerhead worms too. Hammerhead worms are really

27
flatworms, in the order Planaria. They can secrete irritating
toxic substances and may bioaccumulate toxins so handle them
with care and gloves. We are interested in the distribution of
both of these invertebrates, so if you find either of them please
post it to https://www.inaturalist.org/ or email the Plant
Health Section at agr.planthealth@vermont.gov.

Another invasive that was confirmed in Vermont this year is

the elm zigzag sawfly, Aproceros leucopoda. These sawflies
(order Hymenoptera) were first found in North America in
Quebec in 2020. The pathway by which they arrived in Quebec
and Vermont has not been identified. They are strong fliers and
were first found in the US in Virginia, and damage from them
was first reported in Vermont in the fall of 2022. We have
confirmed their presence in Chittenden, Grand Isle and
Franklin County. If you see damage from these insects in
other counties please use the ReportIt! feature at Top: An adult Elm
www.VTinvasives.org. They can have multiple Zigzag sawfly,
generations per year and are able to completely defoliate Aproceros leucopoda.
elm trees so knowing their location is important. This is a new pest to VT
and was first found in
Don’t forget to keep an eye out for the spotted lanternfly, North America in 2020.
(SLF), the beautiful but pestiferous Hemipteran that looks Photo courtesy Kris
like a pretty moth. In this season SLF is in its adult phase Dulmer.
now and they are laying eggs. The Agency received reports
of live SLF. Please be on the lookout for these insects and Center: Elm zigzag
if you find any, kill them and send us a photo of the body sawfly, Aproceros
or mail us the specimen. You can use the VTinvasives.org leucopoda, damage and
ReportIt! feature for SLF, too. pupa on elm leaves. In
late August the pupa
On a more positive note, the chrysanthemums that are
will drop to the ground
appearing in nurseries around the state look stellar. They
to overwinter. Photo
must have liked all of the rain that we’ve had or enjoyed
courtesy Kris Dulmer.
the tender care of our excellent nursery owners.
Remember to register your nursery or landscaping
Bottom: Elm defoliated
business, and renewals will be sent out in March 2024.
by elm zigzag sawfly,
Take care and as the season winds down don’t forget to
Aproceros leucopoda
plan for sanitizing your greenhouses once they are
with Plant Health
emptied out for the season.
Summer Technician
Christa Lessing for
scale. Photo courtesy
Judy Rosovsky.

28
Native Solitary Bees and How You can Support Them
By: Margaret Skinner & Cheryl Frank Sullivan -
UVM Entomology Research Laboratory
September 2023 small and don’t sting. One
common group is the mason
bees, genus Osmia. Some use
For several years we have mud and other similar
worked with growers and materials to make their nests.
homeowners to create Others find nooks and crannies
environments that include in hollow stems or stones or in
flowering plants to support holes made in wood by other
beneficial insects and insects. Two native species, the
pollinators. These blue orchard mason bee, Osmia
environments can be as simple lignaria and the blueberry bee,
as planting a few flowering O. ribifloris, are important
species that produce nectar pollinators in the fruit
and pollen, or more elaborate industry.
habitat hedges containing a
broad range of annual and Solitary bees are docile and do
perennial species known to not aggressively defend the
attract pollinators and natural Habitat hedge to support pollinators and beneficials. nest. They only sting when
enemies of all types. threatened. For many
Landscapers can play species the stinger is
a valuable role in actually the egg guide
creating these and is not specifically
microhabitats by for defense. All
educating their mason bees have
customers about the similar life cycles and
benefits of flowering nesting habits,
plants and the insects though the timing
they attract. varies among species.
Left: Blueberry mason bee. Right: Blue orchard mason bee.
Adults spend the
Concerns have been winter in the “nest”,
voiced about the decline in emerging in spring when fruit trees begin to bloom. They mate
honeybees due to disease, pests and colony collapse disorder. and then the females search for holes that are just the right
Pollination is the foundation for most agricultural production. size (~1⁄4 inch in diameter) in which to make their nests. Each
Without pollinators, we will starve! Honeybees contribute $20 female makes her own nest, though she commonly builds them
billion to crop production in the US and pollinate 30% of the in the vicinity of others. The female visits flowers to collect
world’s crops. However, they can’t do it all. Wild bees can pollen and nectar which is brought back to the nest. She kneads
contribute significantly to pollination, but in Vermont and the pollen into a ball with a little nectar and saliva. When the
beyond a decline in these species has been observed. ball is big enough, she lays an egg on top of it and seals off the
chamber. She builds a thin mud wall, making sure there’s
While honey bees are commonly managed by experienced enough space for the larva to develop. Then she starts
beekeepers, people don’t need to be experts to support wild gathering food for another cell. Usually, she builds 5-8 cells
solitary bees. Just like us they need a few essential things to within one hole, depending on the size of the chamber. She
survive and thrive, specifically a roof over their heads to seals the entrance with a thicker wall of mud, and next searches
protect them from the elements, a stable food source and a safe for a new nest site, repeating the process at least three more
place to raise their young. With a little bit of effort, these times until she dies after 4-8 wks. She usually builds four 6-
things can be supplied to help support our solitary bees. inch tubes over her lifetime, each with 8 eggs. To provision for
her brood, she must visit over 60,0000 flowers. That’s a lot of
What are solitary bees? There are many species of wild
pollination!
solitary bees that we rarely notice— mostly because they are

29
The egg hatches into a larva the holes which should be
that feeds on the pollen ball all replaced annually. Blocks can
summer. It turns into a pupa be coated with polyurethane
and then an adult, which to protect them from the
emerges the next spring. The elements.
first individuals to emerge
(those closest to the front Bee nest boxes should be
opening) are male bees. This installed in the early spring
ensures that males are around before the adults emerge (just
Top: Pollen ball with embedded egg, separated by thin mud wall.
before the females come out, so as apple trees begin to bloom).
Bottom: Dissected solitary bee nests with hibernating
successful mating will occur. Because mason bees forage
adults and pupae.
short distances, it is best to
It is common to see solitary position nest boxes within 300
bees and wasps nesting in crevices around ft of a food source if possible. It should be
the home, in stems with open centers or securely fastened to a tree, fence post or wall
under wood clapboards. They love so it doesn’t swing freely. Movement can
abandoned bamboo canes or thick plant dislodge the eggs and larvae so they can’t
stems. For this reason, it is best to leave access the food. Nest boxes should be placed
flower stems in the garden after they bloom, 3-5 ft above the ground or higher and
though that may look too messy for some. protected from rain, wind and direct
sunlight. They should face southward, and be
If you build it, they will come! Pre-made positioned horizontal to the ground or with
mason bee boxes can be purchased online or the entrances tilting down slightly so
they can be constructed. They are usually rainwater doesn’t get in. Nest boxes should
made of wood, though other not be moved after nesting has begun
materials are acceptable. because it disorients the female. Plants that
Ideally the structure should flower in the spring should be grown in the
have an overhang in the front vicinity to supply pollen and nectar.
to prevent rain from getting in. Providing a source of mud for the bees is also
To prevent predation, nest recommended.
boxes should have a solid back
or the end of each tube must Keep mason bees healthy. Like honeybees,
be plugged with plasticine mason bees are susceptible to pests,
clay. Any form can be used as a predators and diseases. There are predatory
nest box that holds the tubes flies and wasps that chew
in place. Special cardboard through the mud walls to
tubes can be purchased online feed on the larvae and
or canes or plant stems with pollen balls. Parasitic
holes can be collected locally. wasps can get in the nest
Top: Commercially available
Each tube should be around 6 and lay their eggs inside
bee box in which bees have
inches long to give the female the mason bee immatures.
taken up residence Can you
ample room to lay Their eggs hatch into
find the bees making their
her eggs. larvae that feed on the
nests?
bees. Insect-killing fungi
th Right: Nest box made from and bacteria also infect
Tubes should be around 5/16
routing out a tunnel in the mason bees. Birds also can attack the nests. Nest boxes should
of inch in diameter. Because
word. be checked during the year to ensure predators are not
females are less attracted to
white surfaces than other invading. Nest tubes should be cleaned out with a round brush
colors, it is best to avoid that color. Boards with routed grooves or replaced annually after emergence to avoid disease buildup.
can also be pieced together to make nesting tunnels.
Why bother? Growers of some fruits rely heavily on mason
An even easier way to make a nest box is simply to drill holes bees to pollinate their almond trees and blueberries.
into solid wooden untreated blocks (6 x 6-inch dry pine or fir Homeowners and landscapers might wonder if it is worth the
logs) to simulate a dead tree with abandoned beetle burrows. effort to encourage mason bee nesting in their yard. At a time
Holes should be drilled across rather than with the grain, so the when the vagaries of our weather are impacting us all, this is
tunnels are smoother inside. Paper straws can be inserted into one small way to contribute to the beneficial pollinators in our

30
immediate area. One or two bee houses won’t change the
world, but it will make people more aware of their natural
surroundings.
Want to learn more?
• Nests for Native Bees by M. Shepherd. https://
xerces.org/publications/fact-sheets/nests-for-
native-beesNests-for-Native-Bees-fact-
sheet_web.pdf
• Attract Mason Bees – No Protective Gear Needed; J.
Beaudette. https://www.ecolandscaping.org/03/
landscaping-for- wildlife/beneficialspollinators/
attract-mason-bees-no-protective-gear-needed/
JOIN US NEXT YEAR IN CELEBRATING 60
31
About the authors: Dr. Margaret
Skinner is the UVM Extension
Entomologist and Research Professor.
Cheryl Frank Sullivan is a Research
Assistant Professor. Together, they
provide extension outreach to growers
and landscapers and conduct research
on IPM focusing on biological control.
Businesses interested in establishing a
habitat hedge tailored to their
commercial operation should contact
Cheryl Frank Sullivan at
cfrank@uvm.edu 802-656- 5434.
More information on the Entomology
Research Laboratory go to: https://
www.uvm.edu/~entlab/
This work is supported with funds from
the VT Nursery & Landscape
Association, USDA Extension IPM
Program and Univ. of Vermont
Extension System. Some images obtained from the web and are
not available for general reproduction.
IT IS THAT TIME OF YEAR!
RENEW YOUR VNLA MEMBERSHIP FOR
2024 TODAY!
YOU CAN SAVE THE PAPERWORK AND
RENEW ON LINE HERE!
NOMINATE A COLLEAGUE OR
EMPLOYEE FOR VNLA AWARDS HERE!
YEARS AS YOUR TRADE ASSOCIATION!
 THE IDEA FACTORY
tips & trends, food for thought…

CHECK OUT THE NEWLY RELEASED Nursery Management Magazine’s

State of the Industry Report
2024 GARDEN TRENDS REPORT
for 2023
FROM THE GARDEN MEDIA GROUP
“Steady as She Goes”
AND
2023 // STATE OF THE INDUSTRY // research 2023 // STATE OF THE INDUSTRY // research

DOWNLOAD YOUR OWN COPY HERE. STEADY AS SHE PRODUCTION

Fewer nurseries are planning expansions for 2024, continuing
the trend from 2023. In the 2022 survey, 8% of respondents
said they planned to increase acreage by 20-49 acres and 4%

GOES & CROPS planned large 50+ acre increases. Those numbers dropped to
4% and 3% for 2024 planning.

Growers are keeping a The industry has slowed from the heady days of 2020 and
tight hold on the reins
of their businesses as
2021. Many nurseries have reported strong sales, though
not the giant numbers of the pandemic shutdown era. Gains 45% 25%
have been tempered by increased input costs and labor costs.
2023 winds to a close. Many growers played it conservatively in 2023 to ward away
the spectre of overproduction. No one wants to be left with a of growers increased of growers increased
bunch of plants they can’t sell for a profitable price. production acreage in production acreage in
2022 2023
This year’s survey of more than 200 nurseries
includes data on sales, profits, prices and more. In 2022, 54% of our survey
respondents planned no change in
NOTE: Some charts don’t total 100 percent production acreage. That number
due to rounding and because not all answers
are included with some questions. climbed to 66% planning to stay
the course in 2023. Most of the
change comes from growers
who previously reported modest
increases of 1-4 and 5-9 acres.
Those numbers dropped from 17%
and 12% to 11% and 4% from 2022
to 2023.

2024 GARDEN
Looking to 2024, a whopping 80%
of nurseries plan to expand less
than 5 acres next year.

The 2023 survey saw a bit of a

rebound for field-grown trees.
Last year, 5% of growers said they
plan to increase production in that
category. This year, 15% plan to

TRENDS REPORT
increase the number of trees in
their fields.

Tropicals/houseplants continue
their slide, with 50% of nurseries
holding steady and 38%
decreasing production numbers.

PHOTO © ALEX | ADOBE STOCK

ECO-OPTIMISM
However, edibles are making a
comeback, with 25% of growers
adding more and 49% the same,
an increase from 12% up and 62%
steady in 2022.

“Growers are keeping a tight hold on the

reins of their business as 2023 winds to a close.
The industry has slowed from the heady days
of 2020 and 2021. Many nurseries have
reported strong sales, though not the giant
The Edge Magazine numbers of the pandemic shutdown era.
Gains have been tempered by increased
input costs and labor costs. Many growers
Brought to you played it conservatively in 2023 to ward away
the spectre of overproduction. No one wants
by the to be left with a bunch of plants they can’t
National sell for a profitable price. This year’s survey of
more than 200 nurseries includes data on
Association of sales, profits, prices and more”.
Landscape NOTE: Some charts don’t total 100 percent due to

Professionals. rounding and because not all answers are included

with some questions.

READ THE REPORT HERE!

SUBSCRIBE HERE!
32
 STRICTLY BUSINESS
no kidding …

What the Market Will “Bare”

by Jacki Hart

Every now and then, • How to calculate

return on Investment
something comes across
(ROI) for all vehicles and
your desk or into your
equipment.
inbox that is worth
• How to do a quick
paying attention to. If
breakeven analysis when
you’re a contractor who
quoting a job (So that
sells services to your
you know how low you
customers, which include
can go on your price and
labour and materials,
avoid working for free –
equipment and overhead
which is especially
costs, then this article is
handy coming into a
worth your time to read.
recessionary trending
Unless you are either
economy).
entirely recession proof
• How to deploy a
in your market, or aren’t
simple, inexpensive
trying to improve profit
estimating system using
in your business. But if you are working hard to figure out a way
the calculator on your phone and a few important basics.
to be more profitable, read on.
In this easy-to-follow book, the main premise is that if your
Sometimes the most successful businesses have all of the
company has no debt load, then you’re more competitive and
cutting-edge technologies, software, apps, equipment and
have a lower cost of doing business, which leads to more profit.
training. And some businesses have all of that, and still aren’t
The trick is how to get to no debt load (i.e. leased or financed
profitable enough to pay the owner well, build equity and an
vehicles/equipment) from where you are now, and stay there.
engaged, career-minded team.
When I first heard about JPL and his mathematical system 20
Enter J. Paul Lamarche, and his industry-altering pricing
years ago, I went to a few seminars, glazed over when he started
system. JPL’s estimating and pricing system was officially
doing math on a white board, and left, thinking that I could
adopted by Landscape Ontario in 2005. In 2010, he wrote the
figure it out on my own. Several hard and low-profit years later,
book: What the Market will “Bare”. It is unique, because it is
I called him and hired him to come into my business as a
specific to landscaping, and is written in plain English. His
consultant. It was 2007. I was 15 years into my landscape
system includes simplifying and explaining the most important
maintenance company with 20 employees, doing a million in
factors in building a profitable business:
sales, and made about 6% profit (EBITDA) after I’d paid myself
fairly well. I wanted an exit strategy. I wanted to find a way to
• Understand your true break-even costs (the point at which
build value in my company, and have it run without me working
you neither lose nor make profit on a job).
80-hour weeks. I wanted to prepare my business to sell.
• Creating a budget that includes all Overhead and Return
on Investment.
From the easy-to-use formula’s in this book I learned to build a
• How to use a precise mathematical system based on
budget, right-size the fleet and equipment, charge properly,
division vs multiplication (don’t panic until at least you’ve
eliminate ‘leakage’ on labour and materials, and gain ROI on my
checked it out!).
investment in the fleet. By 2014, I had only grown sales by 10%
• How to record accurate overhead allocations, including
(by choice), but I reduced the number of staff by 25%, increased
items that are not part of your record keeping and/of
my own pay by 20%, upgraded the ‘fleet’ with no debt load, had
cheque payment system.

33
a team of 3 managers (admin, sales and ops) running the day-
to-day and increased profit (EBITDA) to 18%. By the time I sold
the business that year, I was only at the office 1 day a week, and
selling the higher end soft landscape projects 2 days a week on
a 6-figure salary, with six figure profit on top.
“What the Market will BARE” was my blueprint for success. At
first, it was a bit daunting, but taking the time to go one
chapter at a time, one example at a time, and learning the
‘math’ was well worth the effort for years to come.
In this book, you’ll learn:
How to calculate your overhead and ‘break-even’
How to calculate your true labour costs, including labour
burden
Benchmarks – and how they relate to your business
Understanding the difference between markup and profit
margin
Setting a budget to guide your pricing
Understanding Return on Investment
Here’s just one example of a mistake in pricing that’s made by
the majority of business owners, that this book teaches the
reader to correct:
You buy a load of plants for a project that cost you $1000.
You decide that you want 50% profit on them.
So, you take the $1000 you spent, and multiply it x 1.5 which =
$1500. So you think you have a 50% profit on the plants.
Right?
But you don’t.
$1000 (what you spent) divided by $1500 (what you charged) =
66.6%. So, if what you spent to buy the plants is 66.6% of what
you sold them for to the customer, then the difference, 33.4%,
is your profit.
Wait. What??! Look at that again. You just short-changed
yourself 16.6% profit on your materials. For most companies
who make less than 10% profit overall, this places them on the
hairy edge of ‘lower than hoped for’ profit.
However, if you were to read ‘What The Market Will “Bare”,
you’ll understand that division is the key to profit margins, not
multiplication – as used in the example above. Here’s the
division example:
You buy a load of plants for a project that cost you $1000.
You decide that you want to make 50% profit on the plants.
34
So, you take the $1000 you spent, and DIVIDE it by 50% (divide
by .5), which = $2000 as the price to charge your customer. So
you now have a 50% profit on the plants… the $1000 you spent
on the plants = 50% of what you charged for them.
This is just one example of simple corrections you will likely
make to your business every year, sometimes every day, on
pricing and profit by reading and applying this industry-
endorsed pricing system. There are many more valuable lessons
in the book, that will touch on and fix leakage in all corners of
your operations, improve the decisions you make, and correct
your pricing.
On a personal note: Paul was not only my business coach, we
became friends, meeting for lunch several times each year to
‘catch up’ on business, for over ten years. He helped me sell my
landscape company, and he mentored me in setting up my
consulting business. Sadly, Paul passed away in June of 2020 at
the age of 70. His widow, Stella, has kindly offered to give all of
the proceeds of the sale of Paul’s books to the Landscape
Ontario Scholarship Fund, to support education of our newest
up and coming landscape professionals. I hope that you
purchase one, and improve the profit in your company.
About the Author: Jacki Hart is
president of Consulting by Hart in Ontario,
Canada. She is an entrepreneur, advisor,
business consultant, and workshop facilitator
with a career in the Green Industry spanning
35 years. Jacki is one of Canada’s first
women to hold the North American Green
Industry certificate for business management
excellence. Jacki also manages the Prosperity
Program and Peer to Peer Network for
Landscape Ontario.
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.
 THE PLANT LOUNGE
wiry stems, hairy leaves and bodacious blooms. . .

Lespededeza thunbergii ‘Gibraltar’

by Mark Dwyer, Landscape Prescriptions by MD
My first glimpse of this plant at Olbrich drainage is essential for this plant and
drought tolerance is exhibited with
Botanical Garden (Madison, WI) in late
established specimens. This selection
summer many years ago was memorable as
performs well in infertile, sandy soils and is
I was mesmerized by the amazing
not pH sensitive. Some reseeding and
cascading, “floral fountain” featuring rosy-
rooting of prostrate stems contributes to
purple flowers on arching stems. I became
the spread of this species which has been
familiar with the plant quickly and was
noted in KY and GA with an invasive
amazed after being told that what I was
designation. With no serious insect or
observing in our cooler climate was the
disease problems, this plant simply thrives
vigorous growth of only one year (cut back
and is considered an urban tolerant option.
in late winter) to a “head high”, wide
Do note that it is not deer or rabbit
cascading mound of color. This variety
resistant but seems to outgrow browsing
continues to be my favorite and I enjoy
very quickly.
observing five mature specimens of this
plant in the healing garden I manage. My
Why Grow Lespedeza thunbergii
amazement and appreciation of this plant is
‘Gibraltar’?
renewed every year!
· Late summer flowering is
This dense, multi-stemmed very impactful
member of the Fabaceae (pea) · Attracts bees, butterflies
family is a legume native to and hummingbirds
Japan and China. This bush · Very showy arching,
clover features “cool-toned”, “fountain-like” habit
blue-green, trifoliate leaves · Amazing regrowth from
on elegantly arching severe cutback in late winter
branches. This selection was · Excellent candidate for
found by plantsman and “cascading situations”!
artist, William Frederick, Jr.
(of Delaware) many years ago Specifics:
and continues to be popular
for the rosy-purple-pink Name: Lespedeza thunbergii
racemes of blossoms (late ‘Gibraltar’
August into September) that
create long, pendulous Common Name: bush clover,
panicles blanketing the Thunberg’s bush clover
showy, arching branches. The mounding, arching form is a
striking silhouette in all seasons and in Northern climates, can Description: This amazingly vigorous, semi-woody plant
be cut back severely in late winter to encourage vigorous achieves shrub-like proportions quickly and dominates the late
growth that will flower reliably again in late summer. The summer scene with cascading, elegantly arching branches
foliage does take on yellow tones in the autumn as well. smothered in an explosion of rosy-magenta blooms. In
Northern climates, this plant can be cut back severely in late
This versatile plant (USDA Zone 4-8) can reach 5-6’ of height in winter and will flower on exceptionally fast, regenerating
a single season and slowly thickets out to a 10’ width over time. growth.
Full sun is preferred although part sun is acceptable. Decent

35
Hardiness: USDA Hardiness z 4-8

In the Landscape: The form and texture of this plant

contributes over many seasons in the garden but the rosy-
magenta blooms on cascading branches in late summer really
packs a punch. Use this plant as a focal point, mass planting or
in the mixed border. Positioned on hills or along walls where
the natural cascading form can be observed is effective and
memorable.

This plant feature is printed with permission from the author and
Nursery 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.

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

36
 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
37
visit us at www.vnlavt.org