Emerald Coast Growers 
 
 
March 2010
 
Coastal Current
  Coastal by site. Current by insight.
 

Welcome to the first edition of Coastal Current, a monthly newsletter for our valued customers and broker partners.
"Oh, great," you say. "Like I need another stinkin' newsletter." We hear you. We don't want to be just another bulge in your inbox. We want to be the most readable, most informative, least stinkin' newsletter you get. Ergo, we welcome your input. This is for you. Help us build a communication tool that suits your needs. Click HERE to tell us what you want to know, and how often.  
 
Availability Available
Remember, our Availability lists, long-range and on-hand, are a quick click away. The "Quick Glance" ready-to-rock list is also an order form; just pick a format (Excel or pdf), print, jot & fax.
 
DOWN ON THE FARMS: North Meets South
 
FLORIDA:
Florida 

Pensacola's normally-mild winter did an impromptu Pennsylvania impersonation, with consecutive January nights in the teens and some February sleet. Luckily it was just a skit; temps rebounded, leaving (whew!) little or no crop damage, unlike elsewhere in FL.

 

Shipping has been gratifyingly brisk, as growers exploit our extensive starter inventory to get a leg up on the season. Pre-bookings are strong, too  - a good sign, but of course it means we could run out of something before you get yours. Don't dawdle!
 
PENNSYLVANIA:
Pennsylvania 
Not to be outdone, the PA sky churned out three serious, old-fashioned, butt-kicking snowstorms. But all's well in the greenhouses. Meanwhile, northern customers have really warmed to the idea of picking up starters, even those grown in Florida, at our Lancaster location -- with no freight charges!
 
Our climate-controlled trucks run FL - PA every other week in spring, less often in calmer times, so we usually need two weeks' notice. Think ahead, and save serious money. Now if only we could upload some of that sweet Panhandle weather...
 
The Emerald Coast Road Show
Trade Shows 
With booths at MANTS in Baltimore, GSHE in Mobile, and New England Grows in Boston, we went from Brrrr! to balmy and back to Brrrrr! in just a few weeks. Everywhere, we saw way more smiles than frowns. At NEG, especially, the consensus was (a) Everyone's happier than they were last year, and (b) Yeah, 2009 was rough, but we made it. The sky didn't fall. Let's sell some plants.
 
John Friel
 
John Friel
Marketing Manager
 
 
Chicks MixTRAY BON!
Product Spotlight
 
Spice up your ho-hum succulent selection with our quick fix: Chicks Mix. Grower's choice. Five varieties, ten plants each. Great for containers, rock gardens and xeriscaping.
 
Read More   
 

What's Hot

Grasses
We're stoked and stocked on grasses, new and familiar. Panicum 'Ruby Ribbons', Schizachyrium 'Blue Heaven' and Pennisetum 'Princess Caroline' are ready when you are, along with staples like 'Karl Foerster' and 'Hameln'. And of course we're your source for 'Flying Hedgehogs'. The hottest new grass in the civilized world, 'Fireworks', will be along June 1. Lock in now, they won't last!
 
Panicum Ruby Ribbons
Panicum 'Ruby Ribbons'
 
Pennisetum Fireworks
Pennisetum 'Fireworks' 
 
 
Perennials
While looking over our grasses, don't overlook our premier lineup of perennial liners. As with grasses, we've got your back with the new, and the tried & true. Wow your customers with Astilbe 'Delft Lace' or the sterile Buddleia 'Asian Moon'. Get to know Baptisia australis, Perennial Plant of the Year for 2010, all over again. And get your kicks with Coreopsis 'Route 66'. 
 
Baptisia australis
Baptisia australis
 
Coreopsis Route 66
Coreopsis 'Route 66' 
 
 
 
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 Juncus spiralis