Isn't it great to immerse yourself in a good book and forget everything else in the world? Now try it with a book that hasn't been printed yet. That's how catalogs get made.
Crafting a new catalog is an obsessive, exhaustive process. We finally fired off the final round of proofs and tweaks to the printer in the wee hours last Friday, hoping that maybe this time, we've left no nit unpicked.
This isn't just another catalog: It's our 20th Anniversary issue. Emerald Coast Growers started in the starter business with our first line of liners way back in 1991.
DOWN ON THE FARMS
Florida: I was just there working on you-know-what, so I can report first-hand for a change. Crops looked great, Pamela's famous combo containers for our OFA Short Course booth were coming on like gangbusters in the Panhandle's plant-friendly moist heat, and our Customer Service ladies were cooing over five adorable baby armadillos tumbling about behind the office. Alas, a number of newcomers and potential newcomers in the trial garden just weren't quite ready for their photo op. Must go back ASAP when they're farther along.
Pennsylvania:
Grasses: We've wrapped up Imperata 'Red Baron' production for now, and tackled another pair of popular grasses: Carex testacea and the always-in-demand Carex 'Evergold'.
Perennials: we're excited about two new Dianthus from Whetman Pinks: Rosy Cheeks (PP14045), part of the Devon Cottage™ series, and Raspberry Surprise (PP16029), from the Scent First™ Pot series. They join six other new Dianthus, bringing our total to 21 varieties. Our armadillo census remains at zero.
WHAT'S HOT
Summer trade show season is heating up. The aforementioned new catalog makes its debut at the aforementioned OFA Short Course in Columbus, OH, July 10-12. Then it's south to the Perennial Plant Association Symposium in Atlanta, July 18-21. If you grow and/or sell perennials, you really, really should be there. Once that's over, we make a beeline back to PA for the PANTS show in Oaks, August 2-4.
HORTISCOPE
Cleo: Born in July, you're either a crab (Cancer), a lion (Leo), or a bizarre hybrid of both. You're the real deadliest catch -- King of the Kelp Forest, Scourge of the Seafloor! Keep those claws sharp, you freaky thing. You'll need 'em.
Aquarius: You've always been one to brook no backtalk, but it's time to take heed. Bending over backwards won't help when the problem is neither before nor behind but within. Stop trying to be the Disco Belle and mallow out with the Luna-tics.
TRAY BON!
It's hard to think of spring when the summer solstice is barely behind us and each long lovely day lingers on into what was recently evening. But do think about Phlox subulata, one of spring's most welcome harbingers. Think about how much of that stuff you'll sell next April/May. Think about how great it'll look THEN because you're thinking ahead and planting it NOW!
And then check our current availability, pick up the phone and book your 72s and/or 128s.
Just do it. Don't even think about it.
RANDOM USELESS FACT DEPARTMENT
The dog days of summer were so named by the Romans. In ancient times the dog star (not Toto, Sirius -- brightest star in Canis major, the dog constellation) rose at dawn at this time of year and was thought to add its heat to the sun's. In the southern hemisphere, this is the coldest month -- the dogsled days.
WHILE YOU'RE IN COLUMBUS...
... follow that unmistakable warm-from-the-oven aroma to Booths #1905-07 and claim your very own fresh, moist copy of the new ECG liner catalog. (We know everybody in the industry doesn't attend OFA, it just feels that way sometimes.) No need to bring us an Anniversary present, just come as you are. But if you insist, the traditional gifts are china and platinum. Not that we're hinting.
John Friel
Marketing Manager
jfriel@ecgrowers.com
