  GrassSmarts™
An e-newsletter from Hoffman Nursery, Inc.
March 2010 |
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See our Pink Muhly & Go-To Grass discounts! |
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| In this Issue |
We visit the last and largest project that Frederick Law Olmsted designed more than a century ago.
GrassSmarts™ Focus
I say mew-lee, you say moo-ley. Let's call the whole thing a winner. Get the scoop on Muhlenbergia.
Visiting with Bill Cullina, moving up in the world, and making connections.
Grass Forecast
Give your customers a much-needed boost with the bright colors and exotic looks of tender grasses.
In the News
We check out local efforts using biological controls, grass as Life Form of the Month, and more.
New Plant Preview
Finally...a dwarf red switchgrass. Even though it's small, it's gonna' be BIG.
Here's where you'll find SPECIAL PROMOTIONS and other tidbits.
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| Finding Great Grasses: The Biltmore Estate |
Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC
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Last September, the Hoffman Family visited the BIltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. Parker Andes, Director of Horticulture, gave them a remarkable tour. He highlighted grasses that were popular at the time the estate was created. He also showed them the original 1893 landscape drawings designed by Fredrick Law Olmsted. Read more about this extraordinary landscape.
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| GrassSmarts™ Focus: Muhlenbergia |
Muhlenbergia capillaris 'White Cloud'
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Beautiful, drought tolerant, and trouble free. Sounds a little too good to be true, but the genus Muhlenbergia really is impressive. They grow just as easily in traffic islands as in well-tended gardens.
Primarily found in the Western Hemisphere, the majority of Muhlenbergia make their home in the southern U.S. and Mexico. They often grow in arid or semiarid regions, with adaptations that make them a good choice for low-water landscapes. Think full sun and dry. This also means they need well-drained soil to remain healthy and survive wet winters, particularly in colder climates. As with most ornamental grasses, you can count on deer to pass them up in favor of tastier options.
In this month's GrassSmarts™ Focus, read more as we delve into muhly grasses...
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| The Latest at HNI |
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We Love Trade Shows
 Why? They provide exciting opportunities for learning and connecting with people. At New England Grows in early February, John Hoffman chatted with Bill Cullina, Curator of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, Maine. They talked about getting new cultivars/genotypes of native graminoids into cultivation. Earlier that day, Bill had given a talk based on his book, Understanding Perennials. We were pleased to hear that he uses liners for new landscape plantings. Because soil volume is limited in a liner, the plant does not expend as much energy on growth. Therefore, it has reserves to draw on when planted in the ground (or potted up into a larger container). It can explode with growth and often catches up to plants from larger containers in one season. Makes sense to us.
Josh Mathis, Production Mgr.
 | Kudos to our New Production Manager
He's been helping us crank out plants for quite a while, but now it's official. Josh Mathis, our Production Supervisor, has been promoted to Production Manager. Josh started at the Nursery as a summer intern in 2004 and worked for three summers while earning his horticulture degree at NC State. In 2007 he began working full time as a Grower and moved into Production later that year. His rapport with the production crew is a real plus, and he skillfully manages scheduling and resources. Congrats, Josh!
Making Connections
Scott Epps, our Nursery Manager, serves on the North Carolina Exotic Pest Plant Council. At the annual meeting in December, he enjoyed a presentation on converting a fescue/lespedeza field into a native plant meadow. Johnny Randall, Assistant Director for Natural Areas and Conservation Programs at the North Carolina Botanical Garden, talked about this fascinating project. He and Scott got into a conversation that led to the Nursery donating surplus native grass liners to help with restoration efforts. We're happy we could help.
PPA and PLANET
In his capacity as President of the Perennial Plant Association (PPA), John Hoffman will be visiting PLANET's (Professional Landcare Network) Student Career Days. This annual three-day competition brings in students from collegiate horticulture programs across the country. This year's event will be held in Atlanta, GA on April 8-11. John will be chatting with students, talking up the PPA, and providing moral support for his son, David, a horticulture student at NC State University. We wish them both the best of luck.
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| Grass Forecast: Spring Ahead with Tender Grasses |
 As spring approaches, it's time to take a peep at our tender grass friends. Big color, lush growth, and a hint of the exotic. These grasses offer it all. Treat them as annuals in most parts of the country. Get ready for spring sales and landscapes by buying in these grasses during March and April. Retail garden centers and consumers are looking for fresh, exciting, and inspiring plants this time of year. Indulge them with some of these tender beauties...
Pennisetum 'Fireworks' PP18504
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The antidote for ordinary, the cure for the common. Bold and refreshing variegation promises never a dull leaf, each carrying various shades of pink, burgundy and purple with a little white thrown in for contrast.
Native to Sri Lanka and India, lemon grass comes from a family valued for adding lemon flavor to cooking and fragrance to cosmetics. This bright-green grass grows in an upright and arching shape. It looks gorgeous in large decorative containers.
Try a blast of burgundy-purple foliage with the Princess. Possessing a noble form and saber-shaped leaves, she really stands out. This is a vigorous grower that will fill out a container in no time. The
Pennisetum 'Princess' PP17728
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Melinus nerviglumis
 | Melinius nerviglumis (Ruby Grass)
Talk about a fun plant! The blooms are the texture of an old chenille bedspread that you'll want to touch. In midsummer blooms take on a deep pink-burgundy hue and open into a shiny, shimmering deep pink. They last a long time, creating a rainbow of pinks and softer tones throughout the growing season. Bonus: it's drought tolerant.
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| In the News: Who's Talking Grass (and related topics) |
Tons of interesting articles out there recently. They cover the gamut, and here are a few of our favorites:
Biological Controls
 We've been working with beneficial insects and other IPM controls at Hoffman Nursery for a while now. So has Doug Chapman of Plantworks Nursery. He was featured in the February issue of GMPro, in an article that explains how it works for his nursery. Read more.
Also spotted
- Grass as Life Form of the Month. See "Evolution by the Grassroots" on the New York Times website.
- For home gardeners, beneficial insects in the Feb. issue of Carolina Gardener.
- "Fueling a Movement" in the February issue of Greenhouse Grower. Growers using alternative fuels to solve their energy challenges.
- Plastic container recycling that's making a difference. In the February 2010 issue of American Nurseryman (only available to current subscribers).
- Equisetum (horsetail ) takes photographic center stage in an article on managing runoff with vegetated buffers. Take a look in the February issue of NMPro.
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| Spotlight on New Plants |
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We've got a great line-up of new grasses this year. Your sneak peek continues. Enjoy!
Panicum virgatum 'Cheyenne Sky' PPAF
(Dwarf Red Switchgrass)
Available July 2010
Panicum virgatum 'Cheyenne Sky' PPAF
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Color: Wine-red and green multicolored
Height: 2 ft., 3 ft. w/flower
Flowers: July
Exposure: Full sun
Moisture requirements: Tolerates a wide range
Zones: 4-9
Origin: North America
This grass is a star in the making. Blue-green foliage turns wine-red and burgundy. And the best part--it's a dwarf. This one will knock the socks off small, urban landscapes. It's also great for areas where a sweep of grass is wanted, but traditional, tall switchgrass is a bit much. We're one of only two current propagators in the country, so get in line for this one...it's worth the wait.
Other new plants for us this year include:
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Desert Plains' PP20751
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- Panicum virgatum 'Thundercloud' PPAF, a big, bodacious switchgrass. Upright habit to 8 feet and an impressive crown of airy, open panicles. Just the thing for screening, accent, or back of the border.
- Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Desert Plains' PP20751, a snazzy new fountain grass with ever-charming bottlebrush plumes. A seedling selection of 'Cassian', it has an improved habit and more profuse flowerset.
Call or email our Sales Team if you would like more information about these plants (or if you'd like to order them!).
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| Comments & Features |
What do you say? Tell us about our Catalog.
The new edition of our annual catalog makes its debut in mid-June. Here's your chance to influence what goes in. Give us your opinion by taking this brief online survey.
A Shout Out to AHS
 Three cheers for the American Horticultural Society! Last month they gave us temporary access to Paul Capiello's article on sedges, which is normally restricted to members only. We appreciate their willingness to let everyone take a peek ( you still can). Please consider joining this fine organization. Their Reciprocal Admissions Program alone makes it worth the price of membership.
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Pink Muhly up to 30% off
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Something new is happening with Muhlenbergia capillaris. Now through mid-April, we offer pink muhly in new sizes with deep discounts. Minimum purchase of 1000 plants with discount based on quantity per size.
32 deep star plug (2.25" x 4")
For landscape or finishing full gallons & 2 gallons+
1000- 4999 at 20% ($1.16 each)
5000- 9999 at 25% ($1.0875 each)
10,000+ at 30% ($1.015 each)
72 deep plug (1.56" x 3")
For finishing quarts and trade gallons
1000- 4999 at 20% ($0.56 each)
5000- 9999 at 25% ($0.525 each)
10,000+ at 30% ($0.49 each)
To qualify, orders must be placed between March 8 and April 15 and shipped by October 31, 2010. Call or email our Sales Team for details and to place your order. |
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| Double your Discount with Go-To Grasses
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Every two weeks, we'll feature a Go-To Grass. It's a time-limited kind of deal, with a grass that's just right for the season. It will need to go out quickly, so we'll offer it at double the discount. To qualify, order must be placed by the deadline and shipment received within a month of order date.
We'll post the current Go-To Grass at this link. Our Sales Team has the scoop on this great promotion, so contact them for more info. |
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