We have a wonderful time looking for great grasses. This month, we stepped outside our own door and found them. We have a pond boardwalk that leads through a bamboo grove to a small open area. In Fall 2008 we planted that area with sweeps of North American native grasses. It's kind of a

The Meadow at Hoffman Nursery

stylized mini-meadow, with Andropogon gerardii, Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah', Sorghastrum nutans, Schizachyrium scoparium 'The Blues', Sporobolus heterolepis and Panicum virgatum 'Northwind'. A drainage ditch runs along one side, and that was lined with Juncus effusus.

We used 2.25" liners, so establishment has been quick. We've had to spot weed, and we cut it back in late winter. That's all the maintenance we do on the Meadow. As it becomes more established, we expect the different species to re-seed and mingle together. We're still debating whether to mix in other perennials, but at this point, it's a great look that shows visitors what these natives can do. When the wind blows, this meadow is alive with movement, color, and sound (and the wild things love it, too!)

Do you have or know of a landscape like our Meadow?
In landscapes across the country and internationally, people are turning to landscape solutions that offer a different aesthetic (for recent interesting articles on replacing lawns, read here and here). It's not a look for everyone and every landscape, but it offers a sustainable option with a pleasing aesthetic. If you have created or know of an area like this, we would love to hear about it and see photos. Tell us about and it at GrassSolutions™ email, and we'll share it in upcoming GrassSolutions™.

Bug Vac Makes its Debut at the Nursery

Sally Taylor, NCSU technician, wields the bug vac to take samples

The banker plant study we told you about in last issue's article is going strong. NCSU Entomology Graduate Student Sarah Wong brings her team out twice a week to collect samples and monitor the houses in the study. Black Pearl Pepper plants are checked for the beneficial Minute Pirate Bug (Orius insidiosus), and insect samples are taken from the liners in the study houses. Of course, this requires the ever-exciting "Bug Vac". Our growers get to see what the bug vac collects, and that's been a real boon to scouting activities.

Joe Wolfe, our newest addition

New Section Grower Joins the Staff
The stock plants at Hoffman Nursery play a critical role in our producing healthy, well-rooted liners. Our newest employee, Joe Wolfe, focuses his attention on all the stock plants at the Nursery. This includes stock in the fields, in raised beds, and in the houses. Joe is a graduate of the Penn State Horticulture Program, where he enjoyed internships and independent studies in plant breeding. In his new position, he appreciates spending time in the stock fields where the beauty of our rolling, Piedmont countryside is apparent. He's hoping to upgrade our stock tracking system so that scouting, planting, and treatment data are fully integrated. We're pleased to welcome Joe to our Nursery team.

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