Our series on Grasses & Sedges for Ground Covers continues with an unconventional choice, Sporobolus heterolepis. Prairie Dropseed brings a beautiful sensibility to the landscape. It is a great choice for sunny locations.

The Scott Arboretum at Swarthmore College uses Sporobolus heterolepis extensively, calling it a 'multi-use dynamo'. Horticultural experts at this outstanding garden take advantage of Prairie Dropseed's adaptability  and highlight it in this Garden Seeds Blog post.

One of the joys of being involved in a large-scale landscape project is seeing it come to fruition. We've had that privilege at the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA). 

The Museum completely reworked a large bioretention basin on the property in the Summer of 2010. Hoffman Nursery grasses were part of the mix. The plan included pathways, bridges, and an extensive system of swales, terraces, and spillways to handle stormwater. The terraces and swales are planted with a mix of native plants, dominated by grasses and rushes. 

The most encouraging part of this project has been its effect on the pond ecosystem. Water testing of the basin in the early 2000s indicated that it was biologically inactive. A dead body of water. Now in 2012, just two years after installation of this project, guess who turned up in this new ecosystem? A crayfish, who looks quite happy to be there (see photo bottom left).

Crayfish at NCMA pond

The filtering effect of the grasses and other plants in the new bioretention basin has been profound. Runoff from parking lots and roads is being transformed into water that supports aquatic lifeforms. Now THAT's a GrassSolution! 

In addition, the completed basin serves as an important educational element in the Museum Park. We're thrilled to have played a part in making this project happen. 

This issue, we highlight several regional, online grass articles.

Little Bluestem plays a key role in the prairie. Get the prairie feeling in the accompanying article from the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Drama in California

The beauty and functionality of grasses take center stage in an article from the Santa Cruz Mountains of California. We're happy to note that you don't have to live in California to enjoy the recommended grasses. Take a closer look. 

Prairie Beauty in Minnesota

Experience the unique beauty and feel of the prairie with this delightful article from the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Walk through the plantings, hear the birds, and feel the wind on your face. Try it for yourself.

Low Maintenance in Pennsylvania

What are the top four low-maintenance plants for the zone that includes Southeastern Pennsylvania? Peter Brindle from Chanticleer includes Carex pensylvanica in this short list. Delve into the list here.

And finally, for a entertaining look at a home gardener's love affair with grasses, start with this post from An Obsessive Neurotic Gardener.

Summer Shows a Success

Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' at Stonegate Gardens in Lincoln, MA

The Perennial Plant Association (PPA) Symposium in Boston offered a whirlwind of tours, lectures, and visits with friends. John Hoffman attended and had a wonderful time with this diverse group. The meeting was held over the Independence Day holiday. Seeing fireworks in Boston added to the excitement. The PPA Symposium always yields myriad photo opportunities, and John took advantage of them. We love the combination (photo at right) of Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' with hardscape elements. 

The PPA trade show, which spanned two days of the Symposium, gave John an opportunity to talk grass. He heard more grass talk when Dr. Mary Meyer discussed using grasses as part of sustainable landscapes (see more about her talk above in The Latest). Thanks to everyone who made this signature industry event a success!

The OFA Short Course also proved to be exciting and successful. John Hoffman and Magan Agee saw some intriguing new grasses. They had in-depth discussions with customers to find out what our customers see coming down the road, and where they'd like to go. This show was an opportunity to get a real sense of the industry. We're optimistic that business is improving for many.

A Shout Out to Our Customers

Last month at OFA, a Midwestern nursery buyer who's been purchasing from us since 1999 stopped by our booth. She made a point of coming by to tell us that she loves our grasses. 

A Production Manager at a large, East Coast nursery also took time to talk with us recently. He said he has shopped around with other grass suppliers just to hedge his bets. Compared to the others, our consistent quality and conscientious customer service have made us his preferred supplier. He comes to us first when he needs grasses.

Another customer sent an email, which included the following:

"You have always done well by us and I tell anyone looking to do grass that

Hoffman is the best there is."

-Wholesale Grower

What can we say--our customers are wonderful! They give us feedback that helps us improve. They tell their colleagues about us. They understand that when problems arise, we do our best to remedy the situation quickly and fairly. Our success is tied to our customers' success. We cherish our customer relationships and appreciate what they do for us. We can't ask for more!