| Upcoming Events |
July 16, 2014
Van Wilgen's
North Branford, CT
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July 22, 2014 Cozy Acres Greenhouses Yarmouth, ME
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July 24, 2014
Savage Farms
Deerfield, MA
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August 10, 2014
Farmer's Daughter
South Kingstown, RI
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August 20, 2014 von Trapp Greenhouse August 20, 2014 Candia Woods Club House Candia, NH
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February 4-6, 2015
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NENA
Board of Directors | |
President
Peter House
East Haven Landscape Products
East Haven, CT
(203) 467-6260
Vice President & Treasurer
Ed Bemis
Bemis Farms Nursery
Spencer, MA
(508) 885-4247
Directors Carol MacLeodEvergreen Gardens of Vermont Waterbury Center, VT (802) 244-8523 Joe Majeika Westcott Perennials Ashaway, RI (401) 377-8130 Pierson Nurseries
Biddeford, ME
(207) 499-2994
Past President/
Advisor Robin Struck
D.R. Struck
Landscape Nursery
Winthrop, ME
(207) 395-4112
Executive Director
M. Virginia Wood, CMP
Newsletter Editor
Kristen Dreyer
New England Nursery Association, Inc.
8 Pleasant Street South,
Building D
Natick, MA 01760
(508) 653-3112
FAX: (508) 653-4112
info@NewEngland
NurseryAssociation.org
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
June 1 Application Deadline Fast Approaching
Spring officially arrived on March 20, but many of our friends in Maine and Vermont report that the warm and sunny weather is taking its time heading north. Our busy days have begun! It feels good to start anew with fresh goals and objectives. I wish you all a prosperous season.
I wanted to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to everyone who helped make the new NENA/HRI Industry Growth Initiative a reality. As an active member of the local green industry and now, as president of NENA, I have had the great pleasure of working with many talented and dedicated people through the years - many of whom have presented strong ideas and goals for the association to pursue. The creation of this new fund clearly shines above them all. NENA's Industry Growth Initiative Fund will benefit both organizations for years to come, providing for the industry in ways far beyond what we can even imagine today!
HRI funds are awarded to research projects or educational initiatives covering a full range of production, environmental, or business issues. Do you have an idea or an initiative that could benefit your business and others? Apply for a grant with HRI by the June 1 deadline and your NENA board of directors will review your application this summer! Click here for application information.
This is a very exciting time for NENA and the green industry in New England! We greatly appreciate your continued support.
Peter House
President
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 NENA & HRI "Break Ground" With New Fund
Applications accepted through June 1, 2014
The Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) and the New England Nursery Association (NENA) recently announced the creation of the New England Nursery Association Industry Growth Fund, a new type of grant program through HRI. The Industry Growth Fund was formally created at a signing ceremony during NENA's annual meeting at New England Grows in Boston. This new purpose restricted fund was designed to allow grants to be drawn from both the interest and the principal as needed.
"NENA members are excited to support the kind of innovation and new thinking that will ultimately shape the future of the horticulture profession," stated NENA president, Peter House. "Our collaboration with HRI -- through this new Industry Growth Initiative -- enables NENA to make significant contributions and continue to move the industry forward."
The new alliance brings together HRI's 52-year history as the horticulture industry's leading green industry research and educational foundation with NENA's vision to maximize organizational funds, collaborate closely with experts, and put investment monies to work where they will directly help the New England commercial horticulture industry.
Signing on behalf of HRI was Dr. Joseph Albano, Research Programs Director. Dr. Albano remarked, "The agreement between HRI and NENA serves as an example for other horticultural associations...by combining forces, HRI and NENA will be in a better position to select and direct research that is critical to the New England green industries."
The new NENA/HRI Industry Growth Initiative is designed to support such projects as:
- "local-to-NENA" platforms that build community and promote collaboration
- economic impact studies that bolster the industry
- marketing strategies that boost sales of plants and services
- research that provides scientifically proven answers to critical questions
- education to engage the next generation
- programs to support and inspire tomorrow's horticultural workforce
This collaboration is another example of how both NENA and HRI work to build prosperous businesses and advance the green industry.
New HRI applications will be accepted until June 1, 2014. You are encouraged to apply! Click here for application information.
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NENA Award Presented at Boston Flower Show
 NENA's judges at the flower show take a moment to enjoy the peacefulness of the NENA award-winning exhibit. From left to right: Ed Bemis, Bemis Farms Nursery, Spencer, MA; Jake Pierson, Pierson Nurseries, Inc., Biddeford, ME; and Peter House, East Haven Landscape Products, East Haven, CT. March 12-16, 2014 -- Every year, NENA presents an award at the Boston Flower & Garden Show, held at the Seaport in Boston, MA. The award is presented to the exhibit that best utilizes a range of New England native plants and their cultivars in a visually appealing and environmentally sensible setting. This year's NENA award winner was The Massachusetts Horticultural Society with a display that depicted a peaceful setting entitled "Eden on the Charles." It was designed to engage the public in the beauty of plants, gardens, and landscape design and to highlight the talents of landscape designers and green industry professionals in the practice and love of horticulture. |
Industry News from Around New England & Beyond
Al Lappin, Sr. receives Al Black award - The Maine Landscape & Nursery Association (MELNA) awarded the prestigious Al Black Award to longtime NENA member Al Lappin, Sr. of Al Lappin Landscaping in Scarborough, ME. He was recognized for his lifelong contribution to the horticulture industry and to MELNA. Congratulations Al! The Northeast Report --- In the most recent issue of Nursery Management Magazine, NENA member Jake Pierson of Pierson Nurseries was quoted in a feature called "The Northeast Report." Great job Jake!
The proposed change to the Clean Water Act needs a longer comment period - Join the request for a 90-day comment period extension for industry leaders to dig deeper into the proposed rule. RISE (Responsible Industry for Sound Environment) has provided a sample extension request letter you can personalize and send electronically. Click to see the letter.
How small businesses can combat high gas prices - This article from Garden Center Magazine offers tips to help you avoid being effected by rising gas prices - from planning ahead, to keeping mileage down, to taking advantage of tax benefits for fuel efficient vehicles. Learn more.
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month - Green Industry professionals need to remind crews that protecting skin should be a priority. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S., caused most often by exposure to ultraviolet light. It affects more than two million people annually. In the past two decades there has been a 20% increase in the number of Hispanics with an incidence of melanoma. Raul Barrios of The National Hispanic Landscape Alliance said, "Outdoor workers spend hours out in the blazing sun each day. It is very important for those in the industry to place importance on their personal health." Read more for prevention tips.
Bayer opens North American Bee Center- The $2.4 million center opened in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. It will support scientific research, product stewardship and sustainable agriculture to protect and improve honey bee health. It also aims to educate stakeholders and the general public about the beneficial insects. Read more |
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Plans are well underway for New England Grows 2015. Exhibitor renewals and sales are strong, the educational conference is taking shape, and NENA, along with the New England Grows team, is excited to plan another valuable experience.
Thank you to all who completed surveys and provided feedback regarding the 2014 event. It was interesting to note that many participants feel as though New England Grows is an annual reunion for the industry -- a chance to reconnect with friends and colleagues while learning about the latest trends and getting top-notch information.
Our thanks to NENA members Ed Bemis and Jake Pierson for representing NENA on the 2015 New England Grows education committee. The committee met in April and a fantastic conference program was developed. Speakers are currently being contacted. Stay tuned for more information.
Did you know that NENA is a founding partner organization of New England Grows? As such, NENA receives grants each year that are used to benefit the New England horticultural industry. The more successful the show, the greater the benefit for NENA and its members. Thank you for your continued support!
For details regarding New England Grows, visit NewEnglandGrows.org or call (508) 653-3009. For the latest information be sure to join Grows on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. If you would like to explore the benefits of exhibiting at Grows, please contact Lori Kane.
New England Grows is an educational partnership between New England Nursery Association, Massachusetts Arborists Association, Massachusetts Association of Landscape Professionals, and Massachusetts Nursery & Landscape Association. Its network includes more than 40 allied green industry organizations.
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2014 Cary Awards
Plants Recommended for New England
Long-blooming, this easily grown clematis is resistant to clematis wilt. Named for famed plantswoman, Elizabeth 'Betty' Corning, who noticed it in the garden of a neighbor, secured a cutting, and saw to it that the plant was introduced to the world of horticulture. Small, lightly fragrant lavender bells appear in June and bloom continuously into September. Site in good garden soil, with shade for the lower 1/4 of the plant to keep the root system cool, and provide support for the 6-8' stems to climb on.
Hardy Kiwi 'Arctic Beauty'
Actinidia kolomikta 'Arctic Beauty'
A beautiful vine in all seasons but especially in spring when leaves are splattered in cream, pink and white. Leaves revert to all green in summer, and male plants are reputed to be more colorful than female. Small, fragrant white flowers are hidden among the leaves in spring, and beautiful flaking cinnamon bark is prominent in winter. Hardy to Zone 4, vigorous and adaptable. Grow in rich soil, in full sun or partial shade and give a strong support or trellis to twine around.
American Wisteria
Wisteria frutescens
North American species, found in southern states, but hardy to Zone 5. Pendant racemes (6-8" in length) of purple and white flowers occur in May and June, on young plants, and perfume the air with light, sweet fragrance. Vines grow 10-12' per year up to 30' and are less aggressive than their more familiar Asian cousins - both of which climb 65-100' and can run rampant over desirable plants and large tracts of land. Prune American Wisteria right after flowering, since it flowers on the current season's growth. It will rebloom sporadically throughout the summer. Look for cultivars 'Amethyst Falls' or the beautiful white flowered 'Nivea.'
To see photos, and for more information about the award-winning plants, click here. The Cary Award is a program to promote outstanding plants for New England gardens. Named in honor of Shrewsbury plantsman Ed Cary, it highlights home landscape plants that have proven their performance in New England. Any person may nominate a plant they think is worthy of receiving this award. The Cary Award is a collaborative effort of the New England Nursery Association, the Worcester County Horticultural Society, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, the Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association, and numerous other organizations across New England.
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Update Your E-Mail ... 
As you know, NENA uses electronic communication and in order to keep you up-to-date, we need to have your most current e-mail information. So, please make sure you keep us apprised of your e-mail address. You will also want to adjust your spam filter to allow incoming mail from info@NewEnglandNurseryAssociation.org. |
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