Origin stories make fun reading, especially when they are about a great plant. Panicum virgatum 'Northwind'  came from seed Roy Diblik of Northwind Perennial Farm collected in 1982 in northern Illinois. Upon growing out the seed, he noticed one plant was upright, rather than arching, with beautiful blue-green leaves. 

Roy says, "...This is one of uncountable naturally occurring hybrids that occur with all native plants...we just need to keep our eyes open."

The Perennial Plant Association® has recognized the special qualities of Roy's discovery by naming it the 2014 Plant of the Year™. Find out more about his find and why it's worthy of the title.

We kept hearing from you..."I keep all the Hoffman Nursery catalogs on my desk for reference. I love them!" and "I use your catalogs to help explain to my clients how grasses can work in their landscapes."

So, with your nudging, the catalog is back.

It's got an updated look and feel, with crisp, bright photos and a color-coded price list. And, a great lineup of new plants awaits you.  

To get a look inside, go to our website post.

What's your favorite grass? If Nassella tenuissima isn't on the list, you'll want to make room for it. 

Shannon Currey, Hoffman Nursery's Director of Sales & Marketing, is an avid fan of this grass and wrote about it in the July issue of American Nurseryman. Known as Mexican Feather Grass, Nassella tenuissima looks and feels like no other grass.

Its unique qualities will make it one of your favorites, too. Read about it in American Nurseryman's Field Notes: Nassella tenuissima.  

Our summer schedule has been full, and John Hoffman has been talking grasses throughout it all. Here's a quick look at what's happened recently:

More than 9,000 people from around the world participated in this year's Short Course in Columbus, Ohio. It was a fantastic show, with lots of visitors and plenty of interest in grasses. Find out which were the favorites. Read more.

Perennial Plant Association (PPA) Annual Symposium

John Hoffman and the perennial plant gang were impressed with the host city of Vancouver, British Columbia. The group toured urban sites, nearby natural areas, botanical gardens, residences, garden centers, and nurseries. 

The living roof on the Vancouver Convention Center (pictured above) creates an iconic view of the city. While walking beside, around, and below this amazing garden, John Hoffman snapped images of many grasses that live there.

John also paired up with John Friel, PPA President, to talk about one of our favorite genera, Panicum. Entitled "Tough Lovelies: Panicum 'Northwind' and Friends," their talk was well-received, and they both enjoyed interacting with the crowd and talking about switchgrasses.

Southern Nursery Association (SNA)

Don Shadow (R) visits with John Hoffman (L) during the SNA Marketplace

SNA started for Hoffman Nursery with the Southern Plant Conference. John Hoffman and an all-star slate of plantsmen talked about new selections coming to the industry. Don Shadow, past SNA-President, introduced the lineup, which started with Mike Dirr and ended with Allan Armitage. In spite the day running over time, participants stayed in their seats to hear what these industry luminaries had to say.