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Grasses for Shady Spots

Brighten up shade areas in the landscape with ornamental grasses. American Nurseryman featured this article in its September issue.

 

Finding Great Grasses

Explore the terrific gardens of Piet Oudolf and Appeltern with us. They make great grasses even better!

 

GrassSolutions Focus

Even experienced growers have questions. Find out how three growing operations upped their grass game.

 

The Latest

News from Hoffman Nursery on podcasting grasses, revisiting a big project, and boosting our stock capacity.

 

Reading More About Grasses

A selection of stories that highlight grasses grasses in the landscape. From a mystery grass to California landscape choices, read more.

 

Winter Shows and Grass Talks

See where Hoffman Nursery will be during the winter trade shows, and make plans to hear two of our own talk grass.

 

HNI Winter Holiday Schedule

ShadeGrasses for Shady Spots - American Nurseryman

American Nurseryman article You may know grasses for full sun but are a little fuzzy on what works in the shade. Zika Wolfe, a veteran member of our marketing team, highlighted shady selections in the September issue of American Nurseryman

 

Many cool season grasses are well-adapted to shady conditions, and some require it in warmer climates. Several warm season grasses also work well in shade, adding visual texture and movement.

 

Read about grasses for shady spots

 

 

 

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FindingGGFinding Great Grasses: The Oudolf Garden and Appeltern

Nursery owner John Hoffman developed his passion for grasses while touring Europe in the early 80s. He was impressed by the enthusiastic following for grasses then. A recent trip to Germany and the Netherlands reminded him that grasses are more popular there than ever.

 

Five Great Grasses from the Oudolf Garden

Piet Oudolf knows grasses, so the Hoffman family loved spending time with him in his garden recently. Several of our favorite grasses form the backbone of his designs.  

  • Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' 
  • Nassella tenuissima
  • Deschampsia cespitosa 'Goldtau'
  • Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah'
  • Sporobolus heterolepis 'Tara'

 

The prevalence of North American natives is notable, and we loved how he uses them in a loose, layered style. Take a page from his book, and try these great grasses yourself! Read more.

 

Three Favorites at Appeltern Gardens

Grasses also played a starring role at Appeltern Gardens in The Netherlands.  John Hoffman was thrilled to see the unusual and playful ways the gardens used grasses. We asked what he liked about the gardens, and he said, "Everything!" He managed to narrow it down to three categories: the grasses, the rooms, and the fabulous art. Read more about these amazing gardens. 

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 GS-GrowersGrassSolutions™ Focus: Growing Great Grass

Head Grower, Mark DunlapWorking Together

The growing operations we sell to are a pretty knowledgeable bunch. But it's tough to be an expert on everything. We know that even experienced growers have questions or encounter problems from time to time.

 

Knowing which grasses fit your programs, finding out what's new, staying ahead of growing issues-all take time. Hoffman Nursery can save you time and make your job easier.

 

In recent months, our team consulted with three different growing operations. You can read their stories here.

 

Building Relationships 

Hoffman Nursery gives you more than a grass liner. Each plant is backed by more than 25 years of grass knowledge and experience. Our goal is to make sure your grass programs are successful. If you're having difficulties, let's tackle them before they become big problems.

 

Tell us what's happening with your grasses, ask us questions, and let us know how we can help. With your know-how and our top-quality liners and support, we can grow great grasses!

 

To learn more about the advantages of working with us, go to our  GrassSolutions™ page. 

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LatestThe Latest at HNI

Podcasting Grasses #1

We love talking about ornamental grasses, so this one was a natural. Our Director of Sales and Marketing, Shannon Currey, recorded a podcast with one of our favorite bloggers. An Obsessive Neurotic Gardener is the blog of John Markowski, who is a huge fan of ornamental grasses. We've posted about him in the past, and we love following him. 

 

He and Shannon talked about the nursery, trends in grasses, and highlighted some of their favorite grass selections. John's self-deprecating humor and enthusiasm make an engaging combination on his blog, and his podcast is equally fun. Read more and link to the podcast.   

 

Podcasting Grasses #2

Keep an eye out for a podcast from our Nursery Manager, Scott Epps. He'll be interviewed by Matt McClellan, Managing Editor of Nursery Management and Greenhouse Management magazines. You can hear podcasts on their Grower Radio Network.

 

Back to the School of Grasses

Back in May, we posted about grasses at the Montessori Children's House of Durham. Hoffman Nursery donated more than 6000 grasses for their new site. Now that a growing season has passed, we look back to how they were doing at the end of the season. The Head of School, Happy Sayre-McCord, says the kids and parents love the grasses, especially the Pink Muhly. See more about this learning landscape.  

 

A Big Stockbed Boost

The best way to produce healthy, well-rooted liners is to start with the best stock possible. We've been focusing on increasing the quality of the stock we use. That means better liners that finish quickly. Find out how we're improving our stock

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ReadMoreReading More about Grasses
The Mystery Grass. Do you know it?

Love a Good Mystery? 

This mystery plant article generated some fun conversations. The soft, fuzzy "y's" of this grass glow in the sunlight, and it's a tough, North American native. The description of this grass is quite fun, and we think you'll enjoy trying to guess what it is. You'll have to wait until the end of the article to find out if you're right. Get a glimpse at this mystery plant.

 

Filling the Landscape with Grasses

From the Philadelphia area, we found an article that highlights home owners who have filled their yards with grasses. As the author notes, "...a bored grassaholic is hard to find, probably because there are so many varieties to choose from, in sizes ranging from 6 inches to 15 feet. Provided you pick wisely, they can also address some stubborn problems." We couldn't agree more. Read about these grass-filled yards.

 

Late season grass foliage glows.

The Rise of Fall Gardening

We love walking through dormant landscape that still feel alive and dynamic because they include ornamental grasses. Read more about extending your garden's seasonal interest

 

Grass Overview from California

We think this article on ornamental grasses for California landscapes gives a great overview. It describes factors to consider when selecting grasses for the home landscape and how to care for them. It's long enough to be informative, but short enough to read through quickly. Take a look for yourself.

 

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WinterShowsWinter Shows & Grass Talks

Snow on the ground and frost in the air. That means it's time for winter trade shows.

 

January 8-10, 2014

Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS)
Our first trade show of 2014 takes us to Baltimore, MD. Join the Hoffman Nursery crew in Booths 412 & 414 in the Baltimore Convention Center. We'll talk grasses and celebrate a new year.

January 13-15, 2014

Central Environmental Trade Show (CENTS) and OSU Short Course

We head off to Columbus, OH for this trade show and educational event. It's always a treat to see our Midwestern customers and friends and attend seminars for nursery professionals. Visit us in Booth 2108. 


Be sure to sign up for the OSU Short Course. Shannon Currey, Director of Sales and Marketing at Hoffman Nursery, will offer a presentation entitled: Great Grasses and Spectacular Sedges. She'll give you the scoop about grasses, planting preferences, their design attributes, and the advantages of using grasses and sedges in the landscape. See the most popular varieties and exciting newcomers. She speaks on Monday, January 13, from 2:45pm - 3:45pm.

 

January 16-17, 2014

Green & Growin' Trade Show 

Come see a team of Hoffman Nursery folks at this Greensboro, NC show in the Greensboro Coliseum. With a double booth (#533-535), there's plenty of space  to talk to customers and friends - and show our grasses, sedges, and rushes. 

 

Sign up for the educational portion of the show and come to a talk given by Hoffman Nursery's Scott Epps, Looking Ahead with Grasses & Sedges. Scott will discuss what's new in the grass world, and show exciting plants yet to reach the market Tuesday, January 14 at 9:00 am. See you in Greensboro!

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Closed
Hoffman Nursery Winter Holiday Break

 

We will be closed from December 23, 2013 until January 1, 2014.

   

We will reopen on Thursday, January 2, 2014. Our first shipping week of the new year will begin Monday, January 6. Have a Happy New Year!