THE DIRT

The VNLA Quarterly Newsletter

Spring Issue

Volume 36, Issue 1

The
Gorgeous
Gardens and
Green Living
Show

Riley Rink

Manchester, VT
2
 Inside this president’s letter
Issue It’s spring, and the earth is waking up. I imagine
somewhere in the North Woods a bear is going to poke
it’s nose outside its cave and find hepatica, spring
beauties, and trout lily blooming. Down here in our
landscaping yard tools are being sharpened, mulch is
being delivered, and the compost windrow is being
Board of Directors 4 turned. It’s a bright sunny morning, and it feels like we
just woke up from our long-winters rest, a bit stiff, but
President’s Letter 3 hungry for a new year.

New Members 5 But something has changed since we went to sleep, and
it is both subtle and earth-shaking. Over the last year
we have dramatically changed how we relate to each
Gorgeous Gardens and 6
other and the landscape that surrounds us. Through the
Green Living Show social media explosion we are now connected/networked/exposed to each others actions
and ideas both locally and globally more than ever, and we actively expand the tendrils of
New Member Profile 7 our communal thoughts every day through Facebook and Twitter, blogs, and e-
newsletters.
Green Works Annual 8
One idea that really jumps out at me in this sea of information is that a major change in
Winter Meeting & landscape aesthetic is happening, here and now, and it will spread as fast as the electronic
Awards tendrils of thought can spread it. Sustainable Landscaping is going mainstream, from
ancient European city rooftops, to the Provinces of China, to the Grand Estates of US
industrialist tycoons, to the hallowed halls of Harvard, and it’s important for us to
Meet New Green Works 9 understand why. A brilliant article was recently written by Kongjian Yu, (Landscape
Board Members Architect and President of Turenscape in China, designer of the famous Red Ribbon
Project among others) and published in the Fall/Winter 2009 issue of the Harvard Design
Industry Awards Program 10 Magazine. Yu writes that “in our resource-depleted and ecologically damaged and
threatened era, the built environment must and will adapt a new aesthetic grounded in
2010 appreciation of the beauty of productive, ecology-supporting things. Our desire for beauty
detached from utility is weakening, and it should be. In our new world, survival is at
News from the U 11 stake. Wastefulness becomes viscerally unattractive, if not immoral.”

2011 Vermont Flower Show 12 I think that today our clients already see this shift happening. They’re busy yes, so they
still want convenient solutions, but they want landscapes that do more than just sit there
and look pretty. They want it to be functional, edible, low-input, healing, and ethically
Award Winners 13 responsible. In essence they want it to be more than the sum of its parts – for it to support
life – both theirs and the natural world that it is inherently part of. Grandiose gardens
Legislative Update 14 are no longer cool – now to be civilized and modern is to be “green”. I believe our job as
horticultural researchers, educators, landscape designers, plant growers, retail nursery
Green Works: Your 16 owners, landscape installers and maintenance professionals is to show them how they can
Website Profile have beautiful, functional, and sustainable landscapes.

Electric Hazards in Trees 19
Garden Design School, 20
USA
Industry Calendar 22
Gorgeous Gardens Photos 23
This is my first letter as President of Green Works, and I feel very lucky to be part of such
a healthy, active and growing Association. I look forward to meeting those of you I don’t
already know, touring your businesses and discussing your thoughts about who we are as
professionals, what we do and where we’re going. As you might suspect, the connection
options are getting absurdly abundant - you can email me (lindenlandscaping@gmavt.net),
you can Facebook me, send me a tweet (lindenlandscape), join my newsletter via our
website (www.lindenlandscaping.com), call my cell (802-363-3044), or just plain stop by.
I’ll leave the solar-powered LED light on for you…
Rebecca Lindenmeyr, Green Works/VNLA President

3
 board of directors
PRESIDENT Dan Redondo MARKETING & EDUCATION
Rebecca Lindenmeyr Vermont Wetland Plant Supply, LLC COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRS
Linden Landscaping & Design, Inc. PO Box 153 * Orwell, VT 05760 Ed Burke
2953 Lake Street * Addison, VT 05491 802.948.2553 Rocky Dale Gardens
802.759.3033 * dredondo@vermontwetlandplants.com 802.453.2782
lindenlandscaping@gmavt.net
Sarah Salatino Joan Lynch
VICE-PRESIDENT Full Circle Gardens The Inner Garden
Joan Lynch 68 Brigham Hill Road * Essex, VT 05452 802.353.5573
The Inner Garden 802.879.5725
1723 Route 3 * Pittsford, VT 05763 fullcirclegardens68@comcast.net MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIR
802.353.5573 * theinnergarden@comcast.net VJ Comai
ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY South Forty Nursery
SECRETARY/TREASURER Kristina MacKulin 802.425.6222
Claybrook Griffith Green Works-VNLA
Long Leaf Landscaping, LLC P.O. Box 92 * N. Ferrisburgh, VT 05473 PROGRAM COMMITTEE CHAIR
4379 Ethan Allen Hwy. Toll Free: 888-518-6484; 802-425-5117 CO-CHAIRS
New Haven, VT 05472 Fax 802-425-5122 Ed Burke
802-999-4558 * claybrook.griffith@gmail.com Kristina@greenworksvermont.org Rocky Dale Gardens
www.greenworksvermont.org 802.453.2782
DIRECTORS
BUDGET AND FINANCE Heidi Glesmann
Ed Burke COMMITTEE CHAIR Glesmann Gardens
Rocky Dale Gardens Claybrook Griffith 802.272.2683
806 Rocky Dale Road * Bristol, VT 05443 Long Leaf Landscaping, LLC
802-453-2782 * ed@rockydalegardens.com 802.999.4558 RESEARCH & AWARDS
COMMITTEE CHAIR
VJ Comai EVALUATION & PLANNING Heather Mason
South Forty Nursery COMMITTEE CHAIR Allen Bros., Inc.
340 South Forty Rd * Shelburne, VT 05482 Rebecca Lindenmeyr 802.722.3395
802.425.6222 * vjcomai@gmavt.net Linden Landscaping & Design, Inc.
802.759.3033 SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES COMMITTEE
Heidi Glesmann CHAIR
Glesmann Gardens INDUSTRY AWARDS Rebecca Lindenmeyr
PO Box 545 * Hinesburg, VT 05461 COMMITTEE CHAIR Linden Landscaping & Design, Inc.
802.272.2683 * glesmanngardens@yahoo.com Ed Burke 802.759.3033
Rocky Dale Gardens
Heather Mason 802.453.2782 VERMONT CERTIFIED
Allen Bros., Inc. HORTICULTURIST COMMITTEE CHAIR
6023 US Route 5 * Westminster, VT 05158 LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR Claybrook Griffith
802.722.3395 Dan Redondo Long Leaf Landscaping, LLC
heather@allenbrothersfarms.com Vermont Wetland Plant Supply, LLC 802.999.4558
802.948.2553

time to read? VNLA

Quar
terly
News
e 35,
letter

Issue
2

For information on Advertising

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Check out New England
in The Dirt or on our Website
Nursery Association Book
Reviews at:
Paeon
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contact
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www.newenglandnurseryassociation
Qu arterl 3
VNLA , Issue
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.org/sections/ hosts
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green_leaders_bookreview.php Green Works Office - 888.518.6484

These reviews are some of today’s Mee
ting
and
Trade
Show

most talked about business books

mer
Sum
orks
en W
Gre
the

and are submitted by NENA

members.
4
 New Green Works Members
Alena Botanica Grow Compost of Vermont Murphy Landscape Design &
Alena Schnarr Lisa Ransom Siteworks
4 Winooski Street 2046 US Route 2 Liam Murphy
Waterbury, VT 05676 Waterbury, VT 05676 777 Dewey Road
802.244.1699 802.882.8154 Salisbury, VT 05769
alena@alenabotanica.com lisa@growcompost.com 802.233.7047
www.alenabotanica.com www.growcompost.com liamforlife@hotmail.com
Category: Landscape Designer, Category: Compost/soil-wholesale/retail Category: Landscape Designer,
Garden Artist Category: Active Landscape Design/Build, Landscape
Active Member Install Maintenance
Kelly’s Green Acres Farm d/b/a
Active Member
Gay Ellis Gardens & Landscapes Kelly’s Kovers
Gay Ellis Steve & Donna Kelly North Branch Landscape Co., Inc.
PO Box 163 2453 Route 144 S. Stephen Tworig III
Sheffield, VT 05866 Benson, VT 05743 392 Main Road
802.626.3557 802.537.3233 Stamford, VT 05352
gayellis@gmail.com sdkelly@shoreham.net 802.694.1782
Category: Landscape Designer, www.shrubprotectors.com pam@northbranchlandscape.com
Landscape Design/Build, Landscape Category: Wholesale broker www.northbranchlandscape.com
Install Maintenance Associate Member Category: Landscape Design Build,
Active Member Landscape Install Maintenance,
Limbwalker Tree Service, Inc. Nursery Wholesale, Arborist,
Garden Alternatives Mike Fallis Nursery Retail
Bruce W. Herforth PO Box 733 Active Member
10 Landgrove Road #1 Shelburne, VT 05482 Pleasant View Gardens
Weston, VT 05161 802.559.0422
Carol Huntington
802.824.5198 limbwalking@gmail.com
7316 Pleasant Street
bwher123@yahoo.com www.limbwalking.com Loudon, NH 03307
Category: Landscape Install Category: Landscape Install 603.435.1727
Maintenance, Arborist, Propagator, Maintenance, Arborist carolh@pwpvg.com * www.pwpvg.com
Turf Care, Greenhouse Retail Category: Propagator, Greenhouse
Active Member Mill Brook Bonsai
Wholesale, Nursery Wholesale
A.P. (Sandy) Anderson Associate Member
32 Tarbox Road
Jericho, VT 05465
802-899-5585
treeman205@aol.com
www.millbrookbonsai.biz
Category: Nursery Retail, Bonsai
Active Member

Are you and your employees

certified?
Now is a great time to order VCH manuals for yourself and/or your employees as
the season gets underway. Prove your level of professionalism and commitment to
excellence to your clients. Order a VCH manual this Spring, take the test this
Summer and become a Vermont Certified Horticulturist. Contact Kristina MacKulin
or Claybrook Griffith for ordering and test information.

5
 The Gorgeous Gardens & Green Living Show
The second week of March began with
unseasonably warm temperatures.
The snow was nearly gone and
everyone’s thoughts and instincts
turned towards the garden. By the
weekend, winter returned. Perfect.
Perfect for bringing people into Riley
Rink in Manchester, VT for Green
Works’ first southern “flower show”
like event! The 2 day event offered
the public and our Association
members in the southern part of the
state a venue for the same
educational and product/services
information as is enjoyed at our
biennial event in Essex. The show
was a combination of garden show,
flower show and lecture series on
topics including landscape design,
agriculture, and sustainability.
Vendors displayed everything from
birdhouses to pressed flower prints
and offered information on landscape
design services, sustainable
gardening and passive solar design.
A total of 1,500 people came through
the doors over the weekend! The
response was overwhelming for a first
time event. Southern Vermont is
more than ready for a staple event to
add to their late winter plans. Riley
Rink offered it’s challenges with
maintaining heat, and providing
adequate parking, but the Gorgeous
Gardens and Green Living committee
is already working with Riley Rink on
how to improve the weakest areas
and to build upon the success of the
show.
The decorations committee, along
with a slew of volunteers from Green
Works and the Master Gardeners,
transformed the normally
unattractive concession area of the
Rink into a beautiful spring like
woodland garden setting. Cut trees of
white pine, spruce and white cedar
camouflaged the cinder block walls
and instantly set the stage for an
indoor escape to the woods. The smell
of hyacinths and eye-catching
forsythia branches were nestled in
with an array of ferns, alyssum,
tulips, daffodils and pussy willow.
Gorgeous iron urns were overflowing
with fresh cut flowers and bud
bursting branches. Not having a
central display, as in Essex, the floor
of the rink was brought to life with 4
(20’ x 25’) outstanding booths
constructed by Garden Arts,
Mettowee Mill Nursery, Churchill
Gardens (Pittsfield, MA), and
Northern Landscape Services.
The speaker seminar area was
flanked by “woodlands”, bent willow
chairs, slate benches, and a wooden
greenhouse structure. We had a
“People’s Choice Award” for best
booth with the winner receiving an
overnight stay at the Equinox Resort
in Manchester. The winner was
Mettowee Mill with an amazing
display of tropicals, faeries, fountains,
and outdoor living. Tied for second
place was Baierlein Landscaping,
showcasing their stone work and
patio kitchens, and Garden Arts
Company displaying fencing, lighting
and unique garden sculpture. All
three are Green Works members!
The weekend offered an exemplary
line up of speakers. This was a major
6
draw to the show and the public
wasn’t disappointed! We had people
purchasing weekend passes in order
to come back on Sunday for more
lectures. The best way to sum up the
seminar evaluation is to quote our
keynote speaker, Julie Moir
Messervy, who said, “I’d love to
consider doing the same lecture for
the Burlington show if it's as good as
the Manchester show was.”
The VNLA is proud to claim this first
time event as a success. It was a leap
of faith born from the commitment
that the organization has to support
and represent all of it’s members.
Not only is southern Vermont ready
for a southern event, the VNLA is
ready for a southern event. This first
year was a learning experience in
determining what the true costs are
in producing a show in the south and
seeing who the attendees are in mid
March. We now have a base in which
to work from and network of support
in which to count on. The Board of
Directors has decided to maintain this
event as a biennial event, as is the
Vermont Flower Show in Essex. We
will market the two shows together so
that the public will know that they
have a Green Works produced show
to go to every year.
As a member of Green Works and the
Board of Directors, I would like to
thank the organization for having the
faith in me to organize the event, but
most importantly I want to thank the
committee; Sarah Green, Steve
Burzon, Paul Morgan, and Janice
Valgoi and all who participated in
donating their time, materials,
advice, and most importantly their
support and friendship. Anyone who
would like to join this new adventure
is welcome! No experience necessary
– just a positive attitude!
See page 23 for photos.
Joan Lynch, Gorgeous Gardens and
Green Living Show Chair
 new member profile
Grow Compost of Vermont
Grow Compost of Vermont is transforming Vermont
leftovers into a high grade, nutrient rich soil enhancer
that puts healthy, locally grown food back on the plates
of Vermonters.

Grow Compost of Vermont LLC is located in Moretown

on Route 2 . This new business partners with local
organic haulers, neighboring farms, restaurants,
schools, resorts and food manufacturers in Central
Vermont. “Our compost diverts yard waste, food scraps,
and other compostable material creating an especially
rich, black compost – perfect for reconditioning soil, “
says Scott Baughman, co-owner of Grow Compost.

Scott and Lisa spent the past two years developing their
compost recipe and learning best practices to create
high-grade horticultural compost. They attended the
University of Maine Compost School and spent a
tremendous amount of time permitting and engineering
their compost site.
Now that their business is open, Scott spends his time
meticulously managing long windrows of compost that
reach temperatures over 150° for extended periods of
time. These high temperatures kill pathogens and weed
seeds while at the same time encouraging beneficial
fungi. The whole process takes close to a year to
complete. Scott says, “There are quicker ways to make
compost, but none of them create a product as desirable
as the compost we produce here.”
Lisa and Scott of Grow Compost of Vermont
Lisa runs the business side of Grow Compost but also
has her hands in the dirt. She spent this past winter
becoming certified as a Vermont Master Gardener and
spends much of her time in her garden and barn. She
keeps a flock of Romney sheep, several angora goats,
chickens, ducks, and bees.
You can learn more about Grow Compost at their
website: www.growcompost.com. The première
windrows of Grow Compost will be for sale to the public
this coming fall with full sales anticipated in Spring
2011.

Grow Compost of
Vermont located in
Moretown.

7
green works: Annual Winter
Meeting and Awards
Green Works held it’s Annual Meeting
and Trade Show on February 10, 2010
at the Holiday Inn in Rutland, VT.
As always, it is great to have a day to
catch up with one another, hear some
great speakers, and talk about the
season to come. It was record
attendance with 150 people attending
and 31 vendors. Thank you
to all of you who exhibited
and attended!
Our keynote speaker,
Michael Talbot of Talbot
Ecological Land Care and
co-founder of the
Ecological Landscaping
Association spoke to
members on an “Overview
of Ecological Land Care:
Enhancing Greater
Sustainability and
Environmental Sensitivity
in the Green Industries”.
Michael offered his ideas,
experience and expertise on how to
incorporate sustainable principles and
practices into your work and how to
better serve clients by opening up new
markets and enhancing reputations as
professionals. Other presentations
included Steve Faust of EnSave
talking about greenhouse/nursery
energy conservation and efficiency;
Dan Redondo of VT Wetland Plant
Supply spoke about selecting native
plants for wildlife habitat in
constructing ponds and wetlands; Dale
Paden of Pine Hall Brick Co. gave a
presentation on using permeable
pavement systems; and Anne
Macmillan from the VT Agency of
Agriculture spoke about recycling
horticultural plastics and what is
possible for 2010. It was a full day of
great information to be shared!
The business meeting was well
attended and began with the awards
ceremony. Alice Beisiegel presented
the UVM student achievement award
to Jesse Ackemann. Jesse is a junior
in the Sustainable Landscape
Horticulture Program and has worked
for member Walker Farms. The next
award Alice presented was the NENA
Young Nursery Professional of the
Year Award to Shannon Lee of Cobble
Michael Talbot, Keynote Speaker
Creek Nursery. The Environmental
Awareness Award was given to
Charlie Proutt and Eileen Schilling of
Horsford Gardens & Nursery. Ralph
Fitz-gerald accepted the award on
their behalf. Alice next presented the
Horticultural Achievement Award to
Amy Rose-White of Rocky Dale
Gardens.
Following these awards Ed Burke
presented awards to the winners of the
2009 Industry Awards Program as
follows: Susan Els in Residential
Landscape Design Build – Grand
Honor Award; Sarah Stradtner and
Tricia King of Distinctive Landscaping
– Residential Landscape Design Build
- Exceeds Excellence Award; Caroline
Dudek of Landshapes for Commercial
Landscape Design Build – Grand
Honor Award; Middlebury College
Landscape Department for Landscape
Design Maintenance – Grand Honor
Award; and Special Projects Category
– Bill deVos of TreeWorks – Grand
8
Honor Award. On behalf of Green
Works - we congratulate all awardees!
See photos on page 14.
The annual ID contest was held with a
record number of test takers trying to
remember how to spell all those latin
names. This year’s winner of the ID
Contest was Alena Schnarr
of Alena Botanica.
Congratulations Alena!
The business meeting
concluded with the
nomination of officers and
board members. I would
like to acknowledge the
three long-time board
members who stepped
down from the board.
Their outstanding
dedication and work over
these last years has
greatly contributed to
where Green Works is
today and we owe them a huge debt of
gratitude for their commitment to
Green Works. Stepping off the board
were President - Tim Parsons, who
joined the board in 2004; Vice-
President -David Loysen, who joined
the board in 2003; and Board Member
- Alice Beisiegel, who joined the board
in 2004. We would like to welcome
new board members VJ Comai of
South Forty Nursery, Heidi Glesmann
of Glesmann Gardens, and Heather
Mason of Allen Bros., Inc. Meet your
new board members on page 10.
It seems we have an early Spring as
the winter months begin to fade to
memory. We look forward to seeing
everyone at the Summer Meeting and
Trade Show on August 18, 2010 at
Cobble Creek Nursery in Bristol, VT.
Kristina MacKulin
 meet Green Works new board members
VJ Comai, South Forty Nursery
VJ was born and raised in Readsboro,Vermont, a very
small town on the southern border as one of 5 kids. He
attended HS at Drury HS in North Adams MA. '80-'84.
He received a BS in Community Forestry and
Horticulture From the University of Vermont in 1988
under the guidance of Prof. Norman Pellett. During his
years at UVM, he
spent one summer
working for Allen
Haskell, Horticulturist
in New Bedford, MA.
He also worked part-
time and one summer
at The South Forty
Nursery along side
John Padua. Upon
graduation from UVM,
VJ took over full-time
as manager of the
South Forty Nursery
in Shelburne where he
remains today.
In 1993, VJ built a home on a piece of land bordering
the nursery in Charlotte. He has been a member of the
VNLA (formerly VPA,VAPH) since 1988. VJ served on
the VNLA board from 1993-2000. During his time on
the board VJ served as chairman of the Flower Show
committee and was involved in the planning of the
current day VT Flower Show, born from the days of the
Lawn and Garden Show. VJ is a member of the
International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and has
been an ISA Certified Arborist since 2008.
VJ has 4 children ages 16, 15, 12 and 10 and two
stepchildren, ages 22 and 18. He is an avid
outdoorsman and enjoys hiking, kayaking, backcountry
skiing, hunting and tree climbing among other things.
VJ currently serves as the VNLA's representative to
The Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Council.
He decided to return to the VNLA board because 10
years absent was enough time for him to forget why he
stepped down the first time. Seriously, he really likes
the direction that the board has been taking these past
few years after weathering some pretty tough times. He
feels there are many excellent initiatives the VNLA has
recently committed to that will be of great benefit to
our membership and will serve to heighten the
professional image of our industry. Having been in this
business for more than 20 years now, VJ feels that he
has a much different perspective and more experience
9
than he had to offer the first time around and hopes
that his contributions to the board will help to keep the
VNLA moving forward in a positive direction.
Heidi Glesmann of Glesmann Gardens
Heidi was born in Hamar, Norway in 1974, the oldest of
three children. The Scandinavian connection is
through her mother’s family. After moving back to the
United States as a child, they settled in northern New
York State. Her father’s furniture design/build business
and her mother’s outdoor lifestyle as a New York State
Forest Ranger influenced her love for the outdoors and
natural world. She and her sister Erica grew up
hiking, camping, canoeing, biking and skiing. Earning
a bachelors degree from SUNY Plattsburgh in 1996,
brought Heidi closer to Vermont. She studied Fine Art
with a concentration in photography and printmaking.
Following her education, she moved to Burlington,
Vermont. She mixed work with some travel back to
Norway, Alaska and a drive across the U.S.A. With
these influences she made a decision to pursue a career
in horticulture.
Back in Vermont Heidi started working as a
landscaper/estate
gardener. After
several years, she was
introduced to the
VNLA through the
VCH study guide.
She became a
Vermont Certified
Horticulturist in
2006. Last spring
Heidi started her own
landscape/ gardening
business, Glesmann
Gardens. She
immediately became a
member of the VNLA
at this point. The
connections she has made through the VNLA certainly
helped to build her new business. It has been a great
way to continue obtaining more knowledge through all
of the lectures, events, meetings and Flower Shows.
Heidi joined the Board this winter to work alongside
professionals in an organization she respects while
contributing her own experiences, time and energy . “I
am certain this opportunity will enhance my
understanding and knowledge of our industry in ways I
can not imagine”.
continued on page 10
Heather Mason of Allen Bros, Inc.
Participate in the
Heather Mason, 32  grew up in West Chesterfield, New
Hampshire. She inched further and further north on the
Connecticut River each year until settling in the town of
Springfield with her 2010 Industry Awards
husband David and
her step-daughter Program
Mariah. Heather
began working at Allen
Brother’s in 2001 and
quickly realized  this
was more than just a
job, it is a way of life.
Plants have become
her passion. At Allen
Brothers, they dapple
in all aspects of
farming but specialize
in hanging baskets,
mums, hardy
perennials, shrubs and fruit trees. Allen Brother’s is a
place where her curiosity and creativity are appreciated
and nurtured. Allen Brothers became Green Works
members in 2007 and has benefited greatly from the Scope out your projects
networking opportunities the association offers. As a
board member, she is anxious to give back by further and start taking photos!
increasing the value and opportunities Green Works
offers it’s members.
We will mail you the forms soon.
V O LU M E 3 5 , I S S U E 2 T HE D I R T PAGE 10

10
Fairfax Perennial Farm Inc.
ently refunded and highly rated) on
(the reason many of the crabap-
der to reduce scab and other
s online
ganica/), and the third year of news from the U
ieties (http://pss.uvm.edu/grape/).
This News will be brief, • diversified ag farm residency, John Hayden
rd Perry
as not much new to • weed ecology and management, Sid Bosworth
report with the main • plant pathology, Terence Delaney (Plant biology)
preoccupation now being • into to ecological agriculture, Stacey Waterman
the BIG move to Jeffords • tree fruit production, Terry Bradshaw
Hall beginning May 10, • organic farm practicum, Yolanda Chen
then the usual end of
classes and all but Once again we'll have our All-America selections flower
extension faculty then display garden at the Burlington waterfront park this
otherwise occupied summer, in cooperation with Burlington Parks and
during the summer. The Recreation. However, with the new construction there,
move is highly the former main front beds are now a rain garden. Our
orchestrated and timed, new beds will be installed on the right and back sides of
with cleaners coming the main drive and walks, so should provide the same
9 Upper College
right afterRoad, Kingston,
we vacate to make room for Aiken folks to amount of quality, visible space. (perrysperennials.info).
move in, as their building will begin renovation in the
fall. Already for a couple months we've been boxing and Also my website now has links at the bottom to sign up to
T Statetossing
Pathologist
(hugeand Greenbins full each day), with the first
recyling follow on either twitter or facebook, or both. I'll be
his position in June at the
move of boxes and equipment mid-April. However, posting periodically updates of interest including timely
n Department. Scott
Jeffords hall hasbe
wont taken a
officially open until Mon. May 10 events, books and references, research updates, new
IS in Washington, DC and will be
when the first wave of moving people and of whole offices plants, and more. If you're on these, sign up
programs for (Extension
begins the Asian longhorned
and research), to be followed by to follow vtperennials on twitter or perrysperennials on
, and firewood pest mitigation.
another wave after classesWe of teaching faculty. The first facebook.
im andtour
his family well.
will occur May 8 during the alumni CALS banquet,
the President's official open house will take place In case you're not aware, there are many shows from our
graduation weekend (prior to the second wave of Across the Fence television show streaming and viewable
moving), and then next fall our departments (PSS and online, including many on various aspects of gardening.
Plant biology) should have our own open house with the These may be of interest to you, employees, or customers.
focus more on the education and research happening There is even an order form if you/customers would like to
there. order copies of any. The extension Across the Fence site
(www.uvm.edu/extension/?Page=across.php) has those
As of this writing the exterior looks about done, complete relating to Extension personnel over the last few years,
with name on the building and beautiful raised beds. The grouped by subject matter. I also have the gardening
interior as well is shaping up nicely and an incredible ones on my website (http://perrysperennials.info/
improvement over the current Hills space, no comparison forpecon.htm) in several formats for viewing.
really. We should still have our same phone numbers as
presently. If in the area this summer, do stop by to take If you're in retailing, you may want to have the Master
a look. More updates in the next News! Gardener website (http://www.uvm.edu/mastergardener/)
and helpline numbers (800-639-2230 in Vermont, local
In an effort to better utilize the Hort and Miller farms, and out of state 802-656-5421) handy for yourself and
several CE courses are being offered through our PSS customers.
department this summer, with full descriptions and Submitted by Leonard Perry
registration information online (http://learn.uvm.edu/igs/
food_systems):

11
 2011 Vermont Flower Show
P.O. Box 92
N. Ferrisburgh, VT 05473
Work has begun on the 2011 Vermont Flower Show,
which is less than one year away! Having travelled
recently to see the Capital District Flower and
Garden Show in Troy, NY, it really illustrated just
how unique our Vermont Flower Show truly is.
Designing and landscaping a 10,000 square foot
area that it put together, for the most part, through
donations of time, materials, plants, and labor just
does not occur at other flower shows.
We are lucky to have Chris diStefano of diStefano
Landscaping and Matt Leonetti of Morning Dew
Landscaping as the designers/coordinators of the
Central Display for the 2011 Vermont Flower Show.
They have accepted this monumental task and have
been working on the design over the last couple of
months. The theme for the show is “Sweet
Dreams”.
12
We will have a plant list to circulate soon and it will
be posted on the website. If anyone is interested in
donating plant material or willing to grow some of
the plants needed please contact Chris at
802.279.5900/chris@distefanolandscaping.com or
Matt at 802.760.7577/weepingspruce@earthlink.net.
Anyone interested in working on the Central
Display Committee should also contact either Chris
or Matt.
Vendors are already calling to sign up for booth
space and speakers are asking to present. With the
success of the show in Manchester, it is clear the
public is craving our show!
Kristina MacKulin
 award winners

Jesse Ackemann - UVM Student Award, left; Shannon Lee - NENA Young Nurseryman Award,
center; Amy Rose-White - Green Works/VNLA Horticultural Achievement Award, right.

Ralph Fitz-Gerald
accepts award for
Charlie Proutt and
Eileen Schilling of
Horsford Gardens &
Nursery for Green
Works/VNLA
Environmental
Awareness Award, left.

2009 Industry Award Winners - bottom row: Tricia King

& Sarah Stradtner of Distinctive Landscaping; Jamie
Case and Tim Parsons of Middlebury College;
back row: William deVos of TreeWorks; Caroline Dudek
of Landshapes; and Justin Quenneville and Dave Oberle
of Middlebury College.

Claussen Perennial Farm Relocates

After 16 years of great  
plants the Claussen The staff at
Perennial Farm has Claussen’s would
moved to join the like to to express
Florist & Greenhouse their sincere
location on Main Street gratitude and
in Colchester Village. appreciation to
The new facility will the thousands of
offer the same great customers that
perennials, a brand have supported
new garden center, and strengthened
additional parking and their business
excellent service. during the past
Manager James thirty eight years. 
MacAuley and his staff Claussen Perennial Farm -now located at 187 Main Street, Colchester, VT “We have had the
will continue to share pleasure of
their extensive meeting so many
knowledge and experience at the new location. They will great customers over the years.  Our mission is to grow
offer customers new varieties of Claussen Grown Perennials “Top-quality Vermont-Grown Plants” which we have done
and a great line of exciting garden accents and accessories. for almost four decades.  We thank you, our neighbors, our
The doors of the Claussen’s Perennial Farm will open on community and our friends for making this new venture
Tuesday, April 20th and they will have a grand opening possible”.  
celebration in May.

13
Legislative Update classified ad
The Vermont House of Legislators is currently formulating a new bill (H. Trillium seeds and plants for sale.
769) to address fees for nursery certification/licensure and nursery
All plants are grown from seed.
inspections.  The bill, which identifies a fee schedule based on size
thresholds, is likely to affect many of our members as well as farmers who They will be flowering around
grow and sell vegetable starts (such as tomato seedlings).  At its most recent Mothers Day in May. Younger
meeting, the VNLA Board of Directors adopted the following motion: “To non-flowering plants also
support a fee based certification/licensure program and an aggressive available. Please contact me about
inspection process to maintain healthy nursery stock throughout the state.”   availability of plants, species and
Please note that although the Board did not comment on the size thresholds, seeds. Orders for seeds should be
we have concerns that many of the small nurseries and farmers would be sent before collection time (July).
placed in the same “large” classification as the commercial stores such as Trilliums Unlimited: Stephanie
Home Depot, Walmart, and Agway.  Therefore, we ask that our membership Solt-owner.
review the legislation (http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2010/calendar/ trillium@burlingtontelecom.net.
hc100324.pdf)  and provide any comments/suggestions for improving the
802-865-3113. Burlington, VT.
bill.  Presently, the bill has been read three times on the House floor, which
www.trilliumsunlimited.com
means it is close to being approved and sent to the Senate for their review/
discussion/approval. <http://
www.trilliumsunlimited.com
Please contact Dan Redondo, Green Work board member and Legislative
Committee Chair at 948-2553 or dredondo@vermontwetlandplants.com with
any questions.
 

14
 News from Around New England
Pleasant View Gardens receives record-setting
grant -- Pleasant View Gardens in Loudon, NH has
earned a half-million dollar renewable energy grant to
power its biomass burner efforts, which has drastically
diminished its dependency on oil. This new system has a
potential 85 percent cut in heating costs. The biomass
burner, which is fueled by wood chips, will cut oil use to
zero. For more information, visit www.pwpvg.com.
Educational Resource -- UMass Extension has released
its Massachusetts Nursery Best Management Practices
(BMP) Handbook. To access this, and other helpful
industry information you can visit http://
www.umassgreeninfo.org/fact_sheets/plantculture.html.
Emanuel "Manny" Shemin passed away on January 28,
2009. He was 78 years old and suffered from
leukemia. Mr. Shemin is the founder of Shemin
Nurseries, Inc. and was credited with pioneering the
landscape distribution model. Shemin Nurseries now has
30 distribution centers across the United States. Mr.
Shemin also founded an organic seed company in Israel—
Genesis Seeds, Ltd. Donations in Mr. Shemin’s name can
be made to the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer
Center Leukemia Program at Johns Hopkins.
Gary Vermeer, founder of Vermeer Corporation,
passed away at age 90 February 2, 2009. Gary and a
cousin started the business in 1948 after inventing a
wagon hoist five years earlier, which made it easier to
unload corn. Demand for the labor-saving device led to
opening Vermeer Manufacturing Company. Vermeer
Manufacturing Company has grown into an international
organization that manufactures agricultural, construction,
environmental and industrial equipment.
Ken Lagerquist -- Rhode Island Nursery & Landscape
Association (RINLA) Executive Director, NENA Past
President, and great green industry friend -- passed away
on March 25, 2009 surrounded by his family. Many of the
VNLA board members and myself got to know Ken over
these last few years at NENA leadership meetings. He
was always quick to say hello, shake your hand, and talk
about the green industry.
Ken founded Evergreen Tree & Landscape, a business he
ran for many years before retiring. Ken was very active in
his town and his church, and was past-president of both
RINLA and NENA. Ken was the beloved Executive
Director of RINLA from 1991 until 2009 and was
(Continued on page 12)
15
green works: adrian bloom comes
your website profile to Vermont
The Green Works new and improved website is due to launch by the Green Works
end of April. Here is what you can do to get ready. Each member is pleased to
and VCH is entitled to their own profile page, just like before. announce a
Because the site will run on a new platform with increased symposium
enhancement, each member will need to submit information for their with Adrian
profile page again. Each profile page will also feature your own slide Bloom of
show of up to 13 photos (baker’s dozen). This is a new feature. Before Bressingham
you were entitled to 4 photos that were static on the page. All of this
Gardens, UK.
information, text and photos, can be submitted on-line via the website
This event will
at your leisure. Once the site launches each member will receive
login information and a password. take place on
September
Members who submit photos will also be featured on the Find a 29, 2010 at
Member page. This will work on a rotating basis. So be ready when the University
we call - assemble your description and photos and we will let you of Vermont, Davis Center.
know when to submit them.
Last minute details are still being worked out.
Adrian will do a morning and afternoon
presentation.

An evening reception with wine and snacks

will be held that evening at Rocky Dale
Gardens in Bristol VT. This is a fundraiser for
2010 Cary Award Winner Green Works education programming and
will be limited in attendance.  

Panicle Hydrangea the mophead, lacecap, and oakleaf hydrangeas, and plants
Hydrangea will bloom even after a hard winter pruning.
paniculata
and cultivars H. paniculata ‘Grandiflora’, (Often called “PeeGee”) the
most common cultivar, is an oldfashioned favorite. The
The species, large panicles of flowers can be 12- 18” long—especially
Hydrangea if pruned to encourage strong flower development. Both
paniculata, is multi-stemmed shrubs and those trained into
native to China standards are frequently seen in the landscapes of the
and Japan and northeast. The flower panicles on ‘Kyushu’ are not as
was introduced dense as they are on “PeeGee” giving this cultivar a
into cultivation more delicate air, ‘Praecox’ opens its flowers in July,
in the US in earlier than other cultivars, widening the blooming
1861 by von window. ‘Tardiva’ closes the window, beginning its
Siebold. In cultivation in New England it typically reaches bloom in August at the tail end of the season. ‘White
8-10’ tall, and requires a few hours of direct sunlight to Moth’ bears flower clusters that are less conical than
flower best. Its shade tolerance, long bloom period (July- others–flattened, almost round clusters. These
September) and hardiness (to zone 3) add to its appeal. cultivars are readily available, and can be grown with
The clusters of flowers are like overblown cones –6-8” long. ease knowing that they are hardy, pest and disease
The many-branched clusters bear small fertile flowers, resistant, available and will add a long season of
and the larger showy sterile blossoms are subtended by beauty to any garden.
showy petal-like sepals. White sterile flowers fade to pink,
and ultimately brown, as they age and are held on plants Visit www.caryaward.org for more information and a list
often through the winter. The flowers are borne on new of past award winners.
wood so winter damage of buds is not an issue as it is with

16
17
 VVO
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RTT PAGE 17

5th Annual NOFA Organic Lawn & Turf Course

AMHERST, MA – The NOFA Organic Land Care Program, a Lawn & Turf Handbook: Beautiful Grass Naturally, which
project of the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) of serves as the course manual. This 100-page comprehensive,
Massachusetts, will hold the 5th annual NOFA Organic Lawn & practical and easy-to-use reference manual was written and
Turf Course at UMass Amherst in Amherst, MA on Friday, edited by scientists and experts in the field of organic lawn and
August 7, 2009 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. turf care, this book covers what landscapers, landscape
designers, municipal staff and homeowners need to know to
This one-day, intensive course will provide state-of-the-art grow natural and organic lawns. Topics include: Why Organic?
information for managing lawns and turf organically and is Site Analysis, Soil Health, Cultural Practices, Weeds, Insects,
geared toward land care professionals, groundskeepers and Diseases, Obtaining Materials and Equipment, Running a
municipalities who are responsible for the establishment and Business, Client Relations and much more.
care of grass, as well as anyone interested in learning organic The NOFA Organic Lawn & Turf Course is happening
methods. concurrently with the 35th annual NOFA Summer Conference a
The course will be taught by NOFA Accredited Organic Land UMass Amherst. The Summer Conference features over 175
Care Professional Donald Bishop of Gardens Are Inc. workshops on organic growing along with two keynote
in Marlborough, MA, CT NOFA Executive Director Bill Duesing presentations, a country fair, evening entertainment, music,
of Solar Farm Education in Oxford, CT, nationally renowned dancing, special children and teens’ conferences and much more
organic turfgrass educator Chip Osborne of Osborne Organics Visit www.nofasummerconference.org for more info!
in Marblehead, MA, and entomological scientist Dr. Kimberly The NOFA Organic Lawn & Turf Course costs $150 for the first
Stoner of the CT Agricultural Experiment Station in New person from a firm/municipality and $125 each additional
Haven, CT person. Sat/Sun NOFA Summer Conference registrants receive
NEW THIS YEAR! The course will include a special section a $30 discount on the combined registration fees. For more
on Water Management and Conservation led by noted engineer information or to register, visit www.organiclandcare.net or
and water conservation expert Amy Vickers, president of Amy www.nofasummerconference.org. With questions, please con-
Vickers & Associates Inc. of Amherst, MA. There will also be tact Kathy Litchfield, NOFA/Mass OLC Program Coordinator,
plenty of time for Q&A and networking. Lunch is provided. All at (413) 773-3830 or Kathy@nofamass.org.
course participants will receive a copy of the NOFA Organic

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18

Anyone who works with trees, whether
climbing, using an aerial lift or felling
from the ground, should understand the
dangers of contact with electric wires.
This statement sounds simple enough
but the truth is many professional tree
workers and probably most non-
professionals lack a good understanding
of the potentially lethal characteristics
of trees in contact with electrical
conductors.
The current or flow of electricity in
overhead lines moves along swiftly to
its intended use but what most people
don’t comprehend is that that current is
constantly searching for a path to the
ground. Insulators on the poles prevent
it from doing so but any other material
that contacts wires and the ground at
the same time has the potential to
carry that current through it and
become energized. The degree to which
it accepts or resists the flow of
electricity is its conductivity. The wood
in a tree is not a great conductor of
electricity but given the right
conditions it can become dangerously
energized. Such conditions include wet
weather, high voltage and the tree’s
stage of life. The danger to workers is
imminent whether they are on the
ground, in a tree or even in an
insulated aerial lift. Many untrained
workers believe an aerial device
protects them but it does nothing if the
worker connects a tree and wires
through his body.
To those unaware of the nature of
electric service delivery, there would
seem to be a great liability inherent in
the operations of electric service
providers. This is actually not the case
in this country. A review of legal
precedents and research shows that
most often, the duty of care rests on the
public rather than on utilities in the
absence of their negligence. If a tree
worker or even a reasonably
responsible adult homeowner causes
trees to contact lines and gets injured
he could likely be considered
“contributorily negligent” and be
unlikely to recover damages. As long as
a utility follows “applicable standards
of care”, they might not be held
responsible for the unsafe acts of the
general public. Applicable standards of
care could mean only that the utility
Electric Hazards in Trees
has maintained their lines according to
their own tree management plan. With
few exceptions, it does not mean
eliminating all contact between trees
and normal distribution power lines.
OSHA mandates that all tree care
workers receive electrical hazard
training. It doesn’t describe what the
training program should be and it
doesn’t enforce this requirement.
If there is an accident however, OSHA
can fine a company that is found to lack
such a program or has not implemented
one they have. If you own a tree
company or any business that may
work with trees, you should seek
information on developing an electrical
hazard training program if you don’t
already have one. The Tree Care
Industry of America (TCIA) has a very
comprehensive tree worker safety
program available to members and non-
members. Some independent
arboricultural consultants also offer
training that may be more affordable
and tailored to smaller companies. The
program you choose should help your
workers identify and avoid potential
hazards before they start any job and
have proper rescue procedures in place
if an accident occurs. This is especially
important because many people are
injured or killed attempting to rescue
their fellow worker who has come in
contact with energized lines.
When I have spoken to commercial tree
companies throughout the country
about electrical hazards and trees, it
often becomes a conversation stopper.
This is because this subject is rarely
given the emphasis it deserves in
current safety programs. Most foremen
or company owners will stress that
their workers should stay away from
power lines, but many do not know how
to look for them. Often I have seen
workers arrive on a job and find power
lines in their work zone that the person
who bid the job did not see. This can
slow down or stop a job but observant
workers like these save lives. Another
issue that some companies may not be
aware of is the danger associated with
some of the tools they use. It is costly to
remedy, but no tree care operation
should have aluminum pole saws or
power saw extensions on their trucks.
Nor should they ever use aluminum
19
by brian beaty
ladders. There is probably nothing you
could do that could be more dangerous
than using highly conductive aluminum
tools in trees that are in contact with
power lines. Fiberglass or wood is the
preferred construction.
The safety limitations of aerial lifts are
also not well understood by many
safety trainers. They are designed to
prevent the apparatus on the ground
from being energized but do not always
do so. Recently “elevator” lifts have
become more prevalent. There is a very
serious design flaw with some of these
units that allows the operator to
unintentionally override the protective
features of the unit, putting workers on
the ground at great risk.
An independent safety audit will help
identify and correct unsafe conditions,
equipment or work practices in any tree
care company. Learning about
potentially unsafe acts will help
prevent them from becoming accidents.
Accidents, especially those involving
electricity should not be your crews’
teachable moments. They are usually
fatalities.
Electricity is everywhere in the
landscape. By law, underground
utilities must be identified and marked
before work begins but there is no such
requirement for overhead lines because
they can be identified by reasonably
cautious people. All businesses that
work with trees should include
electrical hazard awareness in their
daily job briefings and insure that it is
an integral part of their overall safety
training.
More information about electrical
safety awareness can be found on the
TCIA website, tcia.org and in the
American National Standards Institute
(ANSI) publication on tree worker
safety called ANSI Z133.1 available
from the International Society of
Arboriculture (ISA) at isa-arbor.com.
Brian Beaty is a VCH/MCA and a
member of Green Works, the
International Society of Arboriculture
and Utility Arborists Association.
Take time to visit:
http://www.vermontagriculture.com/ARMES/plantindustry/
garden design
index.html. The Plant Industry Section of the Vermont Agency of
Agriculture website covers the following areas: school, USA
• Entomology
• Plant Pathology
The Garden Design School, USA will be hosting an
• Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (Exotic and
Open House/information day on May 5th, 2010 at
Endemic Pest Survey)
Tower Hill Botanic Gardens. The Garden Design
• Plant Exportation and Importation Permitting
School began their Garden Design Diploma
• Diagnostic Laboratory
program in the New England area in the fall of
• Vector Management
2009.
• Nursery Inspection and Licensing
• Domestic and Federal Plant Quarantines
The Garden Design School offers a 9 month,
• Seed Certification
unique, intensive, part time program that meets at
• Noxious Weeds
Tower Hill Botanic Gardens in Boyslton, MA. It is
• Ginseng Certification
designed for anyone interested in choosing a
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
landscape/garden design career, changing to this
• Genetically Modified Seeds/Organisms
career, or pursuing superior mastery in their
• Apiary Inspection
existing career.
• Plant and Pest Quarantines
For more information:
For up to date information on all quarantines in the State
info@gardendesignschool.com or visit
visit:
www.gardendesignschool.com.
http://www.vermontagriculture.com/ARMES/plantindustry/
PlantandPestQuarantines.html

20
21
Industry Calendar

April 23-24, 2010 July 14, 2010

7th Annual Perennial Plant Symposium CNLA Summer Meeting
Equinox Resort Canterbury Horticulture
Manchester Village, VT Canterbury, CT
518.885.3471 (800) 562-0610

May 14-16, 2010 July 18-20, 2010

Northern New England Home, Garden & Flower PLANET Legislative Day on the Hill
Show Key Bridge Marriott
Fryeburg Fairgrounds Arlington, VA
Fryeburg, ME www.landcarenetwork.org
www.homegardenflowershow.com
July 21, 2010
May 28-31, 2010 MNLA Summer Conference & Trade Show
13th Annual McLaughlin Garden Lilac Festival Bigelow Nurseries
McLaughlin Gardens Charlton Farm, Charlton, MA
South Paris, ME www.progrownews.com
www.McLaughlingarden.org
August 18, 2010
June 21-24, 2010 Green Works – VNLA Summer Meeting & Trade
2010 ANLA Retail Roadshow Show
Salt Lake City, Utah Cobble Creek Nursery
www.anlatours.org Bristol, VT
www.greenworksvermont.org

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22
scenes from

the gorgeous

gardens &

green living

show

23
PO Box 92
North Ferrisburgh, Vermont 05473

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