THE DIRT

Fall Issue 2018, Volume 44, Issue 3

VNLA Summer Meeting Recap page 4

2019 Garden
1 Trends Report page page 16
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT COMMITTEES

Ed Burke Marlys Eddy

Vermont Technical College BUDGET AND FINANCE
Rocky Dale Gardens COMMITTEE CHAIR
806 Rocky Dale Road PO Box 500
Randolph Center, VT 05061 Nate Carr - Church Hill Landscapes, Inc.
Bristol, VT 05443 802.425.5222
802.453.2782 802.728.1207
ed@rockydalegardens.com meddy@vtc.edu
EVALUATION & PLANNING
Ralph Fitz-Gerald Executive Board Members
VICE-PRESIDENT
Horsford Gardens & Nursery
2111 Greenbush Road INDUSTRY AWARDS COMMITTEE CHAIR
Ashley Robinson Ashley Robinson Landscape Designer
Landscape Designer Charlotte, VT 05445
802.425.2811 802.922.1924
PO Box 28
Charlotte, VT 05445 tfitz_gerald@gmail.com
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR
802.922.1924 Gabriel Bushey - Crafted Landscapes, LLC
arobinsonld@gmail.com Marie Limoge
Landscape Designer 802.233.8551
21 Densmore Drive #21
SECRETARY/TREASURER Essex Junction, VT 05452 MARKETING & EDUCATION
802.272.8744 COMMITTEE CHAIR
Nate Carr limogemp@gmail.com Ed Burke - Rocky Dale Gardens
Church Hill Landscapes, Inc. 802.453.2782
287 Church Hill Road Sarah Salatino
Charlotte, VT 05445 Full Circle Gardens MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIR
802.425.5222 68 Brigham Hill Road Hannah Decker - Fairfax Perennial Farm
nate@churchhilllandscapes.com Essex, VT 05452 802.849.2775
802.879.1919
DIRECTORS info@fullcirclegardens.com PROGRAM COMMITTEE CHAIR
Sarah Salatino - Full Circle Gardens
Gabriel Bushey EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 802.879.1919
Crafted Landscapes, LLC
176 South Maple Street Kristina MacKulin RESEARCH & AWARDS
Vergennes, VT 05491 VNLA/Green Works COMMITTEE CHAIR
802.233.8551 P.O. Box 92 Marlys Eddy - Vermont Technical College
info@craftedland.com N. Ferrisburgh, VT 05473 802.728.1207
Toll Free: 888.518.6484
Hannah Decker P: 802.425.5117; F: 802.425.5122 VERMONT CERTIFIED HORTICULTURIST
Fairfax Perennial Farm, Inc. Kristina@greenworksvermont.org COMMITTEE CHAIR
7 Blackberry Hill Road www.greenworksvermont.org Nate Carr - Church Hill Landscapes, Inc.
Fairfax, VT 05454 802.425.5222
802.849.2775
perennialfarm@surfglobal.net

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2
 PRESIDENT’S LETTER Ed Burke, Rocky Dale Gardens

Dear VNLA Members,

inside
Late fall greetings friends and colleagues! I’ve always been a list this issue
maker. It gives me a great sense of accomplishment and of course,
structure to get the myriad of things done that need doing and to Board of Directors 2
cross them of my list! Of course, it’s a great sense of
The President’s Letter 3
accomplishment just to make the list, not as easy to get the actual
things done.
The Buzz 4
Early spring and late fall are my best times for this kind of Summer Meeting Recap
organizing, they are the entries to a longer season where things are Summer Twilight Recap
supposedly getting done, (not always the case!).
Welcome New VNLA
Members & VCHers
In keeping with my seasonal list making, I have one for all of us at the VNLA:
The 2019 Vermont Flower
• st nd
The Flower Show, March 1 , 2 & 3 , 2019: rd Show
o Consider getting a booth. Calendar of Events
o Consider being a sponsor.
o Make donations of leftover trees, shrubs and perennials. Leonard’s Clippings 10
o Save stumps, moss, leaves and pine needles for the show.
o Volunteer to help build, staff or clean-up the show in February/March. The Lab 12
o Consider placing an ad or coupon in the Program Guide.
Observations from
o Use my connections to network financial contributions and build attendance.
UVM Diagnostic Lab

• Renew my VNLA Membership: Update from Judy

o Make sure to fill out my membership renewal. I made more money this year, Rosovsky, VT State
gosh; maybe I’m in a higher membership rate category, better check! Get that Entomologist
check in the mail!!!
The Idea Factory 16
• The Winter Meeting, February 7 , 2019: th Tips, Trends, Food for
o Plan on reading keynote speaker, Daniel Winterbottom’s book; Therapeutic Thought . . .
Gardens; Design for Healing Spaces, before the Winter Meeting. 2019 Garden Trends
o Bring staff members and perhaps a potential member who may be encouraged to Report
join our group.
o Plan on networking with other members to become more involved in VNLA Strictly Business 21
events like the Habitat for Humanity projects. The Curious Entrepreneur

• Twilights this Winter: VT Sales & Use Tax

o There are some great get-togethers planned for the winter. Make sure to get to New Member Profile
“Cheers, Beers and Tears” in November at Zero Gravity and kick off the winter
season by planning to get to all the twilights in 2019! The Plant Lounge 26
How Can I Possibly
Choose?
• Be Thankful every day:
o Let’s face it; at the end of the day, at the end of our careers, at the end of our
lives, what we have is how we’ve lived, our friends, our experiences and pride in
our work and what we’ve created. We’re lucky to have that and to have each
other. Be well! Cover Photo: Glimpses from
the VNLA Summer Meeting &
Trade Show on August 22,
2018 at the Shelburne Farms
Coach Barn.
3
 THE BUZZ
the low down on what’s up!

THE VNLA/Green Works Summer Meeting Recap

It always seems Plants for New
England Gardens
like a day of solace
with Mark R.
when we all gather
Richardson. Dan
together for the
did not disappoint
Summer Meeting &
and was an
Trade Show. This
inspiring speaker
year was no
giving two
exception. It feels
presentations. The
good just to put the
first, entitled “For
brakes on for a day
Us and Them:
and gather with
Native Plants for
colleagues and
Both Us and the
friends to talk
Pollinators to Feast
about the season,
Upon” which
hear some great speakers, visit Above: Dan Jaffe from the New England Wildflower Society.
Below: Bill Landesman of Green Mountain College. offered a variety of examples to
with vendors and see new
create beautiful, edible gardens
plants and products. Aside
that support pollinators, offer
from either too little rain or
beauty and sanctuary, as well
too much rain, every agreed it
as how to use the plants in our
has remained a busy planting/
everyday lives. Later in the
selling season in our industry
afternoon, Dan’s second
this year.
presentation - “Plants are
Better than Mulch” provided
The Summer Meeting was held
an in-depth look into the
on August 22, 2018 at the
myriad of plants that can take
Shelburne Farms Coach Barn,
the place of mulch in the
one of the most beautiful
landscape. While mulch helps
settings in Vermont, with
to control weeds, prevents soil
approximately 140 attendees
erosion and maintains soil
and exhibitors present.
nutrients, Dan showed that the
same objectives can be realized using a select group of
We had a record number of professionals take the
groudcovers and mat-forming species. As Dan said,
Vermont Certified Horticulturist (VCH) exam. Eight brave
“There is a plant for every area in the garden”.
soles took the exam, which began at 8am. Thank you to
Dr. Leonard Perry who administers the exam on behalf of
Our second morning presentation was from Bill
the VNLA. The exam is offered twice a year at our
Landesman, Green Mountain College microbiologist,
meetings and through appointment. We look forward to
who maintains two major areas of research: a) the
welcoming more professionals to this certification
microbial ecology of Lyme disease and b) the
program!
biogeography of soil microbial communities. In recent
years Bill has diverted all of his attention to studying the
The day began with our keynote speaker Dan Jaffe of
ecological factors affecting the risk of acquiring Lyme
New England Wildflower Society. Dan is their propagator
disease in Vermont. Bill’s talk “Lyme Disease, the Black-
and stock bed grower and co-authored the book Native
4
Legged Tick, and its Key Ecological Factors”, addressed
the life cycle of the black legged tick, vector-pathogen
dynamics that help to maintain Borrelia burgdorferi in
nature, and key ecological factors that influence the risk
of disease transmission to humans. Bill described some
preliminary results of his research, as well as his research
into the tick microbiome - the community of bacteria and
other microbes that inhabit the black-legged tick. Many
members had a myriad of questions for Bill as Lyme
disease in Vermont, as reported by the CDC, continues to
rate either #1 or #2 for per-capita infections in the U.S.

After our special membership meeting and a delicious

lunch the annual VNLA/Green Works auction was held.
Proceeds from the auction go toward funding our
horticulture-related educational awards.

Afternoon presentations included a Mean Green

Products Demonstration on the Lawn” with AJ Bavaro of
Church Hill Landscapes, Inc. and Steven Wisbaum of Eco-
Equipment Supply, LLC. AJ and Steven spoke about using
all electric mowers and trimmers and demonstrated their
use and management. Judy Rosovsky, the VT State
Entomologist gave a talk on “What Have We Here? A
Round Up of Pests and Diseases”. Judy reviewed the
pests and diseases of the season as well as proper ID and
cultural, biological and chemical management options.

We managed to stay rain-free until it came time for the

Shelburne Farms Inn Garden Tour, led by long-time head
gardener Birgit Deeds. The rain finally gave way and the
group continued their tour for an inside look into the
garden restoration project as well as what it takes to
maintain the gardens at the Inn.

The Summer Meeting is a one day oasis in August from

the regular business day. It is a chance to catch our
breath, hear some wonderful speakers, and enjoy the
company of our colleagues, exhibitors, and friends.
Thank you to all who were able to be there with us!

Above: The Summer Meeting annual live auction; visiting with

exhibitors, and Mean Green mower demonstrations.
Left: The Vermont Certified Horticulturist exam takers.

5
THE VNLA/Green Works Summer Twilight Recap
We held two Summer Twilight gatherings this past summer. The
first gathering was hosted by Marijke Niles of Perennial Gardens
Plus in Starksboro, VT on August 7, 2018. Perennial Gardens Plus
specializes in low maintenance and nature-nourishing plants, as
well as hardy succulents.

Marijke was the quintessential host, inviting us into her home for
hors‘ d’oeuvres and then took us on a tour of her small retail
perennial operation and gardens. After the tour, Marijke
demonstrated the steps to potting a successful succulent container
- no matter what the shape of size.

Marijke’s site is located on an eight acre property featuring 40

larger and smaller gardens in a spectacular mountain setting.
Starting with a blank slate 18 years ago, the site has grown into a
haven for wildlife with many native plantings. It truly is a place
‘where the wild things grow’.  Marijke propagates most of the
plants for sale. The property features 40 larger and small gardens.

August 28, 2018 was the second summer twilight gathering hosted
by Dan Redondo of Vermont Wetland Plant Supply (VPS), a
wholesale nursery located in Orwell, VT. VPS provides VT sourced
wetland and upland plants for the stormwater and ecological
restoration industries in VT and in the northeaster U.S. Dan spoke
about propagation techniques, see sourcing and what it is like to
operate his niche business. Dan gave tours of the greenhouses, the
shade structures, and the trench ponds use for propagation and
overwintering.
Above: Marijke’s Perennial Gardens Plus Tour.
Below: The tour at Vermont Wetland Plant Supply.
THANKS to both Marijke and Dan for being such great hosts!

THANKS to all our attendees and exhibitors who were able to make it to the
Summer Meeting & Trade Show and Summer Twilights! It is always such a pleasure
to spend time together!! Mark your calendars for our Winter Meeting and Trade
Show - February 7, 2019 - at the UVM Davis Center.

Participate in the
2018 Industry Awards Program. Get Certified in 2019!
Enter Your Projects!
Don’t delay and order
your study manual today!

www.greenworksvermont.org
888.518.6484
Entry Deadline is December 31, 2018

6
 Welcome New VNLA/ Santiago Fernandez Griff’s Greenhouses
2023 Quaker Village Road Bruce Griffith
Green Works Members! Weybridge, VT 05753 2906 VT Route 107
802-398-5198 Stockbridge, VT 05772
Student 802-234-5600
Category: Landscape www.griffsgreenhouses.com
Design/Build/Landscape GR
Install Maintenance

Welcome New Vermont Certified Horticulturists!

Meg Emmons Sarah Pears
Meg Emmons Garden Gardener’s Supply
Design Company
1101 Cloudland Road 472 Marshall Avenue
Woodstock, VT 05091 Williston, VT 05495
802-359-3589 802-658-2433
Category: Landscape/ www.gardeners.com
Install/Maintenance Category: Garden Center,
Greenhouse Retail,
Landscape/Install/
Maintenance/Nursery Retail/
Nursery Wholesale
Tobiah Schulmann Todd Romanchek
Gardener’s Supply The Grass Gauchos, LLC
Company PO Box 8892
472 Marshall Avenue Burlington, VT 05042
Williston, VT 05495 802-522-0526
802-658-2433 www.grassgauchos.com
www.gardeners.com Category: Landscape Design
Category: Garden Center, Build/Landscape Install/
Greenhouse Retail, Maintenance
Landscape/Install/
Maintenance/Nursery Retail/
Nursery Wholesale

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7
The 2019 Vermont Flower Show
by Kristina MacKulin
Mark your calendars for the Vermont VER MONT FLOWER SHOW
capture the imagination of so many
people in three short days on how they
Flower Show on March 1 - 3, 2019 at the
can make their outdoor/indoor living
Champlain Valley Expo. Our theme for
this next show is “Wonder - A Garden
Adventure for All Ages”! The committees
WONDER
A Garden Adventure for All Ages
spaces their own sanctuary. Attendees
come from all over Vermont, neighboring
states and Canada. When the doors open
have been planning for months!
and you hear all the oohs and aahs, it
makes this effort all worth it. The word
How do we plan for the flower show you spreads out to all ages!
ask? Believe it or not this process began
over a year ago and it takes two separate
How can you participate? The Flower
committees of 20 or so volunteers. The
Show offers various avenues for our
Garden Display Committee gets to
members and associates to participate:
dream up the 10,000 square foot display,
based upon the theme, and they dream
• become an exhibitor w/face-to-
big! Volunteers gather together in four
face contact with thousands of
short days, planting, spreading bark
attendees at member discounted
mulch, lifting and laughing as they put
rates
together another masterpiece. Once the ©2018 AMANDA BATES

M ARCH 1–3, 2019 • place and ad or coupon in the

doors open the public response makes it CHA MPL AIN VALLE Y EXPOSITION, ESSEX JUNC TION, V T
Program and Garden Guide (8,000
all worth it – we truly have created a
printed) with member discounted
Grand Garden Display! It is collaboration
rates
at its best!
• become a cash sponsor
• give a seminar or work-shop
The Flower Show Committee works to pull all the other
• join one of the Flower Show Committees
facets of the show together – 100 horticulture related vendors,
40 seminars and hands-on workshops, displays built by the • volunteer for a few hours or a few days to help set-up,
Federated Garden Clubs of VT and the VT Garden Railway staff the show, or clean up
Society, a Family Room with crafts and entertainment, and
At this writing, we continue to seek cash sponsors to support
NEW this year a floral/landscape related art show! The
our show and we are selling booth spaces – over half are sold to
Vermont Flower Show is truly an event you can spend the
date. THANK YOU in advance to those members who have
entire day at.
signed up for a booth space.
In 2017, we had over 8,500 in attendance and we hope to top
THANK YOU to our cash sponsors to date: Gardener’s Supply
that number in 2019 with your help – SPREAD THE WORD!
Company, Bartlett Tree Experts, Marijke’s Perennial Gardens
Tickets will go on sale in early December so consider giving
Plus, American Meadows, Eric Doremus, and North Country
flower show tickets for a Holiday gift which will be available on
Organics. Sponsorship dollars help ensure the success of our
our website in December.
show. If you know of anyone who would be interested in
sponsorship, please contact Kristina in the office.
At this writing the committees are meeting monthly planning
all the details. We are busy collecting woody plants for forcing
THANK YOU to our media sponsors Market 32/Price Chopper,
as well as moss, pine needles, logs and leaves. THANK YOU to
WCAX-Channel 3, and Seven Days Newspaper. Our hotel
those members and associates who have committed to donate
sponsor is The DoubleTree, S. Burlington, VT.
plants and materials to the show. We are working hard to
produce a fabulous show!
Be a part of something UNIQUE to Vermont! In reading all
of the above - YES the show is a great deal of work and effort!
Why hold a flower show you ask? We get asked this question
But the truth of the matter is that over the course of 4 days
alot, especially because it takes a great deal of time, effort, and
leading up to show opening, many people gather together to
money to produce the show every other year, along with many
create an EXPERIENCE like no other. There is a real sense of
donations and volunteer time and labor. WE DO IT FOR ALL
pride, accomplishment, and joy when the doors open and we
OUR MEMBERS! WE DO IT TO SPREAD THE
see 8,500 plus visitors of all ages come to the show. It is a true
HORTICULTURE WORD! I can’t think of any other way to
community effort!
8
 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
November 27, 2018
VNLA Green Works
Tuesday Twilight -
Cheers, Tears & Beers
4:30- 6:30 pm
Zero Gravity Brewery
716 Pine Street
Burlington, VT  05401
December 7, 2018
Ecological Plant Conference
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Brooklyn, NY
www.ecolandscaping.org/
event/2018-ecological-plant-
conference/
January 9-11, 2019 February 26-27, 2019 July 25-29, 2019
MANTS MNLA Winter Forum & APLD 2019 International
Baltimore Convention Center Annual Meeting Design Conference
Baltimore, MD Best Western Plaza Hotel Seattle, WA
www.mants.com 181 Boston Post Road E W www.apld.org
Marlborough, MA  01752
January 16, 2019
www.mnla.com July 29 - August 2, 2019
NHLA, NHPGA, & UNHCE
Winter Meeting 36th Perennial Plant
March 1-3, 2019 National Symposium
Grappone Center
Concord, NH Vermont Flower Show Chicago, IL
www.nhla.org Champlain Valley Expo www.perennialplant.org
Essex Junction, VT
February 7, 2019
www.greenworksvermont.org
VNLA/Green Works Winter
Meeting & Trade Show
UVM Davis Center
Burlington, VT 05401

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9
 LEONARD’S CLIPPINGS!
by Dr. Leonard Perry, UVM Horticulture Professor Emeritus

Thanks to support from your Association I’m continuing my one coneflower, or at least among a short list. Purity is a Terra
Nova introduction, patented (PP19,441) in 2008 (photo). This
perennial trials (although more limited in scope), begun
arose as a third generation seedling, with Fragrant Angel one of
during and carried out through my career at UVM.
the parents. It is upright and compact, only getting 2 feet or less
Coneflowers (Echinacea) were a genus I’ve tried over 150
high, and a bit less wide.
cultivars over the last 6 years, with 67 surviving and rated
over at least 3 years, 9 cultivars planted three times and
In the most recent News from the U and the PSS department,
dying after the first season each time. Of course the short-
literally making news:
lived nature of these is one negative and so something I was
• Stephanie Hurley made Popular Science with an article on
interested in.
making homes resilient to stormwater runoff
(www.popsci.com/green-home-improvements)
Top rated Coneflower cultivars in my zone 4b trials, with no
• Scott Merrill was the co-author of an article in Science,
stem toppling (aka flopping, another issue with many in this
“Increase in crop losses to insect pests in a warming
genus), included Baby White Swan, Happy Star, Hot Papaya,
climate” (science.sciencemag.org/content/361/6405/916)
Lucky Star, Milkshake, Purity, Rocky Top hybrid, Ruby Giant,
• One activity that I am continuing in retirement, begun by
Sombrero Salsa Red, and Virgin. Of those, those most akin to
others way before my coming to UVM, is the monthly
the species and so likely best for pollinators would be Rocky
Green Mountain Gardener press releases/garden articles
Top hybrid and Ruby Giant.
(with credit for support on each to your association). In
addition to being sent out to over 50 outlets across North
Over the past two years, with all nature can throw at these
America, they go online on my website
(cold, weeds, drought and too wet), 13 have survived and so
(perrysperennials.info) where many others pick them up.
seem to represent really tough selections. These include,
A couple recent examples—a blog posting on making rose
with ratings (1 to 3, 3 being top), the purple Liliput (3), the
water on mnn.com, and quotes in an article by AP writer
purple Amazing Dream (2), the light pink-red double
Dean Fosdick on birdscaping which has run coast to coast.
Raspberry Truffle (2), the light purple double layered Double
Decker (3), rosy pink/dark stems of
As I mentioned in a previous Dirt,
Merlot (1), orange pompom Secret
Deb Neher has stepped down in PSS
Lust (3), red Sombrero Salsa Red (1),
as department chair to focus on her
orange Adobe orange (1), white
research. Taking her place for at
Purity (3), White Swan (3), ruby pink
least the next three years is Ernesto
Ruby Giant (1), white Fragrant Angel
Mendez. Ernesto has a PhD from
(3), and rosy pink Big Sky Summer
the Univ. of California, Santa Cruz in
Sky (3). You’ll note that 4 of these
2004 in Environmental Studies, MSc
(Purity, Rocky Top, Ruby Giant, and
in Tropical Agriculture from Costa
Sombrero Salsa Red) made both this
Rica in 1996, and BSc from Cal Poly
and the previous list, so represent
in 1994. His team’s “research and
my top performers. Several from
teaching efforts focus on developing
this latest list also have rated highly
and applying interdisciplinary
in the past, such as Double Decker,
approaches that analyze
Secret Lust, White Swan, and
interactions between agriculture,
Summer Sky.
livelihoods, and environmental
conservation in tropical and temperate rural landscapes. Most of
One of the inspirations for beginning these trials was seeing
this work also utilizes a Participatory Action Research Approach
a similar coneflower comparison at Delaware Valley College
(PAR), in an effort to directly support conservation and rural
(Doylestown)—a great horticultural campus to visit if you’re
development.”
in the Philadelphia area—in 2010. After a torrential storm,
all of their dozens of coneflowers had blown down, except for
Ernesto leads the relatively new Agroecology and Livelihoods
Purity. Having now rated tops too in my trials some years
Collaborative at UVM. In case you’re wondering what
later, it would probably be my choice if I had to choose only

10
“agroecology” is (I’ve gotten this Wings Begonia (vegetative, Ball Seed)
question more than once), from —the latter with light yellow-green
their UVM Agroecology website leaves and red flowers. At my own
(www.uvm.edu/agroecology): “We home this year, among some of the
perceive agroecology as an approach new annuals that I tried, I was
that seeks to integrate ecological impressed with the growth on Solar
science with other academic Tower sweet potato (vegetative, Ball
disciplines (e.g. agronomy, Seed) which truly does grow as a
sociology, history, etc.) and upright vine, reaching 8 feet even in
knowledge systems (e.g. local, my cool climate (I had seen photos of
indigenous, etc.) to guide research it to 10 feet tall in the Ball Chicago
and actions towards the sustainable greenhouses). The black was more
transformation of our current vigorous than the lime.
agrifood system. This definition Above: Islands of cannas appear floating in a Last year’s fall bus tour included an
embodies a transdisciplinary- overnight in Ottawa/Gatineau and seeing
shallow pond, the effect almost tropical.
the Mosaicultures, which were
oriented agroecology,
back this year too. If you didn’t
integrating different know of this or see them, they were
knowledge systems in a search similar to those last year only with
for solutions to challenging more displays—the 45 included
current agrifood system issues.  some from the 2013 Montreal
It also supports the notion show, more flowers (5.5 million),
and 210 species and varieties which
that agroecology is an were all represented in one area in
approach that expresses itself pots with labels. Being a paid
as a science, a practice and a event this year, compared to free
social movement, and that it is last, seemed to enable much more
most effective when these three trained help throughout. The result
was a very high level of artistry and
dimensions coalesce.”
horticulture—the most so that I’ve
seen in all 5 of the Mosaiculture
On Monday September 17 we led another day bus tour, in shows in Canada since their
collaboration with your Association, to the Montreal inception in Montreal in 2000.
Botanical Gardens. Different this year, in addition to the
usual new flowers and lanterns in the Chinese garden—we had If you don’t know this artform, it
consists of growing plants “in”
two buses almost full! The weather cooperated, no issues at frames (lined and filled with
the border, and no other issues made potting soil), comparing to topiary
for another successful tour. In addition which is training a plant to grow
to Sarah Kingsley Richards from UVM, into a particular shape. Similar to topiary,
Sarah Salatino (Full Circle Gardens, since the plants are growing, they need
continual pruning using all manner of tools
Essex) from your Board joined to help
from scissors to hedge shears. Unlike
host the second bus. Thanks to both of topiary, since plants are in frames, small
them for helping to make this second parts which can dry out easily, they need
bus possible, and all those attending. special attention to watering often.

In addition to the incredible Chinese

lanterns with new theme and designs
each year, I always learn some new
plants (particular focus on flowers).
New this year were actual trials at the
gardens where they display new
flowers lined up next to each other, Middle: Canary Wings Begonia
both in the ground and in large pots, and Solar Tower Black and Lime
rather than just in designed displays as sweet potatoes.
in the past. A couple annuals that Below: Mother Earth, who has
stood out to me (and some others) this appeared in all shows and has only
year were the large plants of Megawatt seemed to improve with age!
begonias (PanAm Seeds), and Canary

11
 THE LAB
putting it under the lens . . .

Observations from the UVM Plant Diagnostic Lab

by Ann Hazelrigg, Ph.D.

What a crazy ramifications in

future growing
summer-
seasons, especially
extremely hot
when coupled with
everywhere, dry
potential severe
in Chittenden
winter
County and
temperatures or
wetter (many
stresses. Stunted
times in the form
growth, decreased
of torrential
canopy, branch
downpours!) in
dieback and early
other areas of the
fall coloration can
state. Overall,
all be symptoms of
diseases were
earlier drought
down due to the
stress.
hot dry July 31, 2018
conditions but if Another impact
you were in areas of drought stress
that received a in trees,
lot of rain, there especially when
was a higher coupled with
incidence of severe storms, is
foliar diseases the increased
and root rots. By likelihood of
the end of July, blowdowns.
wide areas of
Vermont were I have received
showing yellow several calls
areas of about maple trees
‘abnormally dry’ in the woods with
and the LOTS of circular
Photos of leaf scorch and a large blowdown.
northwestern October 2, 2018 holes causing the
part of the state foliage to look
was labelled like Swiss cheese.
‘moderate drought’ (tan) according to the Vermont Drought The damage is caused by the maple leaf cutter, Paraclemensia
Interactive Map (https://www.plantmaps.com/interactive- acerifoliella. This small caterpillar is only about 1/5 inch when
vermont-drought-monitor-map.php). By October 2, the state fully grown and prefers sugar maples but will also attack red
was still showing yellow areas of ‘abnormally dry’; tan areas of maple, birch, beech in addition to other hardwoods. The circles
‘moderate drought’ and a new area of orange of ‘severe or small mines are first noted in June. As the miner feeds
drought.’ through the summer, it chews two leaf discs, about the size of a
pea. The insect then glues these pieces together with silk which
In the extremely dry areas there is a lot of evidence of scorch protects it from predators while it continues to feed around the
injury with trees browning along the leaf edges. Drought stress edges, leaving ring-like patterns. As the summer progresses
in trees this summer may have oval-shaped holes of various sizes and defoliated rings with

12
green centers riddle the leaf. The feeding damage causes the
leaves to brown prematurely. Once the larvae have finished
feeding they drop to the forest floor, still protected within the
discs, to spin a cocoon and pupate. As the new leaves emerge in
the spring, the adult emerges to mate and lay eggs in the new
leaves. Populations vary from year to year and typically do not
cause that much damage because they are late season feeders.
An outbreak one year is usually followed by low populations
the next year but if there were repeated years of heavy
damage, the tree could be weakened over time. In landscape
situations, gardeners can rake and destroy infested leaves to
minimize overwintering populations.

Several concerned home owners have called the Clinic

reporting small oak twigs raining down on their lawns in the
past few weeks. Many suspect aggressive squirrels but this is
likely the work of the oak twig pruner, Anelaphus parallelus. If Above: Maple Leaf Cutter damage. Photo by VJ Comai.
the pruned twig is split open, the white larvae with yellow hairs
and a black head should be visible. This species attacks mainly
oaks but can also attack hickory, elm, walnut, and several fruit
trees. There is a related species that will attack other
hardwoods.

The species completes its lifecycle in two years. The adult

beetle emerges in the spring to lay eggs in the tips of the
terminal twigs. The larvae burrow into the center of the twig
and grow larger throughout the summer until they overwinter
inside a larger part of a branch. The next spring they resume
feeding and begin making pruning cuts just beneath the bark.
Eventually these weakened twigs break in the wind and are
either left hanging in the tree or fall to the ground in late
summer. The larvae pupate protected within the twigs in the
fall and emerge as adults in the spring. Damage is usually
heavy every other year. The damage is not enough to harm the
health of the tree but overwintering populations can be
minimized by collecting and destroying the small twigs as they
drop.

As always, you are welcome to email me photos

(ann.hazelrigg@uvm.edu) of what you are seeing or samples
to the Plant Diagnostic Clinic, Jeffords Hall, 63 Carrigan
Drive, Burlington, VT 05405.

Two photos above: Oak Twig Pruner damage. Photo by

Ron Kelley, Forest Health Protection Specialist (retired), VT Dept of
Forests, Parks and Recreation.

13
 Update from Judy Rosovsky, VT State Entomologist
The ash tree killing beetle known as the Emerald Ash
Borer (EAB) was first found in Vermont in February 2018,
in the town of Orange. It has subsequently been found in
Caledonia and Washington counties, in the towns of
Groton, Plainfield, Barre and Montpelier. In addition to
the central Vermont infestation, EAB was discovered in
North Adams, MA, and shortly thereafter appeared in the
purple traps in Stamford VT, in Bennington County, VT.
By the time this goes to press, a third infestation location
in Grand Isle county may have been announced to the
public.
What ramifications does EAB have for nurseries? Since
EAB is a well publicized threat, most nurseries have not
been receiving much ash stock. The state is currently
under a federal quarantine, but it is likely that the federal
quarantine will end as EAB is deregulated by the Animal
Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Please note that
the state of Vermont has a set of recommendations
governing the transport of ash that will remain in place
even if the federal government deregulates EAB. You can
find out more about the EAB and the state
recommendations at www.vtinvasives.org.
A new potential threat to our plants
is the Spotted Lanternfly, Lycorma
delicatula, an invasive insect that
may have originated in China, and
can be found in India and Vietnam.
It is a pest in Korea and Japan, and
was first discovered in the U.S. in
Pennsylvania in 2014. It is a
Hemipteran, or true bug, with
sucking-piercing
mouthparts, that operate like
a pointed straw. This pest
has many hosts, including
apples, grapes, hops and fruit
trees. It is thought to require
Ailanthus altissima (tree of
heaven) to complete its life
cycle. If this is true, Vermont may be in good shape with
respect to this pest, as we do not have much Ailanthus in
the landscape. If you know of Ailanthus locations, please
let me know.
14
VT Agency of Agriculture
The spotted lanternfly is a colorful insect and has very
different appearances, depending on its life stage and
activity. The nymphs are black after they hatch, though
prior to becoming adults red patches develop on the
nymphs, creating a high fashion look.
They cause damage by
feeding and through the
copious quantities of
honeydew that they
excrete, which is a
perfect media for the
growth of black sooty
mold fungus. This
fungus makes any affected vegetated area highly
unattractive. The insect is not a good flyer but is a terrific
hitchhiker and has been expanding its foothold in the
U.S. by hitching rides in baskets, purses or any other
handy object. Females produce egg masses that are
similar to those of the gypsy moth, but are grey, not
beige. More information and photographs of the spotted
lanternfly are available at https://www.ncipmc.org/
action/alerts/lanternfly.pdf.
In November, 2017 the Spotted Lanternfly
was only known to occur in New York, but
it has now been found in New York, New
Jersey, Delaware and Virginia. Some of
these finds were single individuals that
had caught rides to new states, but
multiple insects were found in Virginia,
suggesting that a population
has been established there.
Again, Vermont has few of
their preferred host, so we
believe that our state will
not become a preferred
destination.
The state of Vermont
Agencies of Natural
Resources (ANR) and Agriculture, Food and Markets
(AAFM) are considering deregulating the hemlock woolly
adelgid (HWA) in Vermont. There will be a period for
public comments, if you have concerns about this
change. Representatives from both agencies agreed that
between the natural range of hemlock, the cold
intolerance of HWA and the current extent of the HWA
infestation, the quarantine is no longer necessary.

Nurseries will still need to ensure that any stock they

receive is free of pests and diseases, as is required by
AAFM statute. More information on HWA is available at
www.VTFPR_HWAinVT_RecommendationsforLandowne
rResponse.pdf .

Please be aware that another conifer pest, Elongate

Hemlock Scale (EHS) has been found in southern
Vermont. Trees seem to sustain more damage when
both insects, EHS and HWA, are present. A third scale
insect, the balsam woolly adelgid, is present in Vermont
and can affect balsam and Fraser firs. Look on tree
trunks for white woolly spots, best viewed through a
magnifying glass. Information and treatment options
for this pest are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/
Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5187218.pdf.

PLEASE NOTE: In October, 2018 EAB was confirmed in

Grand Isle County.

GROWING FOR OVER 40 YEARS
P: 207-499-2994 F: 207-499-2912
sales@piersonnurseries.com
www.piersonnurseries.com
Mailing Address: 24 Buzzell Rd, Biddeford ME 04005
Physical Address: 291 Waterhouse Rd, Dayton ME 04005

CARRYING A FULL LINE OF B&B AND CONTAINER LANDSCAPE PLANTS READY TO BE DELIVERED TO YOU
• SHADE TREES • FLOWERING SHRUBS • FERNS & GRASSES • NATIVE PLANTS
• BROADLEAFS • EVERGREENS • PERENNIALS • WETLAND PLANTS

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Or contact our office if you would like to receive our weekly availability emails

15
 THE IDEA FACTORY
tips & trends, food for thought…
2019 Garden Trends Report: Rooted Together
by Garden Media Group
The Garden Media Group
recently released their 2019
Garden Trends Report. It
makes for interesting reading
to learn about some of the
“national” trends on the rise
for this next year. Below are
excerpts from this report.
How to Use Trends: Trends
drive consumers and consumers
drive sales. Trends help you
well in advance select the
plants, products or services consumers want. Trends ignite a
new business, product, service or customer experience. Trends
make you the gatekeeper, influencer and trend setter. Trends
can breathe new life into your current business.
Rooted Together - The Future of Gardening Looks Joyful
From Me to She: There is a new global reality. Each passing
year is the hottest on record, insects are rapidly disappearing,
and we are buried in our technology. According to landscape
designer Thomas Rainer, we have driven nature out of our
neighborhoods and cities. For years it was all about “ME”.
People climbing the corporate ladder and putting “self care”
above all else. But there is hope. Now we are seeing the trend
swing in another direction, towards “SHE” - Mother Nature.
Joy in Nature: People are awakening to Mother Nature to find
balance and peace and awakening to our responsibility to help
save the Earth. This awakening cultivates a healthier
relationship with technology, draws people outside, brings them
in touch with their roots. Gardening is a natural fit.
Horticulture is essential to solve climate change, biodiversity
loss and urban eco system services. According to author Michael
McCarthy, a modern day Rachel Carson, finding joy in nature
will help save the environment, and in turn, save us.
The Future is Positive: American gardeners set a record $47.8
billion in lawn & garden retail sales - from bulbs to furniture.
Average households set a spending record of $503 - up nearly
$100 over the previous year. 18-34 year olds set a record high
16
too - making up 29% of all
gardening households.
Container gardening and
landscaping set new highs in
gardening sales too. Consumer
horticulture created more than
2M jobs.
Self-Care to Earth-Care:
Gardening - indoors and out - is
one defensive measure everyone
can embrace. 83% of landscape
architects say the hottest trend
is sustainable designs using native plants. As the original green
industry we need to put a stake in the ground because each of us
has a sake in the future of our planet. For us to survive, the
earth must thrive.
Indoor Generation
Who is the Indoor Generation: A new indoor Generation
Report shows this “social clock society” is staying indoors all
day. 90% of people worldwide spend nearly 22 hours a day
inside without enough daylight or fresh air. Reports show that
Americans spend approximately 93% of their time enclosed
either indoors or in vehicles. Children spend on average less
than 1 hour per day outside, 50% less than their parents did as
children.
From Farm to Office: Over the past 200 years, we have
migrated from fields and farms to factories and offices. Instead
of basking in nature, people today are basking in the glow of a
screen, which puts us out of sync with natural rhythms. Being
part of the “in crowd” is bad for our health and happiness,
fueling higher rates of obesity, issues with cholesterol and
mental health issues like anxiety, depression and insomnia.
Daylight and fresh air are not just “nice to have” - they are what
we “need to have”.
Plant Parents: Once considered old fashioned, houseplants
have reached fever pitch. Spurred on by social media and the
wellbeing craze, Millennials, part of the “Rent Generation,” have
fallen in love with indoor plants. They have become “plant
parents,” with a sense of purpose and a new connection with
nature. According to The New York Times, wellness - minded
Millennials are filling their voids - both decorative and emotional
- with houseplants. In the last few years, Millennials were
responsible for 31% of houseplant sales, according to
gardenresearch.com.
Screen Age
Turn off the Blue Lights: We are addicted to technology. Blue
light from screens can cause lack of sleep, obesity, stress and
depression. Mobile time for 0-8 year olds tripled since 2013, to 48
minutes a day, says Common Sense Media. Tweens log about 4.5
hours a day, while teens spend almost 7 hours, estimates the
American Academy of Pediatrics. Adults spend 11 hours a day
looking at screens and check their phones every 10 minutes. Daily
2-17 year olds are exposed to about 15 unhealthy food
commercials. It’s no wonder about 1/3 of American children are
overweight.
Teach our Children Well. Prune screen time and teach our
younger generations healthy media habits. The #DeleteFacebook
movement has people turning off the blue light and turning on
Mother Nature. Gardening teaches responsibility and encourages
healthy choices. Gardening teacher nurturing, patience and
delayed gratification. Gardening teaches trust and confidence.
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17
Gardening teaches good stewardship and how to care for Mother
Earth.
Golden Hearts
Breaking Good. The ‘new environmentalist’ has hit a breaking
point. Our absorption with self-care and technology has been a
detriment to the planet. Changes in the environment and policies
are impacting people’s engagement. The Golden Hearts are
looking for fulfillment outside of themselves and are turning to
caring for the earth. Unilever found 1/3 of people worldwide
choose brands for their social and environmental impact.
The Return to Volunteerism. Volunteering among 18-34 year
olds set a record 25.2%, exceeding the national rate, according to
The Corporation for National & Community Service. By 2020,
people engaged in “responsible tourism” is expected to increase
350%, to 300 million, the UN World Toursim Organization
forecasts. Volunteering connects and offers a sense of fulfillment
beyond our self. Volunteers offer brands and business an
opportunity to drive a big environmental stake in the ground.
Earth Guardians. Gen Z’ers all over the world are stepping up to
create a livable future through environmental movements. The
Collegiate Plant Initiative connects students to nature by dropping
plants on college campuses. The Million Pollinator Garden
From brands you know & trust, including:
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Challenge numbers doubled in 2018. A $1.9M partnership with
Microsoft and Future Farmers of America will reach more than
650,000 ‘new environmentalists’ ages 12-21. And it’s not just
movements. The Sierra Club says teens are selecting schools based
on sustainability.
Root-to Stem
What is the Movement. Zero Waste. Upcycling. Recommerce.
Consicous Consumption. 1/3 of all food globally is wasted each
year. 4.4 pounds of waste is trashed daily by each American.
That’s 1,600 pounds per year, or the weight of a 22’U-Haul truck.
Last year, Google saw a 700% increase in the search term for Zero
Waste. Currently only 9% of plastics are being recycled, and 8
million metric tons a year are being dumped into the ocean.
Upcycling isn’t new but expectations are. A world-wide shift is
zeroing in on the need for sustainable solutions. Brands are taking
action to address the waste issue. 500 million plastic straws are
discarded a day; bans on plastic are sweeping the country.
Silence of the Insects
Global Insect Collapse. The moth snowstorm, a phenomenon
Michael McCarthy remembers from his boyhood when moths
“would pack a car’s headlight beams like snowflakes in a blizzard,”
is a distant memory. And scientists are worried. A German study
18
published last year shows that in the past 30 years, the population
of flying insects plunged by 75%. Insect declines in Alabama are
just a significant as those in Germany. The UN warns 40% of
pollinators - particularly bees and butterflies - risk global
extinction. “That’s dangerous because insects are the foundation
of our ecosystem,” says E.O. Wilson, a Harvard biologist. We need
to get ahead of this problem. A decline in flying insects means the
animal kingdom is in danger. And so are we!
Yet Invasives are Thriving. New invasive plants and insects,
such as spotted lanternfly and allium leafminer, are spreading
rapidly due to lack of natural predators. The U.S. Forest Service
say invasive insects and disease put 70 million acres at risk. The
mountain pine beetle, for example, attacks stressed trees, allowing
wildfires to spread more rapidly. The National Wildlife Federation
reports 42% of threatened or endangered species are at risk
primarily due to invasive species. The Forest Service says the U.S.
spends $138 billion per year to control or eradicate invasives and
to restore habitats.
Defensive Gardening. The best defense for dealing with invasive
species: early detection and rapid response. One important tip:
Don’t let invasive species hitchhike on mulch, firewood, hay,
vehicles, and even hiking boots.
Robo Gardening
RoboTech. “From drones to phones, new technology is making
gardening easier,” according to theAssociated Press. Planning,
planting, watering and even weeding is done remotely. Hort-tech
mixes, 3-D modeling, GPS mapping, laser technology, drones,
robotics, devices that read weather and soil moisture, and battery-
powered and low-or no-emission equipment. Robots that see are
the next big thing. Vision technology combines laser vision with
AI software to enable automated arms to carry out more complex
tasks, such as slicing chicken. Will planting, watering, and
weeding be next?
RoboSmart. From robotic mowers and landscapers to wireless
plant sensors and sprinkler systems, high tech tools free gardeners
unpleasant tasks or simply make them better gardeners. Garden
designers to arborists are using drones to get a bird’s eye view of
landscapes to tops of trees. The new Tertill is the Roomba for the
garden. The solar powered robot whacks weeds for up to 3 hours.
SmartPhone apps, like PlantsMap, solve the challenges of
documenting, organizing, mapping, tagging, and sharing about
plants.
19
RoboBee. Bee populations are declining so quickly even Walmart
is getting into the robotic bee business. The retail giant filed 6
patents using drones to identify pests attacking crops, monitor
crop damage, spray pesticides, and pollinate crops. Drones are the
next wave. From Japan to Russia, experimental mini drones have
been 36% successful in pollinating flowers. Research scientists at
Texas A&M are using drones to “read the weed”. Early
identification requires fewer chemical controls.
Nature’s Legacy
“There is a legacy deep within us, a legacy of inherited feelings, which
may lie very deep in the tissues - it may lie underneath all the parts of
civilization which we are so familiar with on a daily basis, but is has
not gone; that we might have left the natural world, most of us, but the
natural world has not left us.”
The Moth Snowstorm
Michael McCarthy
To read the full 2019 Garden Trends Report visit
www.gardenmediagroup.com
 Please call for
a copy of our
2018 catalog.

Landscape Distribution Center

472 Marshall Avenue, Williston, Vermont

Spring/Summer Wholesale Hours:

Weekdays 7:00am–6:00pm, Sat. 8:00am–5:00pm, Sun. 9:00am–4:00pm
Phone: 802-658-2433 • Fax: 802-860-2936

20
 STRICTLY BUSINESS
no kidding …

The Curious Entrepreneur

by Jacki Hart

I’ve yet to see a business that adapt, in an industry where

exists in a vacuum of stability.
There are constant changes
effecting every business. These
include: the marketplace,
technology, staff, relevant
legislation, trends, talent, available
resources, sophistication, goals,
obstacles etc.
I’ll share the story of a restaurant in my local town as an
example of an entrepreneur who lost his curiosity (and his
business). The business started as a catering and fine food
frozen take out. Then he was curious to see what would happen
if he added a few tables and service for lunch and dinner. Then
he added breakfast. When business waned, he realized it. He
researched, curious about how he could enliven his well-
established customer base - he re-branded to a ‘bistro’ type
restaurant – offering a fabulous menu for fine cuisine 3 meals a
day. It became one of the hottest places in town for an upscale
meal. The ‘go-to’ for business meetings and couples looking for
white linen table cloths with a relaxed quiet delicious meal. He
was continually scanning for creative new ways to improve his
recipes and business skills. He developed themed night events
and the business continued to thrive – with a customer base
excited and looking for what would be his next new offering.
Ten years went by. Other fine dining restaurants opened up in
town. Competition became a threat. Nothing changed in his
restaurant, other than a fair amount of ‘dissing’ the
competition to his patrons. The odd tweak to the menu
brought little excitement from the customer base. Online
ratings were favourable, but few and far between – drawing
predominantly a 55+ aged crowd – perhaps not interested in
posting pictures to Instagram, Pinterest and Trip Advisor.
Frustration of the owner became evident to patrons. Empty
tables dominated over the patrons seated at most meals. After
a month closure for vacation, and a family tragedy, the
restaurant closed down. A career and life long business simply
tired and closed without saleability or return on the owners
investment. He has lost his curiosity and drive to innovate and
21
refreshing the image and
menu is the true recipe for
success.
Here are three key take-aways
to keep you challenging your
business status quo:
Innovate: In todays fast
changing marketplace and
consumer sophistication, those businesses which constantly
innovate will stay ahead of the pack. Innovation requires you
to have a keen sense of what needs to change, in what way, and
when. Keeping your eye on the vision and desired outcomes
will help to guide innovative directions. Engaging your team to
apply their creativity toward the company potential is a huge
part of the millennial contribution. Entrepreneurs can either
lead innovation or engage their team to be the innovators. In
both cases, knowing what available resources and market
demand is out there will keep the power of curiosity on your
side.
Customize: This sometimes requires you to slow down in
order to go faster. There will be times when your business will
benefit from customization of software, data management,
processes, systems, policies, and apps or technology available.
Many business owners are so mired in their day to day
operations, that they can’t even get a glimpse of the forest for
the trees. Trust that there is a huge payback in the potential of
your time invested to step off the company treadmill, regroup
and map a more effective path forward with customized
solutions.
Adapt: In an earlier article, I talked about resilience. Adapting
on the fly requires that resilience and curiosity combined.
Being able to adapt to current performance (either people or
brand or profit) and push on ahead with tweaked solutions is
paramount to success. Stay stuck in the old patterns, fail to
adapt to changing conditions – and you’re heading for the
cliff. Even the Millennial workforce has carved out the need for
new recruiting and on-boarding styles. Emphasis of recruiters
has to shift to meet this demographic. If you don’t, you’ll be
overworking your team and be faced with expensive empty
seats on the bus.
About the Author: Jacki Hart is president of Consulting by Hart
in Ontario, Canada. She is an entrepreneur, advisor, business
consultant, and workshop facilitator with a career in the Green
Industry spanning 35 years. Jacki is one of Canada’s first women
to hold the North American Green Industry certificate for business
VT Sales & Use Tax
by Ed Burke
This is really not my area of expertise, but dealings with the
State of VT on the subject of Sales and Use Tax over the last 2
years has made me an armature expert, (if there is such a
thing). The last thing I ever thought I would be doing is
explaining TAXES. Nevertheless, here I go, holding my nose!
Some of us in the nursery business have been subject to sales
and use tax audits by the state of Vermont over the last several
years. I myself have been through this grueling process recently
and have come to see that following the guidelines is as clear as
mud. First, definitions:
Use Tax: Use tax is what you pay when you buy something to
use in your operation when you haven’t paid sales tax on it to
the vendor from whom you purchased it. This includes items
bought out of state and on-line if those vendors didn’t collect
sales tax at the time of sale.
If you buy something you plan to re-sell, you don’t pay use tax
on it because you collect sales tax from the end user when you
resell it. However, if you have something you purchased to re-
sell and you wind up taking it out of inventory to use for your
operation, you will have to pay use tax on it.
Sales Tax: Sales tax is collected by you, (nursery owner) when
you sell inventory that you haven’t paid any tax on, to the end
user, (your customer). Sales tax is also what you pay when you
purchase any products for use in your operation when the
vendor from whom you’re purchasing collects it at the time of
sale to you.
Like I said, clear as mud.
So, rule of thumb: If you’re a nursery owner, pay sales tax to
your vendors from whom you purchase items for use in your
operation and that aren’t for resale. If you buy items from a
vendor that are both for re-sale and for your use, you’ll have to
22
management excellence. Jacki also manages the Prosperity
Program and Peer to Peer Network for Landscape Ontario.
Jacki writes for other trade magazines and will be a regular
contributor to our business column. CBH is a consulting firm that
“passionately believes that entrepreneurial success depends on
sustained forward momentum - across all areas of business - both
the visible and the invisible. To
learn more about CBH visit
www.consultingbyhart.com.
separate out the items that are for use and pay use tax on
them.
For nursery owners there are two tricky parts that are at the
crux of the problem we’re having with the state of Vermont.
First: The state of Vermont considers us “agricultural”
businesses. As such, we are exempt from many of use tax rules.
The problem is, while we are licensed and regulated by the
Department of Agriculture, the Tax Department doesn’t
consider us farms or agricultural businesses and therefore
applies the use tax rules.
Second: Typical of many nurseries who have some growing
component to their business. We buy soil, fertilizer, pots, plugs,
bare root plants, labels, etc., to create a 9inished saleable product;
“the plant”. What makes sense to many retail nurseries that also
grow plants is that all those components get included in a 9inal
price of “the plant” and then the end user, (the customer) is
charged sales tax on that 9inished “plant” that is in a pot, in soil,
properly labeled and fertilized. They take that bundle home with
them. The State of Vermont doesn’t see it that way and they ask us
to pay use tax on the components of “the plant” which in our
minds is double taxation.
Now, if I haven’t confused you yet, please know that if you’re a
landscaper, it’s easier. If you just landscape, pay your sales tax to
your wholesale vendor. You are not supposed to tax your labor or
your materials for landscaping work. You are required to pay sales
tax on your purchases for those materials on the wholesale price.
You are not to charge sales tax to your customer.
We’re working hard to meet with different representatives from
the state, the Department of Agriculture, Tax Department, Ways
and Means Committee and so on. We’re committed to clearing this
matter up so all our members can be on the same page and put an
end to the audits and confusion we’re experiencing
If you have any questions, comments or input, we welcome your
feedback. Meanwhile we will keep you apprised of our progress.
 187 Main Street, Colchester, VT 05446
(802) 878-2361 - www.claussens.com
Northeast Greenhouse & Nursery Supply Open 7 Days a Week
a division of Northeast Nursery, Inc. – Est. 1982

Specializing in Vermont Grown

Spring & Fall Bulb Plants ~ Easter Lilies ~ Bedding Annuals
Perennials ~ Hanging Baskets ~ Herbs ~ Vegetable Plants
WH AT WE O F F E R . . . Hardy Chrysanthemums ~ Poinsettias
+
Professional Growing Media +
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PRO-LINE

Northeast Golf & Turf Supply

a division of Northeast Nursery, Inc. – Est. 1982

WH AT WE O F F E R . . . Claussen’s carries the area’s largest selection of top-quality tropical

foliage and flowering house plants – for sale and rent.
+
# &#
#%*#$ +
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Turfgrass Seed
+
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!
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!
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$$!#$
We sell commercial plant material at competitive prices to local
landscapers, interiorscape designers, garden center and flower shops in
Vermont, New Hampshire and New York. Open daily, Claussen’s
provides friendly, experienced customer service, along with weekly
delivery service to all of our commercial accounts.
5JN
.BEEFO

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UNBEEFO!OPSUIFBTUOVSTFSZDPN Visit us in person or online at www.claussens.com

Cobble Creek Nursery, LLC

W e grow a diverse selection of

B&B trees and shrubs at our
nursery in Monkton, Vermont. We
offer shade trees, ornamental trees,
flowering shrubs and dwarf conifers.
At Cobble Creek Nursery we are known
for quality Vermont Grown plants,
exceptional service and extensive
woody plant knowledge. Stop by for
a visit or give John a call for more
information.

John Padua
991 Tyler Bridge Road, Bristol, VT 05443
phone/fax: 802- 453-3889 / e-mail: cobcreek@gmavt.net

23
 New Member Profile: Griff’s Greenhouse

The idea for Griff’s Background: I come

from a farming
came about as Jan
background so it seems
and I were thinking of to be in the blood to
moving back to the US.
grow plants and, being
After selling my former
independent minded,
business, Dandelion
having our own
Acres Garden Center in
business is the best way
Bethel, in 2004, I
to put one’s ideas to the
moved to Umbria, Italy
test. Jan, who joined
and found work
Above: Griff and Jan. Below: A before and after shot of the greenhouse. the program a little
designing and
later and comes from a
installing estate
business background,
gardens- think old olive
has great talent for
trees, and hedges of
retailing and customer
rosemary, lavender and
service. So between us
bay. Circumstances
nearly everything about
eventually changed and
Griff’s Greenhouses is
the pull of family and
enjoyable, especially seeing
home took over.
happy repeat customers.

Starting a new business One tip we can share is

looked good on paper so that we love giving them a
we blithely bought a bit of little something for free
land on a busy highway in such as a parsley or
Stockbridge and in impatiens as these are easy
September, 2016 and inexpensive to grow.
commenced the work of Looking to the future, we
being open for retail sales would like to be healthy
by March of 2017. The rest and doing just this work,
is not yet history but our (with maybe just a bit more
second season in 2018 was profit) for many years. It is
much less stressful- we also important to have
even had a little fun! some time for other
pursuits so we are
We have elected to grow all constantly puttering
we can to satisfy our local around our 1820 farmhouse
market for annuals, as it always can use TLC.
hanging baskets,
perennials and the Joining the VNLA is a
surprisingly popular natural move so we can
succulents, and while interact with like-minded
keeping our ‘retired’ status folks and continue learning
in mind are open just for about current industry
Spring and Summer. issues and the plant world
around us. Hope to see you
all at the next meeting!

24
 N ortrthern
hern
N urseries
A Division of The Robert Baker Companies

Wholesale Horticultural Distribution Centers

!"Quality Plant Material !"Complete Selection of Hardgoods !"Stone Products & Stone Display
!"Landscape Lighting & Water Garden Supplies !"Spyder Delivery !"Competitive Pricing

2234 N Hartland Rd., White River Jct., VT Phone: (802) 295-2117 Fax: (802) 295-4889
VNLA
Member of VAPH www.nor thernnur series.com Manager: Mike Trombly Sales: Dana Spaulding

Northern Nurseries - The Dirt - & Member Directory 2018

1/2 page 7.5" x 5"

The oldest and largest nursery

in the Northeast Kingdom!

B & B Apple Trees For Sale!

2”-3” caliper
New cultivars and heirloom
varieties available

Route 14 * Craftsbury, VT
802-586-2856
lapointnursery@gmail.com

25
 THE PLANT LOUNGE
wiry stems, hairy leaves and bodacious blooms. . .

How Can I Possibly Choose?

by Melita Bass
The Plant Lounge feature in often on loan since they
don’t require forcing and
the Summer issue caught my
can go back to being
eye for two reasons. Firstly
overwintered after three
because Aesculus parviflora, or
days of springtime without
Bottlebrush Buckeye, is one of
harm.
MY favorite plants. And then
of course it got me thinking
As always Flower Show
about all of my other favorites.
setup was a blur. Once the
How could I possibly choose
show opens there’s a
one plant? If put to the test
chance to catch our
how would I choose even a
breath, take inventory of
few? Who would make the cut?
what has been stashed
The answer came this fall as I
behind the scenes and start
got ready to move from my
preparing for tear down.
home and gardens of 20 years,
There it was, rejected for
and could only take a handful
its unattractiveness, in the
of plants with me.
chipper pile! Then I got
called away to something
Like many landscape
else and before I knew it
professionals my gardens are a
the chainsaws started up
ragtag random mess of
and the show was over.
lonesome plants. Some
Somehow I managed to
dragged home from jobs,
snag this sorry little tree
rescued from discount piles
and throw it in my trailer,
during my time as a garden
where it sat outside in
center employee (the
freezing temperatures for
Bottlebrush Buckeye),
two or three more days
purchased at the VNLA/Green
before coming home to my
Works Summer Meeting auction Temple Juniper (J. rigida) waiting for its new home!
shop.
- “it’s for a good cause” - and
plucked from certain death by
Later that season I finally stuffed it in the ground and
chipper at the bitter end of Flower Show cleanup. 
took the time to ID it. From flower show notes and online
research I believe it is Juniperus rigida, Temple Juniper.
The easiest pick to make the move from protected
It’s listed as a Zone 6 but after 3 years it recovered and
mountainside down to the windy shores of Lake
then flourished in my Zone 4 garden. Preferring full sun
Champlain was a champion Flower Show survivor. It had
and well drained soils, it is tolerant of many soil types
me the moment I first saw it at a VNLA/Green Works
including clay. Reaching 15 to 25 feet, the form is
member nursery, in a group of trees and shrubs chosen
beautifully graceful with upward reaching branches and
for donation to the show. An evergreen, unknown to me
pendulous branchlets of relatively long, sharp needles. As
and unlabeled, sad in it’s outgrown container. But surely
the name suggests it can often be found in temples in its
they would want it back after the show? Evergreens are
native Japan, and is also used for bonsai. Currently this
26
rescue is heeled into a The Bottlebrush Buckeye will remain as well.
pile of compost at the After close to 20 years in its protected spot near
new place. It will be in the eaves of the garage, where well drained but
for another hard winter amply moist, it has matured into the most
before getting into the glorious specimen. I settled for sitting with it
ground but I’m and taking a few selfies, as you might do with
confident it has a any longtime friend. 
strong chance.
Sources:
There are no gardens at
my new place, and no American Conifer Society http://
time to prepare any conifersociety.org
beds before winter, so
only a small number of Missouri Botanical Garden
special perennials were http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org
dug up to make the
move. Among them are
Maidenhair Fern; a
delightfully fragrant
late blooming hosta
divided from a client’s
garden (I should know Above: Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’ or Golden
the name); another Japanese Spikenard. Below: Liti and her
Hosta called ‘Northern Bottlebrush Buckeye.
Exposure’ given to me
by a friend; and Rudbeckia subtomentosa ‘Henry Eilers’ -
why isn’t everyone growing this plant? Named after the
Illinois nurseryman who found it growing in the wild, it’s
a tall tough as nails prairie native displaying chic quill-
shaped flower petals. Three old shrub friends round out
the holding area - Cornus mas; Rosa glauca with its
delicate burgundy gray foliage; and finally Rosa ‘Therese
Bugnet’ because of its showy red stems in winter and
lovely old fashioned fragrant pink blossoms.

There is also Hamamelis virginiana, another show

survivor, but beautifully established in a mixed hillside
hedgerow so it will stay. There are hellebores; Mukdenia
rossii; a charming daylily called ‘Cherry Eyed Pumpkin’
that I think came from a Summer Meeting plant auction; Do you have a favorite plant
Kirengeshoma palmata or Yellow Wax Bells, a tall shade
lover with gorgeous foliage and late soft yellow drooping you would like to write about?
flowers; and many other mismatched gems that will be
there for discovery by the new owner. My gut tells me he
Send us your submission anytime
is not too interested in gardening, but perhaps they will - we would love to share your
win him over. That’s why I’m leaving the Aralia cordata
‘Sun King’ or Golden Japanese Spikenard. With its bold favorite plant with your
texture, spike-like panicles of tiny white umbel flowers, fellow
and flower stalks the perfect tinge of maroon to
compliment gorgeous chartreuse leaves, how could VNLA members!
anyone resist?

27
 PO Box 92
North Ferrisburgh, VT 05473

RENEW YOUR VNLA/ RENEW YOUR VCH

GREEN WORKS CERTIFICATION
MEMBERSHIP TODAY! TODAY!

A Professional Association for

The VNLA/Green Works mission is to support and strengthen
Growers, Retailers, Garden Centers, Nurserymen
the horticulture industry
and Women, of Vermont
Landscape Designers andby creating greater
Contractors,
awareness of the benefits
Landscape of landscaping
Architects, Maintenance Experts,and promoting
Arborists, Turf Specialists, Industry Representatives,
PO Box 92, N. Ferrisburgh, VT 05473 the professional services and products of our members.
P: 802.425.5117 | F: 802.425.5122 Allied Trades People, Students, and Educators.
E: kristina@greenworksvermont.org
28
www.greenworksvermont.org visit us atwww.greenworksvermont.org
www.greenworksvermont.org