This month’s issue delves into relationships: The pairing of houseplants and hard goods by retailers; the ways wholesale nurseries nurture sales from their customers; and the deep selection of spruce varieties growers that growers love to produce. For the Farwest Show, we’ve also included the New Varieties Showcase feature to give readers a first look at the plants heading to the marketplace, and Anne Obarski previews her seminars in this year’s education program. Researchers also discuss wintergreen oil as pest control and the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) celebrates 60 years of industry success. 

In this issue:

• A natural pairing: Retailers find success pairing houseplants with a new breed of hard goods.
• Dealing with a known quantity: Wholesale nurseries find personal service and relationships are still key for making the sale.
• A spruce for any landscape: Versatility and deep selection have made the genus a top seller for Oregon growers
• Tailored to today’s customers: Retail expert Anne Obarski explains how to fine-tune your business for success.
• Six decades of support: Horticultural Research Institute celebrates 60 years.

Farwest:

• The Farwest Show New Varieties Showcase: Discover a wonderland of innovative plants

Columns:

• Where the lessons are: President’s Message by Josh Robinson
• Pushing back on the unworkable: Director’s Desk by Jeff Stone
• Clean Water Act rulemaking review bears watching: Legal Access by Maureen Bayer

Growing Knowledge, an ongoing series provided by Oregon State University in collaboration with the USDA and in partnership with OAN.

• A beneficial breath of fresh air: Testing the use of wintergreen oil to attract beneficials that kill nursery pests.

Please send your comments on the issue to editor Curt Kipp at ckipp@oan.org.