While there’s still demand for the rounded, hardy boxwood (Buxus), growers and retailers are responding to a shifting trend toward evergreen alternatives that don’t face the same pest and disease issues as boxwood.
New shrub offerings won’t outgrow smaller spaces
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Landscape designers face the challenges of smaller lot sizes and density of homes when choosing front-yard shrubs. Growers and nurseries are meeting these challenges with more shrub options that stay true to size and will not outgrow the spots where they are planted.
Hornbeams make stalwart street or screening tree
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Hornbeams (Carpinus) may be lesser-known trees, but their toughness and versatility makes them suitable in a variety of landscapes, including as street trees or for screening. It’s no surprise more and more Oregon nurseries are growing them.
Variegated plants add variety and texture to gardens
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Heucheras were once known for their flowers. Now, they’re regarded for their flashy foliage in different shades of red, purple and yellow. Dan Heims, president of Terra Nova Nurseries Inc. in Canby, Oregon, is known for introducing many variegated plants to the market, including variegated Heuchera. “I’ve always had a fascination with variegated plants,” Heims […]
AF Nursery
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Alfredo and Maria Hernandez started from nothing in 2010 and have built a fast-growing operation.
Shipping by rail an accessible option for growers, retailers
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Shipping by railroad used to be a more specialized delivery method for the nursery industry, but now it has become more accessible for growers and retailers.
Hot for Hinoki
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In Japanese, Hinoki literally translates to “fire tree.” Like its namesake, Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) lights up the landscape. An evergreen conifer with an upright form that resembles a burning fire, Hinoki has a slow growth habit that fits well in small landscapes, including residential gardens.
Getting ahead by cutting back
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Advances in automated shrub trimming save time and labor With its wheels stretched 60 feet apart, a mowing machine makes its way over multiple rows of rhododendrons, leaving them uniformly trimmed on top. Powered by only one person riding on top of it, this machine gets the work done quickly, saving large wholesale grower Woodburn […]
Diversifying the tree palette
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In response to climate change, growers have become more conscientious about offering a mix of natives and clonal selections When he began working in urban forestry more than 20 years ago, Scott Altenhoff and his team would refer to a list of trees known to be strong performers in different conditions. “We would call them […]
OAN Member Profile: Oregon Flowers Inc.
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The Meskers family comes from generations of bulb producers in Holland. Since Martin Meskers emigrated from Holland to Oregon, he has grown a wholesale cut flower business called Oregon Flowers Inc. The business ships approximately 6.5 million stems per year to nearly all 50 states, mostly to the West Coast and the Northeast. Company president […]