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 […]
A string of succulent successes
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Thanks in large part to social media, the market for indoor succulents is larger, more varied and more popular than ever before Ann Patterson, houseplant buyer at Portland Nursery, said she has been collecting succulents for a long time. She called them lovely, intriguing little plants. “They’re interesting looking with lots of different textures,” Patterson […]
North American Plants Inc.
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Key employees at North American Plants Inc. include (back row, l-r) Shufu Dong, Clayton Moore Jr., Jeremy Dewar, Michael Remmick, William Wang, Calxia Li, (front row, l-r) Ella Olague, Jan Young, Yongjian Chang, Nicholas Michels, Georgina Madrigal and Emily Steadman. Photo by Curt Kipp HUNDREDS OF SHELVES OF SEALED GLASS JARS fill large warehouse-like buildings […]
A natural pairing
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Retailers find success pairing houseplants with a new breed of hard goods Judy Alleruzzo has witnessed many different trends during her 35 years at Al’s Garden & Home in Woodburn, where she is the houseplants and perennials buyer. In the past six to seven years, succulents have been the go-to plants that reignited the houseplant […]
Power pact
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Nurseries and landscapers look at electric alternatives to traditional equipment Many garden retailers and nursery owners are starting to turn away from gas-powered equipment as technological advancements make it possible to go all-electric. In California, all new landscaping equipment will be required to be zero-emission by 2024 or as soon as the California Air Resources […]
Making every drop count
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Using water efficiently in the greenhouse One of the most vital elements for growing plants is becoming more and more scarce. With agriculture, municipalities, and environmental communities competing over limited water supplies, growers have every reason to use it deliberately and efficiently. Greenhouse growers have several options to consider that could help them do that, […]
More than just plants
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Hard goods will help build sales, if retailers pay attention to customer needs There is no garden center without plants, but the stock carried shouldn’t necessarily end with green goods. By offering hard goods, retailers can increase the total value of the sale, build profit, and give customers what they want without making them go […]