Every year, one of the most anticipated issues of Digger — at least for me — is the annual State of Perfection issue, published in January. You get the opportunity to go inside some of Oregon’s finest wholesale nurseries. Our yearly State of Perfection articles and videos allow you to meet the people whose vision helps to create the top-notch plants, trees and shrubs for which Oregon is known. The accompanying photos let you experience Oregon’s beauty, and the State of Perfection videos let you hear about some of Oregon’s most unusual and exciting plants.

Fall is the time when we conduct the State of Perfection interviews, and the first one took place yesterday. We ventured to Youngblood Nursery in Salem, Ore., a grower with a strong reputation for quality, service and unique offerings. This container grower on 40 acres recently celebrated 20 years of serving garden centers on the West Coast, with select shipments going back east in addition.

The nursery is owned by husband and wife Don and Jeanne Youngblood and their son, Troy, who helped them found the nursery 20 years ago when he was a college student studying business. All have played key roles in the nursery’s spectacular growth. It was a true delight to meet them.

You can read more in the January issue of Digger, which will be sent to all subscribers (free for nursery professionals — sign up today) and which also will be available at the MANTS exhibition Jan. 11–13 in Baltimore — just stop by the Oregon Association of Nurseries booth.

You can “like” Oregon: The State of Perfection on Facebook to get more updates about the upcoming issue, and please share it with your friends!