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Help Georgia industry make it through spring
The Georgia green industry is seeking funds to promote gardening as safe and helping with the drought, which has shaken the public's confidence in home gardens. The drought and a resulting ban on outdoor watering has been blamed for green-industry massive layoffs and some to go out of business. Thanks to lobbying by Sherry Loudermilk, exec. dir. of Ga. Green Industry Assoc., and many others, the watering ban was lifted at the state level in February. Here's a link to a letter Loudermilk wrote to GGIA members and supporters requesting donations to the publicity campaign.

Study scrutinizes U.S. plant screening
The U.S. government's approach to invasive plant screening is less effective than systems set up in Australia and New Zealand, according to a study released in February by the Nature Conservancy and Univ. of Florida. Researchers looked at the regulatory weed risk assessment (WRA) system in Australia and New Zealand. "The WRA system can be used to test all new plants proposed for import and determine whether or not a plant should be allowed entry into a country in under 24 hours," said Doria Gordon, assoc. dir. of science for the Nature Conservancy's Florida chapter and lead author of the research paper. "Under the current U.S. law, few species are tested and the process can take up to 8 weeks."

Canadale wins Perennials Marketing Contest
Canadale Nurseries in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada, won the 2007 Perennials Marketing Contest sponsored by Plant Publicity Holland and Perennial Plant Assoc. The store's winning submission was called "Down the Inspirational Perennial Path." "The display concept is to inspire our customers to create a beautiful perennial garden of their own by showing customers perennials planted in the ground in a small garden center," the store's submission read. Customer education was also an important component of the display. Free color information sheets were provided in a stand next to the display. The winners will receive a trip for two to Holland in August. Garden Center Magazine is media sponsor of this contest.

Botanical garden names Great Plant Picks
Elisabeth Carey Miller Botanical Garden in Seattle announced its 2008 Great Plant Picks in February. Selections are particularly suited for Washington, Oregon and British Columbia. Plants are chosen based on ornamental value, ease of care and pest and disease resistance. More than 65 plants made the list this year, including Arisarum proboscideum (mouse plant), Enkianthus perulatus (white enkianthus) and Fargesia robusta (fountain bamboo).

St. Patrick's Day spending dips
Consumers won't be spending as much this St. Patrick's Day, which falls during Holy Week this year. A survey from Nat'l. Retail Federation predicts consumers will spend an estimated $3.64 billion on the Irish holiday, less than last year's $3.76 billion. Though the average person will spend slightly more on the holiday than they did last year ($35.04 vs. $34.89), fewer people will be celebrating this year (46.0% in 2008 vs. 48.3% in 2007). One of the primary reasons for a dip is that, for the first time since 1940, St. Patrick's Day falls during Holy Week, the sacred 7 days before Easter. Some cities, like Savannah, Ga., Philadelphia and Milwaukee, are moving their city celebrations to March 14, the Friday before St. Patrick's Day.

ANLA Retail Roadshow to visit Ohio retailers
ANLA will tour garden retailers in Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton, Ohio, June 16-19. Participants will see more than 12 garden centers and tour non-industry venues like the quirky Jungle Jim's grocery store. Early registration deadline is May 16. Cost is $599 per person. Registration forms are available online.

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