Policy summit highlights gardening benefits
Drake Univ. Ag. Law Center hosted the 1st Nat'l. Summit on Garden Policy in September. Summit organizer Neil D. Hamilton, director of Drake's ag. law center, said attendees exhibited a great deal of energy and enthusiasm. At the closing session, participants discussed the next steps in the national policy push. "A number of people volunteered to create different working groups around the country on different subjects," he said. "We're still trying to decipher where we go from here. There's also a fair amount of discussion about an alliance [of major garden-related organizations]. How all of them can come together around a policy focus."

Halloween spending surges
Halloween certainly isn't scaring away consumers, according to Nat.'l. Retail Federation's Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey. Americans are expected to spend $4.96 billion this Halloween, up significantly from just $3.29 billion last year. The increase is largely due to a surge in celebrating. According to the survey, nearly two-thirds (63.8%) of consumers will celebrate it this year, up from 52.5% last year. Halloween maintains its spot as the biggest decorating holiday of the year after Christmas. Two-thirds of consumers plan to purchase Halloween decor and 48.6% plan to decorate their home or yard.

Retailers push for full-price shopping
Several leading retailers are trying to convert sales shoppers to full-price buyers, according to a report in USA Today. Retailers are using several strategies: reducing quantities, setting and promoting more affordable full prices and cutting the number of sales. The article includes insight from retail analyst Christine Chen. She notes that markdowns create traffic, but train customers to expect sales and resist paying full price.

AARS recognizes top rose gardens
All-America Rose Selections announced the winners of its 1st Designing with Roses Competition in September. Lacy Park Rose Garden in San Marino, Calif., won the professional category. The garden features a mix of modern, disease-resistant and fragrant roses including AARS winners Fourth of July, Mister Lincoln, Scentimental and Perfume Delight. Kansas St. Univ. won 1st and 2nd prize in the student category.

Centerton introduction benefits children
Proceeds from Centerton Nursery's new daylily, 'Variety is the Spice,' will benefit disabled children. For each daylily sold, Centerton will donate $1 to Variety -- The Children's Charity. This charity provides programs and services to children with specials needs through 27 chapters in 19 states. 'Variety is the Spice' is the 2nd plant in Centerton's Charity Plant program. 'Variety is the Spice' has 4-inch, semi-double, coral-red flowers borne on 24-inch scapes.

Toland Enterprises changes hands
Supplier Toland Enterprises was acquired by the company's v.p., Bruce Solly. David and Jill Sands, founders and former owners, will serve as consultants. The company will operate under the name Toland Home & Garden.

Worth a visit
Follow along as we take you to Wholesale Nursery Growers of America's tour of the Cleveland area's most innovative growers. Only on GreenBeam.com.