Pennisetum 'Karley Rose' PP12909
June 2014 GrassSolutions
topofpageIn this Issue
POTYCatalog Preview
Catalog Cover
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Our new catalog is wrapping up and will be going soon to the printer. This year's edition has a lot to offer. We've added pages and improved the layout to make it even more useful.
What you'll find:
  
New Plants for 2014:
  • Andropogon gerardii 'Red October' PPAF
  • Cortaderia selloana 'Blue Bayou' PPAF
  • Rhynchospora latifolia (syn. Dichromena latifolia)
  • Hakonechloa macra
  • Juncus effusus 'Big Twister'
  • Panicum virgatum 'Squaw'
  • Schizachyrium scoparium 'Standing Ovation' PPAF
  • Sporobolus heterolepis 'Tara'  
See web profiles for all our new plants.
 
Quick Guides: Essential tools for finding site-specific plants. Browse lists of grasses for rain gardens, drought-tolerant grasses, plants for shady spots, and much more. Quick Guides are in the front of the catalog for easy access.
Quick Guide
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Plant Descriptions: Detailed information on each plant, along with summaries of major genera. Get extended descriptions for our newest selections!
Catalog Descriptions
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Miscanthus, Switchgrass, Fountain grass, and Little Bluestem Quick Guides: Cultivar comparisons to help decide which of these popular grasses will work best for you. Find these in the plant description section.
Catalog Page & Panicum Quick Guide
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Color-coded Liner Prices & Sizes: With a quick glance, get pricing and available sizes for all the plants we grow.
Liner Prices & Sizes
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Catalogs go out in the mail at the end of June. We'll also have plenty available at the summer shows (Cultivate'14, SNA, and PPA).
GettingInvolvedGetting Involved
John & Jill Hoffman at Gala 2014
JCRA Gala in the Garden
Spring brings one of our favorite parties! The JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University hosts its signature event, Gala in the Garden each May. Gala is an upscale, backyard bash with fabulous North Carolina cuisine and cocktails.

Hoffman Nursery was a platinum sponsor this year, and John and Jill Hoffman served as honorary chairs of the event. Our connections with NC State run deep, and team members love seeing colleagues, professors, and former schoolmates at Gala.
John & Jill Hoffman at Gala 2014 This party brings North Carolina's horticultural folks out for a good time. We wine, dine, and talk for hours. All in the magical surroundings of the JC Raulston Arboretum. It's an amazing place with plants from around the world and a treasured legacy from the late J.C. Raulston. 

One of the highlights of the Gala is silent auction, with items ranging from the latest new plants to hand-crafted jewelry to design services. All items are donated, and the proceeds from the auction and the event help support the Arboretum.

You can learn the background of Gala in the Garden and see Gala in pictures. Don't miss the photos...they'll give you a good laugh and spark your appetite!
 
Wendy's Winners Wendy's Winners
Several of us from Hoffman Nursery were happy to spend part of a Saturday walking and running for a good cause. We were part of an event called Angels Among Us, a 5K run and family fun walk to benefit the Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke.
 
We were there to support our former colleague, Wendy Trueblood.  She worked for many years at our nursery, but had to step down when faced with a brain tumor last year. Many of us from the nursery keep in touch and try to find ways to help. 

 

Read more about our experience and what's involved in supporting this inspiring event here.

CoolSeasonThink Ahead with Pink Muhly
Muhlenbergia capillaris Even though spring is going strong, it's time to think about fall sales. 
 
Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) is a star in the perennial world and one of our most beautiful North American grasses. Its billowy, pink plumes enliven landscapes and stop traffic every fall. 

Make sure you've got plenty of this outstanding grass for fall sales. It's also a great time to plant in the landscape for a fabulous show at season's end. Read more about this outstanding best-seller.

 

GrassTrendsGrasses in the Media
Another Grass Podcast
Our Marketing Director, Shannon Currey, had another fun experience doing a podcast. She talked with An Obsessive Neurotic Gardener (a.k.a. John Markowski) about grasses. John's blog covers all kinds of gardening, but he's especially fond of ornamental grasses.

Shannon and John talked about the difference between cool and warm season grasses, when to divide or transplant them, and some of Shannon's favorites. 
 
Click here for the podcast, the list of grasses they discussed, and links to profiles for each plant. Or, you can go directly to the podcast.
Greenhouse Grower article on grasses  
Grasses in Greenhouse Grower
Greenhouse Grower magazine recently published an article on grasses for containers and the landscape. Hoffman Nursery Manager, Scott Epps, was asked for his thoughts on outstanding grasses. Read the full article.
 
Field Notes in American Nurseryman
One of our favorite grass people, Dr. Mary Meyer, recently authored a Field Notes article in American Nurseryman. She sang the praises of an underused grass: Spodiopogon sibiricus, commonly known as Silver Spikegrass. Mary eloquently explains why it deserves more attention. Read her article here. 
NewPlantsNew Plants
Schizachyrium scoparium 'Standing Ovation' PPAF Schizachyrium scoparium 'Standing Ovation' PPAF
Upright Little Bluestem
 
Quick Facts:
  • Warm season, prairie grass
  • Blue-green foliage
  • 3 feet, 4 feet with flower
  • Sun, dry-average soil
  • Zones 3-8
  • Tough and drought tolerant
  • Remains upright
 
The explosion of native cultivars in the trade continues to be exciting. The Little Bluestems in particular have really beem taking off. This newest cultivar is a great example of why they're so popular. 
 
'Standing Ovation' handles tough conditions and looking amazing. It thrives poor, dry soils and is accompanied by dazzling pastel colors in summer and deep, rich tones in fall. It's perfect for large sweeps, to stabilize banks, and to add color to fall plantings.

 

The bonus? While other Little Bluestems can flop in rich soils or with fertilization, 'Standing Ovation' stays upright. In fact, we've heard of attempts by growers to make it flop...and to no avail. It stays standing.
 
Read more about 'Standing Ovation', which was introduced by our friends at North Creek Nurseries. To place your order or get more information, contact our sales team at sales@hoffmannursery.com or call at 800-203-8590.

 

ShadeSolutionComments & Features
Passing of the King
With great sadness, we note the passing of Kurt Bluemel. Known as the "Grass King", he had a tremendous influence on our industry. 
 
From John Hoffman,
"When I received the phone call that Kurt Bluemel had passed away, it was a very sad moment for me. Kurt has given tremendously to the horticultural world over the past 50 years. He was an inspiration to me 30 years ago when I first visited his nursery in Baldwin. His grass selections over the decades have made our landscapes better places. We will always remember him. Thanks, Kurt."
 
Our thoughts are with Kurt's loved ones and friends. Read about his life and legacy in his obituary in the Baltimore Sun. We'll be posting images of some of our favorite grasses that Kurt introduced. Keep an eye out on our website and in the next edition of GrassSolutions.
 
Summer Shows!
It's time for summer shows, and we can't wait. With a new catalog and new plants, it's always a blast. Here's what's on deck:
 
Cultivate14 July 12-15, 2014
It's a new name, and we love going back to Columbus, Ohio for this invigorating summer trade show. AmericanHort brings a fresh look that will be exciting to see. With the spring rush behind us, all attention goes to bringing the latest and best to Booth 2522. Come see us! 
 
July 23-24, 2014
It's three days packed with events in Atlanta, Georgia. Hoffman Nursery will have a booth at the Southern Nursery Association (SNA) Marketplace on July 23 & 24. This show is heating up, and we're eager to see our friends and colleagues from the region. Other events include the Southern Plant Conference (July 22), the SNA Research Conference (July 22), and the SNA Annual Business Meeting (July 24). 
 
July 28-August 1, 2014 PPA
Perennial plant growers, breeders, enthusiasts, and more get together in Cincinnati, Ohio for a grand time. The agenda includes tours, lectures, and lots of networking. John Hoffman, former PPA President, will be there. And you can grab our new catalog at the catalog display table!

You Say the Nicest Things!
During the busy season, we're especially happy to hear our customers are doing well and pleased with our grasses. 

The production manager of a large, wholesale nursery in New Jersey told us, 
"..all of our liners from you this year have been beautiful. 
This makes it easy for us to grow and finish beautiful plants. Thank you."

See more of the latest comments from our customers here.

AvailabilityDownload Availability & Order Form
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Find prices for individual liners, the number of liners in stock, future availability, and our order form on these Adobe PDF� and Excel� files.

 
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