INLA Newsletter | April 2023

INLA NEWSLETTER

April 2023

IN THIS ISSUE:

2023 Perennial Plant of the Year
Cultivate 2023
Disaster Assistance Deadline May 26, 2023

2023 Perennial Plant of the Year

From Perennial Plant Association

The Perennial Plant Association is pleased to promote Rudbeckia ‘American Gold Rush’ as the 2023 Perennial Plant of the Year®. ‘American Gold Rush’ is a stunning addition to any garden. At the height of summer, it turns up the volume for a long season of dazzling color right up to autumnal frosts. The bright golden-yellow flowers feature arching rays and a reddish halo surrounding dark chocolate cones. Three-inch flowers blanket the compact plant, which is only 22-27 inches tall with a broader width to 40 inches if given room to grow.

Photography Credit: Intrinsic Perennial Gardens

The Perennial Plant of the Year® (PPOY) program began in 1990 to showcase a perennial that is a standout among its competitors. Perennials chosen are suitable for a wide range of growing climates, require low maintenance, have multiple-season interest, and are relatively pest/disease-free. If you are looking for an excellent perennial for your next landscape project or something reliable for your gardens, make sure to check out the Perennial Plant of the Year® archive list.

Since the Perennial Plant of the Year® was introduced in 1990, the Perennial Plant Association has received frequent inquiries about how the Perennial Plant of the Year® is selected. The selection process is quite simple – PPA members vote for the Perennial Plant of the Year® each summer. At that time, in addition to the vote, each member may also nominate up to two plants for future consideration. The Perennial Plant of the Year® committee reviews the nominated perennials (more than 400 different perennials are often nominated each year) and selects 3 or 4 perennials to be placed on the ballot.

Nominations generally need to satisfy the following criteria:

Suitability for a wide range of climatic conditions
Low-maintenance requirements
Relative pest- and disease-resistance
Ready availability in the year of promotion
Multiple seasons of ornamental interest

Check out the full article here.

Cultivate 2023

AmericanHort, the leading national association for the green industry, will host Cultivate’23—the premier event for the entire green industry—at the Greater Columbus Convention Center July 15-18, 2023.

From greenhouse and nursery growers, retailers, distributors, interior and exterior landscapers, florists, students, educators, researchers and manufacturers, Cultivate is known to attract thousands of industry professionals and visitors from all 50 states and over 40 countries.

Details available here.

Disaster Assistance Available From SBA

Reminder -

The deadline to apply for economic injury is May 26, 2023.

A note from US Small Business Administration

Small nonfarm businesses in 14 Iowa counties and neighboring counties in Minnesota and Nebraska are now eligible to apply for low‑interest federal disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. These loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by drought in the primary counties that began Aug. 2, 2022.

Small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred.

SBA customer service representatives are available at the contact information below. SBA will answer specific questions about how a disaster loan may help each survivor recover from the disaster damage and will provide one-on-one assistance in completing applications for these loans.

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/.

Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

The deadline to apply for economic injury is May 26, 2023.

For more details check out the Fact Sheet and Press Release at the links below:

Fact Sheet

Full Press Release

2022-23 INLA Membership Enrollment

To enroll as a new member of INLA or to renew for 2022-23, you may make your annual payment by sending a check in the mail or electronically at the link below.

INLA Membership

Thank you for your membership enrollment!

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