Welcome to 'Sprout,' American Nurseryman's e-newsletter published on the first and third Thursdays of each month. For even more, be sure to read our April issue.

Online world flora in the works
A global project—literally—to create an online catalog of the world’s plants has been launched as a cooperative effort between the Missouri Botanical Garden; the New York Botanical Garden; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; and Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The catalog, which is expected to compile information on up to 400,000 plant species, is expected to be made available in 2020. Professor Stephen Hopper, Director, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew said, “Using the wealth of resources available at our institutions, we will help to provide the baseline data needed to develop plant-based solutions for a rapidly changing world.” Read more>

Everris acquires X-Calibur equipment
Everris Americas (formerly Scotts Professional) has acquired the manufacturing equipment of X-Calibur Plant Health Co., including a fertilizer coating line and associated handling, processing and packaging equipment. The newly acquired equipment will enable Everris to introduce a new proprietary product that complements its Osmocote and Poly-S controlled release technologies early next year. Everris’ expanded product line of coated components and fertilizers will provide its customers in the ornamental horticulture, turf and specialty agriculture markets with an even broader range of solutions to meet their plant and crop nutritional needs. All products will be available through Everris’ distribution channels and sold by its Americas sales force. Read more>

First quarter gains for landscape architects
Looks like things are picking up for landscape architects, according to the ASLA’s quarterly business survey. For the first quarter of 2012, 71.3 percent of firms reporting claimed “stable or improved billable hours,” and 76.2 percent reported “stable or improved inquiries for new work” compared to the previous quarter. Slightly more than 28 percent of firms indicated plans to hire new employees, compared to 24.7 percent last quarter. Year-to-year comparisons show 76.2 percent claimed stable or positive first quarter 2012 growth in new business inquiries—that figure decreased ever-so-slightly from the previous year’s 76.6 percent. According to Nancy Somerville, EVP and CEO of ASLA, “… trends are headed in the right direction once more. It’s slow, but it’s positive.” Read more>

If a tree grows in the city …
Are cities friendlier to trees than country life? A report in Tree Physiology shows that native red oak seedlings grow about eight times faster in New York City’s Central Park, where they’re subject to urban heat island conditions, than in cooler rural areas in the Hudson Valley and in the Catskills. Tree physiologist Kevin Griffin of Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory—who oversaw the study—said that the city’s sweltering summer nights may be miserable for humans, but are a “boon to trees, allowing them to perform more of the chemical reactions needed for photosynthesis when the sun comes back up.” Okay, but we’ll keep the AC on. (Photo courtesy of Paul Wray, Iowa State University; Bugwood.org) Read more>

newPlantsandFlowers—a Wiki for hort fans?
Looking for new plant info—or want to tell someone? Try newPlantsandFlowers, a new, interactive news portal launched by the Dutch company COMtext. News about global ornamental breeding and the introduction of new product types and concepts will be uploaded continuously. Meaning it appears to be a sort of horticultural Wikipedia—you can add your own stuff, and edit the material that’s already there. Hmmm … Read more>

GCA tours the Motor City
Rev up your garden center June 25 to 28 with ideas from this year’s Garden Centers of America Summer Tour, “Get Your Motor Runnin’”. Visiting 14 destinations in an action-packed three days, participants will get a behind-the-scenes look at Bordine’s, Zingerman’s Delicatessen, Plymouth Nursery Home & Garden Showplace, Four Star Greenhouse, English Gardens, Detroit Garden Works, Planterra Conservatory, The Henry Ford Assembly Plant, Greektown, Bordine’s (this time in Rochester Hills), Ray Wiegand’s Nursery & Garden Center, Deneweth’s Garden Center—and English Gardens (Clinton Township). Whew! That’s a lot of inspiration in a very short amount of time. Register at the GCA site. Not a member? Not a problem. All are welcome. Read more>

People News

Macias joins Aquatrols
Dan Macias has joined Aquatrols as territory manager covering the Pacific Northwest, Western Canada and Hawaii. Read more>

Rundle and Tedford join FX Luminaire
Zach Rundle and Drew Tedford have joined Hunter Industries’ FX Luminaire as sales managers. Rundle will manage the Gulf States territory and will be based in Fayetteville, Ark. Tedford will manage the Great Lakes region; he will be based in Glen Ellyn, Ill. Read more>

Hot Products

Fast Tractor
Husquvarna introduces the Fast Tractor, a quick and compact riding mower that reaches speeds up to 7 to 8 mph with a 24-hp Kohler engine, 20-inch rear tires and a 48-inch reinforced cutting deck. Air induction mowing technology improves airflow within the deck, ensuring a clean, consistent cut every time. Comfort and convenience features include an adjustable, high-back seat with armrests; ergonomic steering wheel; and push/pull button blade engagement. Read more>

Rainforest Sprinklers
Rainforest Sprinklers from Contech Enterprises feature a unique, heart-shaped design that helps to break up water droplets to improve delivery to the root zone and to prevent water from being wasted—something we’re all trying to do these days. The sprinklers operate at low water pressures, are designed to remain clog-free and provide even coverage up to 2,000 square feet. Read more>

Half-ton utility trailer
The all-steel, half-ton Versa-Trailer from DR Power Equipment features removable end panels and can handle loads up to 1,000 pounds. Equipped with 22-inch diameter wheels, the Versa-Trailer was designed with a pivot point near the middle of the bed, allowing it to achieve a 35-degree dump angle for easy, clean dumping. Read more>

Phormium ‘Blondie’
Phormium ‘Blondie’ is a New Zealand flax cultivar with an unusual full, weeping form, unlike any other Phormium. The narrow, strongly arching leaves (reaching 2 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide) have a cream-yellow midstripe and green margins. It is very stable and grows well in both shade and sun, but it may sunburn in full sun if it’s planted in very warm places, like Southern California. So be nice. Hardy to Zone 8, the cascading foliage is stunning when planted in large pots. Read more>

BrazelBerries Jelly Bean
Is this the cutest? Loads of luscious berries on a little bitty bush: Jelly Bean from BrazelBerries grows to only 1 to 2 feet in a mounding habit, making it the perfect addition to smaller gardens or in pots on the patio. Brilliant green new foliage develops to darker greens and reds throughout summer and fall; large blueberries appear in mid-summer. Best suited to zones 4 to 7. Read more>

BrazelBerries Peach Sorbet
Another little cutie from BrazelBerries that packs a punch: Peach Sorbet produces gorgeous spring flowers that ripen to plump summer blueberries. Four seasons of color include vibrant new spring foliage ranging from peach to pink to orange to deep emerald; those lovely flowers and berries; and in most climates, leaves remain throughout the cold months, turning a rich eggplant color in winter. At 1½ to 2 feet tall, Peach Sorbet does well in containers and landscape hedges; hardy in zones 5 to 10. Read more>

Finally: Such a short season