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 June issue.

Do natives and invasives coevolve?
Well, yes, according to researchers at the University of Georgia. A new study reveals that some native clearweed plants (Pilea pumila) have developed a kind of resistance to the aggressive garlic mustard—and here’s what’s creepy—the invasives appear to be waging a counterattack. Garlic mustard is successful because it produces a compound (sinigrin) that kills fungi essential to native plants’ survival. In lab tests, however, researchers showed that native clearweed—which tends to occupy the same habitats as garlic mustard—shows higher levels of resistance to sinigrin where the two plants have coexisted over time. (Photo by Richard Lankau, UGA) Read more>

Assessing risk of plant imports
Busy times at UGA: A new model developed by researchers at the University of Georgia and the University of California-Davis provides a “cost-sensitive” way to help determine the risks of importing plants. In short, the first step is to assess how likely a plant is to become invasive, using four simple criteria. If the plant leans toward potential weediness, an economic rule is applied, weighing the value of the ornamental plant in trade vs. the costs associated with eradicating weeds. If costs outweigh value, it’s a no-go. That’s an oversimplified summary, so click on the link here to learn more. It’s interesting stuff. Read more>

New plants at Farwest
More than 40 new plant varieties from 20 growers and breeders will be featured at the Farwest Show’s New Varieties Showcase; all of them will be available from exhibitors to order for fall or spring delivery. But wait! There’s more: Eight exhibitors will show plants for 2013 on the Demo Stage at 3:00 p.m., Friday, August 24. Regal Petticoat maple from Sester Farms is pictured here. Read more>

SNA plans new 2013 event
The Southern Nursery Association has announced plans for a new confab combining the SNA Research Conference and the Southern Plant Conference, as well as SNA’s business meeting and state officers’ conference. The event is scheduled for August 5 to 7, 2013, at the Georgia International Convention Center in Atlanta. More details will be released soon, but this is something to watch … . Read more>

Hortica celebrates 125 years
Providing service to the U.S. hort industry since June 1887, Hortica Insurance & Employee Benefits is celebrating its 125th year in business. The company was originally named “Florists’ Hail Association of America,” but has grown over the years to cover retail florists, garden centers, nurseries, landscape contractors, greenhouse growers, wholesale floral distributors and interior plantscapers. Read more>

Ruppert acquires Eco Scapes
Ruppert Landscape Inc., headquartered in Laytonsville, Md., has acquired select assets of Eco Scapes Inc., a commercial grounds management company in Raleigh, N.C. The agreement includes the purchase of selected commercial landscape management contracts, trucks and equipment; several Eco Scapes employees were hired to join Ruppert. Read more>

People News

Ostara appoints two to nutrient management division
Ed Carmody, Managing Director, Nutrients for Ostara, has been appointed to lead the company’s Nutrient Management division. Dan Froehlich, Vice President, Agronomy, has been tapped to head the company’s agronomy research. Read more>

Ruppert promotes Gibson
Justin Gibson has been promoted to branch manager of Ruppert Landscape’s Landscape Maintenance branch in Gainesville, Va. Read more>

Passings

Hermann Engelmann
Hermann Engelmann, founder of Hermann Engelmann Greenhouses Inc. in Apopka, Fla., creator of Exotic Angel Plants, died June 22. Read more>

Hot Products

New blooms from Blooms
Blooms of Bressingham offers four new varieties, including Geranium ‘Azure Rush’ (USPP#22684); Anemone hupehensis ‘Pretty Lady Julia’ (USPPAF); Buddleja ‘Burncross’ (USPP#22680); and—who can resist this name?—Leucanthemum superbum ‘Freak!’ (USPPAF). Before you ask: Yes, the exclamation point is part of the name. Loaded with 2- to 2½-inch, long-blooming, fluffy white flowers that freak out in all directions, the compact plant stands at 13 inches tall by 21 inches wide. It flowers the first year (with no pinching required) in zones 5 to 8. Full sun is nice; part shade is nicer in hot areas. Read more>

Ivory Prince hellebore
From PlantHaven: Helleborus Ivory Prince (‘Walhelivor’) boasts ivory and green striped blossoms flushed with pink, which deepens to rose. The plant exhibits prolific flowering with six spikes of 12 flowers, on a 1-gallon container plant at 2 years of age. Noted for crop uniformity, vigorous growth rate, tidy plant habit and highly visible, long-lasting flowers, Ivory Prince is readily propagated in vitro and roots easily from stage III starts. Read more>

Zero-turn, propane-powered mower
Kubota Tractor Corp. announces the new, eco-conscious Kubota ZP330 as the latest addition to its top-of-the-line Z-Series commercial mowers. Delivering unmatched power and productivity with low environmental impact, the ZP330—featuring either a 60- or 72-inch deck option—boasts a 31-gross horsepower 3-cylinder, liquid-cooled liquid propane gas engine for reduced CO₂ emissions. Read more>

LED lights; light management software
LumiGrow announces the release of the LumiGrow Pro series with the LED greenhouse lights, the LumiGrow Pro I™ and the LumiGrow Pro II™, both of which are compatible with LumiGrow SmartPAR™, the company’s new greenhouse light management software. When powered by the software, LumiGrow Pro series lights enable growers to automatically customize light output based on factors including region, climate, crop type and desired crop characteristics. By tuning light levels and spectra in accordance with plant needs, growers boost crop yield and uniformity while they gain electrical cost savings of up to 70 percent compared to conventional lighting. Read more>

Bactericide/fungicide
Phyton 35, a new broad-spectrum bactericide/fungicide from the Phyton Corp., is designed for ornamental growers who have expanded their crop portfolio to include fruit- and vegetable-bearing plants. It extends the proven copper-based technology of Phyton 27 in a new formulation approved not only for ornamentals but for a wide range of fruits, vegetables and herbs. The product is a solution of copper and other ingredients that work inside plants to fight bacterial and fungal diseases efficiently and effectively. Read more>

Box plows from BOSS
Aaahhhh … cool, crisp air; gently falling snowflakes. And new box plows from Boss, built for skid-steer applications and offering easy attachment in two sizes: model B-8 is 8 feet 4 inches; the B-10 is 10 feet 4 inches. Both feature a trip-edge design to protect the plow and skid steer when obstacles are encountered, maximizing performance and protection from impact. Adjustable trip springs let the operator adjust trip-edge tension. To keep the blade on the ground at the optimal scraping angle while negotiating rough terrain, these plows feature a built-in float and pivot system. This feature also makes the box plow easier to maneuver for less experienced operators. Read more>

Finally: Happy 4th of July!