Landscape and Irrigation is read by decision makers throughout the landscape and irrigation markets — including contractors, landscape architects, professional grounds managers, and irrigation and water mgmt companies and reaches the entire spetrum.
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www.landscapeirrigation.com May 2014 Landscape and Irrigation 7 Belgard pavers, wall block and Elements. "Without a doubt, consumers value the Good Housekeeping Seal, especially when it's found on items that improve home value and create outdoor spaces for years to come," said Ken O'Neill, senior vice president of marketing for Belgard Hardscapes. Research has found that 90 percent of consumers are aware of the Seal and that it represents quality; 77 percent of consumers feel more comfortable buying an unfamiliar product if it has the Seal; and, 21 percent of consumers are willing to pay more for home building products with the Seal. "I have the opportunity to test prod- ucts across a gamut of categories, and see truly novel solutions and well-designed products," said Rachel Rothman, techni- cal manager and engineering director for GHRI. "I was impressed by the quality and breadth of colors and styles Belgard has to offer consumers in pavers and retaining wall products." The complete collection of Belgard Hardscapes carries the Good Housekeep- ing Seal. TopIarIus urban Garden IdenTIfIes 2014 Trends Topiarius Urban Garden, a leader in urban gardening, recently shared some "growing" trends: * Consider colors: Purple is in. Mix vibrant colors with traditional hues such as green, brown, gray and black. * The artful gardener: Dress up con- tainers with birth poles, pepperberry and colorful sticks painted in bright, eye- popping colors. * Simpler palettes: Due to the reces- sion, many nursery growers cut back on planting. The abundance of choices in 2014 will be much more limited than before. * Wise investments: Think container finishes and outdoor fabrics for 2014. They not only differentiate your client's yard, but also resist fading and mold. * High-quality materials: Stone, clay and porcelain pavers take center stage in 2014 because of their lifespan. Concrete pavers have a life of about 20 years. * Consumers will also turn to hard- wood like Ipe over pressure-treated lumber. * Pot a tree: Trees bring fruit, color, shade and wildlife to the garden, and many can last year-round when planted in large containers. It is also a great solu- tion with little or no outdoor space. * Chemical-free havens: Years ago, people only cared about having weed- free lawns and gardens. People are now taking the toxic free route and looking at the importance of sustainability and the organic way. new enGLand Grows show recap New England Grows gathered com- mercial horticulture professionals for an industrywide conference in Boston February 5-7. More than 11,000 guests experienced the event and thousands participated in cutting-edge educational sessions, as well as hands-on workshops and demonstrations. 500 exhibiting companies — more than 10 percent of which were new to New England Grows this year — saw steady traffic throughout the three-day event, as well as healthy business from green industry decision makers. Many spent time with customers who were placing orders and taking advantage of "Grows-only" show discounts. All saw the benefit of face-to-face networking with fellow industry members. In the opening comments of her keynote address, Anna Ball, CEO of Ball Horticultural Co., Inc. in Chicago, said of New England Grows, "This is one of the best run shows I have ever attended. The attention to detail and the ways they engage participants on the show floor is really great." The New England Grows' educa- tion program impressed once again with seminars that focused on inno- vation, emerging trends and research finds. 2014's lineup included Nalini Nadkarni, Jane Knight, Mark Bradley, Glyn Jones, Bill Cullina, and Michael Raupp, who delivered on trending topics such as biodiversity, permacul- ture, sustainable practices, living soil, climate change and vertical landscape design. The Garden Center Success seminar was a highlight of the New England Grows educational line-up. More than 500 garden center professionals signed up to participate, and came away with ideas they can apply right away. A redesigned Common Ground at Grows, including an impressive center stage, created a lot of buzz and drew a steady stream of visitors to the expo floor. Rapid-fire Sprint Sessions featured tips, trends, and takeaways from univer- sity faculty and other industry experts. New, interactive Learning Hubs pro- vided hands-on education including a popular knot tying competition, the latest on how to keep bees healthy, and an App Bar highlighting useful mobile apps for the green industry. A fast-paced Geo-Trac game that took participants on a hot spot hunt through- out the expo was a highlight of Grows' new mobile app, and it created a lot of excitement at the show. "NiceMeeting" was introduced during the conference. This second screen technology allowed participants to view speaker presentations directly on their mobile devices. The popular "Grows After Dark" programs featured a sold-out "Dining with the Speakers" opportunity. New England Grows is an educational partnership between the New England Nursery Association, Massachusetts Arborists Association, Massachusetts Association of Landscape Professionals and Massachusetts Nursery & Landscape Association. Its co-sponsor network includes 40 allied green industry orga- nizations. New England Grows supports the green industry through annual grants to the region's Cooperative Extension Systems, the FFA Organization, local horticultural schools, and more. Next year, New England Grows is scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, February 4-6, 2015 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. For the latest information follow New England Grows on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, visit www.NewEnglandGrows. org, or call 508-653-3009. LI