Majestic Maples
In addition to majestic fall foliage in hues of red, orange, yellow and burgundy, maple trees give us numerous benefits. They are a source of syrup for our pancakes, lanes for our bowling alleys and sweet notes from musical instruments like violins and cellos. Maples are considered “tonewoods” – a family of natural hardwoods that…
All About Hostas
They run along the edges of sidewalks and lounge in perennial beds. Although some don’t mind sun, they relax when trees lend their shade. And sometimes, they offer shade, too – to a heat-weary frog or wayward toad, even to a few sleepy insects. They almost always play a supporting role, and won’t have dramatic…
Supporting Thriving Populations
It is beginning. Populations of monarch butterflies, traveling from as far north as southern Canada, are beginning their 3,000-mile-plus winged journey southward to roost in the fir forests of central Mexico. They’ll stay there through our Midwest winter until spring, when they begin their flight back to us. And, hopefully, they will do so in…
Developing a Culture of Coaching and Reinforcement
We take work safety pretty seriously at Loma Vista Nursery. Of course, there are Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) and Worker Protection Standard (WPS) rules that we – like all plant nurseries – must follow. Our nursery goes the extra mile to prioritize safety and training as part of a daily coaching and reinforcement program.…
Intern's Experience Helps Shape Her Career Path
Loma Vista Nursery’s summer-long paid internship program is a win-win for the company, the industry and for college students and young professionals interested in exploring a green career. The rotation-based program, which began in 2018, has contributed to the growth of promising futures in all aspects of horticulture. Each year at the beginning of summer,…
Knowledge & Networking Grow Enrichment
One of the most innovative, informative and imaginative industry events of the year – AmericanHort’s Cultivate’24 did not disappoint. Held in Columbus, Ohio, Cultivate is the industry’s largest trade show and conference, connecting every link in the horticulture chain under one roof. Rob Lando, AmericanHort board chairman, acknowledges Lyndsi for her work and contributions as…
Deer Resistant Plants, Please
It never fails. You plant a new flowering shrub. It’s one you’ve been wanting for a while now, and you dream of how it will look in a couple years, in that developing back border bed. With great care you dig it in so as not to disturb the nearby mixed forbs and other perennials.…
The Allure of Roses
With about 150 species of wild roses and another 30,000 cultivated varieties, the first rose described for science – Rosa hilliae – was discovered in 1883 by Charles Leo Lesquereux, a paleobotanist. Lesquereux’s rose was initially found by geologists in samples collected in 1877 from the Colorado Florissant Fossil Beds. While that’s pretty impressive, roses…
Conserving Water in Summer
Do you have an efficient landscape? You know, one that kicks in when temperatures soar and there isn’t a rain event in the forecast for days. As our climate changes, it’s more important than ever to conserve water into the soil so healthy plants can continue to grow and thrive. Healthy plants are the backbone…
Four-Season Ninebark for Variety, Versatility
When it comes to ninebark, no two shrubs are created equal. Miniature, colorful and compact varieties offer versatility, adaptability and disease resistance, providing for wide applications in modern residential and commercial landscapes. Lucky Devil® Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘ZLEMICHAEL’) – First Editions Shrubs & Trees First introduced to the Eastern United States in the 1600s, hybridizers…