Floral

Vermont is perhaps best known for maple syrup and vivid autumns, but could bubbles be next? The American Floral Endowment (AFE) Board of Trustees viewed a demonstration of an innovative bubble insulation system for greenhouses on their July 24-26 visit to Burlington, Vt., where they also toured the University of Vermont (UVM) Entomology Research Lab and Claussen’s Florist & Greenhouse. …

The Shinoda Foundation has announced the winners of its annual scholarships, recognizing the best horticulture students in the nation. …

It’s prime Lisianthus time on our Oxnard farm. This beautiful flower is not one of the traditional standards of the floral industry, such as lilies and tulips. Interestingly “Lizzy”, as our sales reps call it, is relatively new to the flower buying consciousness. In the last decade it has been gaining popularity at an amazing rate. We have been growing this crop for about seven years, and the demand just keeps rising. …

Dahlias have been named as the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) ‘Plant of the Month’. Dahlias are one of the longest flowering plants starting in the summer months and carrying on until the autumn frosts. …

Brierwood, which grows its own plants (which also include vegetables and shrubs) is known for its “mums” and the quality of its annuals and perennials. All of the ornamental plants, as well as some shrubs, are grown at the Morris facility, which has a retail component that also stocks various garden accoutrements, such as pots and soil. Brierwood also sells its plants wholesale. …