Green Industry News
All-America Selections, based in Downers Grove, Illinois, has a redesigned, responsive website to better serve garden communicators, says director Diane Blazek. Go to either all-americaselections. org or aaswinners. com to see the new look and functions. Information about AAS winners and display gardens is freely available; simply copy or download any image or text and attribute the photo— by variety name— to All-America Selections.
AIB 2017 deadline
Encourage your community to participate! Registration deadline is February 28, 2017. Download details and registration forms.
PHOTO COURTESY BRENTANDBECKYSBULBS. COM
PHOTO COURTESY LAURA KUNKLE
America in Bloom Management Transitions to New Company
Professional management of America in Bloom( AIB) is transitioning from AmericanHort to Second Wind Management, effective January 1, 2017. Since America in Bloom’ s founding in 2001, OFA( now called AmericanHort) has served as its home and has provided administrative leadership and support.
Now that AIB has reached maturity and is self-sustaining, it is starting a new phase of exciting programs designed to encourage economic development centered on horticulture, environmental awareness, heritage preservation and volunteerism, according to an AmericanHort news release.
Second Wind Management LLC, is a Columbus, Ohio-based non-profit management company owned by GWA member Laura Kunkle, who has served as America in Bloom’ s executive director through her employment with AmericanHort.
“ I’ m looking forward to the next chapter in my career,” Kunkle said.“ I’ ve been involved with AIB since day one and am excited to help lead America in Bloom into the future through managing the organization via my own company. Maintaining my long-standing relationship with America in Bloom is such an honor and I thank AIB’ s leadership for their trust and support.”
GRATEFUL FOR AMERIHORT SUPPORT
Katy Moss Warner, president of AIB, thanked AmericanHort for serving as AIB’ s home for the past 15 years.“ It’ s been a wonderful partnership, and AmericanHort’ s support has allowed AIB to grow to the point that we can now explore new directions,” she said.
Ken Fisher, AmericanHort President and CEO, said,“ AmericanHort supports the mission and vision of AIB, and plans to continue promoting AIB. This program is essential for the horticulture industry, and we will continue to help AIB spread its important message.”
America in Bloom connects people to plants at the grassroots level, and educates and promotes the benefits of horticulture products and services. It is a volunteer-driven organization that depends on its board of directors, professional judges and others to fulfill its vision. Ultimately, AIB helps communities throughout the country to become welcoming and vibrant places to live, work, and play, benefitting from colorful plants and trees; enjoying clean environments; celebrating heritage; and planting pride through volunteerism.
Effective January 1, the contact information will be: America in Bloom, P. O. Box 44005, Columbus, OH 43204, 614-463-0744, aib @ AmericaInBloom. org, AmericaInBoom. org.
The National Garden Bureau declares 2017 is the Year of the Daffodil, including‘ Tahiti’.
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NGB announces 2017 year of honorees
Diane Blazek reports that the National Garden Bureau has declared 2017 the Year of the Pansy, the Year of the Brassica, the Year of the Rose( in cooperation with the American Rose Society) and the Year of the Daffodil( in cooperation with the American Daffodil Society). Free promotional materials on all these plants are available to garden communicators at nbg. org, including“ Year of” PowerPoint presentations available through its SlideShare account.
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Walters Gardens launches new website
Walters Gardens Inc., one of the country’ s largest growers of perennials, has redone its website— waltersgardens. com— to facilitate wholesale ordering and to make it mobile friendly.
Garden writers rely on the Walters Gardens website for low- and high-resolution photos, which are downloadable at no charge.“ GWA members will need to register at the new site to gain access to the photography,” said Karin Walters, marketing director at Walters Gardens.
She reminds GWA members to give photo credit to PerennialResource. com, which is Walters Gardens’ consumer website that has lots of information about the plants to growers and markets.
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