Beat Winter Blahs; attend flower garden shows and more

Are you tired of bleak gray wintry days? Why not break out of the blahs by walking through green-space displays, hearing well-known speakers and talking to Industry experts and vendors?

During the month of January, the Industry itself schedules events which include sideline non-professional events. So, check with governmental Extension Agents and/or public gardens for events specific to your community. On the other hand, for year 2016, state of Virginia residents begin their opportunities with the Virginia Home & Garden Show. This event starts on 30^th  January and ends on 31^st and is held at Meadow Event Park in Doswell, VA. Immediately following, the Virginia Flower and Garden Expo is an event starting on February 5^th and ending on February 7^th and held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Produced by the Virginia Horticultural Foundation and Pilot Targeted Media, the Expo promotes horticultural education for everyone from professionals to the weekend enthusiast.

Held at the Richmond Raceway Complex from March 4^th – 6^th, the Richmond Home & Garden Show 2016 offers everything you need to make your home more beautiful, energy efficient, safe and comfortable. Whether you want to remodel a kitchen or bath, add or rebuild a deck, or replace that old electricity-eating heat pump you can find it all in just three days. For those who reside in the Tidewater area, on February 19^th- 21^st join the Tidewater Builders Association for a fantastic event the 2016 Mid-Atlantic Home & Garden Show which features an exciting line-up of celebrities and home and garden experts. This event offers gardening activities for everyone in the family.

During February, specific to central Virginia, the MAC Events Richmond Home Show occurs on Feb 5^th – 7^th at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond. And, for northern Virginia residents, the Capital Home & Garden Show is held at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly on February 26th  – 28^th.

Opportunities are also offered in the Valley of Virginia area. For example, the annual Shenandoah Valley Plant Symposium sponsored by Waynesboro Parks and Recreation Department provides an array of educational opportunities featuring well-known Industry experts. This Symposium held March 18^th 8:00am – 4:00pm occupies the Best Western Inn & Suites Conference Center, Waynesboro, VA.

 

By March, home and garden event opportunities nation-wide are in full swing. The Philadelphia Flower Show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on March 5^th and closes March 13^th is and remains the premier show of shows. So, if at all possible, make it a priority choice. On the other hand, there are other nation-wide events such as the Hartford Flower and Garden Show, too.

 

In later spring, events shift to specialized themes or are held out-doors. For example, The Garden Club of Virginia hosts its annual flower events, the daffodil, lily and rose shows. These shows encourage interest in artistic flower arranging and the horticulture knowledge of growing and caring for flowers.

Virginia’s historic garden week kicks off April 23^rd further providing access to more than 250 of Virginia’s finest gardens, homes and historic landmarks. Next, the area of Leesburg hosts its Leesburg Flower & Garden Festival. Held April 16^th -17^th, this festival offers award winning landscape displays, fresh cut flowers, trees and shrubs, garden sculptures, arts and crafts, fountain displays and much more.

While by now, you could be weary of hearing about home and garden opportunities to explore, to ensure you have beaten the blahs, don’t forget to visit the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The Nation’s Capital festival is an opportunity to experience city-wide events. So, be sure to relax in a park-like atmosphere and celebrate the coming of spring!

How do you or I beat the blahs of a winter season? Identify and participate in events which provide the opportunity to be intrigued by plant introductions, newly discovered artists and craftspeople, and cutting-edge products, techniques and designs. Experience home and garden festivals, shows and more - become a home and garden event explorer!

Eco-legacy, the 21st century challenge

“The next die-off is now,” says science matters columnist Jeff Cox. In fact, recently released study statistics predict more than half of all species could be extinct by year 2050. So, the next time you walk the landscape, take a mental snapshot. Cherish the experience because neither you nor anyone else will again experience the same landscape.  

Somewhat overwhelm by the eco impact of year 2015, I scan other ‘end of year’ columns to identify nation-wide writers who equally struggle but seek to ‘believe in a viable sustainable future’. For, after year 2015 late seasonal warm wet climates, by mid-April established trees, shrubs and perennials lay heavy with blooms; but rapidly, because of delayed soil warmth and continued gray days, experienced severe impact on regional ‘living’ annual green.

On the other hand, my central Virginia garden established roses supplied by David Austin - Jubilee Celebration, Gentle Hermione, Lichfield Angel, Benjamin Britten, Windermere and The Dark Lady- proposer and head into a bountiful year of healthy bloom.

 

 

Plants supplied by the Southern Living Plant research and development line likewise prosper in spite of severe cold or drought. And, regardless of cool or warm seasonal impact, veggie, flower or herb seeds supplied by vendor Renee Seeds encountered almost 100% seed germination as well as a bountiful harvest results.

In fact, overall, the state of Virginia experienced a relatively good agriculture harvest; but areas such the Greater Richmond Area were plagued by late spring soil warmth and late-summer drought and excessive high heat-index. Still, similar to others, I remain optimistic.

Since the beginning of time, mankind has looked to the sky for guidance – sought a means to believe in the future. So, whether seasonal or spiritual or nautical or aeronautical, it is said wise people follow the stars. The Epiphany which occurs on January 6th celebrates a gift from those who chose to follow a star, the Magi. In a more general format, epiphany is defined as a sudden recognition of or insight into meaning, reality or significance of something. So, the question is based on the outcome of year 2015 experiences, have you identified an epiphany – a 2016 star to follow?

Now, it is time to identify a 2016 epiphany – wisely chose a star to follow. Because my family resides on generational property which consists of extended wet-land areas, our focus is eco – tied to identification and implementation of land maintenance activities which contribute to an eco-healthy habitat. For as a family, it is the blend of a Quaker heritage with other Christian based faiths along with non-faith activities which influence present-day lifestyle choices.

While historically eco - earth-friendly strategies - is defined in terms of reduce, reuse and recycle, based on the influence of our heritage, eco is a perspective of CARE - conservation, accountability, recovery and eco-efficiency. Individually and collectively, we have identified eco-sustainable spaces are not simply a result of lifestyle choices but reflect how we feel about the environment. While keeping it simple (as in simple living) is the name of the game, there is a more important underlying factor – a commitment to an eco-legacy of ultimate greening: providing for the present without sacrificing the future.

Within our family complex, we encourage the use of green scaping concepts: build and maintain healthy soil, install right plant for site requirements; and during seasonal appropriate cycles, be water wise, adopt earth-friendly pest and weed management, and implement natural lawn care. In other words, we are trying to ‘enable green’ back into the surrounding urban/suburban community by nurturing existing or replacement of ‘living green’. For, if eco-healthy urban suburban landscapes are to exist, we – individually and collectively - must become people who CARE – have a perspective of conservation, advocacy, recovery and eco-efficiency.

 

In the spirit of this expanded celebration season - the Epiphany, why not make your ‘new year resolutions’ commitment to creating an earth-healthy eco-legacy: ‘put on your green glasses, focus of eco literacy, identify eco education for yourself and others, select activities, products and services that sustain eco stability; and, subscribe yourself and/or others to ongoing tips and strategies such as my blog.

Whether in the spirit of a holiday tradition Epiphany or New Year resolution or ongoing life-style eco-commitments, join a quest that believes in the future - greens life’s garden one scoop at a time. For, we not only have opportunities to make a difference but through personal choice, can influence others to create an eco-legacy of healthy green space, both rural and urban.

Eco-legacy, a millennium woman's heritage

Published by LuLu.com Press Eco-legacy, a millennium woman’s heritage by Sylvia Hoehns Wright is a memoir-style writing that becomes a format for showing kinship between family/community caretaking and environmental caretaking.

The Quaker perspective of “caretaker, not owner, of property” is the foundation for this small book. The local author is a founder of the Plants of CARE plant recognition program, which recommends those that are ecologically sustainable and can create a legacy of healthy communities. The community of Laurel, a historical district in Henrico County, VA, is explored with photographs and verbal descriptions. Love for a rural community and celebration of its legacy is maintained here through visionary planning and historical designation.

 

Caretaking continues into the family: The author chronicles the histories of three local estates from their arrivals originally from England and Germany, passing through the Civil War, and ending with herself in the present day. By dedications to the memories of several family members and other individuals, a commitment called, “Eco Caretaker for Generational Property” is defined. Mentoring groups or individuals opens doors of opportunity for others to be exposed to professional communities that have Eco Legacy as their consciousness and vitality. Family heirlooms should always be sorted through to identify which can become generational heirlooms. Finally, being a caretaker for an elderly parent requires strategies for identifying community services and for support within the family and oneself, and engaging in stress-reduction activities for oneself.

Browsing through family history will let nostalgia for places creep into the experience. Reminiscing about Grandmother’s garden will bring memories of favorite blooming flowers. Family/community heirlooms segue into plants as generational heirlooms. A legacy of plant renewal—Eco legacy—will create a legacy of healthy communities.

Landscape gardening with CARE — conservation, accountability, recovery, eco-efficiency — takes the next step beyond the xeriscape of several decades ago. Conservation means go native (the CARE landscape pertains in this book to Virginia), using Virginia-native canopy trees, under-story trees, and shrubs. Accountability means planting lawn substitutes, limiting the size of turf areas. Recovery emphasizes placement of areas requiring higher use of water near the house and drought-tolerant plants further away. Eco-efficiency involves watering at the optimal time of day and insulating with mulch and compost. Finally, after carefully arranging the yard according to CARE principles, maintain it properly to withstand drought, freezing, and pests.



Reprinted from Washington Gardener reviewer Camilla Clocker is on the board of directors of Friends of Green Spring Gardens and of Del Ray Artisans, teaches using imagination in creative writing at a senior center in Fairfax County, and writes indexes for books and periodicals. To read other reviews or tips/strategies, link to Washington Gardener - www.washingtongardener.com. To review details or order a copy of Wright's book, link to web site http://www.lulu.com/shop/sylvia-hoehns-wright/eco-legacy-a-millennium-wo...

Grow Green Market Share with CARE

Launched August of 2015, Grow Green (planet & profit) Market Share with CARE highlights marketing strategies supplied by some of the best Industry marketers, ideas that ‘jump start’ development of a product and/or service 'organic voice' – grow green market share.

Whether as a consumer or product distributor, founder of the Plants of Care and Products/Services of CARE recognition programs and recipient of the Turning America from Eco-weak to Eco-chic award Sylvia Hoehns Wright challenges all to create eco sustainable landscapes which reflect a 6 P educational program: inspire People to acquire an understanding of the Place in which they reside, select Plants/Products that work-well in their region, install identified plants/products during appropriate Planting/installation seasons, Purchase plants/products as a buy-local effort to support community economy which results in creating eco and community Prosperity for all.

Project Back Ground & Details –

Step by step guidelines, proven to avoid loss of market share place emphasis on eco-greening of products and services, define in simple terms ‘green’ as a frugal use of limited resources which decrease product/service expenses, increase profit; and result in earth-friendly activities providing for present-day lifestyles without sacrificing the eco future of others. For, in present-day global markets, goods and services are not simply sold; the owner and/or manufacturer is identified to be as much a part of product image as the good or service, itself!

Having gathered Industry data through interviews, distribution of surveys and ongoing interactive columns, impact on "planet" is identified as the factor which influences consumer perception of eco-efficient products and services, not simply sustainable but leading edge branded images.

The 3rd in a trilogy of publications identified by the Richmond Times Dispatch newspaper as state of Virginia notable books , Wright’s book, Grow Green (planet & profit) Market Share with CARE is published to emphasis eco-impact of present-day lifestyle choices, inspire all to create an eco-legacy of C A R E - conservation, accountability, recovery and eco-efficiency! For details of eco strategies and tips, link to Landscape Gardening with CARE video https://youtu.be/ENPhCg9QQNc  or view publications at Sylvia’s book store, http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/syhwright.


Words of Praise for Wright's Work -

“Ideas abound in Wright’s research as she profiles some of the best marketers and communicators in the business, bringing fresh takes and new approaches to attracting and engaging customers.” – Bill Calkins, business manager at Ball Horticultural Company in West Chicago, Illinois.

 “As a former educator, I’ve observed as Wright emphasizes, an image – brand must be relevant, avoid loss of market share through attrition, while placing emphasis on eco-greening aspects of the product or service provided." - Leonard O. Morrow, PhD, retired botanist and horticulturist

Side Bar: Product Details - Grow Green (planet & profit) Market Share with CARE

ISBN9781329308824, CopyrightSylvia Hoehns Wright (Standard Copyright License), Edition first edition, PublisherLuLu.com, Published July 2015, Language English

Products of CARE, eco-sustainable product/service recognition program

From the rain forests of south-east Alaska to the deciduous forests of the Mid-Atlantic region, across the Nation, all are challenged to identify and enable use of eco sustainable products and/or services.

Eco Sustainable Product/Services –

Historically, earth-friendly is defined in terms of reduce, reuse and recycle; nevertheless, products and/or services which reflect a perspective of CARE - conservation, accountability, recovery and eco-efficiency - take this definition a step further. For, eco-sustainable products and/or services are not simply a result of lifestyle choices but reflect how we feel about the environment. While keeping it simple (as in simple living) is the name of the game, there is a more important underlying factor – a commitment to ultimate greening: provide for present-day lifestyles without sacrificing future eco systems.

So, the question is 'How much land area does it take to support your lifestyle?' Take a quiz to find out your Ecological Footprint, discover your biggest areas of resource consumption, and learn what you can do to tread more lightly on the earth.  While some of each person's Ecological Footprint is dependent upon individual choices they make in their own life, some of it is also their per person share of their societies' infrastructure. The first part can be influenced directly. On the other hand, the second part is equally critical to living within the means of one planet, but must be influenced through more indirect action such as political engagement, green technology and innovation, and other work toward large-scale social change. To identify your eco impact, participate in an activity such as ecological footprint, www.footprintnetwork.org.
 GoodGuide Identified as Product/Service of CARE -

If eco-healthy urban suburban communities are to exist, we must become people who CARE – have a perspective of conservation, advocacy, recovery and eco-efficiency; and in fact, tools such as the GoodGuide - www.goodguide.com enable such a commitment. GoodGuide provides issue-specific ratings so that consumers can evaluate and compare products based solely on their health, environmental and/or social performance. To ensure a rating system is transparent, consumers can view the complete set of indicators used to derive product or company ratings. Health impact is assessed by combining negative metrics (such as whether the product contains toxic ingredients of concern or ingredients that have low nutritional value) with available positive metrics (such as whether the product has been certified as safe or healthy by a credible third-party). To rate a product on environmental performance, GoodGuide currently uses company environmental records as a surrogate for product-level environmental impacts. And, to rate product social performance, GoodGuide uses company social records as a surrogate for product-level social impacts. Specifically, they assess social performance by examining

• how a company is governed

• consumer attributes such as product quality, safety and customer satisfaction

• societal attributes such as community engagement, philanthropic activities, and involvement with oppressive regimes)

• workplace attributes such as diversity, employee benefits and labor rights.

As consumer demand for ‘green products’ moves forward, so will implementation of sector specific ‘greening certifications’. Nevertheless, because GoodGuide is a fore-runner and appears to be accepted as well as measures all forms of consumer products, its measurement criteria should become a guideline for most product or service consumption. So, this service is recommended to ‘jump start’ consumer commitment to becoming a person who CAREs.

Since implementation of the Product/Services of CARE program in January of 2014, additional products/services are recommended:

         Radius Garden™ Identified as Product/Service of CARE -

Radius Garden™ as founder Bruce Baker says, “The opportunity to avoid blisters, sore wrists, and frustrating experiences with low quality tools which break in a single season. At Radius Garden™ we ignore tradition and nonsense, re-thinking every aspect of every tool we make so you can have a better, more comfortable gardening experience. OSHA says 3/4 of all cumulative stress injuries are to the wrist and hand. Many, if not most, of these injuries can be prevented by better tool design. We believe that truly advanced ergonomic design ignores tradition and uses the most current research into human factors and tool usage. Our Patented, Natural Radius Grip™, maximizes your power and comfort while minimizing hand and wrist stress.”

         The American Beauties™ –

American Beauties LLC, a partnership between Prides Corner Farms located Lebanon CT, and North Creek Nurseries located Landenberg PA, is a team of experts dedicated to identifying plants which guarantee landscapes that provide food and habitat for a variety of desirable critters. Launched in the spring 2006 in the Northeastern USA, plans are underway to make this program available in other parts of the country. Look for informative and easy-to-shop American Beauties displays at your independent garden centers. Purchasing an American Beauties plant will bring life to your garden and also helps a great cause. Every American Beauties plant sold benefits the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), their work to create better home landscape environments for you and the colorful garden critters you love. For additional details, visit the American Beauties web site, www.abnativeplants.com.

         WayCoolTools.com –

WayCoolTools.com is a family owned and operated online garden tool catalog company located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Central Virginia. Founded by Charles and Janet, Charles has served as an organic gardening apprentice, worked at George Washington's Mt. Vernon Estate, has assisted in agricultural research and managed large estates, and is dedicated to providing WayCoolTools to gardeners and farmers. Janet has worked in garden centers and nurseries, consult as a professional gardener, and volunteered in public gardens. Her specialty is identifying neat plants, homestead technologies, and way cool garden tools. Janet facilitates local online co-ops and an online seed swap and garden forum, the Piedmont Garden Swap. For details or to acquire 'way cool' products and tools, visit web site www.waycooltools.com .


        Sunset Western Garden Collection™-

Sunset Western Garden Collection™ is the first plant collection designed specifically for the Western gardener. Introduced in spring 2012, Sunset® magazine and Plant Development Services collaborated to bring superior plant introductions to retail garden centers throughout California, Oregon, and Washington. Partnerships with local growers allow the ability to customize the collection to best meet the climatic differences of diverse gardening regions. As a result, Wright recognizes Sunset Western Garden Collection™ as a ‘product/service of CARE’ for its expanded services to multiple regions in order to enable identification of products with eco sustainable characteristics that connect people to the living green that surrounds them. For details, link to Sunset Western Garden web site http://www.sunsetwesterngardencollection.com/ .

       DuPont™ Tyvek® Water-Resistive Barriers

While Tyvek® water-resistive barriers should be installed according to manufacturer’s instructions it more than meets industry standards and applicable codes. In fact, in high exposure installations, enhanced drainage and water management can be provided by using DuPont™ Tyvek® DrainWrap™ by installing a drainage mesh over the water-resistive barrier or by creating rain screen cladding with a larger airspace behind the siding using furring strips. If furring is installed over DuPont™ Tyvek® water-resistive barrier to create a rain screen, the primary fastener spacing can exceed 18”.
“Using a mineral wool insulation,” says Nea May Poole of Poole & Poole Architecture, LLC “an old-fashioned and more expensive type of insulation made from stone, not foam,  we also chose an exterior siding similar to fiber cement, only it is made from wood; so, it made sense to go a step further and use a ‘house wrap’.”  For details of the Poole family barn restoration project, visit web site www.barnatwalnuthill.com  and/or facebook group ‘the barn at Walnut Hill’ https://www.facebook.com/groups/1068830769911250/ .

 

LP Smartside, a wood based siding –

Available in different sizes in smooth and textured finishes, LP SmartSide is identified to enhance the curb appeal of new and remodeled homes. Plus, it’s the perfect complement to homes finished in other exteriors such as stucco, stone and brick. Available in long lengths for fewer seams and a beautiful appearance, its rich cedar grain texture or smooth finish is treated with our SmartGuard® a process which resists termites and decay. For details, visit web site www.lpsmartside.com.

 “We are using LP Smartside, a wood based siding.” says Nea May Poole of Poole & Poole Architecture, LLC “The beige color in construction photos is a primer, not the final color. We intend to match the original color. We chose LP SmartSide because it is an engineered wood siding known to resist damage from impacts better than fiber cement and vinyl siding."

 About Program Founder the Wright Scoop -

In 2012, a program – Plants of CARE, which spotlights a plant for its ability to inspire people to CARE – have a perspective of conservation, advocacy, recovery and eco-efficiency - was launched. To further emphasize individual eco-sustainable commitment, in January of 2014 a program – Product and/or Services of CARE was also launched. Product/Services of Care and Plants of CARE program nominations are solicited and accepted. To participate, provide a description that identifies the nominated plant/product/service - its origin, picture, eco-sustainable characteristics, and specifically why the plant/product/service should be included in a program; and, if possible, provide plant/product/service material that can be tested.

Recognized by Landscape Architect magazine as an Industry ‘mover and shaker’, The Wright Scoop – Sylvia Hoehns Wright has issued a challenge to move America’s landscape from eco-weak to eco-chic.

 

For details of her eco emphasis on ‘place’, review Eco-legacy – a millennium woman’s heritage, 'product', review Grow Green Market Share with CARE, and plants, link to Landscape Gardening with CARE video  https://youtu.be/ENPhCg9QQNc  or visit Sylvia’s book store, http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/syhwright.  For other details, visit web site www.TheWrightScoop.com .

Side Bar: Recommended Products and/or Services of CARE: 2014 - January, GoodGuide - www.goodguide.com, 2014 – April, Radius Garden – www.radiusgarden.com, 2015 – August, American Beauties™ - www.abnativeplants.com, 2015 – December,  WayCoolTools.com, 2016 February Sunset Western Garden Collection™-

Side Bar: Product Details - Grow Green (planet & profit) Market Share with CARE

 

ISBN9781329308824, Copyright Sylvia Hoehns Wright (Standard Copyright License), Edition first edition, PublisherLuLu.com, Published July 2015, Language English

Landscape Gardening with CARE

Through combining workshop style assignments with research and ‘hands-on’ experience, readers are taken through a process that uses site plats to create landscape/gardens which respect an existing vista, preserving and enhancing its eco health. For, any style landscape should not simply be the result of a traditional design but be the right plant, installed in the right place at the right (optimal) planting season - creating an eco-legacy of landscape green, sustainable urban/suburban communities which enhance green space for today and future generations. Why?

The challenge for present-day homeowners, gardeners and/or Industry professionals is to become a  naturalist with a "waste not, want not" ecological commitment: a steward of the land who is a caretaker for his/her environmental communities.

Through ‘hands on’ research, tips and strategies are identified which enable the who, why, where, what, how and when of landscape gardening -

     Who: Understand the factors which influence a landscape gardening perspective; and describe it in terms of someone who presently does and/or desires to 'dig in the dirt'.

     Why: Define landscape gardens in terms of a mission, a somewhat lofty 'green' perspective - 'providing for present-day needs without sacrificing the future'.

     Where: Define location, location, location – conduct a site analysis which identifies climate and physical constraints.

     What: Combine the 'who, why and where' influence a landscape garden plan; and then, develop goal statements which describe a proposed site.

     How: Identify activities which accomplish the identified goals.

     When: Using the 'what and how' activities, identify installation time-frames as well as recommended maintenance; and then, create a landscape gardening schedule.

As a result, participants become known as people who enable an eco-legacy of CARE - conservation, accountability, recovery and eco-efficiency.

 

Words of Praise -
"As an environmentalist and president of the Cornell Douglas foundation, I have been searching for new words to define those of us who advocate for protecting our natural resources for future generations. Wright's word- eco-legacy is perfect: it encourages all of us to recognize that water, land, and air are not expendable luxuries, but critical resources we must sustain in our roles as responsible stewards". - Ann Cornell, President Cornell Douglas Foundation www.CornellDouglas.org

"Wright’s eco-chic advocacy embodies every aspect of the consumer education campaign we hoped to inspire. For, our vision is to become a global organization that empowers people within communities to change society through the responsible creation and preservation of sustainable green spaces, such that the ever-increasing impacts of global warming in the world are measurably reduced; because Green Matters!" - Den Gardner, executive director of Project EverGreen.

About the Author - As founder of the ‘Plants of CARE’ plant recognition program and recipient of the Turning America from Eco-weak to Eco-chic award , the Wright Scoop – Sylvia Hoehns Wright seeks to inspire people to create an eco-legacy of CARE, a perspective of conservation, accountability, recovery and eco-efficiency – ‘green’ America’s landscape! For details, visit web site www.TheWrightScoop.com. To review or order a copy of Landscape Gardening with CARE, link to web site http://www.lulu.com/shop/sylvia-hoehns-wright/landscape-gardening-with-care/paperback/product-22167399.html

Obsession™ Nandina, a Plant of CARE

Across the Nation, climatic shifts occur. Challenging all to identify plants which enable eco sustainable urban suburban landscapes." As a result, Obsession™ Nandina   Nandina is recommended as a ‘plants of CARE’ for its eco sustainable characteristics; specifically, its ability to connect people to living green that surrounds them.

 

Obsession™ Nandina - Nandina domestica 'Seika' PP21891 –

Obsession™ Nandina a new distinctive nandina is an upright, compact, dense grower with brilliant red new foliage, and richer color than ordinary nandinas. In addition to its sustainability, what makes Obsession™ Nandina? This plant flourishes in multiple climate zones, is recognized to enable eco sustainable habitats; and through its vibrant characteristics, intrigues gardeners nation-wide. As a result, it is selected by Plant Development Services Inc. (PDSI) as one of their Southern Living® Plant Collection.

The Southern Living® Plant Collection was first introduced in the spring of 2008. Partnering with Southern Living® magazine, PDSI’s goal is to provide innovative new plants selected for their ability to solve specific landscape challenges. A leader in horticultural innovation, PDSI owns and/or licenses more than 50 patented plant properties, including the number one azalea brand in the world, Encore® Azalea. For more information about any of the exciting new releases from the Southern Living® Plant Collection, please visit web site www.southernlivingplants.com .

Plants of Care, plant recognition program – 

Whether  experienced landscape professionals or novice homeowners, the goal of the Plants of CARE program is to challenge all to not simple identify plants which survive but thrive; and then, create landscapes from an eco-sustainable point of view, seek to reduce carbon footprints as well as feed families pesticide free produce. For, any style landscape should not simply reflect traditional design concepts but be a result of the right plant, installed in the right place at the right (optimal) planting season - creating a legacy of green, healthier urban/suburban communities. The challenge for 21^st century landscape gardeners is to create landscapes from a “waste not, and want not” eco logical commitment: become caretakers for the environmental community.” 

To encourage all to ‘dig in the dirt’, a ‘plants of care’ plant is recognized quarterly. For details, link to web site www.TheWrightScoop.com or view a video Landscape Gardening with CARE -  https://youtu.be/ENPhCg9QQNc or contact Sylvia@TheWrightScoop.com or follow activities through facebook group The Wright Scoop or twitter ID WrightScoop.

Side-bar: Planting Instructions Obsession™ Nandina

•  water before planting
• plant in Full Sun to Part Shade
• dig hole 3X the width of pot,
• back-fill and plant 1"-2" above soil level
• water and add more soil if needed
• mulch plants