2008 Floriculture Field Days Program Schedule

NEW for 2008 -- Afternoon Tour and Dinner, Tuesday, May 13th

Join in the festivities early and take a look inside some of the finest private gardens in the Gainesville area!  Afterwards a special dinner will be provided at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens.   The tour will depart from the main lobby of the Hilton Hotel promptly at 3:00 pm.  Transportation will be provided. See registration form for costs. 

Pre-registration is required. Event tickets are limited.

Wednesday, May 14th

7:30am - 8:15am - Registration at the UF Trial Gardens at Fifield Hall                                             

8:15am - 11:45am - Nursery Tour OR UF Trial Gardens (Choose one option today and the other tomorrow)

Attendees will choose from a morning at Grandiflora or time in the garden with the plant breeders.  Grandiflora is a 106-acre wholesale nursery in North Central Florida.  They are recognized as experts in the growing of herbaceous perennials.  The nursery tour will showcase flowering plants for landscapes in zones 7 through 10. 

Attendees will also experience the UF Trial Gardens, which feature participation from over a dozen well-known plant breeders.  Selective cultivars will be tested for their ability to perform in a hot and humid environment.

12:00pm - 1:30pm - Lunch at Hilton with Keynote Speaker

It’s a Garden Experience - Felder Rushing, Jackson, MS

Have you ever bought plants you didn’t need but just couldn’t resist? Felder Rushing, a 10th generation Southern gardener, author, and NPR radio host, will combine Rumplestiltskin’s use of common plants with what he calls the Mr. Potato HeadTM design approach and show how you can create a unique garden that is easy, personal, and low maintenance!

1:30pm - 2:30pm - New Plant Showcase

This fast-paced presentation will feature a wide palette of new plant varieties not featured in the trial gardens.  Come see how you can incorporate new industry introductions in landscape designsand retail operations.

Retail Track

2:45pm - 3:30pm

“Green” Sustainable Products

Kevin Riley, Rockledge Gardens, Rockledge, FL and Janet Curry, Ball Horticultural Company, Batavia, IL

This session will take a look at sustainable plants, products and practices to make your garden center environmentally friendly.

3:30pm - 4:15pm

In the Trenches

Chris Beytes, GrowerTalks/Ball Publishing, Batavia, IL

As Editorial Director for Ball Publishing, Chris has traveled across the country and participated in many industry events. He has seen the latest trends and most creative displays. Sit back and let him be your eyes and ears throughout this exciting presentation.

4:15pm - 5:00pm

Creating Extra-Ordinary Displays Judy Sharpton, Growing Places,

Atlanta, GA

“Wow” them into your garden center. This session will show attendees creative ways to use annuals and perennials to liven up garden center displays.

Grower Track

2:45pm - 3:30pm

Tropical Perennials - Robert Bowden, Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, FL

The use of tropicals as perennials is one of the latest hot trends. Come learn how tropicals are being used to make a bold splash in the landscape. 

3:30pm - 4:15pm

Progressive Business Management - Kerry Herndon, Kerry’s, Homestead, FL

There are two business practices that are critical to the success of a nursery operation.  The concepts of lean-flow manufacturing and sustainability will be discussed. 

4:15pm - 5:00pm

“What is Sustainable Production?”- Linda Brown , Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), Emeryville, CA

VeriFlora™ is a sustainability certification program for fresh cut flowers and potted plants. This session will give attendees an overview of the “VeriFlora™ Certified Sustainably Grown” label and show how & why growers are using the label to identify that their plants are environmentally and socially responsible.     

Landscape Track

2:45pm - 3:30pm       

Low Impact Landscapes - Sydney Park Brown, Gulf Coast Research & Education Center, Plant City, FL

This session will provide an overview of the Florida Friendly Landscaping program through UF/IFAS Florida Yards and Neighborhoods program.  Come learn how the Florida Friendly Landscaping principles help create beautiful landscapes that protect Florida’s natural environment and conserve water.

3:30pm - 4:15pm

Trends in Grasses- Dave Dagen,Emerald Coast Growers, Pensacola, FL         

Durably dramatic and luminously responsive, ornamental grasses can add interest and appeal to the landscape.  Come hear how grasses can be incorporated into landscape designs.

4:15pm - 5:00pm

Liberate Your Pansies - Jenks Farmer, LushLife Nurseries, Beech Island, SC

See how you can add texture, color and creativity to your landscape designs that will add drama and capture the interest of your customers. This session is about stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things.

Thursday, May 15^th

8:00am- 11:45am - Tour OR UF Trial Gardens

If you chose to visit the breeders in the trial gardens on Wednesday, then today is your day to visit Grandiflora!  If you’ve already toured Grandiflora--it’s your morning to spend at the UF Trial Gardens!

12:00pm- 1:00pm -Lunch in the Gardens with Felder Rushing

Come gather under the tent and let Felder Rushing share the highlights of the garden while you grab some lunch.

Concurrent Sessions: All Attendees Must Select One Afternoon Group   

Grower Track

1:00pm - 3:30 pm

Growing Mixed Containers: Recipes for Success Session will include talks from:

Media, Nutrition and Irrigation - Dr. Bill Argo, Blackmore Co., Belleville, MI

This section will take a look at the irrigation, soil, media, and fertilization practices in the production of mixed containers. 

Scheduling and Use of Different Liner Sizes -Mike Fernandez, Oro Farms/Florida Plant Specialist, Crawfordville, FL

Pest management and Growth - Jeff Neese, Costa Nursery, Asheville, NC

This session will look at specific growth retardant treatments.

Mixed container design from a grower perspective - Terry Howe, Ball Horticulture, Palmetto, FL

Retail/Landscape Track

1:00pm - 1:45pm

Plants from the Orient- Ozzie Johnson, ItSaul Plants, Alpharetta, GA

Ozzie is a noted plantsman who has traveled the world collecting new varieties.  He designs and installs high-end Japanese gardens for Atlanta homeowners and volunteers extensively at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.  Come hear about his journey to the Orient and see the wonderful plant varieties he found that will work for you.

1:45pm - 2:30pm

Once a Week Wonders - Doug Hopkins, Hopkins Nursery, Gainesville. FL

Doug will showcase some low-maintenance plants and focus on the stunning beauty of these plants.  He will show how they thrive on less water and still maintain great quality.

2:30pm - 3:15pm

Fine Vines to Please Your Plant Palette - Dr. Gary Knox, University of Florida, Quincy, FL

Dr. Gary Knox has evaluated vines for several years and during this session, he will share with attendees some of the unusual and attractive vines that can be used in landscapes.

Floriculture Field Days’ Silent Auction

It’s our annual rare plant silent auction to benefit Kanapaha Botanical Gardens!  Please bring your odd-ball plants to donate as auction items or be ready to bid on your favorites.  Auction items will be displayed at the UF Trial Gardens.  Bidding will start on Wednesday morning and final bids will be requested by lunch on Thursday.

For further information regarding this annual seminar, contact Julie Markowitz
at the FNGLA office, 800.375.3642 or by email, jmarkowitz@fngla.org.