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Greenhouse conference previews coming plants
MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Commercial plant growers, retail garden centers, landscapers and people planning to enter one of those professions can preview the plants of tomorrow during an upcoming conference in Raymond.
The Mid-South Greenhouse Growers, Retail Garden Center/Landscape Conference will be held June 5-7 at Eagle Ridge Conference Center in Raymond, just south of Jackson on Highway 18.
“This conference has become the crystal ball opportunity for plant professionals wanting to know what will be popular in the near future,” said Jan Winter, executive secretary/treasurer of the Mississippi Nursery and Landscape Association, one of the event sponsors.
Other sponsors for the regional conference include Mississippi State University, the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Louisiana State University’s AgCenter and the Louisiana Nursery and Landscape Association.
Monday’s focus will be on trends in herbaceous plants for commercial and high-end residential landscapes. Topics will include container sizes, hardy roses, tropical plants, perennials, pansies and petunias.
Tuesday is the day for new plants to be discussed. Norman Winter, MSU Extension horticulturist, will speak on popular plants from the California Pack Trials. This program will provide insight into future topics in his Southern Gardening newspaper columns, radio and television programs.
Other industry representatives will also address new plants on their way to the public. Following their comments, the conference participants will have the opportunity to visit MSU’s Truck Crops Experiment Station in Crystal Springs.
Wednesday’s focus will be on increasing profit margins. A greenhouse industry panel group will address alternative energy sources and other ways to save money. A session for retail garden centers will cover marketing herbs and provide innovative ideas for selling products when businesses do not have a good location.
Registration or exhibitor forms are available at http://www.msnla.org or by calling the association’s office at (866) 919-8111. The registration fee is $125 per person. Reservations for accommodations at Eagle Ridge can be made by calling (601) 857-7100 before May 15.
