The gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, was introduced to the U.S. in 1869 and has since become a serious pest in the northeastern part of the country. In some areas, it has changed the ecology of native forests, defoliating more than 13 million acres of woodlands in one season.

The invasion has moved westward, with established populations in Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois. They are generalist feeders, happily devouring more than 450 species of plants. Oaks are the preferred host, but they also feed on alder, apple, aspen, beech, birch, black gum, cherry, hawthorn, hemlock, hornbeam, larch, linden, maple, pine, sassafras, and spruce. Trees showing the most resistance include ash, balsam fir, butternut, black walnut, catalpa, red cedar, dogwood, holly, locust, sycamore, and tulip tree.

The young, tiny larvae (caterpillars) do most of the damage. The caterpillars spin a silken thread suspended from a leaf, where winds disperse the larvae several hundred feet, spreading the population.

Source: The Morton Arboretum

Angela Treadwell Palmer

This August, while walking the aisles of Plantarium, the famous Dutch trade show, I was of course trendspotting. At first, I was rather disappointed because the only “trend” I saw was permanently painted, even more sparkly succulents. This time, vendors were showing how to sell them for winter holidays, and these succulents no longer resembled plants. It’s super hard to tell if they are real with the heavy, almost wax-like coating of metallic blue paint. Some of the plants looked like they were dipped in wax and then in sparkles, Really? I know I have argued here in the past that we need to do whatever we can to get non-gardeners to buy plants, but making them look and feel fake is taking it a bit too far.

My mind started asking: Can those plants breathe? Can they even release oxygen from their seal-coated appendages? Are they crying inside?

Thankfully, one trend struck me. I noticed signage – clever signage. Signage that had nothing to do with what the plants look like or what they offer, but brainy sayings meant to draw people closer, such as a sign from Van Kempen Nursery for sedums: “Not fat; just holding water.” That’s brilliant!

This sign said nothing about the plants being sedums, or succulents, or about them being drought tolerant. It said nothing about what you should do with them or how much they cost. It simply used words that made people curious.

I also loved a sign that explained what hydrangeas symbolize. Remember those vintage books that told you which flowers to give for a funeral, a breakup, a love? Hydrangeas symbolize friendship (among other things). Imagine someone in a garden center looking for a gift for a close friend and they see this sign. Do you think it would encourage them to buy that friend a hydrangea?

Why are we only giving consumers the science behind plants and their care, not the feeling or symbolism those plants represent? Today’s consumers are quite conscious of their surroundings, feelings, and well-being. They want their gifts and belongings to mean something. Science is necessary, but we need to draw them in first with something such as packaging or a message that piques their curiosity. When they are curious, they’ll want to know more and will ask about the plant’s needs. But first they must be engaged.

It’s all about the “feels” these days.

Many teenagers and millennials are obsessed with the food they put into their bodies. They are learning good habits from their high school health class (and hopefully their parents) about eating for fuel.

They want to live in a healthy environment, free of chemicals and toxins. Thankfully for retailers, they can also be obsessed with collecting things. They collected Pokémon cards and Shopkins when they were younger, and now it seems to be sneakers (or is that just my 15-year-old?). Some are now collecting houseplants. For my son, it’s hot pepper plants. For my daughter, it’s air plants from Live Trends.

When I got my first apartment, I needed something to nurture, so I adopted a kitten. Being a horticulture student, I always had plants, but people thought I was weird. It’s so hard to find a place to rent these days that allows pets, so houseplants are becoming the new kitten. Not only are houseplants something to collect and nurture, but these first-time apartment dwellers have discovered plants give you oxygen, they calm your nerves and they make wonderful living decorations. I’ve heard stories about millennials with tall bookshelves filled with succulents. That’s so awesome!

If we start telling stories about how plants can make your world healthier and an all-around better place to be, and we do it with a clever message that draws them in, we will hook curious people. What does “Just holding water” mean? Horticulturally, it means drought tolerant. There’s the conversation starter. Curiosity is the cornerstone to growing and caring for plants. The curious gardener knows there’s no fear in gardening, just let your creativity flow and #PlantSomething.

Singer/songwriter and King of the Parrotheads Jimmy Buffett once wrote about the futility of trying to reason with hurricane season. However, there are certainly steps growers can take to prepare for storm damage. This particular hurricane season was a rough one, with Hurricanes Harvey and Irma crushing Texas and Florida and affecting many others throughout the Southeast U.S.

The Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association is no stranger to hurricanes. The group provides its members with resources to help them prepare for the worst storms Mother Nature can cook up. Here are a few tips.

1 | Long before the storm

Make sure the nursery infrastructure is in good maintenance. Clear ditches free of weeds and debris so maximum drainage can occur. Make sure your interior roads are in good repair to allow access to all areas of the nursery.

Make sure all buildings are in good repair. Make sure all windows, doors, siding and roofing are secured. Once wind gets under loose building materials, they will rip off. Evaluate whether you should remove greenhouse and shade structure coverings prior to a storm. Is it better to let the roofs and sides be torn off or allow for less resistance? Each grower must make his/her own decisions.

Make sure all equipment is serviced and adequate supplies are on hand. For days to weeks after a hurricane, normal deliveries may be disrupted. Make sure you have fuel and other supplies you may need. Consider having minimal building materials on hand to repair structures. Make sure you have a supply of potting soil, fungicides, etc.

Make arrangements for power. Power lines may be disabled for days or weeks jeopardizing your irrigation systems. Develop a plan for irrigation, running office functions, running propagation areas, etc.

Make sure you have crop insurance. Crop insurance is a requirement to participate in any federal disaster programs. You must sign up for the program well before a storm threatens, because there is a 30-day hold.

2 | Immediately before the storm

Secure all loose items. Secure nursery containers, stakes, etc. Tie down anything possible. Loose items become missiles. Secure all equipment in an area not likely to be damaged.

Lay down plant material. Winds in excess of 100 mph will strip foliage from plant materials. Plants may be blown down anyway, so they may survive better if you lay them parallel to the expected wind direction. Water plants fully prior to a storm.

Have emergency numbers. Make sure you have the numbers of your crop and property insurance agents, USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency, local police, fire and other emergency contacts.

Inventory your plants and equipment. This will help in the event you need to file a claim or determine the damage you have. Also, it will allow recovery of some lost items. Consolidate the serial numbers on your equipment.

Establish a means to communicate with your employees. Your employees will need to know what you expect of them after the storm. Do you want them to come to work, to call you, or stay with their families? Communications may be disrupted for days. Make your plan before a storm strikes.

3 | After the storm

Secure your structures and buildings. Make any necessary repairs to your structures so they are secure from the weather and intrusion.

Take care of your plant material. Stand up all plant material as quickly as possible to prevent burning from laying in the sun. Re-stake material as quickly as possible. Irrigate to flush any salt residue. The closer to the coast you are, the more important this is. The force of hurricane winds can carry salt spray for miles. Replant any material needing it. Prune to correct any damage.

Notify the proper authorities in the event of storm damage. Notify the local police or sheriff’s department of any road obstructions or hazardous situations. Notify your electric company of any downed lines or power outages so they can get your request in their repair sequences. Report water, sewer or gas line breaches to the appropriate authority.

If necessary, notify disaster assistance agencies of your needs. If you have crop insurance, you may qualify for disaster assistance or low-cost loans. Contact the appropriate agency as soon as possible for instruction.

Notify your customers of your situation. As quickly as possible, let your customers know how well you survived the storm and when you anticipate servicing their accounts.

Photograph and document damage before you start clean-up.

For more: fngla.org/resources/hurricane

Hens & chicks practically sell themselves, with their cuteness factor of 10, and fascinating shapes and textures. Throw in one with arachnoid in the name, and aptly so – it’s covered in cobweb-like filaments – and you’ve got the makings of a plant that will fascinate consumers.

Imagine the tags and POP that could accompany a cobweb hens & chicks. Although you could readily sell this to retailers for spring and summer sales, you could also market this for fall thanks to the plant’s gothic, Halloween-esque qualities.

Succulents continue to make the trend lists, and sales remain strong. Consider adding this species to your mix and have some fun on the marketing side.

Why grow Sempervivum arachnoideum?

• Drought tolerant and cold/heat tolerant
• Opportunities for clever marketing and POP
• Fantastic foliage