PGRs help increase retail appeal

Overdevest Nurseries in Bridgeton, N.J., is known for producing high-quality ornamentals.
About 10 years ago, the company launched the Garden Splendor line of branded perennial and woody plants, which has become popular on the East Coast. Two years ago, the company launched a program called Footprints, where easy-to-grow (good for the carbon footprint) plants are grown in degradable pots.

But to maintain plant quality, the company uses all means available, and that includes plant growth regulators (PGRs). These are used primarily on perennials, especially ones that quickly get too tall or lanky for their containers.
Overdevest uses an array of PGR products. Keeping perennials down to size often increases their retail appeal, and definitely allows more plants to be stacked on shipping racks.

Regarding woody plants, owner Ed Overdevest is willing to experiment with new PGR products. These could reduce pruning, but more important is creating more plant density, Overdevest said.
“When we prune, we prune primarily for shape. I don’t know how effective a PGR will be for that. But we’re very interested in products that will improve plant density or create more bud breaks,” Overdevest said.

Specifics:
Name: Overdevest Nurseries.
Location: Bridgeton, N.J.
Founded: 1952.
Products: A broad range of ornamentals from quarts to 15 gallons.
Acreage: 290.

Quotable:
“There are some perennial varieties we produce that are pretty rank growing. They’re the ones we really would have a hard time producing and selling without PGRs.” – Ed Overdevest