New plants

Being the new kid isn’t easy. You have to learn to adapt to new people, environments and situations. How you adapt is the survival mechanism that can make or break you.

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While growing up, my parents moved. A lot. I was the “new kid” more times than I can count. When I look back, I don’t remember the names of six elementary schools I attended, I recall the friends that I made across the country. I think of picking blueberries in Michigan, eating fresh roasted peanuts in Georgia and watching the Goodyear blimp dock in my birthplace, Akron, Ohio. After finally settling in Texas, my fondest childhood memories are of attending the State Fair and my first “real” job.

Although working at Branch-Smith Publishing wasn’t my first job by a long shot, it’s been my favorite (and longest held) so far

My favorite assignment

For more than 13 years, I’ve covered new plants for the nursery and greenhouse industries for NMPRO and its sister magazine, GMPRO. This has been one of my favorite duties. Steep learning curve aside, new plants are fun to write about.

I’ve seen some stellar plant performers that came out of the starting gate at a full clip and have never lost speed. I’ve also seen some forgettable plants that probably should have never made it to market (even with a great promotional program, a dud is still a dud). I’ve seen new genera evolve and create significant consumer buzz.

Most of these new plants have to overcome the same challenges to thrive and evolve in the marketplace. Even the “legacy” plants that are part of a series have a reputation to live up to if they want to survive and thrive with consumers’ changing preferences and rising expectations.

See new plants

Speaking of new plants, you still have time to register to visit the NMPRO New Plant Pavilion in person at the ANLA Management Clinic, Feb. 8-11 in Louisville, Ky. Yes, this is a shameless plug, but I’d love it if you’d stop by to say ‘Hello’ and see the newest plants on the market. Maybe you can help to make these new kids feel welcome.

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- Jyme Mariani