Completed on December 31, 2021, the acquisition of Herman Losely & Son's has doubled the acreage of Angelo Petiti's Willowbend.

Willowbend Nurseries, LLC, owned by Angelo Petitti of Petitti Garden Centers, purchased the assets of Herman Losely & Son, Inc. with the intent to continue their legacy under the Losely Nursery name. Willowbend now represents 2,000 acres of field production, 500 acres of container production and 300 employees, all located in Lake County, Ohio, and geographically positioned within a 500-mile radius of 75% of the North American market.

Losely is a third-generation, family-owned business encompassing 1,200 acres of field production, growing a diverse selection of more than 1,000 varieties of mostly woody ornamentals. Second-generation Willowbend provides a common thread of family ownership and specializes in bare-root trees and shrubs. Willowbend also owns and operates Ridge Manor Nurseries, recognized industrywide for its high-quality container plant production.

The aggregate of nurseries under the Willowbend umbrella is expected to deliver immediate benefits for landscape contractors, garden centers, and wholesale customers.

“With the combination of Losely to our family of companies, we are now a 2,500-acre, one-stop shop for bare-root, container, and balled-and-burlapped (B&B) trees and shrubs,” says Petitti. “Our quality bare-root plants from Willowbend and container plants from Ridge Manor, combined with the industry’s most well-respected and diverse, B&B varieties from Losely, greatly increases the selection available to all customers.”

Joe Allio, president of Willowbend and son-in-law to Petitti, affirms additional benefits expected to be achieved through greater infrastructure at Losely.

“We’re committed to invest in new technology at Losely that’s consistent with what we’ve implemented at Willowbend and Ridge Manor over the past several years, and it will have an incredibly positive impact,” says Allio. “Adding that technology will enhance the quality of Losely’s product offerings and achieve efficiencies that are expected to result in consistent inventory, reliable supply, and an overall better value for customers.”

The acquisition doubles the amount of nursery acreage available to Petitti, and adds B&B to the bareroot and container nursery operations.

Willowbend Nurseries, LLC, owned by Angelo Petitti of Petitti Garden Centers (no. 2 on Garden Center magazine's Top 100 list), has purchased the assets of Herman Losely & Son, Inc. with the intent to continue their legacy under the Losely Nursery name. Willowbend now represents 2,000 acres of field production, 500 acres of container production, and 300 employees, all located in Lake County, Ohio and geographically positioned within a 500-mile radius of 75% of the North American market.

Losely is a third-generation, family-owned business encompassing 1,200 acres of field production growing a diverse selection of more than 1,000 varieties of mostly woody ornamentals. Second-generation Willowbend provides a common thread of family ownership and specializes in bare-root trees and shrubs. Willowbend also owns and operates Ridge Manor Nurseries, recognized industrywide for its high-quality container plant production.

The aggregate of nurseries under the Willowbend umbrella is expected to deliver immediate benefits for landscape contractors, garden centers, and wholesale customers.

“With the combination of Losely to our family of companies, we are now a 2,500-acre, one-stop shop for bare-root, container, and balled-and-burlapped (B&B) trees and shrubs,” said Petitti. “Our quality bare-root plants from Willowbend and container plants from Ridge Manor, combined with the industry’s most well-respected and diverse, B&B varieties from Losely, greatly increases the selection available to all customers.”

Willowbend President Joe Allio, who is also son-in-law to Petitti, affirms additional benefits expected to be achieved through greater infrastructure at Losely.

“We’re committed to invest in new technology at Losely that’s consistent with what we’ve implemented at Willowbend and Ridge Manor over the past several years, and it will have an incredibly positive impact,” said Allio. “Adding that technology will enhance the quality of Losely’s product offerings and achieve efficiencies that are expected to result in consistent inventory, reliable supply, and an overall better value for customers.”

Editor's note: Watch for more on this acquisition in the March issue of Nursery Management. Click here to learn more about the technology in place at Willowbend Nurseries in our November 2018 cover story.

See the 15 products judges liked best at the Tampa, Florida, show.

The Garden Center Group had its largest-ever group of garden retailers participate in the Cool Products Awards at TPIE held Jan 19-21 in Tampa, Florida.

They awarded 14 companies awards for 15 new products. You can read all about them by scrolling through the slideshow below.

This unique form of snake plant resembling a whale fin with a dramatic variegated stripe.

A unique design allows for the pole to expand as plants grow by stacking another pole on top. Each pole features a cap that finishes off the top. Available in several sizes.

A common nickname for Mars is the Red Planet, and this mangave gets its name from its unique, intense red coloration on the leaves. The 2¾-inch wide, thick, green leaves are heavily speckled with burgundy red, with spots that bleed into each other for an overall red appearance. It was one of several mangaves Florida Tropiculture offers.

FLORIDIS is the exclusive importer of the brand Floridis planters, which are manufactured in Brazil. The planters are made of polyethylene resin, making them super light and extremely tough and resistant. They have a wide variety of styles, sizes and colors to add a modern line of planters to your stores and projects. One smaller style (shown) has a unique stand which flips to offer two display heights.

This dwarf wandering jew is a real eye-catcher as it shows off its tricolor personality of lite green, white and pink hues. As one judge said, “in the sunlight it almost appears pearlescent."

Florida Cactus not only offers an extensive line of both cacti and succulents that many garden centers rely on but they also shared a creative visual message for retailers … Plants that Perform! They collected different old musical instruments and displayed combinations of their plants in and around the instruments with the message. Our judges were impressed and took lots of photos to help them at their garden centers!

Kazumi Garden has received Cool Product Awards before as they introduced the ancient Japanese art of kokedamas (meaning ball of moss) but this year, they are not only offering a greater number of plant varieties in kokedamas but they also are providing ideas for properly displaying these works of art. While they only sell the kokedamas, the Kazumi Team gave examples of both natural and ceramic bases for these plants.

This is a plant that when you first see it you are wondering, “Is it real?” This unusual Alocasia has a metallic look of copper. Northland shared in its maturity, this variety has leaves to 24 inches long. The metallic color is especially pronounced on juvenile leaves, and the back of the leaf is a deep purple.

When the judges walked by Popes Plant Farm Booth, they were instantly attracted to the wide assortment of succulent combination planters. From small to larger sizes and from natural-look containers to whimsical themes, there is so much to consider.

Pottery Pots introduced their new Bohemian Collection which features natural bamboo exteriors and a concrete/fiberglass interior for both indoor and outdoor use. There is a variety of sizes and styles in this collection.

The Pottery Patch has attracted judges in previous years with their creative styles and this year was no different. Their collection of Head Planters in multiple styles was an instant selection for the judges who are convinced they will sell quickly.

Mossify was quite busy for their first appearance at TPIE as they introduced their new bendable coir and moss plant poles. Available in two thicknesses (diameters) with one with smaller coir covering and the other larger with moss, each available in 3 sizes. During the presentation, Lucas Picciolo, founder, said, “with Mossify poles it puts creativity in the hands of the plant owner.” During the presentation Lucas also shared details on their new cordless plant mister (Mossify Mistr).

Creation Jute has an extensive line of handmade macrame plant hangers, braided jute pot covers, jute rope pot covers, seagrass pot covers and much more, all in several tones. Creation Jute USA is based in Connecticut and is the wholesale distributer of Creation Private Limited based in Bangladesh.

A differentiated product, the Xaxim planter is 100% ecological, which is surprising due to its great absorption of water and nutrients, as well as its total similarity with the original fern fiber, which had its sale prohibited due to the risk of extinction of the plant used for its manufacture. The Xaxim pot’s rooting capacity and its ecologically correct manufacturing process also contribute to the wide acceptance of the product and strengthen its position as a concrete alternative to fern tree fern fiber. The Xaxim Pots are available in five different sizes.

This rare variety shows off a dramatic, red color in both half-leaves and some stems along with vibrant yellows and green colorations. This is certainly not one you will be ordering large quantities of since availabilities are low but certainly one to keep your eyes open for in the future.

Sept. 19, 2022 will mark the 60th anniversary of HRI, and the year-long celebration got off to a strong start at MANTS raising over $400,000 in donations during the event.

WASHINGTON, DC and COLUMBUS, OH — On Thursday, Jan. 6,  the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI), kicked off a milestone year, recognizing and thanking donors, researchers and the industry during a reception at the Mid Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS) in Baltimore, Maryland. Sept. 19, 2022 marks the 60th anniversary of HRI, the horticultural industry’s research and scholarship foundation and the year-long celebration got off to a strong start at MANTS raising over $400,000 in donations during the event.

HRI, the AmericanHort research foundation, was established by industry leaders on the premise that no one could better direct needed research to advance horticulture than the very people who work in it, day in and day out. Today, HRI sticks to that same vision: funding and guiding horticultural research efforts with the direct input from industry professionals.

To date, HRI has supported $9.5 million in research grants and scholarships — $3.6 million of that has been distributed to over 100 research projects since 2012. HRI has grown from a small organization to a nationally recognized foundation providing hundreds of thousands of dollars each year in research grants, a robust outreach program, a proven track record of establishing swift-moving emerging issues funds, and a growing scholarship program.

“HRI’s success is driven by the industry’s belief in our mission and both their financial and volunteer support,” stated incoming 2022 HRI President Alan Jones, of Manor View Farm, Monkton, MD. “We achieved this milestone through the hard work and dedication of our industry volunteers, our staff team, and our thousands of donors over the last six decades. HRI’s work improves our industry and will continue to do so for decades to come.”

During the celebratory reception, Ed Tankard, owner of Tankard Nurseries Inc, of Exmore, VA, announced the creation of the John E. Tankard Jr. Research Fund. This new fund aims to provide a legacy in memory of John Tankard Jr., Ed’s father, who guided the business for 53 years, in order to secure a long-term source of funding for research deemed important to the industry.

American Beauties Native Plants announced that it will provide a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $10,000, for donors who would like to help grow the fund aimed at supporting research into native plants. To donate to this fund, visit https://www.hriresearch.org/donate or contact Jennifer Gray at JenniferG@AmericanHort.org.

Danny Summers, CEO of the Garden Center Group, announced that the Southern Nursery Association Legacy fund within HRI was about to exceed $300,000 and offered a limited quantity gift to donors interested in contributing to this fund. Each donor will receive a limited-edition copy of the Southern Nursery Association legacy book.

Additional donors were recognized during the celebratory reception, including American Beauties Native Plants, Spring Meadow Nursery, North Creek Nurseries, Herman Losely & Son, Overdevest Nursery, Decker Nursery, NewGen Boxwood, Manor View Farm, the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association, the Oregon Department of Agriculture, and GreenForest Nursery.

Monies raised from donations made during events like this, and throughout the year, fund the activities of the Horticultural Research Institute’s research and scholarship programs, along with educational outreach activities for the industry.

For more information about HRI, its grant-funded research, scholarships, or programming, visit www.hriresearch.org or contact Jennifer Gray at 614.884.1155.

The research foundation received $400,000 in donations at its MANTS reception.

On January 6, 2022, the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI), kicked off a milestone year, recognizing and thanking donors, researchers, and the industry during a reception at the Mid Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS) in Baltimore, MD. September 19, 2022 marks the 60th anniversary of HRI, the horticultural industry’s research and scholarship foundation and the year-long celebration got off to a strong start at MANTS raising over $400,000 in donations during the event.

HRI, the AmericanHort research foundation, was established by industry leaders on the premise that no one could better direct needed research to advance horticulture than the very people who work in it, day in and day out. Today, HRI sticks to that same vision: funding and guiding horticultural research efforts with the direct input from industry professionals.

To date, HRI has supported $9.5 million in research grants and scholarships--$3.6 million of that has been distributed to over 100 research projects since 2012. HRI has grown from a small organization to a nationally recognized foundation providing hundreds of thousands of dollars each year in research grants, a robust outreach program, a proven track record of establishing swift-moving emerging issues funds, and a growing scholarship program.

“HRI’s success is driven by the industry’s belief in our mission and both their financial and volunteer support,” stated incoming 2022 HRI President Alan Jones, of Manor View Farm, Monkton, MD. “We achieved this milestone through the hard work and dedication of our industry volunteers, our staff team, and our thousands of donors over the last six decades. HRI’s work improves our industry and will continue to do so for decades to come.”

During the celebratory reception, Ed Tankard, owner of Tankard Nurseries Inc, of Exmore, VA, announced the creation of the John E. Tankard Jr. Research Fund. This new fund aims to provide a legacy in memory of John Tankard Jr., Ed’s father, who guided the business for 53 years, in order to secure a long-term source of funding for research deemed important to the industry.

American Beauties Native Plants announced that it will provide a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $10,000, for donors who would like to help grow the fund aimed at supporting research into native plants. To donate to this fund, visit https://www.hriresearch.org/donate or contact Jennifer Gray at JenniferG@AmericanHort.org.

Danny Summers, CEO of the Garden Center Group, announced that the Southern Nursery Association Legacy fund within HRI was about to exceed $300,000 and offered a limited quantity gift to donors interested in contributing to this fund. Each donor will receive a limited-edition copy of the Southern Nursery Association legacy book.

Additional donors were recognized during the celebratory reception, including American Beauties Native Plants, Spring Meadow Nursery, North Creek Nurseries, Herman Losely & Son, Overdevest Nursery, Decker Nursery, NewGen Boxwood, Manor View Farm, the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association, the Oregon Department of Agriculture, and GreenForest Nursery.

Monies raised from donations made during events like this, and throughout the year, fund the activities of the Horticultural Research Institute’s research and scholarship programs, along with educational outreach activities for the industry.

HRI tackles the biggest challenges—everything from disease management to water quality and availability—to bring you the information and best practices you need to perform better, grow faster, and prepare for the future.

The Horticultural Research Institute (HRI), the research affiliate of AmericanHort, has provided over $9.5 million in funds since 1962 to research projects covering a broad range of production, environmental, and business issues important to the green industry. Over $20 million is committed to the endowment by individuals, corporations, and associations. For more information about HRI, its grant-funded research, scholarships, or programming, visit www.hriresearch.org.