After months of winter grays and browns, who isn’t ready for some color? We’ve highlighted below a few of this year's popular plants guaranteed to brighten up your landscapes

photo via pantone.com

Pantone Color Institute chose Peach Fuzz as their Color of the Year, based on emerging trends in various industries such as fashion and entertainment. They describe the shade as "a velvety gentle peach tone whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body, and soul."

photo via monrovia.com

If you're interested in adding warmth or softness to your landscapes with shades of peach, Monrovia is on trend with one of its 2024 introductions: Itsy Bitsy® Peach Miniature Rose. Reaching 18 in. tall and 24 in. wide, this rose will bloom abundantly, whether in a container or flower bed. It is resistant to mildew and rust.

Proven Winners recently announced their Plants of the Year, marketed to consumers as easy to grow, readily available, and guaranteed to perform well in the landscape.

photo via provenwinners.com

If you're looking for drama and bold contrast, among those in Proven Winner's 2024 lineup is a new variety of weigelia that might fit the bill. Wine & Spirits® weigelia, an update to the popular Wine & Roses®, has dark, almost black foliage and contrasting white-green flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. It blooms in late spring to early summer, but the dark foliage is visually appealing on its own as well. Wine & Spirits prefers full sun and can grow 3-5 feet tall and wide.

photo via provenwinners.com

Shadier parts of the landscape can be brightened up with the many varieties of caladium available. Their large, heart-shaped leaves come in a wide array of patterns and colors, including white, pink, red, and green. Proven Winners will be marketing their 2024 selection: Heart to Heart®' Lemon Blush', a fancy-leaved variety with lemony-green leaves with a hot pink center and veins.

Caladiums like moist, well-drained soil. In Ohio, they can be grown as perennials, but gardeners must dig up the plant's tuberous root and store it inside over winter to replant the following spring. Caladiums can also be grown as houseplants and do exceptionally well in containers.

photo via thespruce.com

For those needing to tackle sunnier, hotter landscapes, you might like that the National Garden Bureau has declared 2024 the Year of the Angelonia. Also called summer snapdragons, these easy-to-grow flowers thrive in Ohio's hot summer weather. They bloom consistently throughout the season with no deadheading required.

Angelonia can be used in hanging baskets and containers, flower beds, and cutting gardens. Popular varieties, including 'Archangel,' 'AngelMist,' and 'Alonia,' offer white, pink, purple, blue, or bi-color blooms.

photo via sciotogardens.com

The Perennial Plant Association's 2024 Plant of the Year, Phlox paniculata 'Jeana,' is a tall garden phlox with fragrant, lavender-pink flowers. While the flowers on this variety are smaller than those of other phlox, it remains a striking choice for landscape applications and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds from midsummer through early fall.

Thriving in full sun and reaching 3-5 feet under optimal conditions, this phlox stands out for its resistance to powdery mildew. Plant it in well-drained soil with good air circulation to ensure the plant remains attractive even without flowers.

The PPA suggests pairing 'Jeana' with other perennials, such as bluestars, Shasta daisies, coneflowers, alliums, and sages.

Enjoy adding vibrant and bold additions to your landscapes this season. If you’re looking for more inspiration to add seasonal interest, color, and contrast to your landscapes, OGIA’s Landscape Plants for Ohio is an excellent reference guide for both home gardeners and industry professionals.

by Alana Settle

Thoughtful landscaping in urban areas can create healthier communities.

Ohioans living in the state’s largest cities face several risk factors for their physical and mental health. Thankfully, the green industry is poised to make a difference in these communities. Urban landscaping can provide numerous benefits to city dwellers by improving the overall appeal of a city, increasing environmental sustainability, and enhancing the quality of life for city dwellers.

photo via Columbus Dispatch

Heat Islands

Heat waves can quickly become public health emergencies for urban areas, as heat causes more deaths in the U.S. than any other weather-related factor. Known as the heat island effect, cities without adequate shade get hotter and cool down slower than suburbs or countryside with more vegetation and less development. Columbus and Cincinnati can be, on average, six degrees warmer than surrounding areas, with some neighborhoods in Cincinnati up to 10 degrees hotter. Downtown Cleveland can be seven degrees warmer and ranks as the 15th worst heat island in the U.S.

Shade offered by trees can cool the air by up to 25 degrees. Thankfully, Ohio’s three largest cities are working to plant more trees on public land. Cincinnati and Columbus aim to increase their tree canopy cover to 40%, and Cleveland recently revived its Urban Forestry Commission. There is evidence that green roofs and walls can help mitigate the heat island effect as well.

photo via Britannica

Poor air quality contributes to higher respiratory infections, asthma, and other illnesses. Nearly all of Ohio’s major cities were ranked in the top 50 worst places to live with asthma by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America in 2022 (Cleveland held the #2 spot).

Along with absorbing carbon dioxide from the air, trees reduce the amount of PM2.5—fine particulate matter that can cause serious health issues when inhaled. PM sticks to trees’ leaves instead of floating in the air, where it stays until rain can eventually wash it down into the soil. Some research shows asthma attacks are reduced in urban neighborhoods with tree-lined streets.

Of course, tree pollen also contributes to allergies and asthma. Allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S. Allergies and pollen counts are getting worse as the climate warms.

The green industry can play a role in minimizing allergens in the air by choosing plants carefully. Over the past few years, city planners’ preference for planting only male trees has been criticized. While male trees don’t produce messy seeds, pods, and fruit like female trees (an obvious plus for street trees), they do produce significantly more pollen, and there are fewer female trees to capture it. Thomas Ogren’s The Allergy-Fighting Garden and his Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, which ranks the allergy potential of garden and landscape plants, are good resources for those interested in creating lower-allergen landscapes.

photo via Trip Advisor

More people are recognizing the life-improving power of plants. New downtown luxury apartment complexes boast all types of green amenities, including rooftop gardens, dog parks, community gardening plots, lush courtyards, and balconies for residents to do their own container gardening. Downtown restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and businesses hire landscape companies to provide beautiful streetscapes, entryways, seasonal containers, and even interior living walls.

Not everyone living in urban areas can experience the beauty of the natural world easily, but opportunities like vacant lot restoration projects can extend the benefits of green space to low-income neighborhoods.

Thousands of vacant lots negatively impact urban neighborhoods.Cleveland alone has 18,000 vacant lots (not counting those owned privately) and spends millions of dollars just to keep the grass mowed in those lots. Government land bank programs and non-profit organizations are attempting to revitalize these lots into beneficial green spaces.

In Cleveland, the Western Reserve Land Conservancy cleans up vacant lots and turns them into small parks, and their Side Yard program helps residents obtain ownership over adjacent vacant lots (some can be purchased for just $200). In Akron, more than 100 vacant lots have been given away to residents in the “Mow Your Own” program. Several non-profit organizations, such as Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens’ Growing to Green program in Columbus, offer free resources and grant opportunities for individuals who want to use these lots to create community gardens.

Vacant lot restoration projects have measurable effects. In Philadelphia, gun violence was reduced by 29% in neighborhoods where the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society transformed vacant lots into public green spaces. Studies have also shown that just a short walk through an urban park can decrease heart rate and reduce anxiety.

Landscaping is a crucial aspect of modern city planning. While it certainly comes with challenges, it’s clear the green industry can make a positive and measurable impact. Continue to pay attention to new research, stay on top of changing best practices, and network with like-minded individuals to learn how you can play a role in developing healthier urban communities.

Sources:

1. Climate Central. (n.d.). [Website](https://www.climatecentral.org/resources).
2. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. (2022). [Asthma Capitals Report](https://community.aafa.org/blog/2022-asthma-capitals-report-where-does-your-city-rank).
3. The Field: The Official Blog of the American Society of Landscape Architects. (2019). [Building a Low Allergen Plant Palette](https://thefield.asla.org/2019/02/19/building-a-low-allergen-plant-palette/).
4. Allergy & Asthma Network. (n.d.). [How Plant Gender Impacts Your Allergies](https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/news/how-plant-gender-impacts-your-allergies/#:~:text=Male%20plants%20produce%20and%20disperse,pollen%20and%20allergies%20for%20decades.).
5. Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. (n.d.). [How to Reduce Crime and Gun Violence, Stabilize Neighborhoods: Randomized Controlled Study](https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/news/how-reduce-crime-gun-violence-stabilize-neighborhoods-randomized-controlled-study).

We all want landscapes that are built to last.

Whether or not your clients have begun to express concern with the impact climate change could have on their landscapers, it wouldn’t hurt to incorporate best practices and techniques to help guarantee the plants in your care will thrive.

Anticipated climate changes include rising temperatures, more intense storms, and less predictable drought and rain patterns, all of which present challenges to the green industry and home gardeners. Thankfully, there are many easy ways you can begin to create climate-resilient landscapes and minimize risk to your projects and communities.

Diversify Your Landscapes

A landscape with a wide variety of plants is better equipped to handle changes in its environment. A diverse garden with plenty of flowering plants benefits the local pollinator populations. Diversity is also important to protect from a catastrophic loss to a new pest or disease (for example, the loss of ash trees to the Emerald Ash Borer).

Ask your clients how much of their lawn they are using; encourage them to reduce large swaths of grass and add beds of water-wise perennials and shrubs.

When selecting plants, native species are a smart choice as they are known to be tough and adaptable. Native plant experts advise working toward a landscape composed of 70% natives to maximize benefits to local wildlife. Swapping out a few annuals for easy-going, native perennials can be an easy first step.

Plant More Trees

The fact that trees are beneficial to the environment is common knowledge. Anyone can plant a tree, but the green industry’s responsibility is to ensure trees reach maturity and live long, healthy lives by educating clients and encouraging professional assistance in selecting the right tree for the right spot, proper planting technique, watering requirements, and proactive care for pests and diseases.

More research is becoming available on trees that will adapt well to climate change. For example, researchers advise selecting trees that thrive in our current plant hardiness zone and two zones warmer.

Get Serious About Invasives

Do your part to stop the spread of invasive species to make natural ecosystems more climate resilient. Stay informed on plants deemed invasive in Ohio (available on the ODA website) and consider replacing invasives already growing in your landscapes. Some climate change experts advise avoiding plants that are invasive in other regions as well since their range will most likely change with time.

Water Wisely

Drought-tolerant plants are an obvious choice for dry areas, if there is adequate drainage. Remind clients that regular watering is required for all new plants and “drought tolerance” is only established when the plant has grown a deep root system.

Reducing overall water consumption can be done in a variety of ways, such as using drip irrigation, installing rain barrels, and following best practices for irrigation systems. Information can be shared with clients during Smart Irrigation Month, a public awareness campaign hosted by the Irrigation Association each July.

Stormwater Management

Designing landscapes that can handle excess water becomes increasingly important with predictions of stronger storms and periods of heavy rainfall. Slow down runoff and prevent pollution of waterways with the installation of rain gardens, swales, and permeable pavers.

Stay Informed

Changing weather patterns influence the prevalence of pests and diseases. Stay informed on what experts are seeing in our region with OGIA’s Plant Health Care Newsletter, Diagnostic Walkabouts, and OSU Extensions resources such as the BYGL e-newsletter.

"The ABCs of Trees - A First Book About Trees" by Scott A. Zanon is an informative and captivating children's book that explores the fascinating world of trees. With the use of the alphabet, the book presents readers with a unique perspective on different types of trees and their characteristics.

The book is illustrated by Mitchell James, and the illustrations are bright, vivid, and full of character. Each letter of the alphabet is accompanied by an illustration, which brings each topic to life. Zanon has a clear passion for trees and the environment, and this shines through in the pages of the book. His love of nature is infectious, and the book is sure to inspire young readers to develop a deeper appreciation for the beauty of trees.

One of the most impressive things about this book is the amount of information it presents in an accessible and understandable way for children. Each page includes a fun fact about the tree corresponding to the letter. These little nuggets of information are presented in a way that is easy to understand, and they help to spark curiosity in young readers.

In addition to the informative content and endearing illustrations, the book is also a great educational tool for parents and teachers. The book can be used to teach children about the environment, the importance of trees, and the role they play in our daily lives. The book also includes coloring pages at the end, which encourage readers to find specific types of trees covered in the book.

Overall, "The ABCs of Trees - A First Book About Trees" is a wonderful addition to any children's library. It is beautifully illustrated, well-written, and informative. This book is a great tool for teaching children how trees work in a sense. It is also a great way to spark curiosity in young readers and inspire them to explore the world around them.

If you're looking for a book that is both entertaining and educational, "The ABCs of Trees - A First Book About Trees" is worth checking out.

(Virginia Bluebells - photo via OhioNativePlantMonth.com)

Selecting native plants as the backbone of a project can create a thriving, sustainable landscape that peacefully coexists with its environment. Because they are well-adapted to Ohio’s weather and soil conditions, native plants often require less maintenance, less fertilizer, and less supplemental watering than non-native options. Simply put, they are easy to please as long as they are planted in the right spot.

Natives play a crucial role in sustaining the local ecosystem. These plants have developed a mutually beneficial relationship with local wildlife. Many insect species are dependent upon native plants in ways that cannot be replicated with non-native plants, and studies show the lack of native species is contributing to a decline in populations of important pollinators.

It’s important to note that many cultivars and “nativars” of Ohio native plants are readily available. These can be excellent selections for eye-catching landscapes, as many have been bred for better disease resistance, brighter colors, or a compact form more suitable for smaller spaces. However, some researchers suggest certain cultivars may not provide as much pollen or nectar for beneficial insects.

According to the organizers of Ohio Native Plant Month, there are nearly 2000 native plants in Ohio, many of which are underutilized in home landscapes. If you’re looking for a way to get started, consider the following native plants as an introduction. They will provide year-round interest in your landscape and all should be readily available at your local garden center or wholesale supplier.

Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)

(photo via Pinterest)

Grown as either a tall, multi-stemmed bush or a small tree, the spring-blooming serviceberry is an exceptional alternative to the invasive (and recently banned) Callery pear. Its small white flowers are visited by bees in mid-spring. Berries follow and while edible to humans, birds usually devour them quickly. Many cultivars boast brilliant fall color as well, making this a well-rounded choice for three seasons of low-maintenance interest. Plant in full sun to part shade.

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

(photo - OGIA)

The long-lasting summer blooms on this classic perennial attract a wide array of bees and butterflies. Deadhead to prevent self-seeding, or let goldfinches visit in the late summer to feast on the seed heads. Coneflowers enjoy full sun and are drought-tolerant once established. This prairie native is popular as a mass planting along the garden border with other natives such as black-eyed Susan. Many coneflower cultivars are available in a wide array of colors.

New England Aster (Symphyotrichumnovae-angliae)

(photo via thespruce.com)

Bees, migrating monarchs, and other butterflies love this late-season bloomer. The common wildflower’s vibrant lavender blooms brighten an autumn landscape while providing an important food source for pollinators from August through October. It can grow up to 6 feet tall but can be pinched back in early summer to create a bushier plant. New England Aster required full sun and moist to average soil. It looks best when underplanted with low-growing perennials, as it tends to lose its lower leaves as it blooms and may require staking. More compact cultivars such as ‘Purple Dome’ are available.

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginia)

(photo via The Highland County Press)

Common Witch Hazel adds a much-needed pop of color to the late fall landscape. Its distinctive, fragrant yellow flowers with strand-like petals bloom from October to December. Fruit may appear from the previous year’s flowers. This native woodland shrub is fairly low maintenance in the home garden, preferring moist, well-drained soil. It can be grown as a small tree reaching heights of 15 to 20 feet. Note only Hamamelis virginia is native to Ohio. There are non-native species that flower in later winter/early spring and several popular hybrids are available with flowers in shades of orange and red.

by Alana Settle

There’s a job in the green industry for just about anyone willing to put in a hard day’s work.

It takes a diverse group of passionate employees to create beautiful, smartly designed, and well-maintained outdoor spaces. Some positions are summer jobs and others can be lifelong careers. Many entry-level roles require only a high school diploma. Companies provide on-the-job training, while post-secondary education and certification programs are easily accessible for those interested in advancing their careers.

If you’d like to explore career opportunities in the green industry, we’ve listed a few popular jobs below that compose some of OGIA’s largest membership segments—landscaping, wholesale growing operations, arboriculture, and retail garden centers. This is a small sampling of all there is to offer. Seed Your Future, a non-profit that promotes careers in the green industry, lists more than 140 horticulture-related careers on its website.

Landscape

Perhaps the most recognizable to the public, the landscape industry is a broad field comprising highly trained architects and designers, field technicians who create complex outdoor spaces in residential and commercial properties, and professionals who care for and maintain plants and lawns for homeowners and businesses. Many jobs require physical labor and working in the varying temperatures of spring, summer, and fall. Some landscape companies offer snow removal services as well.

Landscape projects require a team of people—sales staff and account managers, designers, project managers, and an install crew to name a few.

Landscape Technicians

Crew members are often only required to have a high school diploma. Opportunities for advancement to supervisory positions are available after several years of experience. An associate degree can help advance a career, as can certification programs.

Landscape Designers

An associate or bachelor’s degree is required. Advanced certification is also available. Landscape architects are licensed professionals who have bachelor’s or master’s degrees.

Hardscape Installers

A college education is not required for entry-level technicians, however many two- and four-year programs at universities and community colleges provide education on designing and installing hardscape features such as patios, walkways, and retaining walls. Training and certification programs, offered by industry associations and manufacturers of hardscape products, are also available to those already working in the industry.

Greenhouse and Nursery

Wholesale greenhouse and nursery operations grow plants and sell them to businesses such as landscapers and retail garden centers. Employees perform a variety of tasks, such as potting and pruning plants, field planting, propagating new plant material, monitoring for pests and diseases, applying fertilizers and pesticides, and gathering plants for orders. Growing operations also have sales teams, shipping departments, mechanics, office staff, and more.

Greenhouse and Nursery Technicians

Many companies will hire candidates for entry-level positions who have a high school diploma and will train them on the job.

Grower

A college degree or industry experience is preferred for advanced positions. A state license is required to apply pesticides.

Arborists

Arborists provide a variety of tree care services, including pruning, removal, and pest and disease management, in residential and commercial locations. Many arborists work outside nearly year-round since many tasks can be done in cold weather.

Some entry-level positions may be available for those with little experience, but two- or four-year degrees and certifications are often preferred. Identifying and developing a treatment plan for the array of pests, diseases, and abiotic disorders affecting trees requires considerable knowledge of plant health care. A license is required to apply pesticides to trees.

Retail Garden Centers

Retail garden centers sell plants and other gardening and landscaping products to the general public. People who enjoy interacting with customers would thrive in most garden center positions. Most employees work directly with customers, but garden centers also have buyers, department managers, growers, and merchandisers who create eye-catching displays and signage.

Associates

Entry-level roles do not require college degrees and many garden centers even hire high school students for part-time summer jobs. Customer service experience is preferred, as well as some plant knowledge (or a willingness to learn). Employees are often tasked with helping customers identify popular plants, trees, and shrubs and answering questions about plant care.

Advanced Positions

Employees responsible for growing and maintaining plant material often have degrees or several years of experience. Some retail operations also provide landscape design, installation services, and community workshops, offering more opportunities for employees who have skills in those areas.

For more information about careers in the green industry, visit these resources:

Seedyourfuture.com/careers

Landscapeindustrycareers.com

Hardscapingis.com

President Genevieve Reiner Mills 

Company: Oakland Nursery

Years in the Green Industry Profession: 10

What is your vision for the OGIA in 2023?

I would love to see our membership grow and strengthen. As professionals in a growing (pun fully intended) field, we have the opportunity to shape and beautify the world around us. If we do it together, with a shared vision and an enthusiastic membership, we can build amazing spaces.

Immediate Past President Molly John

Company: M.J. Design Associates, Inc.

Years in the Green Industry Profession: 32

What is your vision for the OGIA in 2023?

In 2023 I look forward to the continued growth of the Green Profession. As a representative of the OGIA, I am excited at the opportunity for us to expand our commitment to Training and Certification, to raise the quality and standards of our professions and the work we produce, and continue the outreach to our high schools and 2 or 4-year institutions to raise awareness about the wonderful career opportunities.

President Elect Joe Lewis

Company: Yard Solutions

Years in the Green Industry Profession: 9

What is your vision for the OGIA in 2023?

My vision for OGIA is to provide dynamic training, outreach, and networking events that fully support the success and growth of green industry businesses, educators, and students by effectively engaging, educating, and empowering our members.

I am committed to ensuring the leadership of our association continues actively listening to our members so we better understand how OGIA can better serve. I understand the unique challenges we face, and I look forward to assisting OGIA to evolve, adapt, and innovate to meet the needs of our members and this amazing industry.

Michael Hall

Company: Harrell's LLC

Years in the Green Industry Profession: 25

What is your vision for the OGIA in 2023?

My goal for 2023 is to keep improving OGIA benefits to it's members. 

David Hupman

Company: TR Gear Landscaping

Years in the Green Industry Profession: 45

What is your vision for the OGIA in 2023?

My vision for 2023 is to help get the new OCNT training manuals completed and help that team in any way I can to ensure that happens. As a new board member, I will be listening and asking a lot of questions to gain insight into the direction we are heading. Another vision is to ensure the OGIA is the number one source for people in the industry to go to for information.

Peter Lowe

Company: The Dawes Arboretum

Years in the Green Industry Profession: 20

What is your vision for the OGIA in 2023?

Cultivating members through transformative experiences. We are an industry of passionate and dedicated people and the OGIA has a responsibility to continue to stoke that fire in new and innovative ways. 2023 brings with it the opportunity to build upon a well-laid foundation and update how we connect, mentor, lead, and educate within the green industry.

Ron Schultz

Company: Willoway Nurseries

Years in the Green Industry Profession: 24

What is your vision for the OGIA in 2023?

My goal for 2023 is to educate/promote all opportunities and benefits our profession has to offer to the next generation of future professionals.

Abby Thompson

Company: Acorn Farms

Years in the Green Industry Profession: 22

What is your vision for the OGIA in 2023?

I am very excited for 2023 and being on the board for OGIA. I am interested in working on new ways to engage current members and increase awareness of OGIA to newer companies/individuals in the green industry.

Matt Turner

Company: Turner Landscaping

Years in the Green Industry Profession: 25

What is your vision for the OGIA in 2023?

My vision for OGIA in 2023 would be to bring networking and training to a much greater level. Members need to take training employees seriously and the OGIA has worked hard to provide training opportunities for members. Networking is also a product of training. Employees from different companies will talk to each other during training sessions and share what works and what doesn't in their company. What better way to bring out industry together and grow stronger than training and networking?

Lori Zatroch

Company: Cuyahoga Community College

Years in the Green Industry Profession: 6

What is your vision for the OGIA in 2023?

I am very excited to join the Board of Directors in 2023 and hope to contribute to the OGIA’s continuing involvement with Ohio’s secondary and post-secondary institutions. I look forward to helping the OGIA act as a resource for students, faculty, and green industry professionals.

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