Michael Geary
Michael Geary is president and CEO of AmericanHort. Learn more about the association by visiting AmericanHort.org.
June 24, 2014
AmericanHort Will Offer Content And Connections Geared Toward Business Success At Cultivate’14 In July
Michael Geary, the association's President and CEO, discusses how AmericanHort aims to help growers succeed, and what you'll find when you attend Cultivate'14 in Columbus, Ohio, this July 12-15.
February 29, 2012
Why OFA Is Adapting – And Why Your Business Should Too
If you Google the expression “adapt or die,” you find thousands of references to books, whitepapers, newspaper articles, speeches and journal articles confirming the need to change. “Adapt or die” is not a creative phrase, but it’s certainly clear: Like death and taxes, we seem to have no alternative. The need to transform is not unique to horticulture. All industries have experienced pain over the last few years and still today. Businesses are struggling, consumers are just starting to gain some financial ground, and we know it’s going to be a few more years before the global economy is back to normal– whatever “normal” means. In the meantime, we cannot sit back and wait for change to come to us. OFA is certainly not going to relax and hope for the best. As we announced two years ago, OFA’s strategic plan includes an objective to expand our relationships with other […]
December 9, 2011
Let’s Partner With New Groups
There are a wide variety of organizations at the local and state levels that can provide additional marketing opportunities for growers. Connecting with these groups may bring added sales and will certainly expand the visibility of your company. Savvy growers will also arm themselves with data about how flowers, plants and trees contribute to the economic well being of communities (America in Bloom, for example, publishes this information on its website). A suggested list of organizations includes the local and state chapters of the American Society of Landscape Architects, National Association of Home Builders and the National Association of Realtors. Other entities to consider are larger homeowners associations and local organizations committed to beautification and green infrastructure like America in Bloom, Keep America Beautiful, National Garden Clubs, Master Gardeners and Tree City USA. Many of these groups have monthly lunch or dinner meetings at which you can network with potential […]
Latest Stories
April 21, 2018
How Researchers are Building Better Lantana Plants
Lantana might be beautiful, but the perennial plant has a tendency to escape confined spaces, spreading beyond control and even cross-pollinating with native species. Coming up with a solution for lantana’s invasive nature has been a passion project for UF/IFAS Plant Scientist Zhanao Deng. His mission was set forth after local industry stakeholders asked if it was possible to breed sterile, non-invasive lantana selections. After more than a decade of research, Deng successfully developed and delivered two new lantana varieties designed to accommodate nursery managers, retailers, and consumers. According to Deng, ‘Bloomify Rose’ and ‘Bloomify Red’ are not only visually appealing, but they also don’t produce fruit and seeds, don’t spread, and don’t cross-pollinate Florida’s native lantana, Lantana depressa. Rick Brown, Owner of Riverview Flower Farm in Riverview, FL, has sold the new varieties for about a year and can attest to their assets. “They are relatively a perpetually bloomer,” […]
April 20, 2018
Your Weekly Chance to Market the Positive Vibes That Fl…
Each week between now and the end of the year, American Floral Endowment will post a new video promoting flowers.
April 20, 2018
California Dreaming Takes on a Whole New Meaning at CAS…
At California Spring Trials 2018, the Greenhouse Grower team witnessed the revitalization of a company, plus some awesome merchandising displays, and efforts toward automation.
April 19, 2018
California Spring Trials 2018: New Intros from Syngenta…
Check out the newest 2018 plant introductions from Syngenta Flowers, Hishtil, Jaldety, Cohen Propagators, Nir Nursery, Bailey Nurseries, and Sunset Western/Southern Living Plants.
April 19, 2018
CAST 2018: Dr. A’s Favorites From Syngenta Flowers, Bai…
From an exciting perennial to a new white begonia, Allan Armitage says these showstoppers deserve recognition.
April 19, 2018
Spring Trials Rookie Inspired by Connections
The Allan Armitage Scholarship recipient has added a number of industry connections during his time at California Spring Trials, and discusses what that means to him and his career.
April 18, 2018
At CAST 2018, Sakata Captures Consumer Attention Spans,…
More than halfway through the California Spring Trials, the Greenhouse Grower team had a busy but fantastic day seeing dozens of our friends at American Takii and Benary, and spending time talking about the industry's past and its bright future.
April 18, 2018
California Spring Trials 2018: New Varieties to Watch F…
Check out the newest 2018 plant introductions from American Takii, Hilverdakooijj, Hem Genetics, Thompson & Morgan, Sakata Ornamentals, and Ernst Benary of America.
April 18, 2018
How the Horticulture Industry’s Past Shaped Its P…
Andrew Scheldorf, the winner of Dr. Allan Armitage’s California Spring Trials Scholarship, says the stories of plant origins help ground our industry to the people and places that have changed us.
April 18, 2018
Dr. A Weighs in on His CAST Favorites From American Tak…
Here are some of the top variety introductions for 2019 that have pleased Dr. A during California Spring Trials 2018.
April 17, 2018
Dümmen Orange’s New Gamechanger, Plants for All S…
Greenhouse Grower's California Spring Trials Team headed north on Day 3, with stops at Dümmen Orange in picturesque San Luis Obispo and Floricultura in fertile Salinas.
April 17, 2018
Syngenta Flowers Acquires Netherlands-Based Dahlia Bree…
Syngenta Flowers has reached an agreement with Verwer Dahlia BV to acquire the company’s dahlia assortment and breeding program. Both companies expect to finalize the acquisition in the coming weeks.
April 17, 2018
Armitage Scholarship Winner Weighs in on Plant Breeding…
Andrew Scheldorf, the winner of Dr. Allan Armitage’s California Spring Trials Scholarship, says breeders' persistence in making small and large breeding improvements is a testament to their passion and dedication to excellence.
April 17, 2018
California Spring Trials 2018: Stand-Out New Plants fro…
Check out these new plant introductions from the California Spring Trials 2018 trail featuring breeding from Dümmen Orange , Westhoff, Beekenkamp, and Plug Connection.
April 17, 2018
Allan Armitage’s Noteworthy 2018 Plant Intros fro…
Here are some of the top variety introductions for 2019 that have pleased Dr. A during California Spring Trials 2018.
April 16, 2018
California Spring Trials 2018: New Plant Intros from Gr…
New plants from Suntory Flowers, Terra Nova Nurseries, Prudac, Florist, PlantHaven, Anthura, Kapiteyn, Kientzler, 2 Plant International, and more on day two of California Spring Trials 2018.
April 16, 2018
CAST 2018 Provides Fresh Inspiration for Infusing Marke…
The second day of California Spring Trials took the Greenhouse Grower Team to GroLink in Oxnard, CA, and then up the coast to Windmill Nursery in Buellton. Here are some of the marketing, display, trend, and people highlights we saw at those locations, as well as some beautiful scenery from our evening in Pismo Beach.
April 16, 2018
Allan Armitage’s Spring Trials Favorites From Green Fus…
Here are some of the top variety introductions for 2019 that have pleased Dr. A during California Spring Trials 2018.