Passion Is Driving Today’s Horticulture Industry
December 8, 2022 
Success in the horticulture industry is driven by innovative leaders, who confront challenges head-on to help their businesses flourish. Photo: Brian Sparks
I recently heard from an old high school friend whom I have not talked with in many years. John and I played basketball on our high school team, studied a bit, slacked off a lot, and managed to get through high school in a teenage fog. He went on to become a well-known writer and a leader in Canadian affairs. Healthy and slim, he recently suffered a massive heart attack.
After quadruple bypass surgery and more treatments, he is making a remarkable recovery. It is still a long struggle, but one of the silver linings of this awful event is that he has had time to rediscover his love of writing poetry. His passion is a balm, and I am convinced that part of his successful recovery is attributed to his passion.
Two other friends of mine have had similar health challenges. Heart issues, bypass surgery, and a slow but steady recovery. Both have the benefit of wonderful partners, family, and medical breakthroughs, but they have also both rediscovered passions. There are far too many unhappy stories of body breakdowns and too few stories of happy outcomes. But I can almost guarantee that many of those happier outcomes are because of people having a passion.
As you read this, you are likely asking, “What does this have to do with horticulture?” The short answer is nothing; the long answer is everything. The fact is, I am not even sure if John has bought a plant in his entire life, but I do know about passion. John’s is writing, and it is helping him recover.
Our business is based on passion, and people’s passion for plants and the soil far transcend the fact that our plants are pretty. This passion may be hard to spot in the trenches of the greenhouse and nursery, when the pots keep falling over, the plants keep shrinking, the weeds keep growing, and bugs keep coming. However, companies who are successful always have excited leaders, whose passion leads to innovation. Simply read about any of Greenhouse Grower’s Head Growers of the Year, like Andrew Butler — his passion and excitement ooze from the page. Passion is also the reason behind so many successful businesses in horticulture. When the leadership team has the drive to innovate and flourish, they pave the way for success.
For those in the trenches, greenhouse/nursery work can be a blood sport; it is not for complainers and slackers. The young people who work with passionate individuals like Andrew are the ones we meet at the Perennial Plant Association Symposium, Cultivate, and the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show; and they will always keep this business exciting.
And if you think I am too Pollyanna, then get out of the office and talk to a few gardeners. They will complain about heat, drought, and deer, but they will continue to purchase our products because their passion always gives them something to look forward to. How many businesses can put that on their websites?
Enough is enough. You probably would prefer to hear about the next great pansy or coral bell, but without diminishing the importance of the plant, I have to remind you of the importance of the people. I think about so many leaders I have met in this business, people like Ken James, Dave Dagan, Anna Ball, and Jenny Buley. They are smart, innovative, and passionate.
So, I don’t worry about my friend’s recovery from heart surgery. As long as he retains his passion for writing, he will heal. Likewise, as long as plant people retain their passion for plants, the horticulture industry will continue to thrive.
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