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Maria Zampini photo
Maria Zampini

President, UpShoot LLC

On the Road Again

July 12 – 15
Columbus, OH
Greater Columbus Convention Center
Cultivate ’14
HGTV HOME Plant Collection Booth 701   

Upcoming Talks

July 12
Columbus, OH
“Social Media & Digital Roundtable Exchange” (#MM113)
10:45 am – 12 pm, C213

Maria’s Work
in Words
Garden Center Magazine

Garden Center Magazine
Retail ponderings: Work the Floor

Nursery Management magazine

Nursery Management
Tip Jar: The Green Team

HGTV Home Plant Collection Logo
HGTV HOME Plant Collection Blog

Maria is now a regular contributor to the HGTV HOME Plant Collection blog. Check out
 hgtvhomeplants.com and click on “Know How!”

What Size Container
Should I Select?

You can banish the memory of a single geranium in a pot on the front porch! Today’s containers are overflowing with annuals, perennials, edibles, succulents and more! They are ideal for balconies, windowsills, patios and decks as well as for adding unique combination plantings throughout the landscape.

Pruning Hydrangeas and Azaleas, Dealing with Weeds, Leggy Plants
I haven’t pruned my hydrangeas or azaleas since this past September. Can I do it now?

Landscape Design Tips
How do I design my landscape? Where do I start and how do I begin selecting plants, etc…?

Plant a Tree for Great ROI

Carolus Linneaus, the founding father of botanical nomenclature, once said, “If a tree dies, plant another in its place.”

Thanks to Alberta Arborists and their infographic, we can see the multiple positive effects the simple act of planting a tree and landscaping provides in our world.

The ROI of Landscaping

As a consumer or a property owner, this reinforces the return on your investment that landscaping provides.  For those in the green industry, this piece is a perfect marketing tool to share with your clients.

Life is a Shade Better Under a Tree

Not only do trees provide shade and savings for your home but they also keep your outdoor living space cool.  LCN Selections Corinthian® Littleleaf Linden is a perfect choice for a large shade tree in your yard.

This streamlined carefree maintenance tree requires little to no work to maintain its perfectly symmetrical shape.  Unlike any other Linden, it is Japanese beetle and aerophyte mite resistant!

Corinthian® Little Leaf Linden 
Tilia cordata ‘Corzam’

Corinthian Little Leaf Linden

Corinthian was also recently featured in Michigan Gardening Magazine as a favorite ‘Lifelong Plant,’ listing many of its attributes by author Karen Sullivan Atkins of Proper Gardens.

Tree City USA

Trees Please!

Tree City USA is a national program that promotes and helps small, medium and large size towns create and maintain an urban forestry community.

Communities must have a tree board or department, have a tree ordinance, spend a minimum of $2 per capita on urban forestry and celebrate Arbor Day.

There are more than 3400 communities that are Tree City USA certified. There are over 135 million people who enjoy living in a Tree City USA.

I’m proud to say that in Lake County, Ohio we have four including Fairport Harbor (where my parents live), MentorWickliffe, and WilloughbyConsult the directory to see if your community is involved and if not, suggest it! 

Hawthorne trees

Street tree planting of Crusader Thornless Hawthorn in Fairport Harbor.

Annual Pollinator Week

Bee a Friend

Last week marked the 8th Annual Pollinator Week sponsored by the Pollinator Partnership.  Pollinator Week has now grown to be an international celebration of the valuable ecosystem services provided by bees, birds, butterflies, bats and beetles.

There are still a plethora of pollinator activities by individuals, organizations and businesses throughout 2014 to bring awareness to pollinators.  Plan now to attend one or get started planning your pollinator event for 2015!

Bee harvesting nectar from dandelions

Want a simple way to support pollinators?  Dandelions are an important early source of food for pollinators. Now you have a great excuse to put off mowing your lawn, spreading weed killer or digging up dandelions by hand and you can do it for a good cause!

Dr. Allen Armitage

Flower Power!

America in Bloom (AIB) promotes nationwide beautification through education and community involvement by encouraging the use of flowers, plants, trees and other environmental and lifestyle enhancements.
Discover Plants brochure
They also created a brochure, Discover the Surprising Side of Plants and a power point that informs the reader on how plants are a necessity, not a luxury!  Enlightening reading for a homeowner and a perfect marketing tool for landscapers and retailers.

Four entities in the Buckeye State took home eight awards in 2013. Do you live in an AIB Award Winning Community?  If not, suggest your community get in bloom!

Flowers for curb appeal

Flowers give instant curb appeal.

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