Meeting:
March 13, 2008
Guest Presenter:
John Schoustra
Owner of Greenwood Daylily Gardens
Program:
“The Business of Plants”
Ever wonder why some of your favorite plants aren’t found in nurseries or landscapes? Did you know that some of the major players in the horticulture world include a distiller, a hardware chain, a brewery and a fashion retailer? Do you know how a new plant makes it into the marketplace and what factors and organizations are needed for it to succeed?
John Schoustra (Southern California Horticultural Society Board Member) will take you behind the scenes of the multi-million dollar horticulture industry. He’ll discuss the major players, trace the introductions of several new plants and share his experiences with plant introduction programs. Industry specialization will be discussed, from growers who provide only young plants, to those raising plants for independent nurseries and those supplying the landscape market. He’ll explain the differences between growers and demonstrate how they affect what kinds of new plants breeders select.
The plant bug bit John Schoustra early in his life – he’s been designing and installing landscapes since junior high school. Following a degree in Landscape Architecture from U.C. Berkeley, John spent 15 years operating a landscaping construction firm. He then turned his attention to the finding, breeding and growing of new plants for landscape professionals. While starting up his nursery, John served five years as chief horticulturist at Rancho Los Alamitos Historic Site and Gardens in Long Beach.
John and his wife Cynthia own and operate a wedding garden, Rancho de las Flores, along with Greenwood Daylily Gardens, their wholesale/retail nursery on 40 acres in Somis, California. They’re also part owners of designWise Horticulture, which develops regionally appropriate plants for landscape professionals.
Plant Raffle
Greenwood Daylily Gardens will provide plants for the raffle following John’s talk. Featured are a reblooming Agapanthus, a low-chill lilac, several new daylilies and some of the over 500 varieties of pelargonium the nursery grows.
