CENTS brings new plants, products and optimism

CENTS 2011 and the OSU Nursery Short Course took place Jan. 24-26, attracting attendees from all aspects of the green industry.

Suppliers and manufacturers said customers are asking about new products again, while attendees representing nurseries, greenhouses and landscaping companies said they have every reason to believe business will pick up come spring.

Here are some highlights from the show floor:

Kitchen type plants, such as herbs and small fruit, are becoming more popular, said Danny Gouge, marketing manager for Willoway Nurseries in Avon, Ohio.

“Really unique things like figs are coming out on the market, different heights and statures of blueberries have been really hot,” Gouge said. “(They’re) hot on the market with people doing home gardening.”

Proven Winners line includes 21 new varieties, said Sandra Gordon, sales associate for Spring Meadow Nursery based in Grand Haven, Mich. Some of the flowers attracting the most attention are the Double Take Quince Collection, which are thornless, and the Home Run roses.

New products were also being displayed by equipment and chemical companies. Fafard recently launched a new retail line of soils and Liquid Fence developed its deer, rabbit and snake repellent in a granular form. CAT was displaying its newly introduced 259B3 compact track loader.

“This year is a lot more upbeat than last year was; we’ve already seen a bit more activity around the show this year,” said Casey Fischer, an Ohio CAT salesman out of Cincinnati. “Guys, when they’re actually talking about buying things, that’s a good thing. Last year was a lot different. Guys were just wondering how they were going to keep the doors open. So this year to see them thinking about making purchases and updating equipment is a good sign.”