<b>Trees, Ornamental & Bedding Plant:</b> People Behind the Plants

Education: Self-taught plant breeder. Breeding accomplishments: Many ornamental grasses that are improved selections in color, form and function for the marketplace. Plants that fascinate him: Ornamental grasses, daylilies and hostas. Biggest influences: Larry Cripe, owner of Larry’s Nursery in Walkerton, Ind. “I really respected him as a nurseryman. He grew a lot of (plant material) that other nurseries didn’t.” Advice: “Follow it through to the end. You made the cross for a season, but you have to follow through. Don’t give up.” For more: Gary Trucks, Amber Wave Gardens, www.amberwavegardens.com.

Chances are that you haven’t ever heard of Gary Trucks, but you probably have seen his work on ornamental grasses.

Trucks is a self-taught plant crosser who got his start as a landscaper in South Bend, Ind. When he was a landscaper, he started growing plants and making crosses as a hobby. “People pulled in and started asking where they could buy them (the grasses),” Trucks says.

Trucks decided that he would open his own small retail nursery in Benton Harbor, Mich. Amber Wave Gardens sells ornamental grasses, hostas and daylilies that Gary field grows himself. He and his wife Sandy are the only employees. Everything Amber Wave sells is weed-free and dug to order.

Amber Wave is open from late April to mid-November. He doesn’t do any mail order. “I’m just one guy. I don’t have the time for it,” he says.

This doesn’t stop out-of-state customers from driving for hours to buy grasses directly from Trucks.

“Gary’s seedlings and sports are often planted in the same area where his retail customers shop and it is his customer’s comments that give him indication for which plants will be ‘winners,’” says Chad Walters of Walters Gardens in Zeeland, Mich.

Trucks takes people’s opinions into consideration when he is looking for the next big grass. “Talking to people is my favorite part,” Trucks said.

Crossing for a Winner

Trucks will work as long as necessary to make sure that the plant he releases has a combination of the best qualities.

“It is not uncommon for Gary to have an upset customer because he will not sell them one of his hot new seedlings that is still in the evaluation stage,” Walters said. “Gary’s breeding is focused on finding exciting new characteristics that set a plant apart from the norm. Plants must not only be unique though; they must also measure up to Gary’s expectations in the garden. A pretty new grass that flops with rain or wind will not make the cut at Amber Wave Gardens.”

Trucks isn’t active in any association or garden clubs. He prefers to work more on the plants than on promoting them. “You can fill up all season talking to clubs, not breeding,” he said.

As far as ornamental grasses go, Trucks thinks that feather reed grass and blue fescue are overused. “They have so many drawbacks that I don’t even grow them,” he said.

Instead, he focuses on finding better cultivars that can withstand the weather and look great in the landscape.