ILCA, Ball Seed Host Summer Field Day

Anna Ball, president and CEO, Ball Horticultural Co., speaks with Pat Jefford, Illinois Central College, on the grounds of Ball’s West Chicago, Ill., headquarters. More than 1,500 attendees participated in the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association Summer Field Day. In addition to educational events and a garden tour, attendees could visit with more than 138 exhibitors. A Ball Seed representative leads a group through Ball’s expansive Trial Gardens. A landscape water feature at Ball’s Trial Gardens, West Chicago, Ill.

West Chicago, Ill. — More than 1,500 landscape contractors, equipment manufacturers and nursery professionals gathered at Ball Horticultural Co. headquarters, West Chicago, IL, Aug. 6, for the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA) Summer Field Day.

In addition to reviewing wares from the 138 exhibitors on hand, attendees could stroll through Ball’s expansive Trial Gardens. The six-acre gardens, awash with vivid colors, include more than 1,500 single varieties and mixed combination containers, landscaped annual gardens, water features, row trial gardens and perennial gardens. (See photo review).

 “I think everybody really enjoyed the location especially. The Ball Seed grounds were absolutely beautiful,” said Sandy Allen, ILCA’s event coordinator.

Additionally the one-day event included educational seminars (see sidebar), heavy equipment demonstrations and a horseshoe tournament.

“We were very pleased with the event. We were able to introduce many contractors to Ball and let them know what we have to offer them in terms of landscape color,” said Bret Sulaver, landscape account manager, Ball Horticultural Co.

Ball has become increasingly interested in the landscape contractor market as an opportunity for new business. “We’ve found that most contractors have very good knowledge of landscape standards like trees and shrubs, but they don’t always know one petunia from another. We’d like to help them learn that not all flowering plants are the same and give them the tools they need to make educated decisions that will allow them to provide their clients with the best quality possible,” said Jessie Atchison, marketing services, Ball Horticultural Co.

Next years ILCA Summer Field Day will be held Aug. 4, Kendall Hill Nursery, Newark, Ill. For more information visit www.ilca.net.

The author is Editor of Snow Business magazine and can be reached at ssmith@gie.net.

TECHNICOLOR LANDSCAPES  Bright, bold ornamentals can add neon-like flare to ordinary landscapes said Liz Hunt, greenhouse operations, Ball FloraPlant, and Scott C. Rusch, sales and marketing representative, PanAmerican Seed Co. The pair presented What’s New In Landscape Color during the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association Summer Field Day, Aug. 6. Plants like Ball’s Dragon Wing Begonia series, Amazon Dianthus series and the Panola Pansy, can provide what Rusch calls “55-mph color,” attracting bystanders to your client’s grounds. Other favorites for interesting landscape color shared by Hunt and Rusch included: Purple Knight Alternanthera: Striking dark purple foliage accent plant; useful in mass or to set apart specimen plants; loves the heat; height 16 to 20 inches; full sun to partial shade. Corona Cherry Magic Dianthus: Big flowers; superior branching for filling in beds; uses include mass plantings, mixed containers and edging. Magilla Perilla: Versatile for full sun to full shade; intense foliage color; uses include mass plantings, specimen plant and large mixed containers. Designer Zonal Geranium: Excellent vigor and prolific flowering all summer long; 22 varieties in series; height of 12 to 14 inches; uses include mass plantings, backgrounds and mixed containers. Chilly Chili Ornamental Pepper: Ornamental pepper that is child and pet safe; brightly colored fruits, which transition from yellow to red, add interest to the landscape; 8 to 12 inches high; can be used for mass plantings, mixed containers and for seasonal interest. Purple Majesty Ornamental Millet: Deep purple foliage and plumes; 5-foot-height; uses include mass plantings, backdrop plant, specimen plant and mixed containers. Ball recently published a six-page guide for landscape contractors entitled Color For Every Landscape. For more information visit www.ballseed.com.