Village Nurseries launches landscape architect design group to strengthen regional plant selection

Village Nurseries Wholesale, LLC says it has launched a new Landscape Architect Design Group to better understand the plant needs and requirements for today’s projects and further increase inventory availability when developing the plant list. By fostering relationships with local landscape professionals, the new initiative will tap into the collective wisdom of landscape architects and designers who are representative of Orange and San Diego Counties in California.

“The focus of this group is to help us select plants that will provide beauty and purpose to the designs of our clients,” said Suzie Wiest, regional marketing representative for Village Nurseries. “This field testing program gives landscape professionals the opportunity to trial some of our newest introductions and provide feedback about performance. In addition, these conversations will guide us in selecting the plantings landscape professionals want to design unique, stunning landscapes.”

One of the participants, Beth Nelson of Clark & Green Associates, Costa Mesa, Calif., said: “A landscape architect who doesn’t know about plants is like a painter not knowing about the color red. The Design Group Village Nurseries has formed is an excellent opportunity to learn about new plant introductions.”

As one of the group perks, Guild members were invited to hear industry experts like Carol Bornstein, Bill Darlington and Bob Perry speak about native plants and water conservation at Village Nurseries’ Huntington Beach and Miramar, CA facilities.

Carole Bornstein, director of the Nature Gardens at the Natural History Museum (NHM) of Los Angeles County, is the co-author of two books: the award-winning California Native Plants for the Garden and Reimagining the California Lawn.

Bill Darlington is a soil scientist with Waypoint Analytical who has been evaluating soils and diagnosing plant health issues at landscape projects, nurseries, greenhouses, amendment suppliers and farmers for over 30 years.

Bob Perry, FASLA, is professor emeritus from Cal Poly Pomona and adjunct professor of landscape architecture at the University of Southern California. He is a recognized expert in landscape plants and water conserving design throughout California and has written three award-winning reference books.