Spring Meadow Nursery, Inc.

At Spring Meadow Nursery, we're not just cultivating plants—we're also cultivating the next generation of green industry leaders! A huge thank you to our interns for their hard work, dedication, and positive energy this season. We're impressed by their passion and eagerness to learn. Pictured from left to right: Kate DeLuca, Tara Creech, Gabriella Norman, Jade Larrison Caitlin Anderson and Melanie Dickinson.

Watch Lesli Calixtro compare Sunjoy Mini Maroon Barberry, one of our two non-invasive selections, to long-time favorite Crimson Pygmy Barberry!

The Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers (ASCFG) has named Brandywine Witherod Viburnum "Woody Cut of the Year" for 2024! 🍇 Brandywine Viburnum blooms in late spring and boasts clusters of delicate white flowers. The attractive, glossy green foliage provides a lush backdrop throughout summer. In late August, the green berries transform, turning ivory, then a vibrant pink, and finally a captivating blue. Remarkably, each berry cluster can often display all three colors simultaneously, creating a truly stunning visual effect. As the berries change color, so does the foliage, taking on a vivid red that makes the berries seem even more colorful! Read more: https://bit.ly/45q1hXj

We are excited to welcome The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina as the 11th Proven Winners Signature Garden! 🎉 Spanning over 300 acres in collaboration with Johnson Nursery Corporation, The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina offers a haven for plant enthusiasts, event attendees, families, and garden clubs. Aligned with their mission "To Improve Lives by Cultivating Inspiration," The Gardens provides a beautiful and educational escape. The Gardens unveiled their stunning new Proven Winners Signature Garden on June 1st! The dedication ceremony featured presentations from industry experts and local dignitaries who celebrated this beautiful space becoming a cornerstone of the Willard, NC, community. Whether you're seeking relaxation, learning opportunities, or simply a dose of inspiration from nature, The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina is a must-visit destination!

Laura Swanson works in licensing as one of our Licensee Account Managers.🌱 #womeninhort week is all about the hardworking and passionate women in the horticulture industry who love what they do. Laura shares her journey, "I came to work at Spring Meadow Nursery with 20 years of Management and Sales experience, but I wanted to return to my roots. I grew up on a farm and have a deep love for growing plants. However, I had no idea how I was going to go about that! I was so excited when I saw the job posting at Spring Meadow Nursery and thought, "I can do that!" Lucky for me, Spring Meadow Nursery thought I was a good fit as well. What I have learned now is that the horticulture industry needs and wants all sorts of individuals with many different specialties and backgrounds to help improve all the operations of the businesses. Don't think "I need to have experience in growing or breeding" to work in horticulture. What I love about my job is that as I am getting to know more about my customers and their businesses, I can apply what I have learned and help them achieve their goals and… Improve their sales! Oh, and I get to see and smell all the new and beautiful PLANTS!"

Ginger Thurston is our Stock and R&D Manager here at Spring Meadow! 🌺During #womeninhort, we want to share personal experiences from women in the industry. Gingers' advice to those wanting to pursue a career in horticulture is, "The horticulture industry includes a lot of different professions, so if you’re unsure what path to take or want to get your start somewhere, try an internship! Many companies, from greenhouses to landscape firms, offer them, allowing you to see first-hand what career aligns with your interests and goals."

Katie Gibson is one of our Assistant Propagation Managers at Spring Meadow. Her favorite part of working in the industry is the opportunities it has given her. From growing redwoods in California and lavender in Oregon to working in our innovative greenhouses, she has explored multiple facets of the industry. Katie's advice to future horticulturists: "To anyone interested in pursuing a career in horticulture, I would say to seek out opportunities in your niche. If there is something specific you are interested in, look for positions specializing in that realm." #womeninhort

It's #womeninhort week! Let's celebrate all the hardworking women in the industry! Julie Crone works here at Spring Meadow as our Micropropagation Plant Breeding Technician. 🌱When asked about her favorite part of working in the industry, Julie replies, "My favorite part of working in the horticulture industry is the innovation. New technologies are constantly being invented that allow us to grow plants better: hardier plants that require fewer pesticides and less water; sterile plants that flower abundantly but non-invasively; unique plants that are the result of intergenic crosses, embryo-rescuing, and other next-generation breeding techniques. I’m proud to be part of an industry where the sky’s the limit and phrases like “agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation” are commonplace. Who would have thought I’d be working in an era where bio-luminescent petunias and purple tomatoes are actually things consumers can buy! Plant genetics are amazing, and I can’t wait to see what we all come up with next."

Kayla Morrison is one of the five students awarded the Spring Meadow-Proven Winners Endowment Fund scholarships for 2023-24. 🌱Kayla has a love for gardening and is continuing to pursue a future in horticulture. Her goals are inspiring: "My main goal is to open a nonprofit and teach my local community about the different ways to grow plants and be sustainable, maybe hydroponically, which saves about 90% of your water." Kayla's dedication to environmental responsibility and community education sets a powerful example and will inspire other young women in the industry. #womeninhort Learn more about Kayla: https://bit.ly/3QRey5g

This week, we would like to take the time to celebrate all women in horticulture! 🌸From those who work here at Spring Meadow to all the women who play an important role in the industry, we appreciate you, your passion, and your dedication! #womeninhort