In 2015, the total U.S. floricultural production sales added up to $3,8 billion of which 48% applied to potted & bedding plants the delegation of Fleuroselects Annual Member Convention in Chicago was told by Bill Doeckel, Retail Director of Ball Horticultural Company.
Bill Doeckel provided insights on the changing retail market in the U.S. This market is characterised by a 50/50 split in between independent garden centres and chain stores.
Fleuroselects Annual Member Convention took place from 13 – 15 July. 113 persons representing 42 companies from 15 countries made the trip to Chicago to discover the city’s horticultural and architectural highlights, to visit the Ball Horticultural Company and to network with colleagues worldwide.
The delegation received a company tour, starting at the Ball Premier Lab with its facilities for pelleting, coating, germination testing and priming, and ending with a visit to the packaging and distribution centre.
Afterwards, the delegation visited the Ball gardens with display beds for annuals and perennials with a wide range of novelties from the industry’s leading breeders, including a full Fleuroselect trial.
Chicago is renown for its beautiful city plantings. During the city tour, the delegation admired the latest results in landscaping in Millennium Park, the perennial plantings in the Lurie Gardens and an urban gardening project in Grant Park. Also the plant displays on Michigan Avenue were highly appreciated by the visitors.
During its Annual General Meeting, the Fleuroselect membership has accepted Celex and Shanghai Yuanyi Seedling as new members. The Dutch Celex is an independent company specialised in the breeding and selection of Celosia cut flowers as well as potted and garden plants. Shanghai Yuanyi Seedling Co. is the largest horticultural enterprise which initially worked with plug seedling production in China. The main products of the company are bedding plant seedlings, which include annual and perennial flowers, hanging plants, potted plants, vegetative plants, ornamental vegetables and fruits and mosaiculture materials.
