Save the Date!
September 22 – September 25
MOTIVATION FOR INNOVATION
Make plans now to join us September 22-25 at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan for our 2026 Annual Conference. Join us to be inspired by thought provoking speakers and exceptional tour stops. Become energized by the latest ideas in plant breeding and production to take it to the next level. Build professional connections within the plant production industry. Discover your motivation for innovation on a Grand scale this September!
The full-day Pre-Conference Tour takes place Tuesday, September 22nd visiting Mast Young Plants, Countryside Greenhouse, Walter’s Gardens and Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. The full day Conference Thursday will visit DeGrandchamp Farms and Spring Meadow Nursery where we will tour their trial gardens, expansive nursery and enjoy our dinner and live auction on site.
The educational program will include sessions on Plant Breeding & New Plant Development, New Technologies and Innovations, and Herbaceous Perennials & Native Plants. Our keynote speaker is Dr. Tom Ranney on Garden Innovations: Breeding Plants for Flair and Fortitude.
Conference regulars like the Welcome Reception, Silent Auction and New Plant Session will take place at our beautiful host hotel, the Amway Grand Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids. Mark your calendars now and stay tuned for more details.
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Tom Ranney
Garden Innovations: Breeding Plants for Flair and Fortitude
Presentation Description: Sure, we want to breed and market plants that have spectacular appeal and beauty. But we also want them to be durable, resilient, pest resistant and non-invasive. Modern breeding programs are up to the challenge using diverse and novel techniques to develop new cultivars that not only beautify but enhance the environment too. In addition to advances in conventional breeding, new plant biotechnologies and applications are developing rapidly and offer tremendous potential for crop improvement. Integrating these technologies, including gene editing (e.g., CRISPR), expands the potential to develop the next generation of ground-breaking nursery crops.
Speaker Bio: Tom has been a faculty member at North Carolina State University since 1989 and is the JC Raulston Distinguished Professor of Horticultural Science. He lives, works, and gardens in the mountains of Western North Carolina where he has the good fortune to lead a plant breeding program at the Mountain Crop Improvement Lab (https://mcilab.cals.ncsu.edu/) in Mills River, NC. He and his team have introduced over 80 cultivars including mainstream crops like rhododendron/azalea, dogwood, flowering quince, hydrangea, deutzia, spiraea, and miscanthus to more obscure hybrids like desert orchid, mountain gordlinia, and mountain schimlinia ‘Schima Lina Ding Dong’.
Pre-Conference Tours | Tuesday, September 22 (Full Day)
Mast Young Plants
3525 Bristol Ave NW, Walker, MI 49544
www.mastyoungplants.com
Visitors to their trial garden will find their favorite plant series displayed side by side with competitor lines, making it easy to compare performance and make confident selections. Their layout is compact and efficient intentionally so visitors can easily walk the aisles and evaluate many different options. We invite you to explore their wide variety of in-ground trials, container trials, and more than 500 unique combination planters. Looking for fresh inspiration? Use their trials to spark new ideas for your own combos! They love experimenting and seeing how different varieties “play” together, which results in unexpected and beautiful results you may not have imagined.
Countryside Greenhouse
9050 Lake Michigan Dr, Allendale, MI 49401
www.countrysidegreenhouse.com
Countryside Greenhouse began as a wholesale greenhouse before expanding to include a retail outlet. Over the years, they evolved into a fully retail operation, proudly serving the West Michigan community. With six acres of plants to explore—all under one roof—shopping at Countryside Greenhouse is an experience. They have a carefully curated selection of flowering shrubs, deciduous trees, fruit trees, and evergreens as well as hundreds of varieties of herbaceous perennials plus vegetables, herbs, houseplants and garden supplies and décor.
Walter’s Gardens
1992 96th Ave, Zeeland, MI 49464
www.waltersgardens.com
What began as a small, family-run 5-acre farm growing perennials for local suppliers has grown into a 1,500-acre operation with more than 750,000 square feet of greenhouse space. Still family-owned, the company remains rooted in the values that shaped its success. Walters Gardens is internationally recognized for its extensive breeding program, developing thousands of new perennial selections each year with a focus on improved performance, disease resistance, and garden reliability. This commitment to genetics has led to an expansive portfolio of plant introductions, long-standing customer relationships, and a close partnership with Proven Winners®, as the exclusive home of Proven Winners® Perennials.
Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
www.meijergardens.org
Experience the harmonious blend of art and nature at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Spanning 158 acres, this renowned destination features Michigan’s largest tropical conservatory, diverse indoor and outdoor gardens, and an impressive collection of over 200 sculptures by internationally acclaimed artists. Visitors can explore themed gardens, including an 8- acre Japanese garden, and enjoy seasonal exhibitions like the popular “Butterflies Are Blooming.” Whether you’re a horticulture enthusiast, art lover, or seeking a serene retreat, Frederik Meijer Gardens offers an inspiring experience for all ages.
Overnight Accommodations: Amway Grand Plaza
Overnight accommodations will be available at the conference host hotel at a discounted group rate. Please check back for pricing and instructions on how to make a reservation in the group block!
Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection by Hilton
187 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
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