Illinois grower becomes first licensed Proven Winners landscape grower

Ron Clesen’s Ornamental Plants in Maple Park, Ill., has become North America’s first Proven Winners licensed landscape grower. As a major plant supplier to landscapes in the Chicago area, this new agreement will allow the grower to produce Proven Winners plants without the additional costs of tags that are used for retail sales.
This new license agreement with EuroAmerican Propagators in Bonsall, Calif., enables wholesale growers who supply the landscape industry to produce Proven Winners plants in a more landscape friendly format.
“We realize that tags are not only a financial burden, but also a nuisance to landscapers,” said Siena Randall, director of Brand Development at EuroAmerican. “This new program will help growers get the world’s best genetics into the hands of their customers in a form that fits their needs.”
One of the other goals that Randall has for this landscape program is to reduce the use of plastic containers.
“We’ve recently worked with Blackmore to run trials using 70mm Elle pots with the Brickman Group here in San Diego and have had great success,” Randall said.
EuroAmerican has acquired an Ellepot machine to begin servicing the local market. Clesen’s has not yet adopted a biodegradable option, but the company has several in trial at the moment.
“If you’re not looking towards sustainability, you’re going to go away,” said owner Jim Clesen. “Our goal is to have 70% of production in a bio-pot by 2012.”