PPA Picks Perennial for ’21
The Perennial Plant Association (PPA) recently named Calamintha nepeta subsp. nepeta as the 2021 Perennial Plant of the Year.
Each year, the PPA board of directors reviews the nominated perennials and selects three or four perennials to be placed on the ballot. Members then vote for the Perennial Plant of the Year and nominate additional plants for the following year’s ballot.
Calamintha nepeta subsp. nepeta looks like a cloud of confetti, with tiny white flowers (sometimes touched with pale blue) that appear from early summer to fall on this plant. It provides the perfect foil for other summer bloomers and foliage. This full-sun perennial has a low mounding or bushy habit, ideal for the front of the border, rock gardens and more.
Calamintha nepeta subsp. nepeta also checks two important boxes for gardeners: bees and other pollinators work the flowers throughout the summer and the aromatic foliage is deer-resistant.
You can learn more about the 2021 Perennial Plant of the Year at perennialplant.org/page/2021PPOY.
Quick Reminder
I just wanted to remind you that on Sept. 10, industry consultant Roger Styer will present a free, one-hour webinar on “How to Control Your Worst Ornamental Insect Problems.” During the webinar, Roger will discuss how to scout and monitor pesky pests within crops and how to develop effective chemical and biological control programs to keep these pests from devastating your ornamental crops. The webinar will take place at 2 p.m. EDT. Click here to register.
Walmart to Launch Walmart+ this Month
Later this month, Walmart plans to launch a new membership program that brings together in-store and online benefits to save customers money and time. The new program, Walmart+, uses the company’s unique assets and the reach of more than 4,700 stores, including 2,700 stores that offer delivery as fast as same day. Members will receive unlimited free delivery from stores, fuel discounts and access to tools that make shopping faster for families. Membership will be available on Sept. 15, and will cost $98 a year or $12.95 a month and includes a 15-day free trial period.
Lowe’s Introduces National Tool Rental Program
Last month, Lowe’s began rolling out tool rental departments in its stores nationwide, creating a one-stop shop for all the tools and equipment professionals and DIY customers need to complete home improvement projects. The tool rental department will feature: a brand-new fleet of commercial-grade equipment; a broad assortment of professional tools, in addition to merchandise to accompany rental tools; technology that enables an easy and convenient check-in and check-out process (online, in-store and mobile options); and a dedicated team of associates who can provide hands-on demonstrations.
Meijer Extends Hunger Relief Campaign
Meijer recently announced that its seasonal hunger relief program, Simply Give, will conduct back-to-back fall and holiday campaigns to ensure the maximum amount of support for food pantries trying to keep up with increased demand caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The Simply Give campaign replenishes the shelves of more than 250 food pantries in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Wisconsin. The program encourages customers to purchase $10 Simply Give donation cards, which are then converted into Meijer food-only gift cards and given to a local food pantry in the store’s community.
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