April 2023 - 8

HEADLINES/CALENDAR
Innovator Awards Program Begins
Accepting Nominations
How innovative is your
garden center? Share
your story now for the
2023 Lawn & Garden
Retailer Innovator
Awards. These awards
will recognize garden
centers for excellence in
categories such as:
* Community
Involvement
* Classes and Events
* Merchandising
* Marketing and Online Initiatives
* Social Responsibility
* Gift/Specialty Departments
* Technology
* People's Choice
All IGCs are eligible. Nominations can come
from garden centers themselves or other industry
professionals, including suppliers and consultants.
Submit a nomination at www.lgrmag.com/2023-lgrinnovator-awards
or scan the QR code on page 43.
The deadline to enter is May 1.
Questions? Email Teresa McPherson, managing editor,
at tmcpherson@greatamericanpublish.com.
Hicks Nurseries Celebrates 170 Years
This marked the beginning of the walk-in, cash-and-carry
customer business that's now known as a retail garden
center. In the 1960s, with western Long Island's evolution
from a rural to a suburban community complete, the
business refocused to keep pace with the new generation
of Long Islanders, and over the next 10 years converted
the nursery into a thriving family-oriented retailing and
growing operation that served hundreds of thousands of
people each year.
Now, the sixth generation Hicks family in the business
includes siblings Stephen Hicks, who serves as president;
and Karen Hicks Courts, director of human resources.
Stephen led the launch of Hicks Commercial Sales (the
wholesale division) in 2008, and the re-launch of Hicks
Landscapes in 2011.
" Our success stems from the ability to consistently offer
our customers top-quality products along with expert
advice to help them succeed, " says Stephen Hicks. " We
have responded to the changing needs of the community
and are focused on providing the very best shopping
experience. We've built our reputation on that since
the very beginning and continue to innovate with some
exciting changes in the works. "
Star Roses and Plants Releases 2024
Rose Catalog
Star Roses and
Plants has released
its 2024 Rose Catalog.
This 145-page resource
is filled with eight new
rose introductions,
seven reference
guides, more than 250
varieties and more.
Key features of the
catalog include:
* Roses by color
resource
* Top roses for
overall disease
resistance
* Roses for
pollinators
Hicks Nurseries, reportedly Long Island's largest garden
center, marks 170 years of serving the local community
this year. This sixth-generation family owned and
operated business was established in 1853 by Isaac Hicks
and transformed the landscape of Long Island through
continuous innovation.
At the turn of the century, Hicks Nurseries invented
and patented the equipment for moving the big trees
desired by Long Island's new Gold Coast estate owners.
Some famous estates include Vanderbilt, J.P. Morgan and
Phipps (currently Old Westbury Gardens), and many of
those trees still flourish today.
Around 1930, in another innovative move, Hicks
Nurseries made pre-dug plants available for customers.
* Regional best roses
* Bare root finishing schedule
* Support for retailers
The catalog can be viewed online at www.issuu.com/
starrosesandplants/docs/2024_rosecatalog. Printed
copies will be mailed to Star Roses and Plants customers.
For more information on placing orders or for grower
questions, contact your territory manager or call
customer service at 800.457.1859.
PPA National Symposium
Registration Open
Perennial Plant Association has opened registration for
its 2023 National Symposium. Taking place July 24-28 in
http://www.lgrmag.com/2023-lgr http://www.issuu.com/
April 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of April 2023
