American Nurseryman -Jan 2012

Asimina triloba paw paw Sassafras albidum sassafras It took us 33 years to develop these practices which continue to challenge us Putting Down Roots Continued from page 8 production We use a Rootmaker 60 32 and 18 cell flat that stair steps from top to bottom with air pruning at each level Shaw describes The more roots the better the plant transplants and the quicker it grows The industry uses a container with air pruning only at the bottom I have been told by many people in the trade that it doesnt make any difference between the two when growing plants It definitely makes a difference on woodies and I intend to find out this year on perennials Selections ranging from Agastache foeniculum anise hyssop through Parthenium integrifolium wild quinine to Zizia aurea golden Alexanders represent the best of what the upper Midwest has to offer The nursery doesnt use chemical controls for insects mites or fungi and this encourages birds bees and butterflies to visit Years of trial and error including many trials with much success have contributed to a few of Shaws firmly held convictions The industry is changing to be sure as are the plants the people and the practices But the roots will always remain critical All kinds of possibilities Possibility Place Nursery was established in 1978 but the Shaw familys involvement with the land goes back to 1957 when Connor Shaws father an executive with the venerable Chicago department store Marshall Fields moved the family from the northern suburb of Lake Bluff Ill to a farmhouse in Monee south of the city Shaw says that his father had dreams of becoming a gentleman farmer and believed the run down property had all kinds of possibilities The 80 acre spread evolved into a working farm where Shaw two brothers and sister raised livestock In 1978 the farm became home to the wholesale nursery Shaw operates today Nearly 70 varieties of trees are grown and sold along with almost 70 shrub species In addition Possibility Place raises grasses forbs vines ferns sedges and rushes all native to the upper Midwest and each more beautiful and vigorous than the next The company sells both wholesale and retail retail is by appointment only Visit www possibilityplace com Connor Shaw founder of Possiblity Place Nursery Prunus virginiana chokecherry Growing has its own peculiarities Shaw concludes but the other half of the story is marketing Its equally challenging if not more difficult than growing And while he knows its not the most popular view he stands firm in his belief in the practices he employs I believe those entering the nursery industry will have to learn container growing he says because B B is headed for the setting sun Sally Benson is editorial director for American Nurseryman She can be reached at sbenson@ mooserivermedia com 10 JANUARY 2012 American Nurseryman www amerinursery com