I don't know about you, but for me I was mostly glad to put 2020 behind me. The "mostly" part was 2020's "Green Lining" (thanks to my very good friend, Susan Yoder, Executive Director of Seed Your Future for the use of the term).

Our industry came into sharp focus for gardeners and would-be gardeners all over the country. Our independent garden retailers went from Bust to Boom in a matter of three weeks. From non-essential to ESSENTIAL in the eyes of consumers in a way we have not seen for decades.

Consumers found renewed value in plants to bring their lives peace, beauty, exercise, time with family, and even vegetables for the table.

This was true for the landscape trade as well. You, too, were Bust to Boom adapting to new ways of keeping workers safe and on the job, and reaping the Green Lining of stay-at-home, yard-bound customers.

This was particularly true for residential landscape and eventually commercial in many markets. Will the "Green Lining" still exist in 2021? If our sales to commercial greenhouse growers is the measure…wholeheartedly, Yes!

Now is almost PAST TIME for you to get your orders to your growers for the spring and summer color items for next year.

With that in mind, we offer you our 2021 Thrive regional landscape solutions.

Consider it a guide to what works in landscape plantings in your region of the country.

Beacon impatiens, introduced in 2020, is gaining momentum for landscape use due to its high resistance to Impatiens downy mildew (the COVID-19 of impatiens!).

This year the Beacon series adds a Rose to its assortment of seven colors and two mixes.

Beacon impatiens are generally universally good across the nation, Seasons may be different from south to north, but the same disease resistance is achieved. Beacon shined in trials north to south in 2020. Look for these and so many more items in your region of Thrive 2021. Visit www.balllandscape.com/Thrive2021 to download yours today.

Hoping the best Green Lining for you in the upcoming year!