FAQs about Neonicotinoids

This seems to be a buzzword lately, and we do get many questions regarding neonicotinoids.  Here are some frequently asked questions about neonicotinoids.

What is a neonicotinoid?

Neonicotinoids, or neonics for short, are a group of insecticides that typically affect the central nervous systems of the insects. This eventually causes the death of the insect. They include imidacloprid, acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, nithiazine, thiacloprid and thiamethoxam (www.beyondpesticides.org).

Insecticides are widely used in the green industry, so what’s the big deal about neonicotinoids?

Well, as you know, bees are insects that may interact with your flowering plants. Certain neonicotinoids are considered highly toxic to bees, and other pollinators. There is concern that neonicotinoids are contributing to the decline of bee and pollinator populations. New research points to potential toxicity to bees and other beneficial insects through low level contamination of nectar and pollen with neonicotinoid insecticides used in agriculture (http://citybugs.tamu.edu/factsheets/ipm/what-is-a-neonicotinoid/). Case studies can be found here.

Why haven’t neonicotinoids been banned if they are so bad?

Neonics have been banned in some European countries, but not in the USA. It is often speculated if neonics are banned, the use of older and less effective insecticides, such as organophosphates and pyrethroids would take the place of neonics in commerical farming, and these chemicals are just as toxic to bees. While there are case studies and research on the effect of neonics on bees/pollinators, many researchers say there is not enough to support banning them. Read more here and here.

Are neonicotinoids only used commercially?

No. Some neonicotinoids can be found in insecticides you buy for home use. If you do not wish to use neonics, you should read the labels on your insecticides carefully and avoid buying any that include imidacloprid, acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, nithiazine, thiacloprid and thiamethoxam.

How do I know if neonicotinoids have been applied to plants that I have purchased?

You won’t know unless you specifically ask the grower.  There is no law or mandate that requires plants to be identified as such.

Does Plantworks Nursery use neonicotinoids?

No, Plantworks Nursery does not use any neonicotinoids.

If you’d like to discuss neonicotinoids further, you can always call us at (919) 732-6594 or email me at plantworksheather@gmail.com

Planting in Winter

Hello everyone,

Many of you have been asking about planting our material this time of year. Some of our greenhouses are minimally heated, and some are heated up to 50 degrees. When planting tender groundcovers, its important to pay attention to the weather. If the low temperatures at night are going to be close or below freezing, you will see some cold damage on these plants if they are exposed.  We do not recommend planting ferns or ornamental grasses this time of year. If you have questions about a certain plant, please call the office and I’d be happy to help you or answer any questions you may have.

Is everyone as ready for spring as I am?

Heather

Plantworks Nursery Grower’s Picks Week 44

Perovskia Little Spire quart pot

Pansy Crown Azure 36ct

Pansy Delta Monet Mix 4″ 18ct

Ornamental Cabbage Songbird White 4″ 18ct

Orn Cabbage Songbird White 4″ pot

Cardoon Gallon

Cardoon Gallon

Phlox Emerald Blue Gallons

Phlox Emerald Blue gallon

Pachysandra 2.5″ 32ct

Pachysandra terminalis 2.5″ pot

Vinca Bowles 2.5″ 32ct

Vinca Bowles 4″ pot

Leymus Blue Dune 2 gallons

Leymus Blue Dune 2gallon

Juncus Blue Arrow Gallons

Juncus Blue Arrow gallon

Juncus Blue Dart gallons

Juncus Blue Dart Gallon

Selaginella Green Quarts

Green Selaginella quart pot

Brilliance Autumn Fern Quarts

Brilliance Autumn Fern Quart pot

Lace Fern Gallons

Lace Fern Gallon

Helenium Short n Sassy Gallons

Helenium Short n Sassy gallon

Heuchera Mocha Gallons

Heuchera Mocha Gallon

Buddleia Flow Mauve 2 gallons

Buddleia Flow Mauve 2 gallon

Plantworks Nursery Grower’s Picks Week 43

Pansy Matrix Purple 36CT (6-packs)

Pansy Delta Tapestry 4″ 18ct

Pansy Matrix Orange 4″ 18ct

Pansy Delta Premium Pure Light Blue 4″ 18ct

Muhlenbergia ‘White Cloud’ Gallons

Muhlenbergia ‘White Cloud’ gallon

Carex ‘Red Rooster’ Quarts

Carex ‘Red Rooster’ Quart pot

Carex ‘Amazon Mist’ Quarts

Carex ‘Amazon Mist’ Quart pot

Juncus Blue Arrows Gallons

Juncus Blue Arrows gallon

Lace Fern Gallons

Lace Fern Gallon

Tassel Fern Gallons

Tassel Fern Gallon

Autumn Fern Gallons

Autumn Fern Gallon

Muehlenbeckia 4″ 18ct

Muehlenbeckia 4″ pot

Hypericum Quarts

Hypericum Quart Pot

Arum Quarts

Arum pictum Quart Pot

Phlox Tequila Sunrise Gallons

Phlox Tequila Sunrise Gallon

Phlox David Gallons

Phlox David Gallon

Plantworks Grower’s Picks Week 42

Pansy Colossus Blue 36ct (6-packs)

Viola Sorbet Purple 36ct (6-packs)

Pansy Colossus Yellow 4″ 18ct

Pansy Delta Pure Color 36ct

Phlox Emerald Blue gallons

Phlox Emerald Blue gallon

Phlox Drummonds Pink gallon

Vinca minor Bowles 2.5″ 32ct

Vinca minor Bowles 2.5″ pot

Acorus Ogon Quarts

Acorus Ogon Quart Pot

Muhlenbergia White Cloud gallons

Muhlenbergia White Cloud gallon

Miscanthus Dixieland 2 gallons

Miscanthus Dixieland 2gallon

Selaginella Aurea Quarts

Selaginella Aurea Quart Pot

Brilliance Autumn Fern Gallons

Brilliance Autumn Gallon

Vinca major Variegata 4″ 18ct

Vinca major Variegata 4″ pot

Teardrop ivy 4″ 18ct

Teardrop Ivy 4″ pot

Persian Ivy 4″ 18ct

Persian Ivy 4″ pot

Plantworks Nursery Grower’s Picks Week 41

Viola Silver Gem Quart Pot

Viola Sorbet Purple 36ct (6-packs)

Pansy Crown Asure 36ct (6-packs)

Pansy Delta Citrus Mix 4″ 18ct

Ornamental Cabbage Pigeon Purple 4″ 18ct

Ornamental Cabbage Pigeon Purple 4″ pot

Phlox Emerald Blue gallons

Phlox Emerald Blue gallon

Phlox Fort Hill Gallons

Phlox Fort Hill gallon

Vinca minor Bowles 4″ 18ct

Vinca minor Bowles 4″ pot

Schizachyrium The Blues Gallons

Schizachyrium The Blues Gallon

Carex Amazon Mist quarts

Carex Amazon Mist Quart pot

Carex Ice Dance Gallons

Carex Ice Dance gallon

Autumn Fern Quarts

Autumn Fern Quart Pot

Selaginella Gold Tip quarts

Selaginella Gold Tip Quart pot

Maris Maidenhair Gallons

Maris Maidenhair Fern gallon

Ivy Mint Kolibri 4″ 18ct

Ivy Mint Kolibri 4″ pot

Muhlenbeckia axillaris 4″ 18ct

Muhlenbeckia axillaris 4″ pot

Hypericum calycinium Quarts

Hypericum calycinium Quart pot

Acanthus spinosus gallons

Acanthus spinosus gallon

Amsonia Blue Ice gallons

Amsonia Blue Ice gallon

Coreopsis Big Bang Cosmic Eye quarts

Coreopsis Big Bang Cosmic Eye Quart Pot

Viola Silver Gem Quarts (12 count flats)

Plantworks Nursery Grower’s Picks Week 40

Pansy Cool Wave Frost 36ct

Pansy Delta Premium Pure Light Blue 4″ 18ct

Kale Coral Prince 4″ 18ct

Kale Coral Prince 4″ pot

Ornamental Cabbage/Kale Pigeon Purple 4″ 18ct

Ornamental Cabbage/Kale Pigeon Purple 4″ pot

Carex Red Rooster Quarts (12 count flats)

Carex Red Rooster Quart pot

Calamagrostis brachytricha 2 gallon

Calamagrostis brachytricha 2 gallon

Acorus Ogon Quarts (12 count flats)

Acorus Ogon Quart pot

Autumn Fern Gallons

Autumn Fern Gallon

Ostrich Fern Gallons

Ostrich Fern Gallon

Eared Lady Fern Quarts (12 count flats)

Eared Lady Fern Quart pot

Ivy Mint Kolibri ” 18ct

Ivy Mint Kolibri 4″ pot

Ivy Anne Marie 4″ 18ct

Ivy Anne Marie 4″ pot

Euonymus coloratus 4″ 18ct

Euonymus coloratus 4″ pot

Plantworks Nursery Grower’s Picks Week 39

Cardoon gallons

Cardoon gallon

Pansy Majestic Giant Mix 36ct

Kale Coral Prince 4″/18ct

Kale Coral Prince 4″ pot

Phlox Appleblossom gallons

Phlox Appleblossom gallons

Phlox Fort Hill gallons

Phlox Fort Hill gallon

Vinca Bowles 4″ 18ct

Vinca Bowles 4″ pot

Muhlenbergia ‘White Cloud’ gallons

Muhlenbergia ‘White Cloud’ gallon

Schizachyrium The Blues gallons

Schizachyrium The Blues gallons

Pennisetum Hameln gallons

Pennisetum Hameln gallon

Ostrich Fern gallons

Ostrich Fern Gallon

Eared Lady Fern gallons

Eared Lady Fern Gallon

Ivy Persian(Colchica) 4″ 18ct

Ivy Persian (Colchica) 4″ pot

Asiatic Jasmine 4″ 18ct

Asiatic Jasmine 4″ pot

Ivy Variegated Needlepoint 2.5″ 32ct

Variegated Needlepoint Ivy 2.5″ pot

Echinacea Sombrero Sandy Yellow gallons

Echinacea Sombrero Sandy Yellow gallon

Aster Woods Purple Quarts/ 12 count flats

Aster Woods Purple Quart pot

Penstemon Husker’s Red quarts/12ct flats

Penstemon Husker’s Red Quart pot

Heuchera Midnight Rose gallons

Heuchera Midnight Rose gallon

White Woods Aster

White Woods Aster gallon

Plantworks Nursery Grower’s Picks Week 38

Dipladenia Red Riding Hood Gallons

Dipladenia Red Riding Hood Gallon

Mustard Giant Red 4″ 18ct

Mustard Giant Red 4″ pot

Burpee Squash Butterbush

Burpee Squash Butterbush pot

Burpee Squash Bush Table Queen (10 count flats)

Burpee Squash Bush Table Queen

Ivy Variegated Needlepoint 4″ 18ct

Ivy Variegated Needlepoint 4″ pot

Ivy Needlepoint 4″ 18ct

Ivy Needlepoint 4″ pot

Ivy Mint Kolebri 4″ 18ct

Ivy Mint Kolebri 4″ pot

Coreopsis Route 66 gallons

Coreopsis Route 66 gallon

Coreopsis Redshift gallons

Coreopsis Redshift gallon

Lonicera sempervirens gallons

Lonicera sempervirens gallon

Coreopsis Creme Brulee Quarts/ 12 ct flats

Coreopsis Creme Brulee quart pot

Heucherella Sweet Tea Gallons

Heucherella Sweet Tea Gallon

Acorus Ogon quarts (12 count flats)

Acorus Ogon quart pot

Calamagrostis brachytricha 2 gallons

Calamagrostis brachytricha 2 gallon

Miscanthus Dixieland 2 gallons

Miscanthus Dixieland 2 gallon

Phlox Emerald Blue gallons

Vinca Bowles 4″ 18ct

Vinca Bowles 4″ pot

Plants Give Back!

We just love this video that BASF made.  Enjoy!