2021-2022 Hoffman Nursery Catalog of Grasses

Last year we talked about our core purpose, which is to promote better living through
plants. Plant sales increased dramatically during the pandemic as people sought their
beauty and calming effects. Plants offered a balm we needed, and they brought us
together. Our collective need for plants will continue to grow. The pandemic is waning in
the U.S., and our national attention is returning to climate change. All the data say it’s
crunch time, and plants are essential for building communities that can withstand these
changes.
A 2016 report from the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) explored ways green
infrastructure (GI) can improve community resiliency. Using case studies, panels of
experts and stakeholders outlined GI strategies to help communities prepare for and
mitigate the effects of climate change. Strategies included managing flood risk, reducing
urban heat island effects, and decreasing the energy needed to manage water. You
can see the report here:
epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-08/documents/gi_climate_charrettes_final_508_2.pdf
We have advocated for using grasses and sedges in green infrastructure for years. These
plants can be part of the answer in all the case studies cited in the EPA report. Grasses
and sedges anchor the plantings that help clean our water, reduce flooding, and lessen
the effects of rising temperatures.
Others in the industry also recognize the value of plants that help build resiliency. The
Perennial Plant Association selected Schizachyrium scoparium and cultivars as the
2022 Perennial Plant of the Year ® . With their versatility and high ecological value, these
native grasses are ideal for green infrastructure projects and our communities.
Let’s take advantage of what grasses and sedges offer. Let’s build more resilient communities
and a better environment.
Wishing you better living with great grasses (and sedges),
Jill and John Hoffman
Established 1986
Providing ornamental and native grasses to the wholesale trade.
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