WOW, what a wild ride 2024 was!  The closing of our Kenosha Nursery, Cicadapocalypse, an early start to the season, rain, rain and more rain, summer drought, and never-ending wind. Oh, and on top of that it was an election year!  We faced it all in 2024 and we are still standing. We’re a little battered, but we dusted ourselves off and we’re ready for 2025.

A seasonal business is a metaphor for life.  We have a beginning, a middle and an end, and we ride the wave that carries us through the ups and downs of it all.  The team at Mariani Plants tirelessly plans for the challenges and changes a season can bring, and, for the most part, we do a good job of trying to predict the future.  Every season can teach us a lesson on areas we need to improve.  That is something exciting about the Mariani Plants team - we continuously look for improvement.  One major improvement for 2024 was our new website and online ordering system, and that was a huge success.

There is a lot to look forward to in 2025. We are excited to announce our partnership with First Editions®, and we’re honored to be a Network Grower.  One item we are thrilled to grow is Hydrangea FlowerFull®: when we saw it growing in the field at Bailey Nurseries last summer we were blown away.  Another program that is motivating us in 2025 is our new Native Plants program.  Krystal has done extensive research on which items our customers are asking for and what will fit our program best, ensuring that regional provenance is a central factor when it comes to sourcing our seeds and propagated material.  Another highlight for 2025 is our large shrub program. Our #7 and #10 Hydrangeas were a big hit with everyone that came to tour the nursery last year, and this gave us confidence to keep developing that program.  We are also excited to introduce our newly designed labels this season.

Everyone at Mariani Plants is excited to work with you this season and help your businesses thrive in 2025!

Sincerely,

Mike Mennenoh