US: Darwin Perennials acquires perennial production location from Aris Horticulture

Darwin Perennials, a division of Ball Horticultural Company, has announced the purchase of the perennial unrooted cutting production facility, Green Leaf Plants Colombia or Flores del Amanecer (FDA), from Aris Horticulture Inc. FDA is located in Bogota, Colombia, and is a leading supplier of high-quality unrooted cutting and tissue-culture propagated perennials and cutflower varieties. This acquisition will strengthen Darwin Perennials’ supply chain into the North American market.

In a recent decision, effective Aug. 1, 2014, Aris Horticulture will cease its distribution activity, Aris Horticultural Services (AHS) in Barberton, Ohio, to focus on its Green Leaf Plants® perennial young plant supply program out of Lancaster, PA. AHS orders booked for delivery on or after Aug. 1 will be serviced by Ball Seed Company.

Green Leaf Plants young plant sales will continue through multiple distributors, including the Blooms of Bressingham and Darwin Perennials programs and other leading perennial varieties on the market. In addition, Aris will continue to operate its Keepsake Plants® premium finished program of azaleas, tropical hibiscus, and other premium potted plants.

“This strategic move was done to leverage the strengths of the two companies: Aris is a young plant propagation-based company, and Darwin’s strength is in its genetics,” says Bill Rasbach, CEO of Aris Horticulture. “In a market that needs to be as efficient as possible, this was a perfect way for us to work together to make the best use of our strengths for the betterment of the market as a whole."

“The Colombian farm gives Darwin Perennials a way to increase the availability of our genetics into the North American market, in addition to our existing supply relationships,” says Mike Klopmeyer, General Manager for Darwin Perennials. “We are excited about leveraging the product quality from FDA to support the availability of our industry leading genetics.”

For further information, visit www.darwinperennials.com and www.glplants.com.