Must Have Perennials logo (L) and an Outback Plants lab (R). | Must Have Perennials, and Ball Horticultural Company
Outback Plants, a division of Ball Horticultural Company focused on breeder representation and tissue culture supply, has announced the purchase of the breeder agency business Must Have Perennials (MHP) from Aris Horticulture Inc. MHP is a leading agency representing independent breeders in sourcing and commercializing their varieties. This acquisition will strengthen the Outback Plants network of breeders, with particular emphasis on vegetative and tissue culture-raised perennials.
“Joining forces with Outback Plants and Ball means we can help serve more breeders and have more channels to get their varieties into growers’ and consumers’ hands around the world,” says Justin Wisniewski, General Manager of Must Have Perennials. “There continues to be many opportunities for Must Have Perennials to find the best breeders and enable their success.”
“This strategic move allows Aris to focus on its perennial young plant business at Green Leaf Plants and its tropical Hibiscus, Azalea, and other potted plants business at Keepsake Plants,” says Scott Schaefer, CEO of Aris Horticulture. “We are proud of what Must Have Perennials has accomplished as part of Aris, and are excited about continuing to produce many of its industry-leading varieties.”
“We are excited with this addition to our breeder agency activities,” says Mark Lunghusen, General Manager for Outback Plants. “Bringing the breeder network and varieties of Must Have Perennials into Ball and Outback Plants gives us the best opportunity to find the right plant and the right channel for the right grower in the right market.”
This acquisition does not have an impact on the Must Have Perennials portfolio, or the team members managing the business. For more information about research, breeding, production, and distribution of ornamental crops from Ball Horticultural Company, please visit www.ballhort.com.
