“It’s always an honor to be recognized by your peers, especially when they’re members of a unique organization like IPPS,” Deppe says. “This society has made it possible for our industry to grow in so many ways.”

One member from the Eastern Region is selected each year for significant contributions to the field of plant propagation. This can be in the form of scientific discovery or application of facts to the propagation of plants; development of new practices or techniques; services rendered to the science and practice of plant propagation; and/or extraordinary service to the Society. Deppe is recognized this year for his contribution to all of these areas.

Deppe and Spring Meadow Nursery is a world market leader in new and exciting flowering shrub potted liners (starter plants). The nursery boasts state-of-the-art propagation facilities including retractable roof greenhouses, flood floor irrigation, high pressure fog systems, traveling booms, bottom heat floors and computerized controls. Spring Meadow is also recognized for the introduction and promotion of new shrub varieties. Their best new varieties are introduced and marketed under the Proven Winners ColorChoice brand. Over 35 acres of established stock plants serve as the source of true to name cultivars from around the world. Deppe has traveled the world and the United States to bring the newest and best plants to the Green Industry. Spring Meadow Nursery represents breeders from three different continents.

An IPPS member since 1971, Deppe’s service to the Society has been extraordinary. He is a past president of the Eastern Region, has served on the regional board of directors and ten different committees. He also represented the Eastern Region while serving on the International Board of Directors. Deppe played an essential role in the establishment of the IPPS Eastern Region Foundation where he served as the first Executive Director. In 1999, he was awarded the IPPS Eastern Region Fellows Award. Today he remains active on the Foundation Board.

Deppe has been a consistent leader in the nursery industry in both state and national nursery associations and with the Horticultural Research Institute. He has shared his knowledge with his peers as a speaker at trade shows, workshops, area and annual IPPS Eastern Region meetings as well as writing for trade journals and magazines.

As an industry maverick, Deppe has not only established a leading propagation nursery, but also has been instrumental in establishing a leading brand for new plants. His diligent work was recognized by NMPro Magazine in 2003 when they named him Grower of the Year.

“It really is a reflection of everyone who works at Spring Meadow,” Deppe explains. “I think it’s because we all share a passion for this industry and the overall excitement of introducing successful new varieties.”

Deppe’s horticultural career began at the age of 14, working for $0.25 cents an hour planting onions. Always the one to maximize his return on investment, he soon moved to ornamental horticulture when he found out that the pay at a local nursery was $1.00 an hour. It was while working for the local nursery that his passion for ornamental plants and the nursery industry was realized.

After graduating from Michigan State University, Deppe worked as the Propagation Manager for Zelenka Nursery for 12 years. In 1981, he and his wife, Liz started their own nursery with 20 acres of land, two young kids and a lot of enthusiasm. It started with one homemade Quonset house, and within the first few years of operation he was able to double the size of the operation.

Deppe has always been one to stick to his decisions even in the face of outside criticism. One instance occurred five years into the business when he decided to increase his prices by one penny. One of his largest customers told him that if he raised his prices, they would take their business elsewhere. Dale raised his prices anyway.

“The loss of that one customer forced me to find 50 new customers,” Deppe recalls. “I’ve never looked back.”

Spring Meadow has always been a family affair, with Dale handling the nursery and his accountant wife Liz taking care of the books. Dale’s dad helped to build the first greenhouse and their children Jeremy and Kristen also worked at the nursery while growing up. Jeremy has now returned as General Manager after working for a period outside of the green industry.

Dale has been quoted as saying “Working with new plants makes it worth coming to work everyday. They keep the staff excited. On a personal level, I enjoy plant-hunting trips. I enjoy traveling, and Tim Wood (SMN Product Development Manager) makes all the arrangements. I’m just along for the ride.”

This same humble nature was evident as Dale accepted his award before an audience of IPPS members and guests in Denver, Colorado.

Click here to access an IPPS award nomination form.

For more information, contact:

Margot Bridgen, Executive Secretary/Treasurer
IPPS Eastern Region, North America
1700 North Parish Drive
Southold, NY 11971
Phone: 631-765-9638
Fax: 631-765-9648
E-mail: Margot Bridgen