MLNA mourns loss of plantsman Frank Frisella

Our sympathy to MLNA members, Babette Frisella-Briagas, Tony Frisella and the entire family of Frank Frisella. Frank passed away Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at Barnes Jewish Hospital.

Frank Frisella, a horticulture icon and plantsman was well known in the Green Industry for his lifelong contribution to Horticulture. Founder of Frisella Nursery in 1953, his nursery built a reputation for service, quality and novelty plant material. He shared his gift, growing not only wonderful growing fields, and a successful business but also a family of green thumbs.

He had vision and a particularly keen eye for superior plant material. He enjoyed collecting, trialing and propagating reliable performers which are now cornerstones in the Midwest landscape.

One of his favorites shrubs, Heptacodium miconioides was recently awarded recognition by the PLANTS OF MERIT program (award program that partners Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association, Illinois Green Industry Association, Missouri Botanical Garden, Powell Gardens and University of Missouri.)

Always ahead of his time, he had an extraordinary ability to share his horticulture passion, to his children, grandchildren and his horticulture family. Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association shares the Frisella family's loss.

Please share a memory, a moment. Post your sentiments and kind words here for the family. They will be passed along with our thoughts and prayers.

- MaryAnn Fink/ Coordinator/Executive Director, MLNA

Frank Frisella Sr., 88, Marthasville, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis.

Mr. Frisella, son of Peter Frisella and wife Angelina, nee Candella, was born Sept. 8, 1919, in St. Louis. He received his education from Beaumont High School.On Oct. 26, 1946, he was united
in marriage to Marie Van Buren.Mr. Frisella was a member of St. Vincent's Church in Dutzow.He was the previous owner of Frisella Nursery in Defiance.Mr. Frisella was preceded in death by his parents; his wife on May 24, 2004; and four brothers, John, Joe, Sam and Pete Frisella.He is survived by two sons, Anthony Frisella and wife Karen and Frank Frisella Jr., all of Marthasville; one daughter, Babette Briages and husband Adan, Marthasville; two brothers, James Frisella and wife Theresa, St. Louis, and Angelo Frisella and wife Mickey, Arizona state; one sister, June Gagnepaine and husband Charlie, O'Fallon; 10 grandchildren, Tom Mee, Jill Roehrig and husband Gary, Gina Mee, Danny Mee, Kaitlin Mee, Matthew Mee, Michael Mee, Anthony Frisella, James Frisella and Amy Frisella; three great-grandchildren, Cody, Erica and Lexia; nieces; nephews; great-nieces and -nephews; other relatives and many friends.A funeral Mass was held Saturday, Nov. 3, at St. Vincent's Church in Dutzow. The Rev. Eugene Robertson officiated.Interment was in the church cemetery.Memorials to Emmaus Homes Inc., Marthasville campus, are preferred. The family was served by Nieburg-Vitt Funeral Home, Washington.

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WATER AS RESOURCE HAS MERIT!

Contact information: MaryAnn Fink, Coordinator/Executive Director of MLNA
(636-939-9079)
6209 Mid Rivers Mall Dr. Suite 128
Saint Charles, MO 63304,

October 26th, 2007

For Immediate Release:

MISSOURI LANDSCAPE & NURSERY ASSOCIATION “WATER AS A RESOURCE-NOT A WASTE PRODUCT” WITH PLANTS OF MERIT PROGRAM AS PLATFORM.

As part of Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association’s stewardship commitment, MLNA has partnered with Illinois Green Industry Association, Missouri Botanical Garden, Powell Gardens and the University of Missouri-Mizzou Botanic Gardens, to promote reliable, non-invasive and ornamentally attractive plant selections. Many of these are drought tolerant choices. Educating our members and the public about plant selections,” smart” watering irrigation products and more, will be incorporated into MLNA’s “Water as a Resource” initiative. “This is part of our stewardship commitment for our education programs for both the professional and the public” states MaryAnn Fink, Coordinator/Executive Director of MLNA. (Contact MLNA for Plants of Merit List for Dry Gardens )

Says Fink, “We are sharing horticulture success stories and educating each other and the homeowner about trees shrubs, perennials and annuals that keep their good looks despite the dry periods in the lower Midwest. We are also educating our members about regional plant research for Green Walls and Green Roofs. We are building alliances with those that share our interest in sustainability issues. We are working on educational programs that form partnership, particularly with our “Trees, Planning for Time and Saving Energy". We plan to help home and landowners find ways to benefit from growing green. We will have winter and spring educational events for the professional and the public, new programs and communication support.

Pretty thriving plants are in investment in our property, the future, and our environment. Landscaping is not a luxury but a necessity! For more information visit http://www.mlna.org/ or call 636-939-9079.

Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association
6209 Mid Rivers Mall Drive Suite 128
St. Charles MO 63304
636-939-9079

IMAGE: Baptisia sphaerocarpa; POM for 2008, image credit Sue Vanderbilt

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Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association
The Missouri Landscape and Nursery Association, founded in 1921, is a not-for-profit professional trade association representing the green industry throughout Missouri. Its mission is to enhance the success of its members through knowledge, advocacy and communication. It promotes horticulture education, professionalism, integrity, and environmental stewardship.

GREEN COMMUNITIES BUY GREEN PRODUCTS!

This is a wonderful opportunity to increase the availability of green products. throughout Missouri- MLNA members -we can do this and more! Call for more information-636-939-9079

Greene County residents are recieving a $25 instant rebate on rain barrels purchased through the James River Basin Partnership rain barrel program. This rebate is funded by City of Springfield Public Works, City Utilities, and Greene County Resource Management.