Traditionally, much of the U.S. Clematis supply has relied on imported young plants. With rising logistics costs, phytosanitary risks, and tariff concerns, there is a growing need for high-quality, U.S.-grown alternatives. "At Amerigo Farms, we are proving that domestic Clematis production is not only possible but also scalable and sustainable," says Dinesh Chaudhari, Head Grower and Production Manager at this Florida-based farm. The farm produces finished crops and potted plants, including calla lilies, poinsettias, tropical foliage, and, since 2023, when it took over Roseville Farms, Clematis propagation and finished plants. "This acquisition was both an exciting opportunity and a major responsibility. Roseville had built a reputation for quality, and our goal was not just to maintain that standard but to elevate it."
Amerigo Farms – 16 years in the industry
"Amerigo Farms Inc., based in Florida, has been a trusted name in the U.S. horticulture industry for over 16 years", explains. Starting with a focus on tropical foliage, they have steadily expanded into flowering annuals and perennials, always driven by a mission to bring innovation, consistency, and long-term sustainability to ornamental plant production. "Today, we specialize in high-quality flowering crops, supplying independent garden centers, landscapers, and retailers nationwide. Our primary focus is on cultivating a wide range of Calla Lilies, which make up a significant part of our assortment, along with other crops such as Poinsettias, Pot Mums, and tropical combinations featuring Dracaena, Asparagus, Colocasia, Cordyline, Dipladenia, Catharanthus, Vinca, SunPatiens, and more. Our leadership in finished pot production is rooted in our commitment to four foundational pillars: Sustainability, innovative practices, a continuous drive for improvement, and an unwavering focus on exceeding customer expectations."
Acquisition Roseville Farms
In 2023 they took over the Clematis finished flowering pot program from Roseville Farms. "They are a respected leader in Clematis propagation and production." Chaudhari is very pleased with the addition of this crop and the acquisition. " The Clematis plant—often called the 'Queen of Climbers' has long held a special place in gardens and greenhouses around the world. In the U.S., one of the most renowned names in Clematis production was Roseville Farms, known for their premium finished flowering pots and propagation expertise. This acquisition was both an exciting opportunity and a major responsibility—Roseville had built a reputation for quality, and our goal was not just to maintain that standard but to elevate it."
Elevating their Clematis program requires the coordinated efforts of their Head Grower /Production Manager, and sectional growers. Chaudhari, with 20 years of international experience in India, Kenya, China, and the United States, has played a pivotal role in restructuring and elevating their Clematis program. "Through strategic improvements and technical innovation, the program has delivered outstanding results and set a strong foundation for future growth."
Fine-tuning propagation methods
As part of their efforts to strengthen the Clematis program at Amerigo Farms, they have also revisited and refined their propagation techniques. "Clematis propagation can be particularly challenging due to the plant's sensitivity to environmental conditions and rooting requirements. Over the past year, we've trialed several methods—testing different soil mixes, rooting hormones, and misting schedules—to improve uniformity, rooting success, and early vigor in young plants. These improvements have not only contributed to better rooting success but also elevated the overall quality of plants and faster takeoff when transplanted."
Challenges and breakthroughs
According to Chaudhari, the Clematis is a beautiful, yet demanding crop. "As a heavy feeder, it requires a precise nutrient regime to support strong vegetative growth and vibrant flowering. In the first phase of renovating the program, we heavily focused on formulating the fertilizer protocols, with attention to micronutrients and slow-release options. The outcome: fuller, more vigorous plants with consistent flowering."
Clean plants, confident markets
Maintaining premium plant quality means staying ahead of pest and disease challenges., he continues. "Our team developed a proactive approach rooted in biological controls, strict sanitation, and timely applications of targeted treatments. This has reduced crop losses and significantly improved finished plant quality; key to building trust with retail partners."
Perfecting vernalization and flower timing
Vernalization is critical in Clematis to ensure synchronized flowering. Through experimentation with chilling hours, light intensity, and temperature control, they have fine-tuned a schedule that aligns bloom timing with varietal response and customer's demand. "We now have better control over when and how our plants bloom critically to ensure timely shipping and selling through retail."
Toward sustainable domestic production
Rising costs and risks associated with importing Clematis liners have highlighted the need for reliable domestic production. "We've also begun working on propagation trials that may allow us to reduce future dependency on imported liners, strengthening the supply chain and enhancing industry resilience."
Innovation
Chaudhari is proud of the progress they have made. "And we're just getting started. New Clematis varieties, optimized production protocols, and data-driven growing practices are in development to push quality even further."
Clematis was a perfect addition to their Mother's Day assortment this year. "It paired beautifully with large pots of blooming Calla Lilies and tropical plant combinations to create eye-catching carts that exceeded customer expectations."
For more information:
Amerigo Farms Inc.
John P Albers
Email: [email protected]
T: +1 905 651 4763
Dinesh Chaudhari
Email: [email protected]
T: +1 570 233 4917