May 12, 2010

Hortica Insurance & Employee Benefits recently created a Society of American Florists (SAF) Garden on their grounds in recognition of SAF’s 125th anniversary and the longstanding relationship between Hortica and SAF.

On April 27th Hortica hosted Peter Moran, SAF’s executive vice president and chief executive officer, at their annual employee appreciation company breakfast for dedication of the garden. The “SAF Garden” each spring will showcase new varieties of annuals to educate and present the latest products developed through research. Anchoring the garden is a Prairiefire Crabapple tree, a tree that is attractive throughout the year. Mona Haberer, Hortica’s president and CEO said “The garden serves as a reminder of SAF’s remarkable contribution to the industry and the ties which forever unite SAF and Hortica.”

Through an Act of Congress the Society of American Florists was formed in Chicago is 1884 as a national trade association by 21 members of the American Association of Nurserymen, Florist and Seedsmen. Within the first year SAF had grown to 400 members. Hail insurance was a hot topic during this time and in 1887 Florists’ Hail Association was formed by a committee of SAF in order to protect greenhouse owners against hail damage. For the last 125 years the relationship between SAF and Florists’ Mutual – later renamed Hortica – has remained constant, partnering in ways the founders couldn’t possibly have envisioned.