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And the Winner Is...
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 This is the time of year when movie awards are being handed out left and right. And when it comes to the botanical world it's no different. This week let's take a look at the 2010 Perennial Plant of the Year - Baptisia australis a.k.a. Blue False Indigo.
The award is given to perennials that have a long season of interest, are low maintenance, show pest and disease resistance and will grow in a wide range of climates. This plant fits the bill!
Baptisia australis is member of the Pea family and a native of the mid-west U.S. The habit is shrublike growing 3-4' tall and about as wide. It has thick glaucus stems with clean blue-green foliage and purple-blue flower spikes May-June. The flowers develop into jet-black seed pods that, if left on, are interesting in the late summer garden.
It's precisely its sturdy structure that makes it perfect as a filler for perennial borders. Plant early flowering spring bulbs nearby as the emerging stalks will act as a good foil for the declining foliage of the bulbs. A few companion plants could be Aquilegia, Geranium and Veronica. Chartreus foliaged plants would look great, too.
It has a deep taproot and therefore quite drought tolerant. This root, however, makes it difficult to transplant, but not impossible. If you need to move it, try to get as much soil as possible. The younger the plant the better. Plant it in full sun. It's hardy from Zones 3-9.
Read about it's use for dyes by Native Americans and other tidbits in the link above, and definitly check it out this spring - it's a winner! |
CNLA - A Really Good Show
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 We hope you had the chance to go to this year's CNLA Winter Symposium. It was well worth the visit. The lectures were current and informative, the exhibitors were interesting and it was especially nice to see old friends - both customers and fellow nurserymen. It was also terrific to see such a big name in our industry, Michael Dirr, and hear him speak. Kudos to CNLA and all that helped make that show a success!
At our booth Drew and Gary talk with some visitors about what's new at Planters' Choice. |
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There's Still Room! Winter Lectures 2010 - Newtown |
- Tues., January 26, 2010, 1:30pm - Perennial Maintenance with our own Gary Andrasko. Maximize performance from your perennial beds and borders!
- Wed., February 10, 2010, 1:30pm- Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Woodies! with Ed Gregan from Carlton Plants. Hear about new ideas for our tried and true favorites!
- Tues., February 23, 2010, 1:30pm- Turf - What Every Landscaper Should Know! Learn what's new with Seed and Fertilizer and Review the Basics. Don't forget to Bring Your Questions!
They're FREE! Don't miss out this year - save the dates and learn something new to help your business grow! All lectures are held in Newtown (140 Huntingtown Road).
RSVP by replying to this email (sbarbier@planterschoice.com)
or give us a call at 203-426-4037 (Newtown).
Let us know which lectures you're interested in so we can reserve you a seat.
See you soon! | |
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Enjoy the Weekend!
Winter hours: Monday - Friday 8 am - 4:30 pm
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140 Huntingtown Road, Newtown, CT t. 203-426-4037, f. 203-426-8057
496 Bunker Hill Road, Watertown, CT t. 860-945-6588, f. 860-945-9282
Winter hours - Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
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