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Small-leaved Rhododendron
|  Small-leaved Rhododendron fill such an important role in the business of landscaping. Many are grown, many are sold, many installed - and there are many homeowners watching them bloom right now. Why so popular? Aside from being a reliable flowering evergreen, their size is just right to fit into a foundation planting or a mixed border. Averaging 3-6' tall, they are easy to grow, just requiring moist well-drained soil that is slightly acidic and rich in organic matter. Mulch will keep roots cool and provide the organic matter the plant needs. Check out these articles on Growing Rhododendron from the American Rhododendron Society.
Many of us are familiar with the well known PJM varieties like 'Elite' and 'Compacta', so let's look at some of the lesser known. Most of these are considered 'P.J.M' hybrids, but not all.
Take a look:
'Mary Fleming', seen above, is a small grower at 2-3'. Flowers are a creamy-yellow tinged with pink. Leaves are a clean dark green. Barb has one that reliably blooms in shade. An early-midseason boomer.
'Blue Barron' is a beautiful blue-purple. Also smaller sized at 2-3'. Hardy to -10 F. Early midseason.
'Dora Amateis'is white. Growing 3' tall it is hardy to -10 F and an early midseason bloomer.
'Landmark' is purplish-red growing slightly smaller, about 3' tall. A midseason bloomer.
'New Patriot' is a deep pink - almost red, growing about 4' tall. It is quite hardy. An early bloomer.
'Olga' has clear pink flowers, grows about 4' tall and is a late midseason bloomer.
'Purple Gem' has a violet-purple flower, grows 2x4' tall and blooms early midseason.
Come take a look at these while they're in bloom and check out the other small-leaved Rhododendron the next time your here.
Don't forget, fertilizer such as Plant Health Care's Azalea and Rhododendron Fertilizer and Espoma's Holly-tone, will help with the soil's pH as well as provide proper nutrition. |
Staff Picks! Charlie gives Two Thumbs Up for Crab Apples
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Crabapples in field |
Charlie grew up in the nursery business, had his own landscaping company for 25 years and has been working at Planters' Choice in Newtown for 5 years.
"I have chosen the Malus Family and particularly Crab Apples.
There are so many cultivars I like it's hard to choose just one. If you have ever been lucky enough to be in an orchard at bloom time it is like walking in the clouds.
This tree has a place in every American garden large or small as well as commercial properties.
It is cold hardy, drought tolerant and adaptable to severe pruning.
It's a perfect choice for New England - from spring flowers to small fruit set - and don't forget that winter branching silhouette. This tree has it all!
Come see our large selection of Planters' Choice grown Flowering Crabs and we'll talk Apples!"
Thanks Charlie! |
| NOW | |
Assorted B&B Ilex (Holly) in Newtown
Fresh off the trucks this week:
Azalea 'Delaware Valley White'
Betula platyphylla ''Whitespire' 10'
Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa', x 'Green Velvet'
Carpinus betulus 'Fastiagata' 3.5-4"
Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Crippsii'
Cornus florida 'Cherokee Princess', 5/6' (Flowering Dogwood-white), 'Cherokee Chief' 2-2.5" (pink)
Ginkgo biloba 1.5-2" (Gingko)
Gleditsia triacanthos 'Skyline' (Honey Locust) assorted sizes
Ilex glabra 'Shamrock' 3g (Inkberry)
Ilex pedunculosa (female) 4/5' (Longstalk Holly)
Ilex opaca 6/7', 7/8' (American Holly)
I. x 'Dragon Lady', 'Nelly Stevens' 8/10'
I. x meserveae 'Blue Maid, 'Blue Princess', 'China Girl'
Juniperus chinensis 'Mountbaten'
J. communis 'Pencil point' 4.5-5'
Kalmia latifolia (Mountan Laurel) assorted sizes
Magnolia stellata 'Royal Star'
Picea glauca 'Conica' Spiral, Double Spiral - limited
Picea pungens 'Glauca Pendula' (Weeping Blue Spruce)
Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Lyuken' 24/30", 30/36" (Cherry Laurel - Spreading)
P. laurocerasus 'Schipkaensis' 4/5' (Cherry Laurel - Upright)
P. x yedoensis (Yoshino Cherry) assorted sizes
Rhododendron maximum (Rosebay Rhododendron) assorted sizes
Taxus x 'Hill's Upright' (Upright Yew)
Thuja occidentalis 'DeGroot's Spire', 'Nigra'
Ulmus americana 'Valley Forge' (American Elm) 3-3.5"
Viburnum dentatum 'Blue Muffin'
Evergreens:
Abies balsamea phanerolepsis (Canaan Fir)
Picea abies (Norway Spruce)
P. glauca (White Spruce)
P. pungens (Colorado Spruce)
P. omorika (Serbian Spruce)
Larger Specimens, all very limited availability
Acer rubrum 'October Glory' 6-7"
Parrotia persica 5-6"
Quercus rubra 6-7"
Remember, this is a partial list of what we received this week. Trucks are arriving daily - you can always call for availability.
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| NOW in Watertown |  Our Watertown Yard has been filling up with Spring flowering trees & shrubs. Flowering Cherries are in bloom and looking great. Our own grasses and perennials are all showing signs of new growth and looking fresh. Check out the Buxus (Boxwood), Rhododendron, Pieris (Andromeda), Dicentra (Bleeding Heart), Ornamental Grasses and fresh White Pine. |
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 Planters' Choice, LLC
Visit our two locations:
140 Huntingtown Rd. Newtown, CT 06470 Tel. 203-426-4037 Fax 203-426-8057
496 Bunker Hill Rd. Watertown, CT 06795 Tel. 860-945-6588 Fax 860-945-9282
Hours:
March 15th - June 26th Mon.- Sat. 7 am - 4:30 pm
June 28th - Nov. 20th Mon. - Fri. 7 am - 4:30 pm & Sat. 7 am - 1 pm
Winter Hours Mon. - Fri. 8 am - 4:30 pm | |
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