Planters' Choice Weekly Picks!
Archived E-mails
 Friday, April 23, 2010
Ground Cover Alternatives
Clockwise from top left: Cotoneaster 'Royal Beauty', Delosperma, Sedum sieboldii, Stephanandra, Juniperus chinensis procumbens 'Nana', Dianthus & Ajuga, Gaultheria and Hakonechloa & Arctostaphylus.
Groundcover alternatives
We see a lot of Vinca and Pachysandra leave the nursery daily, and that's great...but sometimes your customers need something with a little more punch. Something that will add some variety, texture and interest. And if it cuts down on areas to mow, so much the better. That means less watering, less groundwater run-off, less fertilizing, more biodiversity, more aesthetically pleasing and more seasonal interest. Do you have steep slopes that are dangerous to mow? Then maybe you need a ground cover like Stephanandra, Juniper or Deutzia gracilus 'Nikko'. Have a shady area where grass is difficult to grow? Try Carex (Sedge), Pachysandra procumbens (Allegheny Pachysandra), or Ferns. The term ground cover doesn't always mean ground hugging either. The Stephandra and Deutzia mentioned will get 2' high - a nice change in elevation. Take a look at some other ideas and don't be afraid to use two or three different species at one site. Covering the ground can be creative. Here are just a few ideas:

Sun
Cotoneaster
Juniper
Arctostaphylos (Bearberry)
Delosperma (Ice Plant)
Rhus aromatica 'Grow-Low' (Fragrant Sumac)

Shade
Gaultheria (Wintergreen)
Cornus canadensis (Bunchberry)
Microbiota dessucata (Siberian Carpet)
Pachysandra procumbers (Allegheny Pachysandra, our native Pachysandra)

Dry Shade
Carex pensylvanica (Sedge)
Convallaria majalis (Lily-of-the-Valley)
Epimedium (Barrenwort)
Gallium (Sweet Woodruf)
Helleborus (Lenten Rose)
Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas Fern)
Sarcococca humilis (Dwarf Himalayan Sweet Box)
Sedum ternatum (Wild Stonecrop)

Moist
Acorus (Sweet flag)
Astilbe pumila (False Spiraea)
Carex (Sedge)
Phlox divaricata (Blue Woodland Phlox)

Check out other ideas in Covering Ground by Barbara Ellis. A new book for us for $15.75 - and worth every penny!
Staff Picks!                                            Chuck's All About What's New!
Chuck Newman, owner (in case you didn't know), is always looking forward - for new ideas and opportunities that will help our business and yours grow. Here is his Staff Pick!
The new greenhouse behind the office in Newtown is perfect for those tender arrivals when frost is still possible, and there's plenty of room for our tropicals.
Chuck's Pick!

Moving Forward at Planters' Choice
Looking to the future makes life more fulfilling, especially when new and exciting things like these are happening. Each spring brings new thoughts and new life. The year 2010, our fortieth in business, is being marked by a significant step forward to the future of Planters' Choice.

�   37 acres purchased in Watertown adjacent to our 1450 Bunker Hill Road farm to expand our  field operations
�   Removal of old propagation houses in Newtown for more parking and display
�   Clearing and stumping three more acres at the Meadowbrook Road farm for production
�   Expanding the sales yard and perennial inventory at the 496 Bunker Hill Road facility in Watertown
�   Adding fruit trees to our B & B production.

Thanks Chuck! 
NOW
Roses in Newtown
Roses are in!
The trucks keep rolling in...

This week:
Buxus Specimen & Hedge Grade, 'Newport Blue', 'Winter Gem'
Cephalotaxus 'Fastiagata'
Chamaecyparis noot. 'Pendula' 10/12'
Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Gracilis Compacta', 'Nana Gracilis'
Corylus avelana 'Pendula' limited (Weeping European Filbert - hard to find)
Fagus sylvatica 'Purpurea Pendula'
Heptacodium miconoides (Seven-son Flower)
Hydrangea macrophylla  'Bluebird', 'Twist-n-Shout'
Hydrangea pan. 'Quick Fire' Tree Form
H. quercifolia 'Alice'
H. serrata 'Shirotae'
Iex crenata 'Steeds' (Upright Japanese Holly)
I. x 'Dragon Lady', x meservae 'Blue Maid', 'Blue Princess'
Juniperus scopulorum 'Moonglow'
Pinus strobus 'Nana' (Dwarf White Pine), 5' specimen
Rhododendron 'Boursault', 'English Roseum' 3/4'
Thuja occidentalis 'Yellow Ribbon'
Thuja plicata 'Green Giant'
Viburnum dent. 'Chicago Luster' 
 V. rhytidophyllum
 
Roses are in! Both yards!

Drift Roses - Coral, Pink, Peach, Red
Knockouts - Blushing, Pink, Double, Pink Double, White Out
'Carefree Delight', 'Carefree Spirit'
Meidiland - Crimson
Bonica
New Dawn
Red Eden
White Dawn
Spruces - Norway and Colorado
Picea pungens - larger sizes
Evergreens
Tsuga canadensis (Canadian  Hemlock) larger sizes
Picea pungens (Colorado Blue Spruce) Great selection of larger sizes 10/12', 12/14', 14/16'
Pinus strobus
Picea abies
P. glauca (White Spruce)

 
** Dan's HOT Lists **
Plants that look good and are in good supply!

Perennial HOT List:
Ajuga 'Black Scallop' dense ground cover, dark foliage, ground-hugging
Dicentra 'Spectabilis' (Bleeding Heart) Old fashioned sign of spring!
Dianthus 'Bath's Pink' (Hardy Canation) fragrant, light pink, great foliage all year
Monarda 'Jacob Kline' (Bee Balm) Hummingbirds love these - a good red, long bloomer, deer resistant!
Salvia 'May Night' (Meadow Sage) deer resistant, blue spikes May-June
Sedum 'Kamshaticum', 'Autumn Joy', 'Vera Jamison' (Stonecrop) Full sun, drought tolerant
 
Grass HOT list:
Carex 'Pensylvanica' (Sedge)
Calamagrostis 'Brachytricha','Overdam' (Feather Reed Grass)
Chasmanthium 'Latifolium' Northern Sea Oats)
Hakonechloa 'Aureola' (Japanese Forest Grass) a favorite for brightening shadey sites
Helictotrichon 'Sapphire' (Oat Grass) spikey texture
 
Steel Edging Prices
Unfortunately the price for steel edging has gone up. Here are the new prices:
Border Guard
  • 3/16" X 4" X 10'                         $29.00
  • 3/16" X 4" X 16'                         $46.00    $44.90     $42.80
  • 3/16" X 4" X 14" END              $9.75       $9.50       $9.00
  • Splice Connector                     $9.75       $9.50       $9.00
  • Extra Stakes                               $1.30       

Border Line

  • 1/8" X 4" X 10'                           $22.50     $21.75     $20.75
  • 1/8" X 4" X 16'                            $36.00    $34.75     $33.25
  • 1/8" X 4" X 14" END                $9.75       $9.50       $9.00
  • Corner                                          $10.75     $10.50     $10.25
  • Splice Connector                     $9.75       $9.50       $9.00

Border King

  1. 1/4" X 5" X 16'                            $72.00    $69.25     $66.25
 
Please make your adjustments in the catalog. Thanks.
Have A Great Weekend!
black pc logo 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:
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