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Got the Right Spot? Try Mountain Laurel!
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l-r. 'Pink Charm', sample of our Kalmia, native example found in nearby woods.  | How many times have you been looking for a evergreen shrub that flowers in shade...something other than Rhododendron? Next time consider Kalmia latifolia - Mountain Laurel. It's a great solution for customers looking for an evergreen, shade tolerant shrub that provides showy flowers in a wide range of colors. They are slow-growing plants that reach about 4-8' tall in 10 years. Dwarf forms like 'Elf' and 'Minuet' will only reach about 3' x 3'. Our native Mountain Laurel found in the woods and along it's edges, will grow in large stands 12' high putting on a spectacular display in June.
America's Garden Book published in 1939 lists Mountain Laurel as 'Pink'. The new cultivars have colors that will fit any garden palette - but will they fit into any garden situation? Not quite - they must have acid soil, like all ericaceous plants, good drainage, and they like their roots to stay cool. They will grow in full sun to deep shade, but flower best in sunnier locations. When growing in deep shade the foliage will eventually be found at the top branches as it reaches for sun. The ideal light conditions range from dappled shade to sites that have morning sun. The flowers range from white to deep pink to the banded types like 'Bull's Eye' which have a maroon band through each flower.
Mountain Laurel have a fibrous root system making them easy to transplant from containers. Give them what they need from the start - PHC for Azaleas and Rhododendron, which is comparable to Holly-tone. It acidifies the soil with the added beneficial fungi. Adding a light natural mulch will keep their roots cool.Keep them watered through it's first growing season. The general rule of an inch of rain per week applies here too, but be ready with the hose in case of dry spells.
Once you've found the right spot - you're golden! Give them a try!
Stop by and see them all in full bloom! |
Turf Tips from Mark Chinch Bug and Sod Webworm in Turf
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Chinch bug |
"Healthy green turf is the canvas on which you paint a beautiful landscape" so don't let chinch bugs destroy it when you're not looking!
Chinch bug populations may be building right now especially with the warmer temperatures they thrive in. You'll typically notice them in June if you get down on your hands and knees and look closely. They are insects, about 1/8"
Lebanon's Bifenthrin with 17-0-5 fertilizer | long that pierce and suck the stem of the blade. Signs to look out for are mottled, drought-stressed or dying grass patches. If you see high populations of this insect and excessive damage to the turf, you may need a product like Lebanon's Bifenthrin with 17-0-5 fertilizer.
Good cultural practices always come first. Since thatch tends to harbor these and other insects like Sod Webworm, yearly aeration and over seeding is recommended. Try supplemental watering during dry spells and then, if need be, use the Bifenthrin with 17-0-5 fertilizer.
As always please remember to read, understand and follow all label instructions.
You can always call with any questions or stop by and ask a sales person for help.
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Staff Picks! Drew likes the versatile Spiraea
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Spiraea 'Magic Carpet'  | Drew graduated not long ago from University of Maryland with a degree in Landscape Management and an Associates in Landscape Design. He works in Newtown quoting your plant lists, receiving deliveries, and trying like heck to keep the inventory straight.
"Some of my favorite plants are the Spiraeas. With such a wide range of sizes, forms, foliage and bloom colors, this is a plant that can work in almost any landscape. As an added bonus they are fairly low-maintenance and deer resistant. Some of the varieties I like best are the 'Vanhouttei' for its taller arching habit and white flowers, 'Little Princess' for drifts of pink flowers and 'Magic Carpet which really stands out with its yellow foliage and red new growth."
Thanks Drew! |
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Katsura  | With both yards being well stocked, the trucks have slowed down, now bringing in available plant material as needed. There is an ample supply of large evergreens for specimens and screening as well as many hidden treasures. Come take a drive through to spark ideas for your next job. Don't forget to send in your plant lists to be quoted via email or fax. Drew in Newtown, fax: 203-426-8057 or email: acantrell@planterschoice.com or send them to Liz in Watertown, fax: 860-945-9282 or email: lbette@planterschoice.com.
Look for the tried and true Maples, Oaks, Pears and Cherries or some beautiful alternatives for specimen and shade trees including Katsura (Cercidiphylllum japonicum), Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides), Yellowwood (Cladrastis kentuckea) and many others.
Looking for Bamboo?
Just in - Phyllostachy aureosulcata (Yellow Grove) 5 & 10 gallon
Dan's Hot List
Looking Great and in Good Supply:
Artemesia 'Silvermound' (Wormwood)
Boltonia 'Jim Crockett' (False Aster)
Coreopsis 'Full Moon', 'Moonbeam' (Tickseed)
Dicentra 'Luxuriant' (Bleeding Heart)
Lilium 'Bright Pixie', 'Orange Pixie' (Asiatic Lily)
Perovskia 'Atriplicafolia' (Russian Sage)
 Need color and texture? Go beyond 'Autumn Joy' and check out all the varieties of Sedums (Stonecrop). They're great fillers for full sun. They're low maintenance, drought tolerant and look great! Ranging in color from yellows, blues and shades of green, they'll spice up any garden and soften any walkway.
Sedum display in Newtown.
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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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