Planters' Choice Weekly Picks!
Archived E-mails
 Friday, June 11, 2010
Big Splash of Color -
              Bigleaf Hydrangeas!
Clockwise top left: 'Endless Summer', 'Glowing Embers', Blushing Bride, 'Lady in Red', 'Nikko Blue', 'Twist-N-Shout'.
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas are some of the showiest shrubs for summer bloom. The big blue and pink mopheads of Hydrangea macrophylla cultivars certainly grab your attention whether they are standing alone or in a garden with other flowering plants. The blues are nostalgic and restful, the pinks fresh and sweet. The sturdy stems do their best to hold the heavy globes up as the large cluster of flowers go through their colorful changes. 'Nikko Blue' will give your customers years of summer color provided any late frosts haven't affected the flower buds. The Endless Summer Collection, with 'Endless Summer', 'Blushing Bride' and the lacecap 'Twist-n-Shout', bloom on both old and new wood offering dependable bloom throughout the summer. Other mopheads include 'All Summers' Beauty', 'Glowing Embers', 'Nigra' with almost black stems, 'Penny Mac' another blue rebloomer that blooms on new wood, and 'Pia' a light pink dwarf.

The lacecaps are a subtler way to add color, with their fertile centers ringed with sterile flowers. The pinks include 'Big Smile', 'Pink Lacecap' and 'Tokyo Delight'. Good blues are 'Blue Lace' and 'Blue Wave'.  Some are 6-8" across and gorgeous! Don't forget about the variegated form. Nice accent plant at 3' high with blue lacecaps.


What about that fourth season? You can combat the 'bare stick-look' of winter and early spring by combining them with broadleaf evergreens that like the same environment - Azaleas, Rhododendron, Mountain Laurel and Inkberry come to mind. Columbine, Lenten Rose (Hellebores) and Bleeding Heart are some early blooming perennials that take the edge off those bare twigs in late spring. Of course, any of the early to late spring bulbs are great as well.

The best place to plant them is of course partial shade - they want to be protected from strong afternoon sun. They also need a moist soil with good organic matter. Keep them well watered the first season until their root system is established.

If it's blue hydrangea your customers are after, give them the extra assurance with Espoma's Soil Acidifier. Incorporate a little at the time of planting and again each spring to assure an acid soil for the bluest flowers. It comes in a convenient 5 lb. bag - just follow directions on the back.

Want to learn about pruning and general culture of Hydrangeas? Pick up Michael Dirr's Hydrangeas for American Gardens or check out the National Arboretum site. There's so much information here you'll become an expert!
Staff Picks!                                Gary's next purchase? Amur Maackia!
Maackia amurensis
Maackia
Gary works in Newtown in the perennial department.  He holds a degree in Horticulture from UCONN and has worked for the last 36 years in wholesale & retail nurseries, landscaping and pest management. He loves talking about plants!

"I've always had a passion for plants. It never mattered what kind; I loved them all. If you ever get a chance to stop by my house you'll find a very eclectic mix scattered everywhere and planted for full maturity.
I'm happy to say that here at Planters' Choice our perennial selection is one of the best. Our conifer collection is expanding, and our unusual shade trees are top notch. This year we brought in Ginkgo biloba 'Chi-Chi', Celtis occidentalis (Common Hackberry) and perhaps my favorite, Maackia amurensis (Amur Maackia). It's a small durable, summer flowering tree - 30-40' x 40-50' with age. And upright creamy white racemose panicles in June & July. It should make an excellent addition to the Andrasko Arboretum. My best to you, Gary "

Wow, Thanks Gary!
 
Lobelia 'Monet Moment'
Lobelia 'Monet Moment'
Lobelia 'Monet Moment'
Here's a vigorous hybrid Lobelia (Cardinal Flower) that has abundant large flowers in a deep rose pink color. It'll grow about 26" tall x 16" wide - tall enough to be noticed and doesn't need staking. What it likes best is sun-part shade with good moisture, perfect for edges of ponds and low-lying areas. Hummingbirds love them. Blooms mid to late summer. Combine with Cimicifuga 'Atropurpurea' or 'Pink Spires' for a sweet combination.
 
NOW
Fresh material in this week:
Japanese Clethra
Spiraea Fugino Pink


Azaleas assorted varieties
Buxus suffruticosa (Dwarf English Boxwood)
Clethra barbinervis 5' (Japanese Clethra) Slowly grows 15-20', summer blooming, fall color to boot!
Hibiscus 'Blushing Bride' 7' (Rose of Sharon)
Pennisetum orientale 'Karley Rose'. Dusty-rose flower heads.

Good Choices!
Cornus kousa (Kousa Dogwood) Blooming now, many sizes to choose from. (Check out 'Wolf Eyes' a variegated form. Limited.)
Cephalotaxus harringtonia (Japanese Plum Yew) Both 'Fastiagata' and 'Prostrata'.  A nice addition to the partial shade garden. Adds refined evergreen texture and it's tolerant of wet conditions and Deer Resistant!
Viburnum dentatum 'Chicago Lustre'. In bud, ready to bloom. Nice foliage.

We are well stocked with Shade and Ornamental Trees! Plenty to choose from with much more from our farms - above ground, on drip irrigation and priced to sell!

Racks of perennials
We are sending down racks of fresh stock from our growing facility in Watertown to stock our perennial sales area in Newtown. Wonderful selections to fit any size garden, any color palette and any budget! Come see us in Watertown and see all the perennials available as well as what we've potted up recently to be available this fall, and first thing next spring.  We've cleared a substantial amount of space to not only allow for a larger sales area, but to also provide you with the volume of quality perennials you need!RosesJune

PERENNIAL HOT LIST

Achillea (Yarrow) Just coming into full bloom - many varieties
Dianthus (Hardy Carnations)
Hostas - Brighten up any shady spot
Lilium (Asiatic and Oriental Lilies)
Sedum - Mosaics of fantastic foliage!
Roses - Shrub, climbing, carpet, tree, and of course, Knockouts!

How about some finishing touches?
Groundcovers are in good supply:
Pachysandra
Vinca
Liriope Big Blue and Variegated
Ajuga

Stop by and get some ideas!
  Summer Color at a New Low Price!
Asiatic Lilies

We have a fantastic supply of Lilies, both Asiatic and Oriental -
in bud & blooming and many colors to choose from!


1 gallon Lilies Now $5.00!
In Stock - While Supplies Last-no further discounts apply.
 Check them out in both yards soon!

Lily strip 2
Have A Great Weekend!
June 14th - Flag Day!

(Like soccer?...World Cup 2010 Schedule!)

Plan Ahead for the 4th of July!
We will be open Saturday, July 3rd 7am - 1 pm and CLOSED Monday, July 5th


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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
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