|
|
|
|
|
|
Hot Weather Champs!
|
Top to bottom: Sedum 'Dragon's Blood', Gallardia, Sedum 'Angelina' |
No one wants to be reminded of just how warm it got this past week, so let's just agree that it was a hot one. There were some sad looking landscapes out there, mine included, so maybe it's a good time to review the list of some of the drought-tolerant perennials and shrubs that will help any landscape look good in weather like this.
A drought tolerant plant means that once they have become established they can survive and look good through longer periods of dry weather. But that doesn't mean they require drought-like conditions, only that they can adapt to it either by having a deeper root system, succulent-type foliage, hairy stems and leaves etc. However, one condition they do require is excellent drainage.
All of the below must be well watered until completely established. Remember, educating your customers about watering in summer is a must for a successful new landscape. Here's just a few of our tough, drought-tolerant favorites:
Deutzia gracilis (Slender Deutzia) A beautiful late spring white bloomer with clean, fine textured light green foliage that turns a strong purple in the fall. Provides just a bit of height and great texture on a hot, dry slope. Loves to be cut back in early spring. 3-4' tall and 4-5' wide.
Potentilla fruiticosa 'Abbotswood' (White Spreading Cinquefoil) A time-honored beauty for good reason. White July flower that will rebloom if cut back. Like Deutzia, cutting back in early spring is advisable. Its spreading habit lends itself well to spots where excessive height is undesirable. 2' tall and 3-4' wide.
Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage) Fragrant bluish purple blooms, and beautiful gray foliage that is also fragrant. Large masses create a truly magnificent show. Another plant that benefits from trimming after the bloom is past. It should also be cut back in early spring. 4' tall by 3' wide.
Achillea (Yarrow) From vibrant yellow 'Moonshine' to pinks and reds like 'Paprika' about 24" .Rreally nice when planted in a large group.
Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed) True orange flower cluster, reaches about 24" x 18". One will form a nice clump, three to five make a bold statement. A food source for the Monarch Butterfly.
Delosperma (Ice Plant) Heat, drought and salt tolerant. Plant as a groundcover or add to rock gardens. Yellow flowers on very low growing succulent foliage. Good groundcover idea!
Echinops (Globe Thistle) Get some height and spikey purple/blue balls. 36" tall. One tough plant!
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) seen above. Abundant warm yellows and oranges on these daisy-like flowers. 'Goblin' is good for front of the border reaching 12".
Liatris (Gayfeather) tall purple or white flower spikes, 24"+, narrow foliage.
Sedums (Stonecrop) a no-brainer for drought. Succulent foliage stands up to dry conditions. There are so many to choose from, all types of great foliage that combine well with grasses and other perennials for similiar conditions. Range in height from 6" ground huggers like 'Angelina' and 'Dragon's Blood', both seen above, to 'Matrona' which will reach 36".
Check out the plant lists for drought tolerance in the back of our catalog, or ask your salesman for more ideas. |
Spotlight on... Weeping White Pine
|
Pinus strobus 'Pendula' is an evergreen weeper that has a unique, one of a kind look that some landscapes need t0 WOW their visitors. It's a plant that looks good throughout the year, but especially in autumn and winter where its form really stands out. They are variable in height and habit, but can reach 15'+ tall and quite wide - so give them a place where they can yawn and stretch. You can train them when young to form a central leader.
Requirements are the same as for all White Pine - well-drained moist soil in full sun. This is a large 8-10' for $275 in our Watertown Yard with Jaime. There are also smaller sizes available. So when your customers ask for something out of the ordinary think of Weeping White Pine. |
| Staff Picks! 'Nikko Blue' Hydrangea, Roger's Old-Time Favorite |
Roger's Nikko Blue Hydrangeas  | Roger has worked at Planters' Choice for the past 4 years. He started out in Newtown and is now up in the Watertown Yard. Prior to that he owned his own property maintenance company. He enjoys gardening at home.
"My favorite pick is the Nikko Blue hydrangea. It is an old favorite and performs well in thousands of gardens. It is a very consistent blue and tolerates the heat better than some of the hybrids. The flowers will stay blue for weeks then fade to a lime green and finish the season with touches of purple. I plant lots of things at my house and observe how they grow. This is how I take care of my Nikko Blue; in spring after bud break I start by taking out the dead canes, clean any leaves out of the crown and fertilize - that's it! To revitalize old non performing hydrangea, start by taking out all the old dead wood - reach right in - you will be surprised how much will just pull out with a little effort thin out older stems trying to leave younger canes."
Thanks Roger!
|
| Let's Get the Bulb Rolling |
It's never too early to think about your needs for spring color. As we begin to place our bulb order, it would be helpful to get some feedback on what you may be planning for your spring designs, or what you may need more of, to make those big sweeps of spring color. Whether commercial or residential - we'd like to have the selections and quantities your looking for.
Let us know what's on your wish-list - especially the
smaller bulbs or harder to find varieties. They are what runs out the fastest from our suppliers, so early orders from us assure great selections for you.
As usual, we will have a pre-order form on the counters in both locations. So help us help you by replying to this email, giving us a call, or give us your wish list the next time you're in.
Hope to hear from you soon! |
| NOW |
Betula jacquemonti - Himalayan Birch | Looking Great in Newtown
A beautiful block of Himalayan Birch is found at the rear of the sales yard in Newtown, above ground and keeping cool and fresh on individual drip irrigation. Roberto does a great job making sure they stay as fresh as when they were dug.
Incoming This Week
Azaleas 'Delaware Valley White', 'Pleasant White'
Hydrangea 'Endless Summer'
Ilex crenata 'Helleri', 'Sky Pencil'
I. glabra 'Shamrock'
I. x meservae 'Blue Maid'
Rosa 'Knockout', 'Blushing Knockout', 'Pink Knockout', Pink Flower Carpet, 'New Dawn' climber
Perennial HOT List
Polemonium 'Stairway to Heaven' and Heuchera ''Snow Angel' | Looking Great and in Good Supply!
Ceratostigma (Leadwort)
Coreopsis (Tickseed) 'Jethro Tull'
Heuchera (Coral Bells) 'Caramel', 'Plum Pudding', 'Snow Angel'
Monarda (Bee Balm) 'Jacob Cline'
Pennisetum (Fountain Grass) 'Hameln'
Polemonium (Jacob's Ladder) 'Stairway to Heaven'
Sedum (Stonecrop) 'Angelina'
Come check them all out!
|
|
 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 | |
|
|
|
