Planters' Choice Weekly Picks!
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 Friday, July 16, 2010
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In This Issue
Mark's Turf Tip: Leafhoppers
The Spotlight's On...Concolor Fir
Staff Picks! Mark's Sugar Maples
NOW
Mark's Turf Tip                            Leafhoppers
Leafhoppers
Leafhoppers
Every now and then it seems something in this business catches us all off guard. This time it looks as though it is going to be leafhoppers. I recently had a customer come in with a tiny insect that was infesting their lawn. It was difficult to catch as it would jump and fly quickly about two feet. After some debate and internet searching we agreed that it was most likely some species of leafhopper despite the fact that they usually are not a serious pest of turf grass. Then two days later I was walking across my own lawn looked down at my feet and saw what looked like a dust cloud around my feet coming up from the grass as I walked. Upon closer inspection there were bazillions of leaf hoppers and nymphs of all sizes! 

Leafhoppers have a piercing sucking mouthpart, a stylet, with which they suck the sap out of the plant. There are some 2,500 different species of leaf hoppers and so you can almost always find a species associated with almost any plant. I was able to find about a dozen different species associated with turf in various literature. Also aside from the bleaching speckled marks left on the then weakened turf grass this insect is also known to be a vector for many plant pathogens causing many diseases. 

 If you find yourself walking through a "dust cloud" of leaf hoppers and you believe the damage being done is serious then consider controlling them with some form of Bifenthrin that is labeled for leafhoppers and remember to read and follow all label instructions for proper application. As always if you have questions please contact me, Mark Kokinchak, at 203-426-4037 or [email protected] .
The Spotlight's On...   Concolor Fir
Abies concolor in Newtown
Group of Concolor Fir
Abies concolor (White or Concolor Fir) is an evergreen that presents a rich color and wonderful texture to any landscape. Soft, flat blueish-green needles mature to about 2" long and, when snapped in two, gives off a pungent, sweet orangey scent. It's a slow to medium grower reaching about 30-50' by 15-30' in spread. 
A great choice if you need a stately evergreen as a specimen, as screening in groups or as an evergreen accent plant. Best planted in full sun, though it will tolerate light shade - it's also tolerant of  heat, drought and cold making it the most adaptable of all the Abies. Plant in deep, moist rich soil that's well drained as it doesn't do well in clay soils. Hardy in zones 4-7.
So give them a try the next time you seed something a little different from Colorado Spruce.
 
We have some beautiful, larger sizes that will make an early impact on the landscape as they are both tall and full, 10/12' and 12/14'  - check them out!
 
Planting now? We suggest using the PHC Tree Saver to get them off to a great start!

 
Staff Picks!                 Mark's Nostalgic for the Classic Sugar Maple
Mark has been working with Planters' Choice since the beginning of the year, but it feels like he's been here a long time. He brings a wealth of knowledge when it comes to Turf & Fertilizer and will dive head first into any project given.      

Acer saccharum
Sugar Maple
I once heard "Classic never goes out of style" from a college professor of art. That, in my opinion, is applicable to my Pick of the Week - the Sugar Maple Acer saccharum. Ok, I know you are thinking "nothing special here", but there is arguably more historical significance swirling around this tree than any other in New England including one you have probably not heard of that I will address last. First the obvious, the time honored tradition of making maple syrup. Not only is this a long standing new England industry and tradition, I bet many of you have, at some point, tried tapping and making maple syrup at least as a kid.
        Another economic industry that the sugar maple supports is the fall foliage season. Countless "Leaf Peepers" travel north through New England to see breathtaking fall colors. In fact I will always remember October of 1985 as a newly wed couple, my wife Christine and I drove across lower Vermont on Route 9. The hillsides were a solid stunning blaze of orange - it just could not have been any better.
         However, one of the lesser know traditions that has been all but forgotten is that of a wedding tree or an anniversary tree. Have you ever seen an old New England home that had two very large old sugar maples growing in the front of the house that seem as though they were deliberately placed and planted some 150 years ago? Well it is very likely these were planted as wedding or anniversary trees to represent the bond of young newlyweds.  Think of the history these trees have seen. Think of the fall color they have provided, the syrup that may have been poured over home made blueberry pancakes.  Think of the shade they have given for the couple sitting on the front porch swing while drinking a cool lemonade. Think of the squirrels, birds, hawks, and owls that have likely called this tree home.
          The fact is in this day and age of instant communication with cell phones and computers some of life's simple pleasures keep eroding away and I would personally like to give thanks to those folks who have long since passed on, but had the insight to know that future generations would enjoy the Sugar Maples they planted so long ago.
          So the next time you have a customer that has the space for a couple of large trees that will start out "small" suggest the sugar maple and all its history and remind them of the simple  enjoyment they will leave behind for future generations and let them know that some day someone may be saying, " My great great  grandpa planted those Sugar Maples" as they sip their iced tea while sitting in the shade of those grand old classic Sugar  Maples"

Thanks Mark!
NOW
Perennials for shade - so many to choose from!
Shade loving perennials in new greenhouse
Head for the shade in this heat! Take a look at the large, fresh assortment of perennials for shady locations in both yards. Some, seen here, include Japanese Forest Grass, Hostas Coral Bells and more. Other houses include Barrenwort, Windflower, Toad Lily, Goat's Beard - the list goes on and on!


In This Week:
Buxus sempervirens assorted sizes
B. 'Winter Gem'
Picea glauca 'Conica'
P. pungens 'Globosa'
Rosa 'Knock Out', 'Sunny Knockout' and ''Pink Knockout'- all tree form
and... Composted Cow Manure

Perennial HOT List
Echinacea 'Harvest Moon'
Echinacea 'Harvest Moon'

Looking Good and in Good Supply!

Agastache 'Black Adder' (Hyssop)
Delphinium 'Black Knight' (Larkspur)
Echinacea 'Harvest Moon', 'Ruby Star'
Gallium odoratum (Sweet Woodruff)
Hemerocallis 'Hyperion' (Daylilies)
Lamiastrum 'Herman's Pride' (Yellow Archangel)
Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower)
Sidalcea 'Party Girl' (Checkermallow)


As always - Stop by and check them out!
Have A Great Weekend!
No time for vegetable gardening? Head over to your nearest farmers' market!
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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
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