Planters' Choice Weekly Picks!

Planters' Choice Weekly Picks!
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Friday, August 13, 2010

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UCONN Plant Data

CT Nursery &Landscape Association

CT Grounds Keepers Association

In This Issue

Cool Blades

Staff Picks! Pinxterbloom Azalea

A Groundcover You Need To Know!

NOW

Bulbs & Dogs!

Cool Blades...Interesting and Underused Ornamental Grasses

Molinia 'Sky Racer'

As warm temperatures continue and the landscape takes on that August look, we ask ornamental grasses to help perk things up. Aside from the ones we all know and love, there are some you may not know much about. There are grasses for sun and shade, moist and dry conditions and a mix of colors for summer, fall and winter interest. Here are just a few you can find at Planters' Choice:

Andropogon scoparius 'Prairie Blues'. This nice variety of Bluestem has stiff, upright gray-blue foliage that form tight 24" clumps. Good orange-red fall color. Seedheads appear late summer. It prefers moist soil in full sun. Try them in a perennial border for outstanding color and texture. Zones 3-9.

Eragrostis spectabilis (Purple Love Grass) Summer to Fall blooming with very light and airy panicles. Planted en masse against a contrasting color will really show it off. Nice billowy soft texture for the fall garden. Foliage turns red-bronze in fall. It will tolerates drought and poor soils. Cut to the ground in early spring. 18-24".

Hakonechloa macra (Japanese Forest Grass) This is the straight form, or straight species, which is a medium green and a nice change of pace. The apricot fall color is gorgeous. Plants will grow 18" x 36". Ready soon is H. macra 'Beni Kazi'. The name means 'Red Wind', so named for it's fall color - the green blades develop red ribbony markings in fall. A slow spreader, it will grow 18-24". All Japanese Hakone Grass prefer part shade to shade.

Muhlenbergia capillaris (Pink Muhly Grass) This light airy grass will grow 1.5-3' tall. The seed heads are about half as long as the whole plant. In the fall they take on a pinky-purple hue. The blades are quite narrow. Planted in groups they'll make a huge feathery splash.

Molinia caerulea ssp. arundinacea 'Skyracer' (Purple Moor Grass seen above) The blades will grow 3' x 3' with seed heads reaching 6-7' tall! Even the slightest breeze will make them sway.

They are all definitely worth using in your next design! Check these out and others the next time you're visiting us!

Staff Picks! Duane's World

Loading Duane's Trees, and his Pick - Pinxterbloom Azalea

Duane has been working for Planters' Choice for almost 20 years. He plants, cares for and digs all the evergreen and deciduous trees grown in the fields - with the help of his crew - which is no small task! He likes to tend to his vegetable garden at home.

With the many varieties of trees he plants and maintains each year, he said it's hard for him to pick one favorite, so he decided to choose his favorite native shrub - the Pinxterbloom Azalea Azalea periclymenoides. "There's something great about stumbling across this native flowering azalea when you're in the woods. The pink flowers are good sized and slightly fragrant. It's really a gem in the forest".

Keep your eye out for the Pinxterbloom Azalea at Planters' Choice. It will soon be in production with fall of 2011 as the target date. Similiar native azaleas that we currently offer are A. viscosum which is white, and A. viscosum 'Pink & Sweet' which is a pink form. Both are fragrant and great for moist spots.

Thanks Duane!

A Groundcover You Need to Know...Leadwort!

Ceratostigma plumbaginoides

Ceratostigma plumbaginoides, Leadwort or Plumbago, is a wonderful groundcover that too many people overlook. It's a short 9-12" tall perennial that will spread at least 18". Planted in groups they will fill an area with a dense mat of neat glossy foliage that turn a beautiful red in fall. Better yet are the small true-blue flowers they produce late summer to fall which are long lasting and arrive at a time when other perennials are waning.

Leadwort is tolerant of a wide range of soil and light conditions. That makes them a top choice for underplanting trees and shrubs, especially where it is difficult to get other plants established. As they are not evergreen they make the perfect plant to combine with spring bulbs! They sleepily emerge mid-late spring so any early to mid season spring bulb such as crocus or scilla will complete the three-season interest! Come see them while in bloom!

Another great value from Planters' Choice. Give them a try!

NOW

Justin Browers Boxwood

In this week:

Buxus sinica var. insularis 'Justin Browers' (Dwarf Boxwood) 2'w x 3' t, slow growing.

B. semp. suffruticosa (Dwarf English Boxwood)

Chamaecyparis pisifera f. 'Aurea', 3ga

Euonymus fortunei 'Blondy'

Rosa, Pink Flower Carpet & Knockout Family

Ilex crenata 'Helleri', 'Schwoebel Upright', 'Sky Pencil', 'Steeds'

I. glabra 'Shamrock', assorted sizes

Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm'

Perennial Hot List!

Looking great and in good supply!

Agastache 'Blue Fortune', 'Black Adder'

A. 'Apricot Surprise'

Festuca glauca 'Elijah Blue'

Echinacea 'Harvest Moon', 'Lucky Star', 'Magnus', 'Prairie Splendor', 'Sunrise', 'Sundown', 'White Swan'

Heuchera - many, many to choose from!

Heliopsis 'Summer Sun'

Hosta 'Fragrant Dreams', 'Guacamole'

Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm'

Salvia 'Blue Hill', 'Marcus', 'May Night', 'Caradonna'

Sedum 'Autumn Joy', S. cauticola, S. kamtchaticum + more!

Grass Seed

Overseeding? We are freshly stocked with the seed you need!

Two Important Reminders...

1. Spring Bulbs. Now is the time to ask! Spring flowering bulbs will be here shortly after Labor Day. Take the time to assess your customer's needs. Help us get our wish list in early to guarantee your customer's satisfaction. Remember last fall? Many of you were asking for Scilla siberica when it was too late - our suppliers were already sold out.

The forms are on the counters in both offices or can be faxed to you if you need. If you don't see what you're looking for listed on the form, please write it in at the bottom with the quantity you need. Or just give us a call. Now is the time to ask! We'll be happy to help you out!

2. Don't forget our last two HOT DOG Wednesdays! August 18th and the 25th, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm at both locations. Don't miss out, we'd love to see you!

Have A Great Weekend!

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