|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark's Tip... Break the Cycle!
|  How many times have you driven down the road in the spring, and been impressed when you saw a mass planting of daffodils, slowing down to take in as much as you could of this colorful sign of spring? I would bet that most of your customers have experienced this too, and when they saw it, had the best intention to plant them on their own property.
Then life goes on and all is forgotten until the next spring. They think about how they're really going to plant bulbs this year and then another year goes by without planting...
Well, it's time to break that cycle! Approach your customers NOW about doing a mass spring bulb planting this fall. Does your customer have a library, office or study that overlooks a meadow or field? How about the view from the breakfast area? Wouldn't it look nice to see a mass of yellow, blue or purple as they look out that window? Or, maybe your customer has an unmanageable hillside. Suggest a mass of mixed narcissus! A long stone wall or fence could be enhanced by sheets of the early blooming crocus.
Start by identifying a good location in your customer's landscape. Think of where they will view it from. Taking a picture of the proposed sight and drawing in the intended planting area will give them a color visual of the size and scope of the project.
Don't forget to remind them that it will last for years to come, getting better each spring. As a side note, my father has a film clip of my sister when she was about 5 years old with long, blonde, curly hair, picking daffodils in a field loaded with them on a bright sunny day. It looks like a scene from a movie. I think of it every time I drive by that field on Cross Highway in Redding, where some 45 years later that field is still stunning, filled with more daffodils than ever.
So generate some excitement about spring. Stop by and pick up the bulb pre-order form or ask us to fax it to you. Do you need something that is not on the list? Let us know soon so we canplace the order soon get them in for you. The suppliers will run out of the specialty, more unique bulbs quickly, so consider your needs today!
If you have questions we are all here to help at Planters' Choice! |
The Spotlight's On...
Variegated Black Spruce - Picea mariana 'Variegata' |
Picea mariana 'Variegata' | Are you looking for an evergreen with a little punch for a place with prominence? Take a look at this variegated Black Spruce. Fresh, short blueish needles that are tipped in pale yellow. A very nice, subtle contrast from a distance, gorgeous up close! Slow growing to 30-40' & deer-resistant. Plant it in full sun for best coloring. We have a few 5/6' and 6/7' in Newtown. Beautiful and unusual so come take a look!
|
Staff Picks! Ross's Pick, the Majestic Beech
|
l-r. European Beech, Purple Leaf Beech 'Riversii' 3.5-4"  |
Ross has roots in the green industry dating back to his grandfather founding Oliver Nursery! He has worked for four years in sales in addition to being our yard manager at Planters' Choice in Newtown. He has chosen Beech, both European Beech Fagus sylvatica, and American Beech Fagus grandifolia. When fully grown they are one of the most majestic trees in the landscape. Many of the older beech, in Fairfield for example, have seen many generations come and go. There are even some that have initials and dates carved in them from the civil war! Whether used in residential landscapes or public parks they make a fantastic specimen tree. They also make great hedging plants, taking very well to pruning.
Come check out the 'Riversii' Beech, seen above right, and others including: F. grandifolia, F. sylvatica 'Asplenifolia', 'Dawyckii Purple', 'Pendula', 'Purpurea Pendula', 'Purple Fountain', 'Riversii', 'Spathiana' and 'Roseo Marginata'.
Thanks Ross!
|
| NOW |
Japanese Cedar |
Looking Great This Week:
Buxus sempervirens (American Boxwood) Fresh selections in this week. B. x 'Winter Gem'
B. semp. 'Suffruticosa' (Dwarf English Boxwood) 18-24", 24-30" and 30+"
Carpinus betulus 'Fastigiata' (European Hornbeam)
Cryptomeria japonica 'Yoshino' (Japanese Cedar) A very nice group of them in Newtown.
Hibiscus syriacus (Rose-of-Sharon) in bloom!
Hydrangea paniculata (Panicle Hydrangea) Turning shades of pink!
Ilex x meservae 'Blue Maid' (Blue Holly)
Lagerstroemia 'Natchez' and' Tuscarora' (Crepe Myrtle) Late summer bloomer, delicate branching, Z6b.
Pinus nigra 'Oregon Green' (Austrian Pine) Stiff bold texture, 10-12' tall in 10 yrs. Excellent heat and drought tolerance.
Rosa Fresh group came in this week. Knockout family and Bonica.
Anemone | Dan's Perennial Hot List!
Looking Great and in Good Supply!
Anemone 'Robustissima' (Windflower), single pink. 'Prince Henri', semi-double rose pink. July-Aug. Part shade.
Chelone 'Hot Lips', rose pink flowers, 24-36". Sun/Part shade in moist soil.
Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate' (Joe Pye Weed), red foliage, white flowers. Aug-Sept. 5'. Heuchera 'Dale's Strain' (Coral Bells) Sun/Part shade.
Hosta 'Wide Brim' Green with wavy bands of creamy gold. 18-24". Part shade/shade.
Lavandula 'Munstead' (Lavender) Full sun, 18-24"
Phlox 'Jr. Dream' is compact, purple and 'Red Super' grows to 30" and is deep red. Full sun.
Miscanthus 'Gold Bar' (Feather Reed Grass), 3-5' tall with gold banding.
Schizachyrium scoparium 'The Blues' (Little Bluestem)
There are many other varieties that are full, healthy and blooming. Design your next job while you're here! |
Helping Plants Thrive!
|  Our plants receive regular care while in our yards. Not only does each block of plants need a well-designed watering program, they also need to be fed. A slow-release fertilizer helps carry them through the growing season while they are above ground. But sometimes they need an extra boost, especially the larger, B&B material. Here you see Mark giving them a foliar feed of 20-20-20. 100% soluable with micronutrients. The rewards are seen usually within a week!
We suggest continuing a smart fertilizer program for your plants with Plant Health Care. It's a great line of easy to use, safe fertilizers for trees, shrubs and perennials - whether they are already in the ground, or about to be planted. Not familiar with PHC? - PHC 3-4-3 Healthy Start is great to use at the time of planting. It ammends the soil with organic matter and biofertility. Because the particle size is more uniform than most organic based fertilizers, it can be spread quite easily.
- PHC Tree Saver, Plant Saver and Flower Saver are all used at time of planting. They improve planting success, increase soil fertility and provide beneficial bacteria to the soil.
- PHC Biopak is applied as a soil drench after planting or at the first sign of stress. It reduces transplant stress and provides micronutrients.
Check out the others in the PHC product line!
|
|
 Don't forget...Hot Dog Wednesday!!! Aug. 25th 11:30-1:30pm Newtown and Watertown
Hope to see you there! Enjoy the 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 | |
|
|
|
