Time to Start Thinking Fall!

COMING NEXT WEEK - BULBS! - Even though we all want summer to last a bit longer, you need to start thinking fall - and that means bulbs!  Need any special orders or large quantities? PLEASE fill out our order forms the next time you're in or give us a call. That way we have a better chance of securing them before they are sold out.

Get your customers excited about their spring landscape! 

Pruning for the Future

Thanks to the wind and heavy rainfall of Irene and subsequent rain fall of last week, there were many limbs of larger shade trees that came down and littered the landscape. What is the best way to reduce storm damage to trees in the future? Promote a strong branching structure while trees are young.  Most often, trees are installed, watered and forgotten as far as maintenance is concerned so early corrective pruning seems to be the answer.  Of course consideration needs to be given to the species of tree, growth habit, relation to the site, flowering time and esthetics, but pruning them while young will help them develop into beautiful, strong trees that will provide shade for years to come. Have questions about pruning times for specific trees? Talk with your salesperson - they'll be happy to help!  

Want detailed information on how to prune young trees correctly?  Check out Colorado's State Extension Structural Training of Young Trees for more detailed information. It'll give you reasons why to prune and when and how to do it!

Fall Cultural Practices:  Leaf Miner on Ilex Opaca

Leaf miner on American Holly

The native Holly leaf miner, Phytomyza ilicicola is an insect that can cause a lot of particularly visable damage to the leaf of native Ilex opaca eventually weakening the plant. The good news is it can be easily controlled with some sound cultural practices. The larva over-winters inside the leaf where it has consumed leaf tissue causing unsightly damage. Be sure to clean up all fallen leaves in the fall as these contain the larvae that will become adults in the spring. When they emerge they will fly up to the new leaves and lay more eggs. This simple sanitation practice will go a long way to keeping one of our most beautiful native hollies looking great and healthy for your customer! 

Perennial of the Week: Aster novae-angliae

Aster novae-angliae 'Purple Dome'

common name: New England Aster
size: 18-20"
interest: Small daisy-like flowers in assorted colors.
culture: Full sun, moist soil
time of year: Late summer into fall
companion plants: Goldenrod, Ornamental Grasses, Sedum 'Autumn Joy', Purple Beautyberry

A great native plant for the fall garden! Nice when massed to get the full impact of the vibrant color when in full bloom. Intense double purple flowers with yellow centers. Pinch plants back early summer to encourage heavier flowering and to keep plants from stretching. Plants can be divided every few years. Plant in full sun in moist well-drained soil.  Consider using them in your fall containers with Kale, Autumn Joy Sedum and Switch Grass.
'Purple Dome' is a mildew-resistant dwarf variety of our native aster. Also available is A. 'Blue Autumn' with single blue flowers. It is also a compact, mounding and mildew resistant variety. 

Add them to your fall gardens for years of gorgeous fall color!

NOW

Acer palmatum 'Orangeola' 15 gallon

In This Week and Looking Great:

Deciduous Trees and Shrubs

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Crimson Queen', 'Orangeola' (Weeping Japanese Maple) 15 gallon. Nice foliage with great fall color! 'Tamukeyama' 42" B&B 

Buddleia 'Lo & Behold Blue Chip' (Dwarf Butterfly Bush) 2 gal.

Cornus x 'Stellar Pink', 'Constellation'. Try these hybrids if you're looking for Dogwoods. Disease resistant cultivars that have the best attributes from both Flowering and Kousa Dogwood.

Euonymus 'Gaiety', 'Moonshadow' 2 gallon 

Prunus 'Okame' (Cherry) Nice bark and good fall color. Clear pink blooms early spring. Several sizes. 

 Rosa 'Knockout' 2 gallon

Buxus sempervirens 'Variegata'

Dwarf and Ornamental Evergreens

Buxus sempervirens 'Variegata' (Variegated Common Boxwood) 5 gallon

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Filicoides' (Fernspray Gold False Cypress) 4/5'

Cryptomeria japonica 'Yoshino' (Japanese Cedar) 7/8'

Ilex x meserveae 'Blue Maid' 10 gallon, 'Honey Maid' (variegated) 5 gallon

I. opaca (American Holly) 4/5' 

Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Red Cedar) 5/6'

Picea glauca 'Conica' (Dwarf Alberta Spruce) 1 & 5 gal. 

Evergreens for Screening

Thuja plicata 'Green Giant'  (Western Arborvitae) 7/8', 8/10'

Tsuga canadensis (Canadian Hemlock) 8/10'

...and from our growing fields:

Picea abies (Norway Spruce)  

Pinus strobus (White Pine)

Tsuga canadensis (Canadian Hemlock)

Assorted sizes - call for availability  

Dwarf Conifers - Think Fall & Winter Containers!

Larger Specimen Trees
Many larger specimen trees available. Choose from Acer rubrum 'Sun Valley' (Red or Swamp Maple), Acer triflorum (Three Flower Maple), Cladrastis lutea (Yellowwood), Parrotia persica (Persian Parrotia) and many other. 3.5" to 7" 

Call for availability and varieties -  or stop in and take a look!

 

Front row: Hakonechloa 'Beni Kaze'

Hardgoods

Bulb Planters and trowels! 

*NEW* Corona Metal Scoop Shovels - a favorite for snow, and Heavy Duty Push Brooms - great for walkways and the truck!

Tropicals 

All tropicals 50% OFF!  

Remember...Bulbs Next Week!

Millet and Mums!

Enjoy the Cooler   Weather!