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In This Issue

Hoop House Direction

Perennial of the Week: Hakonechloa

NOW

2 Reminders: Lectures Up for Next Week!

What: Proper Chainsaw and Bar Sharpening (this is a repeated class for Watertown)

When: Tuesday, November 8th, 3:00 pm
Where: Watertown Sales Yard
Credits: 1.5 for Pesticide License 3a or 3d
No charge.

#2
What: Tour our tree farm and test your plant ID knowledge
When: Wednesday, November 9th, 3:00 pm (meet 2:45)
Where: Our growing fields at 1450 Bunker Hill Road Watertown, CT (just up the road from Watertown's sales yard)
Credits: 1.5 for Pesticide License 3a or 3d or Private Applicator
No charge.

Please call if you are not already registered for credits - 203-426-4037 or reply back to this email. Hope to see you there!

Better Direction

Hoop house orientation makes a difference

Like everyone in the Green Industry, we make the best out of tough situations. Some houses across the street from the Newtown office collapsed in February, so we adjusted a number of houses in that area to orient North and South rather than East and West.

We do this to reduce fluctuations in temperature during the winter from afternoon sun exposure, which can be quite damaging to broadleaf evergreens like the Rhododendron we keep in these houses.

Perennial of the Week: Hakonechloa macra varieties

common name: Japanese Forest Grass
size: 12-36" Tall
interest: Mounds of colorful grass blades
culture: Part-shade to shade, moist soil
time of year: Late spring into early winter
companion plants: Hosta, Itea virginica, Ilex glabra, Cimicifuga, Digitalis, Polemonium, Ligularia

All varieties of Hachonechloa are so useful in the shadier sites they love. Most of you are familiar with 'Aureola' and 'All Gold' which add a striking contrast to dark-leaved plants. A newer form called 'Beni-Kaze' is medium green during the summer but turns reddish-pink in fall once the cooler weather strikes. The straight species, H. macra, is the same green which lasts throughout the growing season until cold weather, then turns an amazing apricot. They have a nice habit - they''ll form large mounds with most blades facing the light. Though not grown for their flower heads, they do have a thin show which is at the same height as the foliage.

Plant any variety in a large mass for an eyecatching splash-o-color!

NOW

Persian Ironwood 6-7' specimen

Deciduous Trees & Shrubs

Many nice B&B trees and shrubs to choose from for your fall plantings and replacements for shade trees and spring flowering ornamentals.

Acer saccharum (Sugar Maples) Even though this year's fall color wasn't the best, they are still the best tree for spectacular fall color.

Magnolia varieties Larger sizes available - several to choose from giving your customers that spring color they'll be longing for.

Parrotia persica (Persian Ironwood) Strong smaller tree with great fall color and interesting branching structure. Not called Ironwood for nothing - ours came through like champs!

Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzaan' 3-3.5" One of our best spring blooming trees.

Taxodium distichum (Bald Cypress) An extremely adaptable deciduous conifer tolerant of different site conditions - not only wet! Very tough!

Zelkova serrata (Japanese Zelkova) An elegant mid-sized tree with a vase shape. Very nice fall color. Makes an excellent street tree!

Many nice selections to consider - call for availability to your most convenient sales yard!

Boxwood in Newtown

Boxwood

Still a wonderful group of boxwood in the yards - come by and make your selections for your next job.

There are other broadleaf and needled ornamentals also available.

Hybrid B&B Holly - 25% OFF!

25% Off Hybrid B&B Holly

Nice selection of 'Blue Maid', 'Blue Stallion', 'Centennial Girl', 'China Girl', 'Dragon Lady' and 'Nelly Stevens' - all at 25% off. (Please note this does not include Ilex opaca and Ilex pernyi.)

BULBS!

We still have a nice selection of Narcissus, Tulips and Crocus etc. Large bags of 250# of Dutchmaster, Mt. Hood, Ice Follies and Mixed and there is still plenty of time for planting these for your customer's spring garden!

Amaryllis 3 Pre-potted Amaryllis - a Great Gift Idea!

Put in a pre-order with us soon for your holiday gifting. Blooms in about 6 weeks from watering. Minimum order is 6. Call for hard-to-beat pricing!

Have A Good Weekend!

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 14th - June 25th Mon.- Sat. 7 am - 4:30 pm
June 27th - Nov. 19th Mon. - Fri. 7 am - 4:30 pm & Sat. 7 am - 1 pm
Winter Hours Mon. - Fri. 8 am - 4:30 pm