Golden Spanish Fir stands center stage

The sales yards are full with some great selections of specimen evergreens that will wow your customers! Weepers, standards and spreaders in blues and goldens have what it takes for use as a focal point or accent in any design.  

Abies pinsapo 'Aurea' (Golden Spanish Fir) is a favorite with short stiff needles that have a two-toned effect of buttery yellow on the top side and blue-green underneath. It's a slow grower at 6" per year reaching 12' x 6' in 10 years. Plant in rich, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade doing best when protected from the hot afternoon sun. It's native to the mountains of Spain.

In contrast to this golden variety is A. pinsapo 'Glauca' with powdery blue needles seen above to the right. It has the same stiff needles but will grow slightly faster - 12"/year. Growing conditions are the same and both are Zone 6 plants.

Another interesting conifer is the Bristlecone Pine - Pinus aristata. It is one of the slowest growing pines you'll find. The needles are a bluish green and will stay on the plant for about 16 years before they drop. You will see small white dots along the needles which are deposits of resin - a natural occurance (also known as resinous exudations) Many believe that the Bristlecone Pine is one if the oldest living plants on earth with 4-5,000 year old plants having been documented. Full sun is what this plant needs! They thrive in rocky, poor soil, are pH adaptable. Native to the western US and are hardy for Zones 4-7.  A fantastic addition for the rock garden - and quite a conversation piece!

Stop by soon and take a look at all of the evergreen specimens - there's great choices for every situation!      

If you plan on coming by soon to see what's in bloom, be sure to stop down on the plateau in Newtown for a spectacular view of our container grown azaleas. From 'Snowball' here in front to 'Hot Shot' in back, you'll find a broad selection of color and sizes for your landscapes.  

"Why don't you carry Leyland Cypress?"

Answer: 

When properly packaged, sited and handled, it's indisputable that Leyland Cypress is an excellent screening plant. Unfortunately, "All the stars need to align" for that to happen. Leylands have very poor root systems, are intolerant of even a little excess moisture, have issues with bagworms near the shore where winters are a bit warmer, are becoming increasingly susceptible to canker, and are marginally cold hardy. For more information on these pests, click the links, you will be connected to relevant articles from Penn State's and Virginia's Extension Agencies.

Coming from someone who has planted hundreds of Leyland Cypress in the mid-Atlantic, I don't feel comfortable offering them for the above reasons. While we won't sell them, if there is no other option and plants are purchased, I strongly recommend they be containerized or in root control bags. Either way, it is critical that roots not be circling, because they can girdle the tree. Such damage is an opportune gateway for many of the diseases plaguing the tree to find their way in through the roots.

My father puts it best when he says, "If we don't want to sell you a plant, you know there has to be a good reason!"

Submit your landscaping question via email to sbarbier@planterschoice.com and you'll be entered in a monthly drawing to receive 10% OFF your next purchase (pick up only, does not apply to deliveries). Please use "Question of the Week" in the subject line and let me know if you want your name and business mentioned. 

Geranium 'Rozanne'

Here's a list of some great looking perennials - in stock and in good supply - ready for your next job! 

Astilbe 'Peach Blossom' full and big in the pot

Dicentra x 'Ivory Hearts' (Bleeding Heart) white flowers with blue-green fernlike foliage 

Gallium odoratum (Sweet Woodruff) blooming, great groundcover 

Geranium x 'Rozanne' long blooming award winner

Scabiosa columbaria (Pincushion Flower) 'Pink Mist' budded and blooming

Special of the Week:
Dwarf Korean Lilac
6 gallon - shrub form
10% OFF

Syringa meyeri 'Palabin'

On SPECIAL this week are a staple for not only spring gardens but also for year-round structure. In bud and ready to bloom Syringa meyerii 'Palabin' can be used as foundation plants and in mixed or perennial borders. They also make wonderful flowering hedges and smaller screens. They have excellent resistance to powdery mildew and deer! Don't miss out!   

Stop by either yard, mention this email and receive 10% OFF these plants!

Valid: Sat. April 28th - Fri. May 4th   

*Price is net. No further discount applies. 

Incoming this week- 
Trees
Acer palmatum dis. 'Tamukeyama'

Betula x 'Royal Frost'  (Royal Frost Birch)

Fagus sylvatica '(European Beech) 'Rohanii', 'Rotundifolia' larger sizes, limited 

Roses - shrub, climbers, standards

Unloading Holly in Newtown

Broadleaf and Specimen Evergreens
Buxus semp. (Common Boxwood) 'Graham Blandy'
Fargesia rufa (Mountain Bamboo) clumping type
Hedera helix 'Thorndale' espaliered
Ilex crenata (Japanese Holly) 'Helleri', 'Hoogendorn', 'Sky Pencil', 'Soft Touch', 'Steeds'
I. glabra (Inkberry) 'Shamrock'
I. x (Hybrid Holly) 'Blue Maid', 'Blue Princess', 'Blue Stallion', 'Centennial Girl', 'Dragon Lady'
Juniperus c. 'Blue Point', 'Old Gold'
J. virginiana 'Grey Owl'
Kalmia latifolia (Mountain Laurel)
Myrica penn. (Bayberry)
Picea pungens 'Glauca prostrata' (Dwarf Blue Spruce)
Pyracantha c. (Firethorn) 'Mohave' espaliered in full bloom!
Rhododendron maximum (Rosebay Rhododendron)
Taxus bac. (English Spreading Yew) 'Repandens'
T. x (Yews) 'Densiformis', 'Green Wave', 'Hicksi'

Evergreens for Screening
Abies balsamea ph. (Canaan Fir)
Picea pungens (Colorado Spruce)
Pinus strobus (White Pine)
Thuja occ. (Eastern Arborvitae) 'Emerald Green' 

Heuchera and Hosta

Perennials - Looking good!

Dianthus (Hardy Carnations) all in bud

Heuchera - (Coral Bells) Fabulous foliage

Hosta - So many looking great already!
Paeonia suffruiticosa (Tree Peony) Large buds waiting to bloom

Phlox subulata (Mountain Pinks) Still blooming 

Bougainvillea 'Raspberry Ice'