Don't forget to pick up some copies of the bulb brochure. Hand them out to your customers and get them excited about next spring!

Interesting fact: Japanese beetle eggs are a dehydrated egg that  relies on moisture in the soil to re-hydrate and then hatch. This ensures that the turf where the eggs are layed is actively growing providing ample roots for the newly hatched grubs to feed on. With the heavy rain today (7/26/12) and the forecast for a lot of rain this coming week , it is likely there will be an early egg hatch,  possibly as early as mid to late August. The recommended period for Merit application for grubs is June through July. With the recent rain its would be the ideal time to get Merit applications down for grub control. The rain would move the Merit into the soil ensuring good control of this potentially devastating insect.

Protect your lawns today with the proven industry standard: Merit

Merit formulations currently available :

20-0-5 fertilizer w/ 0.2% Merit 50 lb bag

10-0-4 fertilizer w/ 0.3% Merit 23 lb bag (applies a very minimal amount of nitrogen and does not promote growth)

0-0-7 w/ 0.2% Merit - Containes no nitrogen - will not promote any growth 

"What is a graft, and why are they used?"  

Weeping Cherry Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula'

Darryl answers: 

A graft is an advanced technique of vegetative propagation. A bud of the desired plant that has a unique characteristic (better flower, different habit or foliage, better stress or pest resistance, etc.) is attached at the appropriate time to the root or stem of a compatible plant. For example, Regal Prince Oak is generally budded on Swamp White Oak roots and Variegated Black Spruce generally on Norway Spruce roots.

A Weeping Cherry (pictured here) is a good example; it must be budded. Mazzard Cherry (Prunus avium) is ornamentally insignificant, but its roots tolerate difficult soils better than other compatible root stocks. Because if its tendency to weep, Weeping Cherry trunks can be tricky to keep straight, even when carefully staked, so the stem is often Japanese Cherry (Prunus serrula), with the Weeping Cherry budded on top. The two grafts are referred to as a base bud and top graft respectively in the trade.

In summary, grafts are used when a plant has poor roots or it is the only way to reproduce a desirable plant because cuttings won't work for some reason. I would venture to guess that at least a third of the B&B trees we sell are grafted.

Have questions on what root is on specific trees? Shoot us an email and we'll gladly fill you in!

 

 

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. 

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

Lamium 'Orchid Frost'

Anemone 'Robustissima' is full in the pot and coming into bud

Lamium 'Orchid Frost' has pink flowers and silvery frosted foliage (as seen here)

Panicum 'Heavy Metal' are nice size plants - great for the fall garden! 

Penstemon 'Huskers Red' are full and blooming with nice red foliage

Platycodon 'Sentimental Blue' (Balloon Flower) they are full in the pot with clear blue flowers

Thanks Heather! 

Coreopsis 'Moonbeam'

On SPECIAL this week are the ever popular Threadleaf Coreopsis. Long-blooming plants with bright summer color growing 15-18" (Zagreb 12"-18"). Their drought tolerance, heat tolerance and deer resistance makes them award winning summer perennials that last and last. Very nice when combined with Lavender, Blazing Star, Purple Coneflower, Salvia and ornamental grasses.

Magnolia 1 - 10% off, 2 or more - 20% off  

Cherry Laurels B&B only 'Schip.' & 'Otto Lyuken' 10% off  

All Tropicals 50% off !

Valid: Sat. July 28th through Fri. August 3rd    

*Price is net. No further discount applies. 

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Had some tree damage from Thursday's storm? We have a large selection of shade and ornamental trees available now!

Dwarf Butterfly Bush l-r 'Petite Snow White', 'Petite Blue Heaven' and Lo & Behold 'Blue Chip'

Deciduous Shrubs and Trees 

The yards are well stocked and looking refreshed after all the rain. Check out the varieties of Dwarf Conifers and Japanese Maples! 

Azalea 'Gumpo Pink' 3 gallon just in 

Buddleias (Butterfly Bush) All look great including 'Petite Blue'  

Heaven', ' Lo & Behold 'Blue Chip' and 'Petite Snow White'

Ilex glabra 'Shamrock' fresh 7 gallons

Leucothoe 'Rainbow'  PC grown looking great, 'Scarletta' too!

Rosa 'Double Pink Knockouts' 

'Black Knight'  Buddleia and 'Rainbow' Leucothoe

Acer griseum (Paperbark Maple)

A. rubrum (Red Maple)

Betula  jacquemonti (Himalayan Birch)

B. nigra (River Birch) 

Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud)

Cornus kousa (Kousa Dogwood) plus hybrids of smaller and larger sizes

Magnolia 'Royal Star' (Star Magnolia) Remember, all Magnolia are still on Special! 

Syringa reticulata 'Ivory Silk' (Japanese Tree Lilac)  

Dwarf 'English Boxwood'

Broadleaf and Specimen Evergreens
Buxus semp 'Suffruiticosa' (Dwarf English Boxwood) 3 gallon just in 
Ilex glabra 'Shamrock 7 gallon

Evergreens for Screening
Tsuga canadensis (Canadian Hemlock) 12/14' are especially nice. Also a nice selection of 8-10' Picea abies (Norway Spruce) available.

Annuals & Tropicals

All 50% off! It's hard to pass them up - Gardenias, Mandevilla, Cannas, Caladium, Shell Ginger and the rest!

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