Call ahead to either location
to get your name on the delivery board - they're filling up fast!

Newtown 203-426-4037
Watertown 860-945-6588
 

Evergreens play an important part in the landscape but especially in winter when everything else is brown and dreary. Whether it's broadleaf evergreens such as Boxwood, Japanese Andromeda, Holly and Rhododendron, or conifers such as Spruce, Fir, Pine and Hemlock - a lot of warmth is added solely by their color. And there's such a wide range of colors to choose from - striking blues and golds to light and dark greens. They also come in a wide assortment of shapes and sizes, from tall and narrow to short and wide. Some are uniform like Emerald Green Arborvitae and others are unique specimens like Weeping Norway. Most evergreens like full sun, but there are some that will tolerate shade, like Hemlock, Rhododendron and Andromeda. Some of the broadleaf evergreens also add beautiful flowers to the spring landscape like all of the Rhododendron for example. Try to picture the landscape you're planning in the winter and by mixing in the right plants in the right places, they will really stand out. Don't forget Red Twig Dogwood and Winterberry. Red stems and bright red fruit really perk up dreary views.

Both yards at Planters' Choice have a nice variety of specimen and screening evergreens for your next job.

Thanks Roger! 

A peek inside the big greenhouses in Newtown

Our propagation team (Christine Smith, Ben Johnson and their crew of two - Carmen and Jorge) have been very busy managing the shrub and perennial propagation here in Newtown which includes everything from soil mixes to taking cuttings, careful water management, I.P.M. and disease control.  Christine gives us an update of what's been going on out there:

It's been very busy in the greenhouse! We've been filling our propagation greenhouses with lots of plant material!  

We have 18 varieties of Azaleas that will be ready for sale in 2015. More than 12 varieties of Hydrangea, 10 varieties of Viburnum and 8 different Spiraea. There are also good quantities of Clethra, Cotoneaster, Deutzia, Hypericum, Itea, Lonicera and Potentilla. Most will be sell-able in 2014.  

We've also been working on a portion of our perennials and grasses for next year's sales. Here we've been taking cuttings, sowing seeds and making divisions.  

We're also preparing for our fall/winter woody propagation. 4 varieties of Boxwood, 7 types of Japanese Andromeda and many kinds of Rhododendron, Leucothoe, Juniper and Arborvitae.

We've been experimenting and working on improving some of our production methods with great results so far!

The next time you're over on that side of the street in Newtown, poke your head in and take a peek! 

"Is it too early to cut back my perennials? Some are looking ratty?"

Try to give the one on the left a few more weeks. The one on the right can be cut back now.

Answer:  As a general rule you would want to keep them up until you see some dieback or until we get a good frost. This gives them time to photosynthesize and store energy for their spring growth. However, if there are disease or insect issues, they should be cut back and disposed of properly.

Some perennials are better left standing through winter such as Lavender, Montauk Daisy and Russian Sage. These should be cut back early spring.

And then there are some that could be left standing for winter interest - anything with interesting seed heads.

You can read more about this in the U. of Vermont article "Fall Perennial Care"

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. 

Echinacea 'Sundown'

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

Carex 'Ice Dance' Awesome (and on special as seen above)  

Echinacea 'Sundown' - Nice plants all budded and blooming. A great color for fall!   

Iris 'Variegata' Who wouldn't want variegated foliage in the garden?   

Eupatorium 'Chocolate' Full plants that are budded and blooming. Available in both 1  and 2 gallon containers. Dark foliage makes a big impact!   

Cimicifuga 'Pink Spike' - Nicely budded and blooming. Full of fragrant spiky blooms!  

Thanks again, Heather! 

A beautiful, spreading groundcover - Carex 'Ice Dance'

On SPECIAL this week is a sleek, spreading Sedge called 'Ice Dance'. It's an attractive grass-like plant with 1/2 inch wide blades of green and white foliage. The clumps gradually spread and form a heavy groundcover that blocks out most weeds. It's tolerant of moist to wet soil and part-shade and it's deer resistant! They'll grow about 1 foot high and spread by underground roots which produce new clumps. It's a low maintenance plant which is kept clean by cutting to the ground in late winter. Neat. Easy. Awesome. Check them out!

Above special valid: Sat. Sept. 22nd - Friday Sept. 28th     

Continued specials on:

All Magnolia 1 - 10% off, 2 or more - 20% off
B&B Cherry Laurel -10% off ('Otto Lyuken' & 'Schip.')
All Fruit Trees 10 & 15 gallon - 20% off
All Tropicals 75% off!  

*Price is net. No further discount applies. 

Summer Snowflake (or Giant Snowflake) is an underused, old fashioned bulb that's worth knowing!  It blooms April to May with white bell-shaped flowers with green dots at the end of each petal. It'll grow 9-12" tall with 'Gravetye Giant' reaching 2' or more! They are long-lived, deer resistant and will tolerate moist soil! Plant along streamsides, in rain gardens or woodland gardens for an interesting, delicate spring flower. The foliage will die back in the warmer months. Try pairing with Hosta, Heuchera or Lamium which like similar conditions.   

P.S. Don't forget your Bulb-tone to get them off to a good start! 

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Fall color, smoking hot!

Emerald Green Arborvitae

Evergreens for Screening
Pinus strobus 'White Pine' 10/12'
Thuja plicata 'Emerald Green' assorted sized & 'Green Giant' 8/10', 10/12'

Ornamental Peppers

 


Fall color!