"I just planted a 3" caliper Oak. How often should I tell my customer to water it?"  

Answer: In short - enough so the soil stays moist but not so much that the soil stays saturated. This of course can be complicated by the type of soil the tree is planted in. If the soil does not drain well, the excess water can fill the air spaces in the soil eliminating any oxygen for the roots. This of course stops the plant from burning the sugars made from photosynthesis, thus limiting the plant's energy resources for growth, even to the point of death.  This time of year many trees are all ready dropping their leaves and so their transpiration rates (moisture loss) is low. Also the sun's intensity is far less so the ground is not drying as fast either. It would be wise to encourage the customer to look at the soil and decide if it needs water. Remember... moist, not saturated.

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. 

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

Geranium 'New Hampshire Purple'

Coreopsis x 'Red Shift'  Full plants that are budded and just coming into bloom.

Muhlenbergia capillaris (Muhly Grass) Still upright grass with pink, airy seedheads. 

Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus'  Full, budded and blooming.

Geranium sanguineum 'New Hampshire Purple' Full plants, not blooming but with tinges of its fall color.  

Hakonechloa m. 'Aureola'

For the SPECIAL this week look for our PC Grown Hakonechloa m. 'Aureola'.  A very useful, colorful grass which prefers some shade. It's well behaved with blades that seem to lean in the same direction. A good choice to perk up shady areas and mix with other contrasting shade loving plants like Fern, Hosta, Dead Nettle (Lamium) etc. Treat like any ornamental grass by cutting them back early spring.    

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!  

Valid:  Saturday, Sept 29th - Friday October 5th    

*Price is net. No further discount applies.