Friday, November 8, 2013 
Planters' Choice
Weekly Picks!
News, pictures and helpful tips every weektiptop
ON FACEBOOK?
Like us on Facebook
We'd love you to LIKE US!
FOR CURRENT TIPS
Follow us on Twitter
Let us help your business...
Follow us on Twitter!
WEEKLY SPECIAL

B&B Specialty Conifers!

&

Mugo Pine in Watertown!

 

Scroll down to SAVE! 

In This Issue
Spring Bulbs - Still time to plant!
Fall - A Great Time to Plant!
Bergenia 'Winterglut'
Pesticide Prep Test
Whipcord Arborvitae
WEEKLY SPECIALS
NOW!
Quick Links

Planters' Choice Home

 

Weekly Picks Archive

4 Step Turf Care Program

Intensive Turf Care Program

UCONN Plant Database

CNLA

Ecological Landscaping Association 

Colder weather ahead..
Covering the houses
...but it's business as usual at Planters' Choice! Just because you see  some hoop houses being covered, it doesn't mean we're closing down! We are open year round and the houses are accessible! 
Broadleafs need protection?
Burlap does a great job guarding broadleaf evergreens against harsh winter winds. We carry rolls of treated and untreated (4', 5', 6' and 8' x 300') and individual squares (36" and up to 72").  Call your sales office for availability and pricing. (Green is currently SOLD OUT - Special order only)
Burlap 
Contact Us
  NEWTOWN
  140 Huntingtown Road
  Newtown, CT 06470
  tel. 203-426-4037
  fax. 203-426-8057

  WATERTOWN
  496 Bunker Hill Road
  Watertown, CT 06795
  tel. 860-945-6588
  fax. 860-945-9282
  
  QUOTES
  Newtown - Ross Proctor
  Watertown - Liz Bette
 
  GENERAL QUESTIONS
  info@planterschoice.com

  HOURS
  Monday - Friday
  7:00 am - 4:30 pm
  Saturday
  7:00 am-1:00pm
Spiraea in fall
Don't forget about Spiraea for fall color!  
 

Gear Up for the Holidays! Greens!

 

It's time to get your orders in for wreaths and greens!

 

We'll have both Balsam & decorated wreaths plus a variety of swags and greens starting the week before Thanksgiving.

If you need more than 1 or two you'll need to pre-order Please give Corrine a call with any questions soon! 203-455-4222!

Mark's Tip

Fall is a great time to plant! 

In case there is anyone out there wondering, fall is a great time to plant! True, many deciduous plants have already lost their leaves and appear to be in a dormant state, but there is still activity going on below the soil up until the ground freezes. 

 

Obviously  there are many factors that play into a successful planting at any time of year. Temperature, light, humidity, rainfall, fertility, soil conditions, snow cover, drying north winds, exposure - just to name a few. By implementing sound horticultural practices you can have a successful planting virtually anytime. I have had success planting Christmas trees in January by digging the hole in the fall and filling it with mulch and mounding mulch on top to prevent freezing, just taking the right steps made all the difference!


Consider these 3 important points:
  • Roots will continue to put out growth as long as soil temperatures are not frozen and are above 32ºF giving them a jump start on next spring's growing season
  • Cooler temperatures mean less watering*
  • Fall planted material will be better prepared to deal with next summer's heat and dry periods
Check out this link and learn more about what's going on down below the soil line!

*Remember: watering is critical during a dry fall and winter. Giving them a good watering and using an anti-dessicant like WiltPruf helps protect broadleaf evergreens from drying winds.
  
Bergenia cordifolia 'Winterglut'
Gotta love Pigsqueak!
Bergenia closeup
Glossy foliage becomes mohagany-red in cold weather
 
Heartleaf Bergenia, or Pigsqueak, is an interesting, under-used perennial that not many landscapers know about. It has leathery, semi-evergreen foliage rivaling many Hostas, and even one-upping them by turning mohagany-red when cooler temperatures arrive. 

Bergenia blooms with clusters of rose-pink flowers above the foliage in April/May. Plant in moist, well-drained soil in part shade to shade. They will tolerate some sun if given enough moisture, but be careful not to over-water. They will form nice mounds growing about 12-15" high.

They look great going into fall, but by early spring will need to be cleaned up as the fleshy leaves may be torn. Those can easily be cut or pulled off making way for the fresh, new growth. 

Planted in good numbers they form an interesting ground cover, making an impact on anyone, especially when they bloom. In fall, consider them for your containers - they just get better as the weather turns colder! And they're deer resistant which should make them a great addition to your list of favorite perennials! 

Bergenia - sounds like a good one to try!

  

Time to Plant Bulbs!!!

Boxes of Daffodils 

There is still a nice salection of bulbs to choose from including mixes of Tulips, Crocus, Hyacinths, Narcissus and Paperwhites for forcing! You can plant them right up until the ground freezes. And, adding Bulb-tone will give them a great start!
  
AMARYLLISAlso keep a look out for the pre-potted Amaryllis. Make your counts and get your orders in asap for the holidays or for your end-of-season gifts!  Give us a call with any questions!
  
Seen here is one from last year - they are hard to resist!

 

Watertown SPECIAL!

 
Pinus mugo 'Pumilio'
  
 All 5 & 10 Gallon Mugo Pine
35% off!  
Head on over to Bunker Hill Road for a sweet deal on larger container sizes of Mugo Pine. We have a nice selection of 5 & 10 gallon Pinus mugo 'Pumila' in Watertown! A great, low-profile dwarf Mugo Pine for walkways, foundations and rock gardens. Come on over and check them out!
  
Sorry - no transfer of material to Newtown. Offer good while supplies lasts!
  For further specials scroll down!

Are You Properly Licensed?

Certification Prep Class -

Custom Grounds Pest Control for Ornamental and Turf (3a)  

 Spreading fertilizer  

We're gearing up for another winter of learning and happy to offer the Pesticide License Prep Class this winter as we did two years ago. It's a great way to prepare for the CT DEEPs Pesticide Test so you can start off the 2014 season with the license needed to legally apply pesticides for hire. Mark Kokinchak does a great job touching upon the subjects you need to know for the licensing test.

 

The class is starting to fill up - call to register soon!

 

When: Tuesdays Jan. 7, 13 (Mon.), 21, 28, Feb. 4, 11

Time: 9:00 am, class lasts about 1.5 hours

Where: Planters' Choice in Newtown

Cost: $200 payable at time of registration

Class size: Minimum 10, maximum 25 

Registration: Call Newtown's Sales Office  203-426-4037 with questions or to register. 

Deadline: December 31st

 

Make this winter count!

A head-turner called 'Whipcord'

Whipcord Arborvitae
Thuja plicata 'Whipcord' 

 

Thuja plicata 'Whipcord' is an unusual specimen that can, in one person's opinion, "take some getting used to" (M. Dirr)!  Actually, it's a pretty cool cultivar of Western Arborvitae with thin, cord-like glossy foliage growing about 5x4. The long weeping foliage turns bronze in winter. It likes full sun, well- drained moist soil and is hardy to zone 5.

This would be great for a conifer garden, along a foundation or in a container. 

 

Give it a try and turn some heads!

 

Back to the top

 

Weekly Special

All B&B Specialty Conifers* - 35% off!

Specialty B&B Conifers
Beautiful selection of conifers for your fall landscapes!
Wow your customers with some unique specimens at great pricing! Choose from standard Little Gem Spruce or Daub's Frosted Juniper (seen here), Weeping Norway and Alaskan Cedar, Globe Blue Spruce and many more. Remember,  it includes all Balled and Burlaped Specialty Conifers (most are named cultivars). Great for conifer gardens, foundation plantings and warming up dreary winter landscapes. Stop by soon for the best selections!
  
*Does not include Arborvitae or container conifers. Ask your sales person to show you their favorites!
See above for the Special on Mugo Pine in Watertown!
  
Continued Specials:
River Birch - 50% off
Japanese Maples - 35% off
Magnolia - 35% off
Patio Peach - 35% off
Tropicals - 75% off
  

NOW!

Incoming this week: Boxwood & Arborvitae! Plus some great looking screening material is still available.

Ed with Green Giant Arborvitae
Some of Duane's gorgeous 10/12' Green Giant Arborvitae,
 seen here with Ed! We also have some beautiful 6/7', 7/8' and 8/10' .
  


Have a Great Weekend!

 

 

As always, we appreciate your business!

 

Chuck and Darryl Newman
Planters' Choice Nursery