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Weekly Picks!                  Friday, October 23, 2015
Fall Maples show full color
The Sugar and Swamp Maples shine bright in the midday sun. 
Get a Move On with Ornamental Grasses!
Miscanthus gracilimus Japanese Silver Grass
Japanese Silver Grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracilimus')
The Ornamental Grasses are at their peak right now full of movement and waving their seedheads in the wind - especially the Japanese Silver Grass (Miscanthus sinensis) seen here.  They add dependable fall and winter interest with foliage that ranges from gold, tan and burgundy depending on the cultivar. Use in mixed borders, for slope stabilization, around pools and along driveways, at commercial sites, in containers - you name it! We have good availability in these three cultivars plus many other varieties of grasses for any site. 

Adagio - Fine texture on a more compact, rounded plant with reddish seed heads.
Thin green foliage is tinged with burgundy in fall. Good for smaller spaces as it gets about 4.5' high and 3' wide. 
Gracillimus  - If you want a reliable, larger grower this is the one. Narrow silver-veined foliage on larger growing plants, 6/7' high including seedheads.
Morning Light - Narrow, fine textured blades with white variegation along the margin on plants that are upright and arching. Grows 4-5' high.
 
We have many other grasses available in both sales yards including Fountain Grass, Feather Reed Grass, Little Blue Stem and more. There is still time to make an impact with grasses for this fall - come on over and take a look!
Fall Planting with Confidence
M-Roots for fall planting
M-Roots for fall planting
Late fall planting can sometimes be tricky depending on what is being planted, how late in the fall it's installed, how much moisture is in the ground, how warm or cold the temperatures are, etc. So it makes sense to avoid the 'dig, plant and run' strategy and favor doing it right. That means fertilizing at planting time with products that will encourage speedy root establishment and take up vital nutrients. Also make sure proper watering is done throughout the rest of the season until the ground is frozen.

Roots with Mycchorizae provides what you need as a balanced fertilizer that is focused on plant establishment.  Add it to the soil when backfilling, water in well and top dress with mulch.
Mark's Turf Tips: Fall Grub Refresher
Mark check_s for grubs
Mark checking for grubs
We've received a handful of questions concerning grubs in turf and what to do about them this time of year - so here are some bullets that might be helpful:
  • Monitoring turf for grubs is important! Do periodic checks by digging up 1 sq ft. of sod and look for grubs. Don't wait until you see their damage
  • Dylox treats mature grubs in the spring and young grubs in fall
  • Generally 4 grubs per sq. ft. is considered the threshold for treatment
  • Grubs damage turf by feeding on roots
  • Typically turf shows damage from grubs in late fall; cool temperatures and adequate moisture tend to help grass look good even though the roots are being eaten, and then suddenly the damage is apparent
  • A 30 pound bag of Dylox 6.2G will cover 10,000 sq ft. AND must be watered in after application
  • Dylox will not affect any over-seeding
  • It is too late to use Merit or Aceylprin to treat grubs now

Check out our yearly turf maintenance programs for additional tips: Planters' Choice 4-Step and Intensive Turf Care Program

Focus on Bulbs - Allium

Allium Globemaster
Alliums make a big bang!
Wondering which bulbs give a good punch of color late spring? Alliums do! They take over when late blooming Tulips come to an end (May) and continue on into June. Our selections have a distinctive look with tall stems crowned with a perfectly round cluster of lavender flowers over basal foliage. 

Purple Sensation has 4" diameter globes on 36" stems - Awesome in the garden and even as cut flowers. Figure on planting 4 per square foot at 4-6" deep.
 
Gladiator has 5" diameter globes on 40" strong stems. Plant 3-4 bulbs per square foot and 8" deep.

Plant them along with spring perennials like Peonies, Iris, Nepeta, Dianthus, and others for interesting color combos. Worried about yellowing foliage after bloom time? Interplant them with summer blooming perennials like daylilies.

If you haven't planted them before, now is good time to give them a try and end your spring bulb displays with a bang! Other Allium varieties may be available to us, just make your inquiries soon! 

NOW!
A quick walk down the 'A Road' will remind you that there's still good fall color!

Spiraea_ Potentilla and Barberry cultivars
Our container grown Magic Carpet Spiraeas are turning nice shades of gold, red and rust. They leaf out quite early in spring and hold their fall color for weeks. Looking for something in bloom for full sun? You can't go wrong with Potentilla which is still in bloom between the houses.

Canadian Hemlocks in Newtown
Have jobs requiring evergreen screening? We have good supplies of Canadian Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) in 5/6', 6/7', 7/8' and larger plus assorted sizes of Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus), Norway Spruce (Picea abies) and Serbian Spruce (P. omorika). Give us a call for current availability or if you need larger sizes.

Cabbage and Kale at entrance
The Cabbage & Kale are still going strong and, in fact, are better than ever thanks to that cold snap we had. One gallon containers at a great price point - quantity pricing for 10+ and 25+! 
Have a Great Weekend!
Last Week's Plant I.D.

Last Week's Plant I.D.

Compact American Cranberry

Viburnum trilobum 'Compactum'

This Week_s Plant I.D.
This Week's Plant I.D.

Plant I.D.

American Cranberry is one of our native shrubs that has three season interest in the form of flowers, interesting three-lobed foliage, beautiful fall color and clusters of blue fruit. 'Compactum' is a variety that grows only to 6', which is half the size of the species. It has a denser branching habit, the same flat flower cluster and under ideal conditions with a cross pollinator, will produce edible blue fruit. It's hardy to Zone 2! 

Contact
Newtown Sales Yard
140 Huntingtown Road
Newtown, CT 06470
office 203-426-4037
fax 203-426-8057
SALES: 203-304-6020

Quotes:  [email protected]
General Questions: [email protected]

Watertown Sales  Yard
496 Bunker Hill Road
Watertown, CT 06795
Office 860-945-6588
fax 860-945-9282
SALES 860-631-5145

Quotes: [email protected]