Planters' Choice

Weekly Picks Newsletter Friday, June 17, 2016

Royal Candles Veronica (Veronica spicata)

Tough & Reliable

Plants for Large Spaces

We have over 3,000 container grown Junipers over at

Meadowbrook and almost as many in our sales yards - plenty for your next job!

Choosing material for larger sites (commercial properties, schools, parking lots etc) takes plants that can thrive in less than perfect conditions. This often includes hot sun, wind, poor soil, bad drainage, winter salts, snow loads and inadequate irrigation to name a few. So tough, long-lived and reliable plants need to top the list. Plant them in large groups for maximum impact. Here are 9 PC Grown stars that will shine in the landscape:

Cotoneaster - A small-leafed spreading shrub with great fall interest. Cranberry Cotoneaster (C. apiculatus) will get 2-3' high x 3-6' wide and Willowleaf Cotoneaster (C. salicifolia) is slightly smaller at 1' x 5' wide. Both are deer resistant, have small white flowers in spring, persistent red berries in fall and winter, and really good fall color.

(10-12/100 sq. ft.- 3' on center)

Forsythia x 'Gold Tide' - This low spreading Forsythia has everything the taller varieties have (early spring yellow flowers, medium green foliage, deer resistance) but this is a low growing spreader getting 1-1.5' x 5' wide. It's drought tolerant and pretty indestructible! (12/100 sq. ft. - 3' on center)

Deer - If they haven't been around yet, they will be...

It's inevitable!

Deer repellents - be prepared!

Bobbex - Highly ranked and locally made this spray repellent comes in 48 oz. Ready-to-Use spray bottles and jugs of Concentrate in .5, 2.5 and 5 gallon containers. Remember to apply, and reapply, as directed. Bobbex-R , also available, is a formula for rabbits.

Repellex Systemic Granular *NEW* This product works by being absorbed by the plant through the roots. It is sprinkled on the soil slightly away from the crown (1/4 cup per square foot or approx. 30 1 gallon perennials). The roots then take up the active ingredient, Capsaicin, which then goes into the stems and leaves. This comes in a 3 lb plastic jar.

And speaking of pests - Be on the lookout for slugs - this time of year you'll be seeing slug damage on some of your Hostas and other perennials. Slug Magic is a granular product applied around the base of slug-prone to stop slugs from eating the leaves.

And don't forget about Milorganite! Used in our own sales yards, this non-burning fertilizer is made from processed waste also serving well in deterring deer.


	Alstroemeria x 'Inca Ice'

New, blooming and A+!

Alstroemeria & Astrantia

Peruvian Lily (Alstroemeria x) is a new perennial for us this year. That may come as a surprise to many of you as it's known in northern latitudes as the florists' longest lasting cut flower. Now, you can grow them in your perennial borders! The variety 'Inca Ice' will grow 2.5-3' and slowly spread by underground rhizomes. This variety, is a hardier one for our area, though they will benefit from winter mulching. Plant in full sun to partial shade. Tolerates dry and humid conditions but make sure it's well-drained. Iris, Snowcap or Shasta Daisy and Purple Rain and could be good companion plants.


Astrantia major 'Roma' just down from Watertown

Another new perennial also with long lasting flowers is Masterwort, or Pincushion (Astrantia major). The two varieties we've grown this year are 'Roma' (pink) and 'Primadonna' (red). The foliage forms small mounds and the flowers rise above it and bloom in June. They're long lasting because the actual small flower in the center is surrounded by colorful papery bracts. It'll be showy for weeks and actually rustle in the breeze. Plant in partial shade in moist soil. Hardy to zone 4.

Stop by the perennials soon and take a look. Give them a try in your next perennial planting!

NOW!

Incoming This Week: Hummingbird Summersweet, Vanilla Strawberry Panicle Hydrangea and Victoria Southern Magnolia!

Reblooming Knockout Roses make a great choice for sunny locations. Make a quick and easy combo with some Nepeta and Ornamental grasses.

Deciduous Trees & Shrubs
Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird', 'Ruby Spice' 7 gal.	Summersweet
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Endless Summer'	Bigleaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata 'Fire & Ice', 'Pinky Winky', 'Vanilla Strawberry' 7 gal.	Panicle Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia 'Snow Queen'	Oakleaf Hydrangea
Ligustrum ovalifolium 5 gal.	California Privet

Otto Luyken Cherry Laurel and Schip Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

Broadleaf and Specialty Evergreens
Azalea 'Delaware Valley White', 'Gumpo White', 'Pleasant White', 'Renee Michelle'	Azaleas
Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil', 'Steeds' 15 gal.	Upright Japanese Holly
Ilex glabra 'Shamrock' 20 gal.	Inkberry
Ilex pedunculosa 10 gal.	Longstalk Holly
Ilex x 'Blue Maid', 'Blue Stallion', 'Golden Girl' 5/6'	Hybrid Holly
Magnolia grandiflora 'Victoria' 8/10'	Southern Magnolia

** NEW**

Crocosmia Lucifer - wait till they're in bloom!

Have a Great Father's Day Weekend!

Weekly Plant I.D.

Last Weeks ID Hypericum patulum 'Sungold'

St. Johnswort


	This Weeks ID

St. Johnswort is a versatile shrubs that makes a useful flowering accent plant. It's a nice addition to the perennial and shrub borders, along walkways or driveways, even for use as a low hedge. 'Sungold' is a compact grower getting about 2.5' high x 5' wide with long blooming, large golden- yellow flowers. After flowering they produce attractive red to black seed capsules. Plant in full sun to partial shade. They're deer resistant and drought tolerant once established.