2022 Posts – Page 2 – Sticks & Stones

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Welcome to My Jungle

Houseplant

Growing and caring for plants is my passion. As if growing tens of thousands of perennials a year here at Christensen’s Plant Center wasn’t enough, I have taken my love for plants home with me. I currently have 20+ houseplants that I care for. The key to success is knowledge and experience. It is important to know what to do, and what not to do. Proper plant care will ensure that your plants thrive, and do not suffer or die (my death count is quite impressive). It has taken years of trial and error to figure out what works best, but I am still learning. If you have any interest in becoming a houseplant novice, this article will provide tips, suggestions, and things to consider.

Houseplants

Having plants in your indoor spaces is great for mental health. Improving anxiety, depression, mental fatigue, relaxation, happiness, and cognition are just some of the benefits. When in nature, we improve our overall well-being. Imagine how good you feel when you walk in the woods or even take a walk around the block. Studies have shown that this is because humans seek out connections with other forms of life whether that be plants, animals or other humans. Houseplants can also help cure the blues during those long, cold winter months. Improving air quality through absorption of carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen will help you feel less tired, fatigued, and drowsy. Elevated carbon dioxide and oxygen increase moisture and humidity in the air (which can also help with dry skin). Believe it or not, air pollution can be found in your home as well so having these natural air filters around is incredibly beneficial.

Pothos Houseplant

Houseplants have different demands, requiring individual watering, sunlight, and soil needs. You will want to know each plant’s distinct needs when choosing what to grow. I recommend starting with easy-to-grow houseplants and then move up in skill level from there. My favorite plants to grow are Pothos varieties. These are vining plants that can get very long. Once they get lengthy, they can be “chopped and propped” which means they can be cut into pieces for propagation. To propagate, I cut off a 3-4” piece right below a leaf node (where the leaf meets a stem), place in water, and watch them root. Once rooted, I place them in a pot of soil, fertilize, and watch as they take off. The ability to propagate is one of my favorite features of these plants. Pothos, Snake Plants, Bamboo, Peace Lily, and Spider Plants are among the easiest to grow. While Orchids, Ferns, Fiddle Leaf Fig, Succulents (like string of pearls), and air plants are among the most challenging. Consider how much time, and effort you have and are willing to give to plants at home when deciding what to plant.

When growing houseplants, not all light is equal. The direction the light enters the room makes a big difference. South-facing windows will be most effective for indoor houseplants. Next best is east or west. If you have good natural sunlight coming from these directions, you should not have any issues. However, if your space isn’t the sunniest, you may want to opt for grow lights. LED full spectrum grow lights (between 4000 and 6000 Kelvin) are the best choice. These bulbs have both blue and red lights that mimic the full-color spectrum of the sun.

Houseplants

Another factor to consider when growing houseplants is watering needs. Some plants can be watered once a week, while others would prefer once a month (or when soil dries out completely). I also like to water my plants on a schedule and mark it on my calendar. I always check the dampness of soil with my finger before adding more water. Overwatering is an easy way to kill houseplants, succulents especially.

Houseplants

Growing houseplants is beneficial to mental and physical health, air quality, productivity, connectedness to nature, and is aesthetically pleasing as home décor. For these reasons, I highly recommend growing and enjoying houseplants in your space. This hobby is something that keeps me happy and busy, and maybe you will enjoy it too.

**Authors note: Husbands/wives/partners/roommates etc. are not always as enthusiastic as you are about turning your home into a jungle. Please keep that in mind when trying to fill every space available with houseplants. Be sure to use the above benefits to try to persuade them! However, compromise might be necessary.
HAPPY PLANTING!!

Molly De La Rosa Author

Brick Paving – Then & Now

Holland Brick on Matt's desk

As I write this article, I am looking at a 4x8 Unilock Hollandstone Premier paver on my desk. It is uniform in shape, density, and color to the rest of the pavers on the pallet it came from. The beginning of this concrete paver’s story is actually set 7000 years ago on a warm Mediterranean island. The Minoans were Europe’s first advanced civilization. Their island of Crete was a hub for trade and artisans. They built fire kilned brick structures, had methods to pump water, and created the first segmental pavement to engineer their way over loose subsoils. The Romans were next, installing 50,000 miles of paved roads. Amazingly, some of these roads are still in use today!

Ancient Roman Roads

The techniques the Romans employed are similar to what hardscape contractors use today. They excavated a trench and added a layer of larger rubble called “agger”. This base material would be up to 5 feet deep on heavily used roads! Today we generally use crushed limestone, 6-8” thick to provide proper drainage and support a residential driveway.

On top of the agger base a finer layer was laid. This “rudus” layer, made up of sand and gravel, was then compacted. At Christensen’s we offer 2NS sand and #8 chip stone as paver bedding material. Our contractors screed and compact this layer, preparing it for pavers to be laid on top.

The final layer of a Roman road was the “pavimentum”. They used the hardest local rock they could find, sometimes bringing materials in from great distances. The surface paving stones were irregular and difficult to work with.

Ancient Roman Road

Fast forward to 1972 when Ed Bryant, founder of Unilock, introduced the UNI-stone paver to North America. A paver revolution has been taking shape ever since. Textures, shapes, finishes, even multi-density options are available. All of these new paver technologies aid with installation efficiency and allow for many specific applications. Really, though, we’re still just digging holes and filling them with rock and sand like the Romans did.

Unilock Brick Path
Matt Millington

Our Furry New Team Member

Garin Riding in Tuck German Wirehaired Pointer

As many of you know, I have brought my dog to work with for the last several years. You all got to know the gentle white giant named Garin. My faithful German wirehaired pointer became a fixture here at Christensen’s.

I lost Garin in 2020 after 15 wonderful years. He was there for me through a very large part of my adult life. The birth of my son, divorce, getting remarried, accepting the bonus kids and animals into the house (Two bonus kids, three dogs, three cats. Yep, my wife is an animal lover.) 

Garin In Grass German Wirehaired Pointer

In his later life he started coming to work with me every day. And greeted most of you as you came into either the Plant Center or the Hardscape center.

Last summer, I got a puppy. I did not think I was ready for a new dog after losing Garin. But after some prodding from my wife, I did. And, as much as I hate to admit it. She was right. Again.

Jango German Wirehaired Pointer In a car
Jango Under Blanket German Wirehaired Pointer

At this point, I hope that you have all met Jango. The absolutely crazy black German wirehaired pointer that can’t help but wiggle when anyone stops to pet him. Watching Jango interact with everyone here makes me realize what an impact Garin and Jango have had here. The staff at Christensen’s mourned the passing of Garin. He had become a part of their lives just as he was a part of mine. So, when Jango arrived, a piece of them healed as well.

Whether it is the ladies, who Jango has trained it requires a dog cookie from my office for them to pass by to the bathroom, or the sales team in the office who hide their lunch, but bring in treats for him or our perennial staff who cannot let him pass without getting a “fix” of Jango or the conference room chair that Jango has claimed as his during our meetings (complete with the meeting stopping groan as he rolls over, that leads to a round of laughter.), it is clear that Jango has taken a place on the staff of Christensen’s.

Jango with Tulips German Wirehaiered Pointer

Make sure you get to see Jango the next time you stop in. He is great at taking away the stress of our season and putting a smile on your face with just a few strokes of his coat.

Eric Joy

Fresh Evergreens arriving!

Here at Christensen's fresh product arrives daily.  You can trust us to have healthy, beautiful material when you need it.  Visit us to see fresh evergreens in the Plant Center.

Stop The Spread – Just Squish It

Spotted Lanternfly Adult

As I sit here in the lull of August thinking about what to write my article on, nothing comes to mind. Usually, ideas will come to mind pretty quickly, but with 2 weeks away from getting married and all the prep and planning, topic ideas are just not flowing at the moment!

However, we had a meeting to inform our staff about an invasive pest that is making its way to Michigan, The Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula). I’ve done an article about Cicadas in the past, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to share a little about what we learned in an effort to help inform you.

Spotted Lanternfly Adult

Spotted Lanternflies are native to China, Vietnam, and India. It was first reported in the states in 2014; believed to have come in on a shipment of landscape rocks found in Pennsylvania. Since then, they have been more detected in the eastern states such as Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and New Jersey, slowly moving closer to Michigan over the past few years. Just this month, a small batch was found in Pontiac, MI, and were likely brought in on a shipment of plant material or even on the truck itself. Think of all the stinkbugs you see in the spring. Those also came from China to Pennsylvania and have now spread across the U.S in a matter of 25 years. Sound Familiar?

Spotted Lanternfly Wings Down Adult

The problem with these pests is that they can wreak havoc on farms, forests, grape vineyards, and orchards. They do not necessarily kill the plant but instead contribute to the plant’s mortality. They first weaken the plant by sucking sap from the hardwood areas and restricting photosynthesis. Doing so results in well… A LOT of pooping called ‘Honeydew’. This attracts insects, disease, and sooty mold, aiding in the possible fatality of the crop. Host plants for Spotted Lanternflies to feed on include but are not limited to species such as maples, walnut, willows, apple, and grape. Their primary choice is a tree native to China called Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus Altissima) which looks like a large Sumac that can reach 60’ in height. It is a very invasive tree that forms thickets all over the U.S. and Canada.

Spotted Lanternfly Nymphs

Spotted lanternflies lay their eggs in the fall and hatch in the spring. The egg mass almost looks like sand or mud smeared on the object that it is attached to. They will lay eggs on nearly any smooth surface, not just plants but your house, shed, benches, rocks, tires, etc. There could be up to 50 eggs in each little egg mass. After the eggs hatch around June, the beginning of their nymphal cycle begins. From the end of April to early July, their looks could be confused to the untrained eye of a tick. They are about an 1/8” long with little white spots. They reach their final Nymphal stage from July to early August and change to a red color with white spots and traces of black. They are about a half inch in length in this stage and easy to spot due to that vibrant red color. 

After this, they reach their adult phase and will grow wings and reach up to an inch in length. The body becomes black in color. The red that made them highly visible before is now only on their hind wings which are now covered by their forewings that are grey with black spots. They complete their cycle by laying eggs in September-November and eventually dying come first frost.

Spotted Lanternfly Adults

Where they are native, they have a ton of predators to help with infestation. Unfortunately, they do not have many predators here. The main ones being Praying Mantis, and Spiders. Experts believe, we cannot stop the spread, but we can slow the spread. If you see one, have no mercy and smash them and report the areas in which it was found to your state department of Agriculture. In this way, we can all help protect each other’s crops.

For more information, visit the USDA website

Luke Joerin

Don’t Worry, Be Crabby

Coralburst Crabapple Malus

You may have noticed that the summer heat has broken here in Southeast Michigan. With a high of 74° yesterday, and temperatures projected to barely creep into the 80s for the rest of the week, as much as I hate to admit it, autumn is blowing in. And with that breath of fresh air, we start to consider fall planting.

Crabapple in inventory

Our exceptionally cold winters can make planting in the fall difficult. Due to issues with survivability, most of the trees we carry are listed as hazards to dig for sale in the fall. Even some of the varieties not listed as fall digging hazards perform better when planted in the spring. If there is one tree that has proven to be reliable it would be the crabapple. Crabapples are also one of the most versatile trees thanks to the many different varieties.

The fast-growing nature of crabapples allow these trees to have an easier time establishing a strong root system before winter. This prevents dead branches or an entirely dead tree to replace in the spring and keeps customers happy. Crabapples will also offer an instant reward in the spring with beautiful bright flowers.

We carry many varieties of crabapple that could be perfect for what your customer is looking for. Weeping, spreading, and upright shapes with pink, red, or white flowers and purple or green leaves can be used to fit beautifully in any landscape. My personal favorites are Coralburst with light pink flowers and the beautiful deep purple/red leaves of Purple Prince, Royal Raindrops, and the new columnar variety Gladiator.

Coralburst Crabapple Malus

Whatever the need, there is a crabapple for your customer. And here at Christensen’s we’re happy to help you find the perfect one.

Jacob Haines By Line

Where Have All the Flowers Gone?

Tulips and Daffodils

I am missing flowers (both literally and emotionally).

How can I work for a plant nursery and have zero blooms in my yard in the middle of summer? (Maybe because I work for a plant nursery?) I get so excited at the beginning of the season with all the pretty things coming in that I take them all home and plant them. Tulips and Daffodils, Hellebores, creeping phlox’s, Dicentra. Stunning. And then what happens? After the blooms fade and the ephemerals die back, I end up with a lot of green. And then… nursery life goes into full swing and by the time I get to slow down and catch my breath, it is mid-summer.

Rudbeckia Goldsturm

Rudbeckia Goldsturm

Where is my color? I need plants. Taking a walk through our perennial lot I notice all the plants that are in full sun with beautiful flowers. I want that! Easy choices are the Rudbeckias. Echinaceas, and Hemerocallis. But what are some less obvious selections? My flower beds have some time in the shade, so in order to get the best show of color, I need varieties that can handle both. So, on my walk, I took a few notes.

Rozanne Geranium

Geranium Rozanne

Geraniums are a good choice. Full sun or part shade, “Rozanne” can be a good rambler. I need to fill in some space and I know she’s about 20” tall by 28” spread. Very low maintenance and long-lasting blooms throughout the whole season can guarantee a nice show of color through these dog days of summer.

Astilbe Vision in Red

Astilbe chinensis Vision in Red

Astilbe’s have always been one of my favorites and we offer a wide array of sizes and color. I’m a big fan of their fluffy, showy flowers. Although we have them in full sun, Astilbe’s actually prefer a bit of shade to cool them down after a long hot day.

Chelone Hot Lips

Chelone Hot Lips

Our Chelone “Hot Lips” are just about to pop. 2’-3’ feet high and a 1’ spread, these are great to add a backdrop or color to a dull corner. These will be perfect for this time of year! They can grow in drought conditions until established or they can grow in bog or rain gardens. They are low maintenance and will handle the full sun or partial shade.

Heuchera Midnight Rose

Heuchera Midnight Rose

Heucheras, I think, are going to be a staple. With many varieties to choose from, they are a great, easy way to tie any color combination into the landscape. Different heights and sizes will be perfect to tuck in around the taller plants. And again, heucheras prefer part shade, can handle sun, like it a little dry. Perfect for my needs!

There is a theme here- low maintenance and lots of color!

Lamium Orchid Frost

Lamium Orchid Frost

And finally, ground cover! Of course, some of that “green” in my yard are weeds. Since I really don’t have a lot of time to throw down mulch every year in the spring I’m going to have to plant something. We have lots of choices here at Christensen’s, however, I have found that Lamium is a great choice for spreading. Vigorous but not invasive, the two-toned foliage is striking and can fill in quickly throughout the season. If I was just looking for a colorful addition, I'd go with 'Orchid Frost'. But, I’m thinking the 'White Nancy' may be a great addition to brighten up and throw some definition into the mix.

I now have a few choices. But there are so many more! Seriously, it’s like choosing a paint color. I know if I took another walk through the perennial lot or into the Hosta House I will have a whole new set of plant varieties, colors, and textures to take home and play with! The choices are plentiful!

Joanna Whitt

Landscaping mistakes

Ribbon Grass

I’ve been planting a wide variety of nursery stock from the moment I had a yard to plant in. I bought my first home in the 80’s and after ripping out pretty much everything that was there – it was time for a rehab – I started bringing home my favorite plants from our vast inventory here at Christensen’s. That employee discount got QUITE a workout, let me tell you. Sure, there were failures, for example my attempts to grow daphne, oxydendron, and a succession of acer palmatum, but in my mind a dead plant just opens up a spot to plant something new.

However.

daphne

Daphne x burkwoodii 'Carol Mackie' - Doreen Wynja / Monrovia Nursery

There are some plants I NEVER should have planted. They all have one thing in common – aggressive, invasive growth. It’s not an accident that several of them are vines, plus some perennials that spread underground and come up yards away from the perfect spot you chose for it then proceed to colonize the rest of your yard, and the neighbor’s yard, too. Word to the wise – avoid “plant swaps”. There is a reason people have excess to trade.

Ribbon Grass

I didn’t plant any bamboo, luckily, but the Japanese anemone had to come out, as did the Ribbon grass (Phalaris). I didn’t plant the Aegopodium or the Convallaria, but only was ever able to eradicate the Aegopodium as the bed was contained by the concrete drive. We built a giant sieve out of hardware cloth and I dug up the whole bed and got every scrap of root. The Lily-of-the-valley persists to this day among some hosta I transplanted to my new house, wish me luck.

Porcelainberry

The beautiful Porcelainberry vine I hid behind the garage is probably still sprouting back in spite of repeated attempts with spade and sprayer, and the gigantic Sweet Autumn Clematis that grew to cover the entire shade structure is likely still trying to swallow Plymouth Township. But it sure was pretty and smelled fantastic. But don’t plant one. It’s horrible.

The number one worst plant I ever planted was the Trumpet vine. Fond memories of plucking the orange flowers and tasting the nectar inside (sorry, hummingbirds) from my Grandmother’s yard at the original nursery on Ann Arbor Road gave me the bright idea of planting one in a tiny spot in the side garden of my postage-stamp yard. I even extended the chain-link fence six feet higher to give it a nice trellis to climb on. Visions of hummingbirds filled my imagination, and I figured in a year, maybe two – OK, FINE, three – I’d be a major stop on the hummingbird highway.

Trumpetvine

Hah.

The seasons passed with not one single flower. Ever. But the VINE? It ran underground and started coming up randomly, all over the yard. Ten, twenty feet away, no problem. Digging it up was futile. It’s immune to Roundup (apparently). I tried to get rid of it for ten years.

I finally moved.

Hydrangea anomala petiolaris

These days the only vines you will catch me planting are Clematis (which randomly die for no good reason) and Hydrangea petiolaris, which is always well-behaved. A mature one came with my new house, and when the tree it was climbing on died, we left most of the trunk standing, because nobody messes with my Climbing Hydrangea. You really should plant that one.

Holly Christensen
Free Freight Promo August 2022

New Ways to Light Up Your World

Alliance Outdoor Lighting Bollard BL100

By now, you probably know that we have a landscape lighting division here at Christensen’s. We currently stock 2 product lines (Sollos and Alliance) on our shelves at the Hardscape Center, and we have a very good selection of materials available. Now with that being said, it is VERY difficult to stock every single fixture in every single size that is produced, let alone with the multiple color options available. Getting into LED lamps is an entirely different animal. With LEDs, there are multiple beam spreads, color temperatures, and bases. While Sollos and Alliance are bipin based, we do stock a few wedge base lamps if you have to swap them out from another product line. We try to save you some time instead of bouncing all over town!

There are a few new fixtures on the market, but we are not currently stocking them quite yet.  They are readily available by special order.

Alliance Outdoor Lighting Bollard BL100

Alliance Bollard100-LED. Dominating in its appearance, this fixture is outstanding for commercial settings or for areas where a standard path fixture with a ground stake may not be sufficient. Standing at an impressive 36” tall when completely assembled, The Bollard100-LED makes an impressive statement when installed correctly. Watch the video above from Alliance for their recommended installation process.

Alliance PL300-BT

Alliance PL300-BT Contemporary BlueTooth Path Fixture. Alliance’s newest color-changing fixture was released late in 2021. 90-degree, straight-edged top which distributes light at 120-degree beam spread. An excellent, modern design to compliment Alliance’s BT product line.

Sollos ColorSplash Lamps and Ledge Lights. Sollos has launched a BlueTooth color change series that will retro fit new and existing bipin MR-16 lamps and PAR36 fixtures.  In addition to the lamps, they have also added a new 6” ledge light to their lineup for hardscape installations.

Sollos Bluetooth Lighting Options

Seems like there are always new fixture designs on the horizon, so be sure to check with us often for the latest updates!

David Reutter

Maintain the Chillin’ and Grillin’

Lemonade in a mason jar on yellow background

Barbecue chicken and ice-cold lemonade, cold beers and brats, chilled watermelon and grilled hamburgers. That was a small part of my menu for the fourth of July weekend. I most definitely took advantage of some choice weather and time off to relax and recharge. My outdoor toys and appliances however, had no rest. They had 8+ children and friends to keep refreshed, full and entertained. The hose had a good workout, too!

 

Kids in a Sprinkler

But after the cooking and entertainment have concluded, the cleaning must begin. And unlike cleaning the kids, I would not recommend using the hose to undertake this process. Here are some maintenance and cleaning tips to help keep your outdoor appliances looking new and clean. 

Grill brush

Grills Are Not Self-Cleaning

It’s easy to fall into the habit of just giving your grill grates a quick swipe with a wire brush before you toss on those steaks. While you won’t directly harm your grill by doing that, it is important to check its other components, specifically burners, valves, and hoses. If you have a gas grill, don’t ignore the burners. Use a stiff brush periodically to clear grease and gunk away from them, and as you cook, pay attention to the color of the flame. A healthy flame on a gas grill should be blue with a yellow tip—if your flames are all yellow, turn off the grill and disconnect the fuel tank so that you can check the fuel valve pressure. Lastly, look at any hoses, such as fuel lines, on the grill. Even if your outdoor kitchen isn’t directly exposed to the elements, it is still affected by temperature changes. Depending on the material, grill hoses can contract and expand in response to changing seasons, so give them a brief inspection to see if any of them have cracked or split and need to be replaced. 

Brussel sprouts in a cast iron skillet

Don’t Go Nuts Cleaning Outdoor Appliances 

Stainless steel appliances are extremely popular in outdoor kitchens, and for good reason. Not only does stainless steel look nice with the hardware typically used in outdoor spaces, but it is also resistant to rust and corrosion, making it ideal for outside use. Although stainless steel is a durable material, it isn’t indestructible. Don’t cut directly on a stainless-steel surface, only use a cutting board. Hot pots and pans as well as other metal, steel, or cast-iron items can cause staining and corrosion if they’re left on a stainless steel surface for too long, so find another resting place for them or use a heat resistant pad or cloth. A rinse with soapy water will be sufficient for cleaning a stainless steel surface, but make sure that you follow the grain of the metal and dry it completely. There’s no need to use chemical cleaners and stay away from steel wool pads; little bits of them can flake off and get imbedded in your stainless steel surface. While the actual surface won’t rust in that situation, the steel wool pieces will. 

Outdoor patio furniture

Protect Your Outdoor Furniture 

While it may not be the first thing to come to mind when you think of outdoor kitchens, furniture plays an important part in rounding out your backyard sanctuary. If possible, try to keep your outdoor kitchen furniture out of rain and extreme weather by bringing it indoors. If that is not an option, try looking for vinyl covers that don’t touch the floor, which allows moisture to escape. You can clean vinyl, mesh, and fabric components with a mild, all-purpose cleaner. Avoid harsh bleach or ammonia-based cleaners, they are not necessary and can do more harm than good. As with your countertops, try to catch and wipe up spills as soon as possible. 

Patio with Firepit

Don’t Forget About Your Floor 

The patio may receive the brunt of all the dirt, debris, and staining. Some of the more advanced pavers have a factory-applied sealer to help resist or even prevent stains from occurring. If you do not have one of these types of pavers, consider adding a sealer to the patio. If you are not a fan of sealers, there are many outdoor rugs and mats to help protect the unprotected areas. You can use a mild soap, warm water, and a stiff-bristled brush to help remove most stains; there are stronger and more specific cleaners if you have a stain that is proving to be a challenge. 

Beers in a fridge

Check Your Fridge 

Did you know that there are 2 different ratings for outdoor refrigerators? The better option is an actual “Outdoor Rated” refrigerator. It differs from the “Standard Outdoor” by having 304 stainless steel material, greater insulation, an advanced compressor, and better ventilation. This will help when the outdoor temps start to climb in the 90’s. Keep your fridge full, even if it is just water bottles. This will help the fridge work less and keep your items colder. 

Outdoor Kitchen by High Format

Your outdoor kitchen and fireplace area represents not only a financial investment, but also a commitment to time spent with family and friends. Taking a few minutes to maintain your outdoor kitchen, patio, and furniture will protect your investment and allow you to spend as much quality time as possible with your loved ones.  

Bryan Pajak

Are You Ready for a Revolution?

Boxwoods in a Row

A Boxwood Revolution! 

Have you heard about the two NewGen® boxwood that have come onto the market? 'Independence' and 'Freedom' came out recently and are a fresh breeze of improved genetics in the Buxus arena. They have a strong tolerance to boxwood blight and are resistant to leaf miner. Both are considered zone 5-8.

Leafminers and Boxwood Blight damage

NewGen Independence® 'SB 108’PP28888'
This is a medium-sized rounded shrub with very deep green foliage that will hold its color well throughout winter. Independence has a very strong branching structure that will hold up against most snow loads. It is considered a medium grower putting on 2-4” per year. Its final size in 25 years will reach 4.5’ x 4.5’. Thriving in sun, shade, or a mixture of both, this green beauty can go anywhere in the landscape

Buxus NewGen Freedom
Buxus NewGen Freedom

NewGen Freedom® 'SB 300’ PP32421'
This is also a medium-sized rounded shrub, although it is slightly taller than it is round. Freedom has very beautiful glossy green foliage. It will grow 3-6” a year and finish off at 5'x5’ in about 25 years. Versatile like Independence, it will grow in sun, shade, or a mixture of both.

With both of these being relatively new to the market finding any that are larger than a #3 is difficult. But with more time and a few more growing seasons, I am sure we will start seeing larger plants available. At this time, we do not stock any of these at Christensen’s Plant Center but can special order them for you. I am looking at bringing some in for next spring and just wanted to make you aware of these new beautiful boxwood that are coming soon.

Chris Nielson