The staff at Christensen's strives to provide you with the tools and the high-quality materials that you require to effectively run your business.

One of those tools is our website, www.ChristensensPlantCenter.com

Many of you regularly visit our website to check available inventory. You're probably familiar with the Nursery Stock and Hardscape Supplies pages. You may even explore the list of brands we carry under Wholesale Landscape Supplies (Pond Supplies, Landscape Lighting, Bulk Landscape Supplies, Hardgoods).

This week, we're encouraging you to explore the additional information you can find, along with the business tasks you can complete, on other parts of the website.

From left to right along the top banner, the next choice is the Events Page. Here you'll find a list of upcoming events that Christensen's is either hosting or trade shows that we'll be present at. You'll find dates, event information and links to the event page. What happened to 2026? Events for 2027 are creeping up quick!

Next along the top banner is the Resources drop down.

Most of you receiving these articles would have already filled out the Whole Registration form. But that top menu option in the drop down links to a page explaining the requirements to shop at Christensen's and includes a link to a fillable PDF of the registration form. We love fillable PDFs... no one has to read our terrible handwriting!

Then there is an information page about Christensen's Mobile App. Even when Christensen's hours are limited, the website and app are always open. The app includes much of the same information as the website. But the app is even more cell phone friendly. 

The Handy Plant References page was the catalyst for this article. Even employees use these articles to remind us which plants are salt tolerant or which trees are on the fall digging hazard list. We suggest familiarizing yourself with this page so that you can refer back to it regularly. These lists are a great resource over the winter as you plan for spring projects!

Location & Hours is pretty self-explanatory. Contact/Quote will link you to our sales staff. There are even pictures if you aren't sure who you worked with and need a face refresher;) 

The last stop on our tour is the AR Payment page. Customers with established credit terms can conveniently pay their accounts online. This feature does require a login. If you need more information, the contact information for the administration office is included.

ChristensensPlantCenter.com is here to serve you 24/7, 365. Please let our sales staff know if there are additional resources you would like to see on our website or if you are having trouble locating information.

As we get started into the “Fall” months, let’s start to think about what we could use for next year in some of those future projects. Narrow, compact landscapes can present a design challenge. However, there are other options outside of a standard arborvitae or juniper.

Starlite®, Ivory Spear® and Sparkling Sprite® are ornamental crabapples (Malus). While Sparkling Sprite® is a small, round tree, both Starlite® and Ivory Spear® are very upright.

Starlite® (Malus x ‘Jeflife’) is a white-flowering crabapple. Described as a small-to-medium tree, roughly 15–20 feet tall and wide. Its spring flowers are white; small red fruit may follow, adding seasonal interest.

Ivory Spear® (Malus ‘JFS KW214MX’) has very tight and upright ascending branches that help to maintain its narrow form.  It is known to be 18 feet tall by 7 feet wide; spring brings red color buds that turn into white blooms.

Sparkling Sprite® (Malus ‘JFS-KW207) is a compact crabapple suited to smaller gardens and tight planting spaces. It is commonly described as reaching about 10–12 feet tall and wide, though mature size can vary with climate and care. Its white flowers open from pink buds, giving the spring display a soft, two-tone effect. Its compact habit is one reason it is considered for sites where a larger crabapple would be impractical.

Both of these crabapple trees can be used as a pollinator for customers wanting a fruiting apple tree.

Christensen's has both Starlite® and Sparkling Sprite® in stock and ready for current projects. Or, as you plan for spring 2027, contact our customer service staff to learn how you can put them on order. 

Reference: The Tree Book by Michael Dirr and Keith Warren

It's hard to think about spring during fall planting. But some of Mother Nature's first, and arguably most beautiful, specimens require us to think ahead. Somewhere between fall cleanup and putting the blade on the snow truck, our focus turns to these tiny miracles: BULBS.

Where do you come in? So glad you asked! There are some tips, tricks and helpful products when it comes to installing bulbs and boosting your yield. But, without human hands and a mindful eye on timing, these little guys would wither in their boxes or rot underground before ever getting the chance to bloom. The planting window matters: get them in the ground once nighttime temps settle into the 40s, roughly six weeks before the soil freezes. Bulbs need a snooze called cold stratification to bloom in the spring. And some varieties like longer naps than others. Daffodils like to get a head start, so tuck them in first. Tulips prefer to bed down a bit later in the fall.

What's next? It may sound obvious, but picking the right spot is key. After you determine your area has enough sun and good drainage for the soil, you'll want to dig a hole about 3x as deep as the bulb is tall. If you are planting in mass, an automatic auger is a lifesaver. For the love of God, do not forget the Bulb-Tone®! Place the bulbs with the whiskers down and the point up. Cover with soil and pat down gently. After you water it well, simply let them nap until spring does its thing.

The supplies you need for planting bulbs are available at Christensen's

Now that you have the basics, let's talk pro tips.

• Plant in odd numbers or in clusters, rather than in rows. It will look more organic and impactful when they bloom.
• Add a layer of mulch after planting to help regulate the soil temps and deter squirrels from digging up the bulbs.
• If there is a known varmint issue, mix in a bit of chicken grit or gravel to keep them from digging without harming the plants. You can also grate Irish Spring soap or spray diluted Downy in the areas to keep critters from munching on the leaves.
• We want to keep that foliage long after it blooms, until it turns yellow and dies back naturally. That's how the bulb recharges for next year.
• Bigger bulbs generally mean bigger blooms, so they are worth a little more money.
• Label where you planted so they aren't accidentally dug up in the spring before the flowers emerge.

Where do we go from here? Straight to Christensens to pick out your bulbs, of course! Our knowledgeable staff can help you choose varieties and products to turn these tiny miracles into a full-on magic show come spring.

Planning Ahead: Christensen’s Early Order Program Is Expanding

Every year, the Bulb Early Order Program gives Christensen's customers an opportunity to save a little while helping us plan ahead for the season.

When orders are submitted by the early order deadline, customers receive a small discount, and we get a better idea of what we need to have on hand when the season arrives. It’s a simple approach that helps everyone plan with a little more confidence.

This year, we’re expanding that same idea beyond bulbs. We’re introducing an early order program for tree stakes and burlap, two products that many of our landscape contractor customers rely on toward the end of the year to protect their plantings through Michigan’s winter weather.

Orders are due by October 5th to receive the early order discount!

Why make the addition? Better planning benefits everyone. Obtaining an earlier, clearer picture of demand allows Christensen’s to plan inventory more accurately, resulting in in-stock products when customers need them. For contractors, placing orders early saves money and it’s one less thing to worry about as the season gets busy.

We appreciate everyone who participates in our early order programs. Your early commitments help us serve you better, and we hope this expanded program makes it a little easier—and more rewarding—to plan ahead.

Mid-September is almost upon us, and it is a busy time of year. Now until early November could almost be considered the best time to plant, allowing your plants to "root out" and get comfy before the first freeze.

The graphic below shows some quick statistics and typical weather behavior. 

So, can you plant after that November freeze? Yes, but...

Be a little more careful with your plant choices. The later in the season you plant, the shorter your list of options gets.

Perennials

Shrubs

Trees

Most are a yes. However, there are some trees that are considered a fall hazard for digging and planting. Oaks, Redbuds, Dogwood and Amelanchier are considered fall hazard. A full list of fall hazard trees is available on our website under the Resources tab. If a customer chooses one of these trees in the fall, Christensen's requires a waiver to be signed.

If you do plant...

When planting late in the fall to early winter, remember to mulch and use anti-desiccates (on all evergreens). Also keep watering – Shrubs and Trees will continue to take up water until full dormancy. If you plant something on the "no" list just know it is risky. But If you are careful with the plants and add a little help, they stand a good chance of winter survival.

Christensen's will be here for you well into November and the sales staff available to answer all of your fall planting questions. Stop in, give us a call (1-888-454-8733) or email (sales@christensensplantcenter.com).

It's Sunday morning and stores aren't open yet. You're still in your pajamas anyway. So you go online to shop for a new piece of furniture. But it's so difficult to visualize that new chair, couch or side table in your living room. Wait, there's a button that says "Show Me" or "Try It In Your Space". Suddenly, a picture of that sofa appears on your screen with the instructions to point your device where you want to "place" it. 

Augmented reality is a fun tool. It allows you to "try before you buy", saving money and hassle.

It's also an opportunity for you, as a business owner or project manager/sales person. But who has the resources to develop that kind of technology? The hardscape vendors you buy from through Christensen's have done the work for you. They've developed everything from project galleries to augmented reality. What have you used from this list?

Oaks Landscape Products provides several inspirational opportunities. The Oaks Landscape Project Gallery includes 5 pages of image projects. Their website also has an extensive list of technical information and guides in their Resource Center. You can find it on their website on the top ribbon. Find the Landscape Project Gallery and more under the Inspiration drop-down menu on the top ribbon.

High Format offers over a dozen Inspiration Galleries on their website, each with detailed pictures and specs of the products used in the project. Downloads are also available, providing project details as well as links to an Outcropping Layout App and Outcropping Height Guide Tool.

Hi! I am Molly and I have been with Christensen’s for 14 years. Many of you may remember me from my days on the perennial lot. These days, I am the perennial buyer, sadly working at a desk (not so sadly during a heat wave or rainstorm). My main goal is to source fresh, quality perennials that are landscape ready!

I wanted to give you a little peek behind the curtain, so that you can understand all that goes into offering the best customer care possible!

Let me start with the most important aspect of my job: timing. The plant buyers are always working one to two weeks out. For example, today is Monday July 13^th. By the end of this week, I will have trucks for the week of July 20th set in stone and am unable to make additions or changes.

You might be wondering, why do I need to know this?? As the contractor, it’s important to understand the lead time required to get your material to Christensen’s. Basically, the buyers need a week or two, sometimes more (depending on time of year) to get you exactly what you need. If you need something ASAP, let us know ASAP so your material arrives fresh and in a timely fashion.

If a project requires a large quantity of a plant, or something funky no one has ever heard of, please let us know, in advance! We want to help! But we order your plant material from all over the country, and with the logistics involved, it takes proper planning on our part.

There is another snake in the grass to be wary of. Say you give me the list of materials and deposit right on time, I order it for the following week, and all is good. Then the dreaded “bounce back” email arrives, notifying me that the plants are no longer available: crop loss, water issues, pruning issues, someone stole them for another order. Whatever the reason, your plants are not coming as planned.

As a buyer who prides herself on meeting deadlines, this is not an ideal situation for either of us. After follow-ups with your salesperson, who will then notify you of the snag, the plants are added to my “get it here now!” list and your arrival date is pushed back at least another week.

Why am I sharing this bit of information? It’s a gentle reminder that some things are out of our control and many issues can be mitigated with advance planning. For example, after receiving a “bounce back” email, there still might be a chance to meet your deadline because it’s several weeks away.

The moral of the story is that we, the buyers, are committed to providing you with quality material, in stock when you need it. That quality, however, requires regular turnover. Therefore, we may not have the quantity or item you’re looking for on any given day. Advance notice allows the buyers to work with you to source the material you need when you need it. When situations out of our control pop up, please know that we work hard to make it right.

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to your orders!

Christensen's offers a full selection of fertilizers for landscape professionals. With so many options available, choosing the right product can sometimes feel overwhelming. Here's a quick guide to help you match common landscape applications with the fertilizer best suited for the job.

Quick Fertilizer Guide

1. New planting Trees and Shrubs → Bio-Tone Starter Plus + Root Stimulator
2. Long-term feeding → Osmocote
3. Acid-loving shrubs → Holly-Tone
4. Established Trees and Shrubs → Plant-Tone
5. Flowers → Flower-Tone
6. Roses → Rose-Tone
7. Bulbs → Bulb-Tone
8. Turf → Milorganite

If you'd like a little more detail, here's a closer look at each fertilizer and where it fits best in the landscape.

Application Tips

• Bio-Tone: Mix into the backfill during planting.
• Root Stimulator: Water in at planting.
• Plant-Tone, Holly-Tone, Rose-Tone, and Flower-Tone: Mix into planting beds during installation or apply to the soil surface around established plants and water in.
• Osmocote: Apply to the soil surface under mulch or lightly incorporate into the root zone.
• Milorganite: Broadcast over turf and water in.

Christensen's prides itself on partnering with landscape professionals to help them install and maintain beautiful, successful landscapes.

While fertilizer can help plants establish and thrive, more is not always better. Fertilizer is most effective when plants are healthy and actively growing. Avoid fertilizing plants that are drought-stressed or experiencing significant transplant shock. Sites amended with quality compost may also require less fertilizer than expected. In most cases, proper watering, soil preparation, and planting practices will have a greater impact on long-term plant success than fertilizer alone.

As we enter the summer months, and even into fall, why not think of adding something out of the ordinary into the landscape by using a fountain pond? Christensen’s has long been a distributor for EasyPro, based out of Grant, Michigan. This year, we've added products from another Michigan based company, Blue Thumb.

Blue Thumb offers something a little different with their fountains, ranging from vase fountains, to real stone fountains and even metal fountains.

While planning for later this year, or even next, keep in mind the option of adding a small, relaxing element into the plan. If I was redoing my patio, I would surely add in a fountain set to relax with after being at work. 

Next time you're at Christensen's, please ask any of us about the fountain pond options from EasyPro and Blue Thumb and we will get you all the information.

For the past several years, it seems that every new pest or disease affecting boxwood has sparked another round of conversations about removing these iconic shrubs from the landscape. Most recently, the arrival of box tree moth in southeastern Michigan has many homeowners wondering if it is time to replace their boxwoods with something else. In my opinion, the answer is still no. Boxwood has earned its place in our landscapes over decades of performance. Few shrubs can match its year-round color, versatility, deer resistance, and ability to provide structure and formality in the garden. While box tree moth is certainly a challenge, it is a manageable one.

The key is understanding that box tree moth is an insect pest, not a death sentence for every boxwood plant. Like many landscape pests, it can be effectively controlled through regular monitoring and timely treatment. Homeowners and landscape professionals who inspect their plants for feeding damage, webbing, caterpillars, or defoliation can often identify problems before significant damage occurs. Several treatment options have proven effective when applied at the proper time. For example, Btk (Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki) is readily available. The reality is that maintaining healthy boxwoods through monitoring and treatment is often far less disruptive and less expensive than removing mature plantings and starting over.

When considering alternatives, it is important to remember what would be lost. Boxwood has long been the standard for foundation plantings, formal hedges, and landscape accents because few shrubs offer the same combination of size, density, evergreen foliage, and tolerance of pruning. Even Michigan State University Extension, while discussing alternatives, acknowledges that there are currently no perfect replacements that fully replicate the performance and appearance of boxwood. Replacing established shrubs often means waiting years for new plants to reach the same size and visual impact already present in the landscape.

For landscape contractors and homeowners in southeastern Michigan, my recommendation is simple: don't give up on boxwood. Learn to recognize the signs of box tree moth activity, work with a knowledgeable landscape professional, and implement a treatment program when necessary. With proper care, boxwoods can continue to provide the timeless beauty and structure that have made them a landscape favorite for generations. The best boxwood replacement is often the healthy boxwood already growing in your yard.