Landscaping – Page 11 – Sticks & Stones

Diversification is key to success!

If you’re reading this, chances are you are involved as a contractor in the Green Industry, whether it’s with plants, pavers, ponds, designs, lighting, or maintenance.

The big question is: Do you do only one aspect of the industry, or do you do many? During my tenure here at Christensen’s, I’ve seen companies come and go, often because they would only focus on one area. Times have changed, and big, easy planting jobs don’t come around as often as they used to - and there’s a lot of competition out there, more than ever since the mid 90’s.

This is where diversification comes in, and chances are that you’ve already been doing it.

An easy one is adding landscape lighting to your planting or hardscaping jobs. If you missed my two-part video on how to install lighting, you can catch up here. Keep in mind that you don’t have to sell a whole new job - lighting is the perfect second-stage enhancement for an earlier project.

Lighting aside, let’s try something different.

When trees, shrubs, and perennials get planted early in the season, many contractors apply fertilizers or soil amendments. How about promoting a fall fertilization program?

Fall is an excellent time to fertilize, even better than planting time. Established plants benefit as well, so don’t overlook customers from previous seasons. Mix in some granular organic fertilizers, such as the Tone series or Florikote slow release blends, and work it into the soil before it freezes. It’s a low-impact job your crew can manage in between fall cleanups.

Everyone knows about pavers, but some feel that they wouldn’t know how or where to begin. DID YOU KNOW: During the winter months and in the early spring, paver supply manufacturers such as Unilock and Rosetta hold how-to instructional seminars? Another handy piece of information: The “Lords of Legos” at the Christensen’s Hardscape Center are always ready to help you with a project.

Have you ever done a pond or water feature? I haven’t either, but I’ve always wanted to. This is another area where many folks don’t know how or where to begin. Like paver manufacturers, pond supply companies like Easy Pro offer seminars and on-site installation courses to help you, wait for it… “get your feet wet”.

If a full-bore pond isn’t right for your customer, consider installing a fountain or waterfall, which we carry a variety of. These are less time consuming, pumps run off of a standard 3-prong outlet, and the impact of such a focal point will definitely create a buzz amongst the neighbors. And seeing as you’re already in the subdivision, chances are you’ll pick up those jobs, and you can keep moving down the street. Not bad!

I have one more tidbit to keep in mind. I look at the Green Industry as a large fraternity/sorority. What does this mean? It’s always a good business tactic to keep up with your contacts and networking, because chances are you will come across another company that specializes in a field that you may be new to, or that you could subcontract on a project if you don’t have the time available on the work schedule.

Here are some examples:
Customer: “Can you do this?”
Contractor: “No, but I know a guy that can!”.

Or

Contractor 1: “My skid loader just tanked on a weeklong project!”
Contractor 2: “I can lend you mine for $XYZ a day so you can finish”.

We all battle the elements and obstacles associated with this industry, and everyone needs a little help from time to time. Knowing “a guy” that can fill the void when we’re in a pinch can make all the difference.

These are some suggestions of ways you can diversify your business, and there is still time to put them in motion yet this season. We want to see you succeed and grow your company year after year and are here to help you out as much as we can along the way.

Get all your material in one shot

Not so many years ago, if you wanted to supply your project with plants, pavers, wall materials and bulk goods, it required trips to several locations to complete a job. Times have changed! Our current inventory includes six different types of mulch, slag, 2 NS sand, 21AA limestone, 6A Limestone for permeable paver applications, and pea stone.

We also carry prime compost and screened topsoil that we store in dedicated, covered bins. Why do we do this? We can keep nearly 160 cubic yards of soil dry so it is ready to go when you need it. Combine that with our extensive plant material, paver, and wall block inventory, we can supply your entire project.

Bulk materials can be picked up or delivered via Christensen’s Hardscape Center for a small portion of what it might cost to pick it up with your truck. If you need large quantities, we will can deliver “Direct” train loads to your yard or Job site.

It’s 92 degrees in Plymouth as I’m writing this. It’s hard to believe that there are only a few months to go in 2017. It will get cold, the weather will turn, and the days will get shorter. Being able to source all of your materials at one location just might save the time you need to be able to wrap up those jobs at the end of the season.

Some of you may know me, but for many of you, I am a new face. I moved to Michigan after College almost 30 years ago. I have worked in the Green Industry as a contractor for most of those years. So, although this is the first time for me to stand on this side of the counter, I have probably been involved with a project similar to the one you’re working on. If you have any questions or have a difficult site, please ask, I am ready to help.

Fall Hazard tree lists explained

It’s fall; it’s planting season for trees and evergreens. This time of the year breathes new business, new opportunities, and new money into the landscape industry.

Spring tree supplies have been exhausted in many varieties. So only what is left, is grown in a pot, or can be dug in the fall will be available. Here’s the bad news. The list of tree varieties that can NOT be dug is very long!

Unlike the spring there is a shorter recovery time for trees as soil temperatures dip below 50 degrees. Root reestablishment and elongation cease. This is significant because a tree loses about 75 to 80 percent of its root mass when dug. One source stated that only 2 to 8 percent of the root survives harvesting. This is extremely significant for evergreens and for trees especially as caliper increases. It’s all about moisture! From the moment a tree is dug until it is planted and prepared for its first long winter, moisture is the most important factor.

Desiccation is a killer.

Factors that lead to desiccation or moisture loss are key to which trees are traditionally fall-dug and those that become part of the "fall hazard" lists:

1. Thin-barked Trees

Gleditsia (Honeylocust) is on most nurseries’ hazard lists. If you have handled locusts you know that you can damage its paper-thin bark without any effort (this is strike one for this Genus).

Acer rubrum (Red Maple) also has a thin bark but is regularly dug in the fall because of its very fibrous root system, but usually in smaller caliper. I have seen maples with serious tip dieback after harder winters and for calipers over 3”. Betula (Birch) as well has thin bark - and has at least two more strikes against it.

2. Harvest Time

Spring or fall trees are usually dormant or breaking dormancy when they are dug. We usually think of full dormancy occurring when a tree’s leaves fall off or as trees have set their buds for the next season. These don’t necessarily happen at the same time. We regularly have tree varieties such as Amelanchier, Acer, Malus (Crabapple), Ginkgo, and Tilia (Linden) fall-dug and shipped with some leaves attached but their buds for the new year are set.

Gleditsia are among the first trees to lose their leaves but this does not help (see below). Quercus (Oak) may set their buds but have leaves that hang on very late in the season and in some cases only release in the late winter or early spring. As such they are considered not to be fully dormant until it is too to dig them.

3. Coarse Roots

If you have never handled bare-root stock this may not mean much to you. Acer, Tilia, and Malus to start have very fibrous root systems and dig very well in the fall. Malus actually seem better with fall digging than spring. One assumes their root systems have begun to recover. Gledtisia (again) have few, large, and very coarse root systems.

Many nut-bearing trees such as Quercus have fewer, tap roots. These types of root systems offer little support to the whole tree for moisture. Many of the these tree types do not die but result in varying types of dieback or thinning. Gleditsia will have tip dieback as well as random branch death from the trunk. Quercus will often have severe branch dieback, resprouting only off the main trunk; a very unsightly recovery usually requiring replacement. Betula despite have a fairly fibrous root system has very shallow roots susceptible to drying out and supports a very heavy branch system. Top dieback and branch death usually occur; these trees will take several seasons to recover.

Trees such as Quercus and others can be dug if they have been spring root-pruned in preparation for a fall harvesting. Many nurseries are not that proactive.

Harvesting practices have changed and advanced through the years but the industry is cautious and conservative. Be aware of fall hazard lists. They may save you much grief and even more money. The good news is that the selection of pot-grown trees is increasing every season.

Christensen's Plant Center Fall Hazard list

Oh deer!

Whitetail deer are beautiful animals. It's surprising to see how successful they are in urban and suburban areas.

You'd better drive with caution, too, especially around dusk and dawn. And where there is one, there are usually others, so watch for deer number two or three to dart across the road. Car crashes are never good for anyone involved.

As nice as it is to see them up close, they come for one thing, to eat our landscapes. We have no one to blame but ourselves for invading their space.

So what can we do to protect our investment? Start by putting the gun down, your neighbor might complain about the holes in their garage.

There is a list of plants that are deer resistant in our new mobile app, but if you already have everything planted or can’t find the same look you want and need to plant those edible deer plants, there are products on the market you can apply to keep the deer out or limit the damage.

Christensen’s carries a couple of products that have been tested over the past 10+ years and have produced good results.

Deer Scram by Epic is a fine granular that is applied as a perimeter defense. This all natural, organic product is easy to use and does not have an offensive odor. The product will last 3-5 weeks before you need to reapply and it works year round. It has the added benefit of being a mild fertilizer.

Liquid Fence Deer & Rabbit Repellent is applied directly on the plants. It has an odor and taste the animals detest. This product will last 2-4 weeks depending on weather. The rain will dilute it quickly and it must be reapplied often.

Sometimes a physical barrier is required, so we also carry Deer Fence. It comes in a 7’ x 100’ roll and can be used to protect a large area.

How to install landscape lighting

Outdoor accent lighting is one of the simplest ways to boost a landscape project from good to GREAT. Whether you are working with an all-new design or enhancing an established landscape, adding low-voltage lighting has a lot going for it.

We carry quality fixtures in a range of finishes to complement any style. Don't overlook using lighting in hardscape projects, too. How about path lighting integrated right into a paver walk? From deck lights to well lights, path lights to wall washes - there is a lighting solution for pretty much any situation.

I've made a short video to show you just how easy it is to work with today's modern lighting products. Take a few minutes to watch - I think you'll be inspired to give outdoor lighting a place in your future designs.

A Hydrangea with fall color? You bet!

Landscapers, what flowering shrub has been exploding in popularity for the last few years, with new varieties hitting the market every few months? What's the plant that your customers request most often - and is versatile enough to use in many situations, is easy care, a reliable bloomer, and comes in different colors?

I'm betting you're thinking HYDRANGEA.

Hydrangea have been extremely popular in the past few seasons, and our biggest sellers are the ‘Endless Summer’ series, 'Annabelle', and ‘Limelight’. The primary focus on hydrangea has always been the showy flowers.

Depending on the variety, they can be pink, blue, white or even green. The pointed panicles of the PG types are dramatically attractive as they age.

Now, fall is just around the corner. It brings a change of season and a chance to enjoy another important landscape feature – fall leaf color, which hydrangea are not known for having.

One of the best flowering shrubs for fall color is the Oakleaf Hydrangea. They will have a stunning maroon to burgundy red fall color. Slow to turn in fall, color improves with each frost. Showy flowers and exfoliating bark make this a plant with year-round interest. The cultivars ‘Alice’ and ‘Ruby Slippers’ are some of our most popular varieties. The dwarf cultivars such as ‘Munchkin’ and ‘Pee Wee’ are slowly gaining in popularity too.

Consider adding Oakleaf Hydrangea to your next installation. They will provide important landscape interest all season long. By trying something different, your project will stand out from the others.

Brilliant options for fall color

Fall is in the air. Hard to believe, isn’t it? Where has the year gone? It is almost time to start planting your bulbs, raking the leaves and fall cleaning the beds. Today I want to talk about plants that we don’t typically think of as being for fall.

We regularly think of mums, aster, burning bush, and trees like Sugar and Red maple as plants we like for fall interest. Lesser known options might be 'Autumn Joy' sedum, Japanese Anemone, and 'Little Henry' Itea.

But let me tell you about some others! Solidago (Goldenrod) with it's bright yellow flowers, Fothergilla with it's burnt orange, red, and yellow leaves, and Chelone (Turtlehead) with it's pink turtle-head-shaped flowers.

Don't overlook Caryopteris - it's blue flowers begin late July and continue into September. This small shrub can be treated like a semi-woody perennial and benefits from cutting back low in the spring.

My all-time fall favorite is Amsonia hubrichtii (Bluestar) - the Perennial Plant of the year in 2011. The foliage turns bright gold and at 2.5’ in the back of the border it stands out like a mini-sun. Some turn red-orange, bronze, purplish and yellow, and all are spectacular.

Another favorite of is Helenium, which grows 2-3’ tall. Also known as Sneezeweed, they bloom in a mix of delicious fall colors - yellow, browns, and red. They typically start blooming in late August and continue well into October.

Mums are great, but there are a lot of options for extending color from summer into fall.

I would feel guilty if I didn’t at least mention Viburnums. They come in so many shapes and sizes and with different colored berries in the fall, how can you go wrong? But wait, there’s more... almost all of them get great fall leaf color. This massive genus of shrubs alone would allow you to have flowers from spring to late summer and then berries and fall color until the snow flies.

Well sorry, but gotta go. This article gave me a great idea for pumpkin carving and I want to go get some cider and donuts and draw it out on paper!

Planting in heavy soils

Heavy clay soils are one of the toughest environments to plant in, but there are no hard and fast rules to follow. Whether the planting site is irrigated or not, and how much irrigation it’s receiving is crucial information. Here is an example: Concolor Firs will often decline and die in a heavily irrigated clay soil. In a lightly irrigated setting they will do fine.

Many planting guides will tell you to excavate 2-3 times the root ball diameter and amend the soil with top soil and peat moss. This is a big mistake! When you do this in a heavy clay soil you create a large “bathtub”, which can fill up with water in a heavy rain and drown your trees and shrubs. Digging a hole just large enough to hold the root ball reduces the amount of water around the plant.

Planting a little or a lot high to grade, depending on how wet the soil is, can be a good defense strategy. Just use a well-draining topsoil to feather out from the top of the ball to the top of the surrounding soil.

This columnar oak was planted at a correct depth in a raised bed. See below for a closer view.

One of the biggest mistakes I see is planting trees above grade on the top of a berm. Trees subjected to this treatment will almost surely die! Any rain (other than an all-day soaker), runs right off the berm. In this case create a shallow basin and plant below grade to capture those quarter to half inch mini rains.

Alliums – your secret weapon for all season color

It’s always hard for me to think "fall bulbs" in August. It’s 90 degrees and our perennial lot is in full bloom. The thought of bulbs pushing through the cold, wet landscape of spring is exciting, however that payoff is so long off! Hmmm, so how to wrap my mind around summer blooms, fall plantings, and springtime? I came up with a “genius” idea. Alliums! Bulb Alliums, perennial Alliums. One family blending together for a full season of color, texture, and beauty.

So here’s the plan. Starting with our “Early Order Fall Bulb Program”, choose your Alliums.

Allium 'Purple Sensation' is deep violet, 'Azureum' is blue. Both range in height from 24”-36”.

The large 'Gigantium' and 'Globemaster' are both deep purple with a height of at least 3’ and 5”-8” flowers. All four are pest resistant and bloom May-June.

Then the perennial Alliums. As those showy blooms from the fall-planted Alliums die off, the summer Alliums take charge. Allium 'Summer Beauty' blooms mid-June-July with 1 1/2” lavender flowers and shiny dark green foliage. The rosy-purple 'Millennium' kicks in July-August with an average height of 15”-18”. August and September follows up with 'Blue Eddy', which has lavender-pink flowers, it is the shortest with a height of less than a foot. Although Alliums prefer full sun they will take light shade, and they are pest and deer resistant.

There are hundreds of varieties of Alliums. I have showcased seven, ranging from deep purple to lavender to blue. All in different heights and textures. For a soft palette you can add light yellows, pinks, and whites and for a strong, vivid, more contrasting look, choose reds and brighter yellows. But whatever your color choices you can’t go wrong with a plan that lasts all season.

Don’t forget your Bulb Tone! This is a great fertilizer to include when planting any bulb. For details on our Early Order Bulb program, click on the graphic above!

New landscape plants to try

Our industry introduces new plants every year, and it's hard to keep up with them. Here are a few recent cultivars that you may want to check out for your next landscape project.

First is the Proven Winners Aronia Low Scape® Mound chokeberry. Aronia has been receiving a lot of interest lately as it is a native plant, and this one is nice because it only gets to about 24" and grows in a neat mound. Its white flowers bloom in late spring, and it also gives you a beautiful fall color. This plant is also quite deer resistant.

Second is the Golden Pacific™ juniper. This evergreen gives a bright burst of yellow throughout the year.

The texture is different from most junipers, being bold yet low-growing. It's a great plant to use for color without relying on flowering plants, and a nice change of pace from typical green ground cover.

There is also a blue-green variety called 'Blue Pacific'. Both are shore junipers, which are relatively salt tolerant, making either a candidate for planting near sidewalks and driveways.

Third is the Physocarpus Tiny Wine®. This is another Proven Winner, smaller than other varieties of ninebark commonly available. It grows to a height and width of just 3 to 4 feet. It blooms with tiny pink flowers in the spring, and keeps a nice fine-textured maroon foliage all season long.

The last recommendation I have is Physocarpus Lemon Candy™. This plant has outstanding foliage that starts out bright yellow and matures to yellow-green. It does not scorch in full sun, looking good all season. It grows to about 30" tall and makes an excellent color accent among the standard greens and purples of the common landscape.

The ninebarks are an up-and-coming group of landscape plants. They are tough yet good-looking and adaptible to many sites.

Take a look at these plants and I think you'll find they have a place in your landscape designs.

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Archive

1. Thin-barked Trees

2. Harvest Time

3. Coarse Roots