We enjoy seeing our broadleaved evergreens survive year after year in spite of being punished by our long, cold, icy Michigan winters, don’t we? Did you notice that I didn’t say snowy? It seems like we haven’t had much snow in the past few years, doesn't it? Whether it’s Rhododendron, Azalea, or Pieris, that fresh pop of color is a welcome sight each spring. Then you have your Hollies, Boxwood, Mahonia and some of the Euonymus. Euonyminians? Euonymi?

But even finicky broadleaved evergreens can outgrow an area that they’ve called home for many years. Which brings us to the title of the article:

Can you transplant broadleaved evergreens?

Yes. But a little extra care is needed to safely move them to their new home.

• Do not transplant them in the heat of summer. Early spring and late summer into early fall is optimal for survival, when top growth slows but root growth is still active. Any nurseryman will tell you that transplanting broadleafs in the middle of July when it’s 90° plus for weeks is a death sentence. They may live, sure, but we will never recommend you doing it. Wait until late August – early September if at all possible.

• These plants have very shallow, fibrous root systems. When digging, focus more on the width versus the depth. You’ll still need some depth, believe me, but I would recommend going as wide as the plant itself, and then add some more. Easily an extra third of the plant. Get some burlap to help support the root ball while you are transferring it.

• After transplanting, apply Ferti-lome Root Stimulator and Plant Starter Solution. This product can reduce transplant shock and is safer to use than conventional fertilizers. You may also use a slow release fertilizer such as the organic Tone series (Plant Tone, Flower Tone, or Holly Tone) to help the healing process. You do not want to use any strong quick-release fertilizers at this time.

• Water, water, WATER! Water daily for at least two weeks, and please, for longer than one minute. Hit the foliage (not in the heat of the day), and especially soak the ground. Remember, they have shallow roots, so this will be absorbed quickly. Using a quality bark mulch is also a good idea.

Remember to site your broadleaved evergreen plants where they will be protected from winter sun such as the north or east side of a building or under a canopy of trees. Smaller-leaved specimens like boxwood are more forgiving when it comes to winter burn but know that it is a possibility in some situations.

We’re not talking about something not agreeing with you. We’re asking can plants pass on disease to humans?

Humans have a number of viruses in common with plants and animals. Three such families exist: the Bunyaviruses carried by insects (like mosquitoes, ticks and sandfly) causing the diseases Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever and Rift Valley Fever and rodents causing Hantavirus infections; the Rhabdovirus better known as rabies causing encephalitis; the Reoviruses which causes gastrointestinal and respiratory disease primarily in infants and young children.

Many of us have experienced dermatitis from poison ivy and other plants. People often misidentify plants and become sickened or even poisoned after ingesting. A fairly common disease throughout the world is Sporotrichosis caused by the fungus Sporothrix. This fungus exists in soils, plant debris, sphagnum moss, hay, and on rose thorns. It usually enters the body through small cuts or punctures from rose thorns ( sometime called the rose-gardener’s disease). It can manifest as small bumps or blisters at entry site, more seriously if breathed in it can cause a type of pneumonia, and if entry wound is near a lymph node it can become disseminated throughout the entire body.

Another common and opportunistic pathogen is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It’s what causes soft rot in plants, fruits, and vegetables. It is especially dangerous for people with immunity deficiencies causing pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and oral infections. And, similar to the staph that causes MRSA it is antibiotic resistant. Much of what has been mentioned results in disease caused by the myotoxins produced by the bacterium.

More recently in France people have been showing symptoms of fever, aches, and pruritus (a systemic itching usually caused by a disease) after eating peppers with mild mottle virus (PMMoV). Viable virus has been found in salsas, powdered spices, and in the samples of hundreds of people. Viable tobacco mosaic virus has been found in the mucus and thoracic fluids of smokers.

In India tospoviruses causing tomato spotted wilt and groundnut bud necrosis are passed on by insects, thrips, and humans. Live virus is found in ripe tomatoes only to be eaten and passed on through ground and water. Begovirus which causes the tomato yellow leaf curl virus affects tomato production worldwide and, in turn, affects the insects that carry it by shortening their lifespan and their ability to reproduce.

So as you can see, plant diseases have many paths to make humans sick - but none of the pathogens has, of yet, crossed the line of entering the human cell. Plant diseases for now have no direct route as a human pathogen.

I love comedy, especially old fashioned slapstick like Charlie Chaplin, the Three Stooges, and Laurel and Hardy. Fun and silly, light hearted and easy to watch. Watching a character step on a rake that hits him in the head only to back up into another rake that also beans him. Then there’s the guy with the super long pipe swinging it near another guy on a step ladder and you just know what is going to happen next. The timing and choreography it takes to pull off these stunts is a thing of beauty.

But in all seriousness, safety is no laughing matter. It can be hard to plan and implement. It’s usually the first thing to go when you’re in a hurry, and the last thing you want to explain to the boss and doctor when you wind up injured. Nothing ruins a nice summer weekend like a broken anything! I am not here to preach of the importance of safety, everyone knows it. But I would like to share some things that I have learned from other contractors and owners that can help you in your work day.

Knives, we all have them. Mine is as dull as a brick, while the nursery guys across the street could perform surgery with theirs. How many times have we been in a hurry, distracted or lulled by repetitive motion until whoops! Instead, use a multipurpose snip (Fiskars makes a nice one). They can cut almost anything, very hard to slice a leg or arm with, and easier to use for long periods of time. Fatigue can definitely cut you down.

Garbage, it's unsightly and a nuisance. It’s also a byproduct of the process. I have a contractor that has about a dozen 5 gallon buckets throughout the jobsite. He likes bright orange ones that are highly visible. Great for empty water bottles, pulled weeds and other miscellaneous construction materials, and easy to load out at the end of the day.

Speaking of tools, there is a company that paints all of their tools bright orange! No mistaking whose shovel that is or where that shovel is. Hammers, rakes, knee pads, I mean everything! How much time would be saved if you never have to search for, wait where was I going with this?

Ah - the right tool for the right job. Can’t find my hammer, but I can pound this 10” long spike with my shovel. That always works out great. After they’re done for the day, the foreman of one particular company checks the trucks to ensure all the necessary equipment is there. This ensures accountability of the company’s property and readiness for tomorrow’s endeavor.

Good communication is huge when it comes to safety. Make sure that everyone knows what is going on. Take the time to talk to not just your employees, but to your customer and your customer’s neighbors. I know a guy who talks to anybody within hearing range, especially if they have children. People are curious, and they are not always very smart about feeding that curiosity, especially kids and animals. Another company sends out a flier, and has had great success with new leads from this.

Like the Granger commercials say, “It’s always safety season”. Let’s leave the slapstick to the pros.

As the cooling weather encourages me to change over from iced tea in the afternoon to hot tea in the morning and the blazing summer sun relaxes into a lower place in the sky, our landscape is changing too. Don't think that just because summer is over the yard must be dull and boring. In Michigan we are blessed with four seasons, each of them delightfully distinct.

When planning a landscape I love to focus on a few plants for each season so there is something to look at every month of the year. In the spring, trees are flowering and bulbs are popping up. Summer brings on bolder, more vibrant colors from blooming perennials, contrasted by thick, dark green leaves. From late summer into autumn there is an interesting transition period where some of the summer perennials are still showing off, whilst the cooler weather plants begin to display their offerings, like bright fruit and glowing fall foliage. Finally, the days become shorter and our warming sun cannot keep up with Old Man Winter. Branches turn bare, perennials retreat underground, and evergreens take prominence.

Use forethought when designing the landscape. Plant diversely and consider what each of our splendid seasons has to offer and how your plant choices will display during each. Hiding in plain sight during warmer months are the showstoppers of colder months. Leafy bushes shape the structural backdrop, whilst other plants offer contrasting foliage to your summer flowering showcase. In the fall, these ignored plants begin to get some attention. You may hardly notice a crabapple after it’s week of spring flowers, but then in the fall it begins to display shiny red apples. A juniper can get lost in the scene until it’s steel blue needle tips poke through the windblown leaves and snow.

When those first chilly end-of-summer mornings surprise you, look around and you’ll notice the Great Lakes native Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum) standing tall. Another striking perennial is Helenium, with it’s daisy-like flowers in deep oranges and reds, blooming late summer into early fall. 

Ninebark is a fantastic three-season shrub that offers spring and summer foliage interest, late summer flowers, and has cool weather hangtime with colorful seed capsules and handsome, peeling bark. Consider Diabolo® for it’s stunning dark foliage, or Summer Wine® for a more compact version.

When snow has covered the ground, don’t fret! There are plenty of plants in our landscape to keep the winter doldrums away. The red chokeberry, for example, is a great choice for those lower damp corners that you don’t know what to do with. Aronia arbutifolia  ‘Brilliantissima’ should make your shortlist as it offers something in every season. White flowers, red fall color, glossy red berries, with dark woody twigs for the snow to settle on. Remember the clumping grasses you planted in the spring? What about the hydrangea you added soil amendments to? Standing clumps of dormant brown grasses and sturdy dried flower heads can present an engaging contrast to the white winter snow that sits atop of them.

Another aspect of our Michigan winters is the colorful population of birds. Wherever there are berries and seeds you will also find birds. Picture a tufted titmouse in a crabapple, hopping from branch to branch. For persistent fruit, Malus ‘Adams’ is still a popular choice. For a darker, almost red flower check out ‘Prairiefire’ and Royal Raindrops­®.

Color in the garden is important, but don’t forget texture. Seven-Son Flower (Heptacodium miconioides) is a plant that I recently noticed while meeting with a customer on their jobsite. It’s a small tree (or large shrub) with white flowers in late summer or early fall immediately followed by showy, red-pink calyces, and a peeling brown bark that reveals lighter tan beneath for winter interest. This is one of those plants that few people know about and they can be hard to find. We get a few in now and then and can also special order for you, so please inquire.

In my time off from Christensen’s I love going to different zoos and gardens to shoot photos. I’ve been into photography for about 35 years and now my oldest daughter is into it as well. I’m a self-taught photographer and became more interested in photography when a Lowland Silverback Gorilla threw a clump of grass at me that came within inches of my head. I wish I had been able to capture that shot!

 I shoot with a Canon EOS 800D and a Tamron 18-400mm zoom lens, and this kit gives me a lot of flexibility for shooting both landscapes and wildlife.

My favorite place to go is the Detroit Zoo. Within the past two years the zoo has opened two new exhibits that feature plant material from Christensen’s Plant Center. The new exhibits are the Holtzman Wildlife Foundation Red Panda Forest and the Devereaux Tiger Forest.

Christensen’s has supplied massive amounts of plant material over the past two years for the new exhibits. The red panda exhibit has a suspended bridge over two display areas that are fully landscaped. The pathway to the end of the tiger exhibit is spectacular, it goes on forever it seems, featuring trees, shrubs, perennials and ornamental grasses. The tiger area has tripled in size from the old display area and the tigers really seem to enjoy their new habitat.

In addition, over the past five years we have supplied plants for the river otter and giraffe exhibits, and many of the display berms and gardens throughout the entire zoo. Next time you are visiting the Detroit Zoo, look at the plant displays as well as the animal habitats, you might get some great inspiration for your landscaping designs. We know where you can get the plants!

Who's ready for a for a sneak peak of 2020? I have been very busy getting ready for next year, and I thought this was a perfect time to spill some of my excitement over to you. As the nursery industry moves forward, we here at Christensen’s want to move forward as well. So allow me to introduce you to some of the new stuff out there, as well as maybe a few older items that will be new to us.

(In no particular order)

Physocarpus Summer Wine® Black: Ho-Hum... just another dark leafed Nine-Bark. Nope! These guys clearly stand out and make a mark. The foliage is so much darker and slightly shiny. They stood out across 3 large nursery blocks of plants!

Thuja occidentalis Tater Tot®: The name alone makes it a must-have! I really like the look of this one. Although a dwarf (reaching 1-2’ tall) it is considered a faster grower than a 'Hetz Midget' or 'Danica'.

Pinus Mugo var. Mugo ‘Slowmound’ and ‘Enci’: Although not new to the world these will be new to us. ‘Slowmound’ will eventually reach 4’ tall, but it will take 20-40 years to do so. The ‘Enci’ (which has a normal mugo growth rate) will only reach 2-3’ tall. (As a comparison, a “Mugo” will reach about 20’ tall and P. m. ‘Pumilo will reach 5’ tall)

Sedum takesimense ‘Atlantis’: This one is getting awards from all over – so I had to sneak in what few I could this fall for some division work. I honestly don’t think there are any left as I think the employees around here now have them in their own gardens! I am on the hunt for more! It is a medium sized (6-10” tall) Sedum with incredible serrated cream variegated leaves tinged slightly pink. I am guessing it flowers but who cares.

New Ilex verticillata? Really?? Yep! I am sorry to all the ‘Red Sprite’ aficionados but I have found a new love affair. Ilex verticillata Berry Heavy®. It is a fall and winter showstopper! Huge masses of red berries are spectacular. Also new is Ilex v. Little Goblin® Red: It has extra-large reddish orange berries on a dwarf 3-5’ tall plant. (Both can be pollinated by ‘Jim Dandy’.)

Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’: Another WOW! This Bluestem emerges deep green to dark purple in the late spring. As the summer progresses the grass gets darker and darker, finally ending up nearly black by fall. At about 5’ tall and very upright this grass looks best en masse. PS Did I tell you that it also has awesome red-purple flowers to sway in the breeze?

I am saving the rest for next year’s surprise!

One of the biggest hurdles for planting in the urban environment is soil compaction. Heavy equipment used during the building process, or for mowing and landscaping, can cause the soil to become so compacted as to not allow roots to spread, not allow water to be absorbed or drain away, deprive the plant of oxygen in the root zone, and subsequently not allow nutrient absorption. Even foot traffic causes significant compaction. Some of the largest trees in the world have been killed by the foot traffic of people coming to see the tree, and steps have to be taken to protect them. When your dog runs the same path over and over the grass doesn’t grow due to compaction, and even animals as small as squirrels and chipmunks can make tiny trails where plants don’t grow.

One of the best methods of addressing soil compaction is a process called vertical mulching. It’s a form of aerating similar to the plugs pulled out by lawn aerating, just on a bigger scale. It’s done by drilling holes, ideally with a two inch diameter auger (something heavy duty) in a grid pattern with the holes 2 feet apart and up to two feet deep. Obviously call Miss Dig to locate utilities (248-370-6400 or 800-482-7171), and be prepared to do some irrigation repairs if necessary.

This is how it helps. Immediately it allows oxygen, water, and added nutrients access to the plants root zone. This is just the beginning of a long lasting process. In the winter, water freezes in the holes and expands causing the soil to fracture. These fractures in turn fill with water, freeze, expand, and cause further fracturing. The more this happens, the more oxygen and water are available in the root zone. The longer the holes can be kept open, the longer the process will go on. They can be kept open by adding aggregate or using soil aeration tubes (see photo). The tubes may not be cost effective for large areas, but they are better than aggregate as they leave the hole completely open to allow more water and air to reach the root zone. Also, they are capped against debris filling them up and can be uncapped to add nutrients. Eventually roots will render them useless, but by then they will have done their job.

As far as drilling the holes, you can do it manually using the biggest electric drill you can find. I rented one once that had two handles like a jackhammer with the trigger in one of the handles. A posthole digger on a tractor or other piece of equipment would work well for large areas.

For lawn aeration, pulling plugs is an excellent option for lawn health (note: this should be done when the ground is moist so the plug can be cleanly removed), but for landscape beds vertical mulching is the best method to properly aerate, and if done manually can be done in established beds. Using this method you can overcome the hurdle of soil compaction and your plants will thank you for it by growing big and beautiful.

I still remember planting my first serviceberry with my dad a long time ago – actually, a very long time ago. What struck me most were the many names for the same plant – Amelanchier canandensis, Shadblow, Juneberry, Serviceberry. Somewhat unusual at that time, little did I realize what a high-demand plant it would become. Therein lies the problem. It seems no matter how many are brought in every year we quickly run out. Landscape contractors, designers, and architects ignore so many other great similar-usage plants. Even when repeatedly told we are out till fall dig season, the requests keep coming. There are many good substitutes. In fact, there are many plants that would be better first choices!

Even more shade tolerant than Amelanchier are witchhazels. Larger, fall-blooming, native Hamamelis virginiana could match serviceberry with respect to growth rate and size. H. vernalis and the many crosses of H. mollis and chinensis (i.e.’ Diana, Jelena, Arnold Promise,’ et al.) are slower-growing but offer patio shade and a much greater color range. Native multi-stemmed dogwoods (Cornus florida and fl. ‘Rubra’) give a layered look; same usage but different than the arched or cascading habit of A. canadensis.

Also, a terribly-ignored, rugged, and problem-free group of plants are the Wrinkled Viburnums. In particular, Viburnum rhytidophyllum, Leatherleaf, and V. x rhytidophylloides ‘Willowwood’ are monsters. Achieving height and spread toward fifteen feet, they have an arching habit and are semi-evergreen. These offer spring flower, fruit, fall color, (and winter foliage interest).

A perfect match for Amelanchier ‘Rainbow Pillar’ is Cornus mas ‘Golden Glory.’ This Male Dogwood is very hardy and an early bloomer not usually susceptible to freeze damage. It has exfoliating bark and edible fruit. Its structure provides great winter interest.

Another easy sub for Amelanchier is Viburnum prunifolium, native Blackhaw, large, global, and a great bird attractor. A shrub easily surpassing fifteen feet in height and spread.

So, yes, there is life after serviceberries. I can't promise you that these or any other plants are going to be in stock when you are looking for substitutions, so don't be afraid to consider other options. Let's enhance our landscapes in terms of variety and plant health!

Christensen’s Plant Center is very excited to welcome "Brutus" to our hard-working family. But first, let me tell you about some of our other family members.

Each one of these family members was selected to make getting your landscape material to you efficiently and professionally. There are: Betsey, Agnes, Orange Crush, Big Blue, The Twins, Red Brick, Gray Flat, Lola Ryder, and Thing 1 and Thing 2 - among others. Obviously some of us here like nicknames and in this case we have given nicknames to most of our delivery equipment.

We have three box trailers that each have drop decks and large side doors to make unloading much easier. We have five flatbed trailers designed to haul large loads of trees, shrubs and other nursery stock. We have two more flats that are designed to haul brick, wall block and other hardscape materials while toting one of our two Moffett forklift machines that we use to unload hardscape product for you on your job site.

We currently have five semi-trucks ranging from Ol’ Betsey, the matriarch of our fleet, to the Twin Freightliners, to Agnes - our first heavy hauler - and finally, our newest member, Brutus.

Brutus is a real life Michigan Special. He's a 13 speed, 18K front axle with 44K rears. 575HP with turbos that whistle when idling. Brutus is set to haul the biggest of brick loads without breaking a sweat. He’s a prefect addition to our BIG truck family.

So no matter what landscape material you need or where you need it, we have a family member to get it to you.

As a welcome to the family celebration, if you tell your salesperson that “Brutus is a Brute” we will waive the delivery charge on your next delivery. This offer is limited to one per customer and only good until 11-29-2019.

Coming soon to our family... “Axle"... Stay tuned.

My youngest daughter loves to do arts and crafts. Her favorite part of the project has always been to add “bling” to whatever it may be. Her material of choice varies between glitter, jewels, bows and stickers. It’s just not complete until it sparkles and shines like something out of a Glamour magazine. She enhances just about everything, including my dog! She likes to add her personal touch, make it look better than what it was, and I say why not?

As hardscape and landscape designers, do you have a certain type of  “bling” that is specific to your projects?

I can't talk to you about all the different things you can do with plants, shrubs and ornamentals as I have very little experience in that department, although we do have over a dozen highly knowledgeable sales staff that do. What I can talk to you about is brick. With so many different sizes, colors, shapes and textures it’s not hard to find a way to enhance any size or type of project. However, there is so much more to work with than just the concrete product itself, so let me enlighten you.

Yes, that was a well-placed pun, but seriously, lights can make a HUGE difference in any hardscape or landscape project. You can bling out a wall, walkway or outdoor living space very easily with LED step lights and up lights. We have pillar cap lights and wall sconce lights, color changing bulbs and wireless control features. You could add more illumination with a natural gas or propane fire pit or fire bowl. We stock many types of Firegear products that will add some more sizzle so your pazizzle doesn’t fizzle. Speaking of fire, how about a pizza oven with a fireplace, already scratch-coated and ready to install into the brick or stone of your choice? Maybe that’s a bit too hot, so cool it down with a fountain or small waterfall kit. They are easy to maintain and easy to install, which makes them an easy sell.

With so many types of enhancements available, finding the right one should not be hard. Many of these upgrades can be added to existing projects and what better way to reach out to your previous customers then to show them new shiny “bling”. Show them that they can sit outside by a fire, change their lights to match their college team’s colors and wait for a pizza to finish cooking all while listening to the big game.