When I first started here at Christensen’s 14 years ago, we did a TON of our own production. We planted perennials, roses, and even hydrangeas. This huge potting schedule came with a part-time potting crew and lots of maintenance. As the years went on, and staff totals changed, so did our production load. Now we still plant perennials in spring and complete some up-canning (moving plants to bigger pots) around the nursery throughout the season.

One production item that has stayed consistent from my first season until this one is the fall potting of herbaceous peony (Paeonia). Every September, we receive bare root peony that's potted for the following summer.

We pot peony in-house for a variety of reasons. First, we do a great job! (in my humble opinion) We get high quality, 3-5 eye bare root varieties, in colors ranging from red, purple and white. They are potted in September, providing them a little heat to root out a bit before going to sleep. 

The peonies are kept outside all winter, arranged pot-to-pot under a blanket and a piece of poly. In the spring, the peonies are the first plants to be cut open and spaced. This cycle, and keeping them outside, allows them to wake up as they naturally would in a Michigan spring. If over-wintered in a house, the heat would push them too early, making them weak and fragile. Come summer, we end up with a full, budded peony!

                                                      Peonies waking up

Another key reason to pot them ourselves is to keep the cost down for you, our customers. A finished peony on the open market costs a pretty penny. Potting them ourselves keeps the costs reasonable for us, and in turn for you!!

Christensen’s Peony Program is just another way we are working to give you the best product, at the most reasonable price! We hope that you enjoy our labor of love each and every spring/summer! Check out our peony availability come summer! If you are looking for a special variety, please check with your salesperson.

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).

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.

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.

I often miss the days when I worked on the perennial lot. My days were filled with pruning shears, watering hoses, and spiders.

Now that I have moved inside to Purchasing, I wish my toolkit included a crystal ball. With annual changes in trends and urban development, maintaining the correct levels of perennial stock can be a challenge. Each year, there seems to be a plant that I just cannot keep in stock. This season, it was Allium Millenium. Those large purple blooms were a HIT! But will they be “all the rage” next year?? Hard to say without that crystal ball.

Even with fall fast approaching, the goal is to have the perennial lot stocked with exactly what you need. That will include plenty of Allium Millenium, and all your other favorites. Fall stocking levels often dip slightly, but it is important that Christensen’s meets the needs of customers. If there is something specific you are looking for, please contact your salesperson and we will try to source it for you.

Spring may be months away, but this time of year, Christensen’s buyers are already looking ahead. Will it be a busy spring? How soon will I be able to bring in fresh material? Will it be a cold spring with lots of frost? Without that crystal ball, the best I can do is rely on past knowledge, make the best educated decision I can, which often becomes a mental coin toss. To ensure Christensen’s has what our customers need in the spring, the last loads in the fall are immediately put away into a house for safe keeping. That way, your spring needs are met before we even close the doors for the season.

Whether it is trying to fill fall needs or having the perfect number of Karl Foerster’s available for spring, my number one goal is to have spectacular perennials and grasses in the quantities you are looking for. Please communicate with your salesperson if you are looking for a large quantity, or something specific, and we will always do our best to make it happen! Happy Fall!

Who can be thinking about fall when temps remain in the 70s and 80s?  

Even with summer weather hanging on, there are plenty of signs of fall at Christensen's. Trees in the field and some plants in the shrub blocks have been putting on a show recently, turning on their fall colors. Soon, they’ll be dropping their leaves, and we’ll be selling you structure. 

Even while existing inventory is preparing for fall, fresh products are still arriving. We are excited for fall trees to start arriving in a few more weeks! They should have leaves when they arrive. We expect to ship:

• Amelanchier (service berry)
• Most Malus
• Linden (Little Leaf)
• Ginkgos
• Pear
• Maples such as Crimson King, Crimson Sunset and Autumn Blaze

Wishing you all a Happy Fall season!

Smarter Deliveries, Smoother Jobs

In landscaping, timing and coordination are everything. One late pallet can throw off your crew and cost you money. That’s why Christensen’s Plant and Hardscape Centers stocks plants, hardscape, drainage, and lighting—and can deliver them together!

Mixed loads save headaches:

• One ETA, one invoice, one vendor
• Less downtime waiting on material
• Allows more time for plant placement, leading to “upsell” opportunities.

Tips to help deliveries, and your jobsites, run smoothly

• Store plants in a water-accessible area, with shade if possible.
• Store adhesives and polymeric sand in a dry area, such as inside a truck or trailer.
• Stage materials in the order your crew will install them, moving items as few times as possible.

Your partner in sourcing premium materials

When a contractor designs projects mindful of the materials stocked at Christensen’s, it prevents delays and simplifies reorders. This, in turn, improves consistency and keeps projects moving. It also adds the potential of a single delivery.

At the end of the day, single-source purchasing isn’t just convenient, it’s strategic. Let Christensen’s Plant and Hardscape Centers manage the logistics, so your crew can focus on creating landscapes that impress.