Trees – Sticks & Stones

Fall at the Nursery

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.

Why do plants turn so much earlier at the nursery than those “in the wild”? It’s because they are not properly planted. Without the resources from the ground, plants must begin conserving energy sooner to prepare for winter.

Autumn is a time when the plants are adjusting to cooler weather. Many perennials and shrubs are starting to enter their dormant stage for winter. As we get deeper into fall, material such as grass and perennials is cut back. We promise, there is a plant in that pot of dirt labeled “Hosta”.

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!

Mixed Load Deliveries

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.

Our shipping team makes sure plants stay protected, hardscape stays tight, and moisture-sensitive products are packed where they’ll stay dry.

Pictured here is the flatbed trailer. Once the material is safely loaded, the Shipping Department carefully tarps before leaving the yard.

Christensen's Shipping Department has several types of trailers, perfect for mixed loads.

Pictured here is the Conestoga, along with "Driver Dave", loading a box of drain supplies.

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.

Designing with Natives

White Pine, Iris versicolor, Prairie Dropseed, and American Beech in Southern Lower Michigan

When designing landscapes in Southern Lower Michigan (West Central/East Central/Southwest/Southeast), native plants offer unmatched ecological benefits and timeless beauty. Four species in particular—White Pine, Iris versicolor, Prairie Dropseed, and American Beech—stand out for their versatility, habitat value, and ability to root designs firmly in place. Each of these plants is native to the region, making them both resilient and ecologically significant.

The Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus), Michigan’s state tree, is a towering symbol of strength and heritage. Historically, it was prized for lumber, shaping much of the state’s economic development. In landscapes, its tall, soft-needled form provides year-round structure and shade. White Pines are excellent for screening, windbreaks, or as specimen trees in large open areas. Their adaptability to sandy soil and cool Michigan winters makes them a low-maintenance choice for long-term plantings.

Thriving along wetlands, pond edges, and moist soils, the Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor) is a native perennial with vibrant purple-blue blooms in late spring to early summer. Beyond its beauty, it provides nectar for native pollinators and functions as a natural water filter, stabilizing soil along shorelines. For designed landscapes, Iris versicolor adds color and seasonal interest, particularly in rain gardens or bioswales where water management is key.

The fine-textured, clumping grass of Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepsis) is one of the most graceful prairie species native to Southern Michigan. Its fountain-like foliage turns golden in fall, releasing a subtle, coriander-like fragrance as seeds mature. Prairie Dropseed is ideal for mass plantings, borders, and sustainable lawn alternatives. Deep root systems make it drought-tolerant and excellent for soil stabilization. Additionally, its seeds feed small birds, while its foliage provides shelter for insects and ground-nesting wildlife.

The American Beech (Fagus grandiflora) adds an elegant, long-lived presence to woodlands and landscapes. Known for its smooth, gray bark and glossy, serrated leaves that turn golden-bronze in fall, it provides year-round interest. In natural ecosystems, Beech nuts are an important food source for birds, squirrels, and other wildlife. While it thrives in rich, well-drained soil, it is slower growing, making it best suited for parks, large gardens, or naturalized woodland plantings.

Why Do Natives Matter?

These four species together represent the ecological and aesthetic diversity of Southern Lower Michigan. From the towering canopy of White Pine and Beech to the ground-level beauty of Iris and Prairie Dropseed, they illustrate how layered plantings create resilient, dynamic landscapes. Using native plants supports pollinators, improves soil health, conserves water, and connects landscapes to Michigan’s natural heritage.

For landscapers and homeowners alike, designing with natives like these ensures that plantings not only look beautiful, but also function as part of a larger, living system. By choosing White Pine, Iris versicolor, Prairie Dropseed, or American Beech, we help preserve the unique ecological identity of Southern Lower Michigan—one thoughtful planting at a time.

Information for this article was obtained from the following website: www.canr.msu.edu/nativeplants/plant_facts/local_info/south_lower_peninsula

New(ish) Trees at Christensen’s

Every year, there are new-to-us tree varieties that show up at Christensen’s. I wanted to take a moment and tell you about three that have shown up in the past year or so.

First, we have two new varieties of Redbud: ‘Flame Thrower’® and ‘Black Pearl’™.

Cercis_FlameThrower_Landscape_039_courtesyStarRoses

‘Flame Thrower’® Redbud has some very unique foliage and color. In the spring, when it starts to leaf out, the leaves are a burgundy red color. During the season, the leaves will start to change to copper, orange, and yellow and finally finish off a bright green, creating the appearance of a multi-colored tree all year long. Along with the beautiful foliage, Flame Throwers will have the nice, purple, spring flowers redbuds are known for. The full-grown height and shape of the tree is 15’ to 20’ tall and wide.

In the spring, when leaves appear on the ‘Black Pearl’™ Redbud they are a dark, glossy, purple, making them appear almost black, hence the name Black Pearl. They also have nice, lavender-pink flowers in the spring. This tree grows a little bigger than the ‘Flame Thrower’, maturing at around 15’-20’ tall and 20’-25’ wide.

The last tree to highlight is the First Editions® ‘Gladiator’™ Crabapple. This is one of those trees that has been around since the mid-2000s but is new to Christensen’s. The ‘Gladiator’ is a narrow, oval-shaped crab (as you can see from the yard picture), with a mature height of 20’ and a width of 10’. Foliage is a bronze purple with bright, pink flowers in the spring. Since we're closer to fall than spring, we've included a sample of the pinks you'll see from the flowers. The 3/8” fruit is a reddish purple. The known benefits of the ‘Gladiator’ are listed as being excellent against scab, fire blight, cedar apple rust, and mildew.

I hope that I have helped broaden your knowledge of a few new(ish) trees available from Christensen’s for use in your next project.

The Underappreciated Beauty of Yellowwood

In the world of landscape design, familiar favorites like maple, oak, and elm often dominate shade tree selections. However, one elegant native species remains consistently underused despite offering exceptional aesthetics, seasonal interest, and versatility: the yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea). For landscape professionals seeking to diversify their plant palettes, while adding beauty and function, the yellowwood deserves a second look.

Yellowwood is a medium-sized deciduous tree, native to the southeastern United States, yet hardy in zones 4 to 8. It typically reaches 30 to 50 feet in height with a rounded crown that provides graceful, dappled shade. The name “yellowwood” comes from the tree’s inner heartwood, which is a rich yellow color, visible when the wood is cut.

Despite its many benefits, yellowwood remains curiously underutilized in both residential and commercial landscapes. This may be due to its relatively slow growth when young, or alack of awareness among nurseries and clients. Yet for landscapers willing to look beyond the usual suspects, yellowwood offers unique traits that can elevate any planting design.

Perhaps the most show-stopping feature of yellowwood is its late spring to early summer bloom. Every few years (typically every 2–3), mature trees produce breathtaking panicles of fragrant, wisteria-like white flowers that cascade up to 12–15 inches in length. The floral display rivals that of many ornamental trees, making yellowwood a seasonal focal point when in bloom.

While not guaranteed to flower heavily every year, the rarity and abundance of its blossoms when they do appear add a delightful element of surprise—perfect for clients who appreciate plants with character and a story.

Yellowwood offers multiple design and ecological benefits that make it an ideal candidate for a variety of landscape settings:

Shade Tree Excellence: With a broad, rounded canopy and dense foliage, yellowwood provides excellent shade without the excessive size or messiness of some larger species. It’s ideal for patios, sidewalks, or lawn settings.
Low Maintenance: Once established, yellowwood is relatively pest-resistant, drought-tolerant, and requires minimal pruning. It maintains a tidy form and has attractive smooth, gray bark that adds winter interest.
Urban Friendly: Its non-aggressive root system and moderate size make it a good choice for urban or suburban environments, including street tree applications and compact yards.
Pollinator Friendly: Its flowers are attractive to bees and other pollinators, supporting local biodiversity.

Yellowwood performs best in full sun with well-drained soil and benefits from some protection from strong winds due to its softer wood. It has a naturally vase-like to rounded form and can develop a strong central leader if pruned properly when young.

Because flowering can be infrequent, it’s wise to combine yellowwood with consistent bloomers or use it where its graceful form and fine-textured foliage can be appreciated regardless of bloom status.

The yellowwood tree remains one of the most underutilized gems in American landscapes. For landscapers looking to deliver both beauty and function with a native species, Cladrastis kentukea offers a unique blend of elegance, seasonal drama, and practical utility. Whether used as a focal point or integrated into a broader shade canopy, yellowwood can bring both character and cooling relief to your next landscape design.

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