Sticks & Stones – Page 10 – News & Views from Christensen's Plant Center

New Ways to Light Up Your World

Alliance Outdoor Lighting Bollard BL100

By now, you probably know that we have a landscape lighting division here at Christensen’s. We currently stock 2 product lines (Sollos and Alliance) on our shelves at the Hardscape Center, and we have a very good selection of materials available. Now with that being said, it is VERY difficult to stock every single fixture in every single size that is produced, let alone with the multiple color options available. Getting into LED lamps is an entirely different animal. With LEDs, there are multiple beam spreads, color temperatures, and bases. While Sollos and Alliance are bipin based, we do stock a few wedge base lamps if you have to swap them out from another product line. We try to save you some time instead of bouncing all over town!

There are a few new fixtures on the market, but we are not currently stocking them quite yet.  They are readily available by special order.

Alliance Outdoor Lighting Bollard BL100

Alliance Bollard100-LED. Dominating in its appearance, this fixture is outstanding for commercial settings or for areas where a standard path fixture with a ground stake may not be sufficient. Standing at an impressive 36” tall when completely assembled, The Bollard100-LED makes an impressive statement when installed correctly. Watch the video above from Alliance for their recommended installation process.

Alliance PL300-BT

Alliance PL300-BT Contemporary BlueTooth Path Fixture. Alliance’s newest color-changing fixture was released late in 2021. 90-degree, straight-edged top which distributes light at 120-degree beam spread. An excellent, modern design to compliment Alliance’s BT product line.

Sollos ColorSplash Lamps and Ledge Lights. Sollos has launched a BlueTooth color change series that will retro fit new and existing bipin MR-16 lamps and PAR36 fixtures.  In addition to the lamps, they have also added a new 6” ledge light to their lineup for hardscape installations.

Sollos Bluetooth Lighting Options

Seems like there are always new fixture designs on the horizon, so be sure to check with us often for the latest updates!

David Reutter

Maintain the Chillin’ and Grillin’

Lemonade in a mason jar on yellow background

Barbecue chicken and ice-cold lemonade, cold beers and brats, chilled watermelon and grilled hamburgers. That was a small part of my menu for the fourth of July weekend. I most definitely took advantage of some choice weather and time off to relax and recharge. My outdoor toys and appliances however, had no rest. They had 8+ children and friends to keep refreshed, full and entertained. The hose had a good workout, too!

 

Kids in a Sprinkler

But after the cooking and entertainment have concluded, the cleaning must begin. And unlike cleaning the kids, I would not recommend using the hose to undertake this process. Here are some maintenance and cleaning tips to help keep your outdoor appliances looking new and clean. 

Grill brush

Grills Are Not Self-Cleaning

It’s easy to fall into the habit of just giving your grill grates a quick swipe with a wire brush before you toss on those steaks. While you won’t directly harm your grill by doing that, it is important to check its other components, specifically burners, valves, and hoses. If you have a gas grill, don’t ignore the burners. Use a stiff brush periodically to clear grease and gunk away from them, and as you cook, pay attention to the color of the flame. A healthy flame on a gas grill should be blue with a yellow tip—if your flames are all yellow, turn off the grill and disconnect the fuel tank so that you can check the fuel valve pressure. Lastly, look at any hoses, such as fuel lines, on the grill. Even if your outdoor kitchen isn’t directly exposed to the elements, it is still affected by temperature changes. Depending on the material, grill hoses can contract and expand in response to changing seasons, so give them a brief inspection to see if any of them have cracked or split and need to be replaced. 

Brussel sprouts in a cast iron skillet

Don’t Go Nuts Cleaning Outdoor Appliances 

Stainless steel appliances are extremely popular in outdoor kitchens, and for good reason. Not only does stainless steel look nice with the hardware typically used in outdoor spaces, but it is also resistant to rust and corrosion, making it ideal for outside use. Although stainless steel is a durable material, it isn’t indestructible. Don’t cut directly on a stainless-steel surface, only use a cutting board. Hot pots and pans as well as other metal, steel, or cast-iron items can cause staining and corrosion if they’re left on a stainless steel surface for too long, so find another resting place for them or use a heat resistant pad or cloth. A rinse with soapy water will be sufficient for cleaning a stainless steel surface, but make sure that you follow the grain of the metal and dry it completely. There’s no need to use chemical cleaners and stay away from steel wool pads; little bits of them can flake off and get imbedded in your stainless steel surface. While the actual surface won’t rust in that situation, the steel wool pieces will. 

Outdoor patio furniture

Protect Your Outdoor Furniture 

While it may not be the first thing to come to mind when you think of outdoor kitchens, furniture plays an important part in rounding out your backyard sanctuary. If possible, try to keep your outdoor kitchen furniture out of rain and extreme weather by bringing it indoors. If that is not an option, try looking for vinyl covers that don’t touch the floor, which allows moisture to escape. You can clean vinyl, mesh, and fabric components with a mild, all-purpose cleaner. Avoid harsh bleach or ammonia-based cleaners, they are not necessary and can do more harm than good. As with your countertops, try to catch and wipe up spills as soon as possible. 

Patio with Firepit

Don’t Forget About Your Floor 

The patio may receive the brunt of all the dirt, debris, and staining. Some of the more advanced pavers have a factory-applied sealer to help resist or even prevent stains from occurring. If you do not have one of these types of pavers, consider adding a sealer to the patio. If you are not a fan of sealers, there are many outdoor rugs and mats to help protect the unprotected areas. You can use a mild soap, warm water, and a stiff-bristled brush to help remove most stains; there are stronger and more specific cleaners if you have a stain that is proving to be a challenge. 

Beers in a fridge

Check Your Fridge 

Did you know that there are 2 different ratings for outdoor refrigerators? The better option is an actual “Outdoor Rated” refrigerator. It differs from the “Standard Outdoor” by having 304 stainless steel material, greater insulation, an advanced compressor, and better ventilation. This will help when the outdoor temps start to climb in the 90’s. Keep your fridge full, even if it is just water bottles. This will help the fridge work less and keep your items colder. 

Outdoor Kitchen by High Format

Your outdoor kitchen and fireplace area represents not only a financial investment, but also a commitment to time spent with family and friends. Taking a few minutes to maintain your outdoor kitchen, patio, and furniture will protect your investment and allow you to spend as much quality time as possible with your loved ones.  

Bryan Pajak

Are You Ready for a Revolution?

Boxwoods in a Row

A Boxwood Revolution! 

Have you heard about the two NewGen® boxwood that have come onto the market? 'Independence' and 'Freedom' came out recently and are a fresh breeze of improved genetics in the Buxus arena. They have a strong tolerance to boxwood blight and are resistant to leaf miner. Both are considered zone 5-8.

Leafminers and Boxwood Blight damage

NewGen Independence® 'SB 108’PP28888'
This is a medium-sized rounded shrub with very deep green foliage that will hold its color well throughout winter. Independence has a very strong branching structure that will hold up against most snow loads. It is considered a medium grower putting on 2-4” per year. Its final size in 25 years will reach 4.5’ x 4.5’. Thriving in sun, shade, or a mixture of both, this green beauty can go anywhere in the landscape

Buxus NewGen Freedom
Buxus NewGen Freedom

NewGen Freedom® 'SB 300’ PP32421'
This is also a medium-sized rounded shrub, although it is slightly taller than it is round. Freedom has very beautiful glossy green foliage. It will grow 3-6” a year and finish off at 5'x5’ in about 25 years. Versatile like Independence, it will grow in sun, shade, or a mixture of both.

With both of these being relatively new to the market finding any that are larger than a #3 is difficult. But with more time and a few more growing seasons, I am sure we will start seeing larger plants available. At this time, we do not stock any of these at Christensen’s Plant Center but can special order them for you. I am looking at bringing some in for next spring and just wanted to make you aware of these new beautiful boxwood that are coming soon.

Chris Nielson

           

Meet the Perennial Branch of Our Family Tree

Molly De La Rosa at Christensens

Christensen’s Plant Center has a wide range of departments. One of them being the Perennial Department. Known to most as “The Perennial Girls”, we are the group that receives, grows, and maintains the stunning perennials you see around the nursery. This includes the beautiful material on the Perennial Lot, roses, grasses, and more! I'd like to introduce you to the Perennial production department, and all that goes into ensuring you have the best possible perennials to meet your landscape needs.

Molly Checking the Perennials

Some of you may not know, but as well as bringing in perennials fully grown plants off trucks, some of the perennials you find around the nursery are produced right here on our property. Our “west” location has greenhouses that switch over from winter storage to perennial production as the weather breaks. Spring is our busiest time. We spend our weeks potting up as much as possible, so that come summer, we have plenty of dazzling product. We grow a wide range of perennials, grasses, and even some shrubs. This spring, we even potted up some Boxwood varieties with big hope for success!

Perennial Team Potting at Christensen's

Soil mixes (which have been trialed over time), pot sizes and types, and water needs are all things taken into consideration in the production department. Hemerocallis Stella, Hosta Patriot, Heuchera Palace Purple, and Nepeta Walkers Low are all production favorites. These staples are always growing in production as a backstock to ensure that we always have some on hand. With the inventory shortages industry wide, this back stock can also come in handy when large quantities are unexpectedly needed.

Sarag and Britt in the perennials

Aside from the staples, we also grow some specialty items such as Peony, Dianthus, and other “funky” varieties. These diverse items are some that we have trialed over time and have proven to do well with. Being able to provide what is needed as availabilities change, is a huge benefit to the Production team!

Perennial Girls Tagging at Christensen's

Perennial production is a flexible department, that can adjust to both industry and customer needs. We work hard to grow and maintain our perennials to ensure that we have a fabulous product year-round! Head over to the “Perennial Girls” for all your perennial questions and needs. 

Molly De La Rosa Author

Why Did The Turtle Cross The Road?

Snapping Turtle crossing the road

Is this a trick question? Not really. Every year, in mid to late spring, turtles start to move. The males are looking for partners and the females are looking for a good place to make a nest for their eggs. Unfortunately for a lot of them, this means crossing busy roads and a lot of them don’t make it. Sun-warmed pavement and sandy road edges combine to attract these tiny travelers so look sharp as you drive – what might look like a rock in the roadway ahead could well be a turtle trying to cross.

Blanding Turtle in the grass and clover

Blanding's Turtle

Michigan is home to about ten species of turtles, nine native and one introduced. The most common one is probably the pretty painted turtle, and most of us have seen a snapping turtle. We also have musk turtles, map turtles, spiny soft-shell turtles, spotted turtles, and the introduced red-eared slider. Three of our turtles are quite rare and if you’ve seen one, congratulations! They are the wood turtle, the Blanding’s turtle, and the Eastern box turtle.

Painted Turtle Nesting

Painted Turtle

My pond is home to a small colony of painted turtles and two summers ago there was a pretty big snapper, but I think she has moved on. I’ve found turtles in the yard trying to dig a nest for eggs a couple of times, but I have yet to find any baby turtles of any species. A shocking number of nests are dug up and the eggs are eaten by raccoons and other animals, often just days after being laid. A lot of animals eat baby turtles, too. It can take 20 years for a turtle to get old enough to breed so if I see one trying to cross a road you can bet I am going to pull over and try to help it.

Snapping Turtle Rescue on Gotfredson

If you do try to help a turtle cross a road, always carry it in the same direction it was heading, and set it as far off the road as you can, 10 or 15 yards if possible. Never lift a turtle by it’s tail, and don’t be tempted to move it to another location – they know where they live and can be killed trying to get back home.

Blandings Turtle crossing the yard

Blanding's Turtle

Locally to me is the University of Michigan Edwin S. George Reserve, a fenced 1300 acres where researchers are studying the endangered Blanding’s turtle. Because they have been able to tag individual animals, they have been able to age one particular female as 83 years old (in 2016). I have been lucky enough to have seen a Blanding’s come through my yard and it’s a thrill every time. Now if only I can find a box turtle someday I can die happy.

If you're looking for additional resources for turtle information, please check out the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Holly Christensen

Finding Deals at Christensen’s

Sale group sign and shrubs

We at Christensen’s Plant and Hardscape Center pride ourselves on quality. Our buyers (we call them 'investors') have built great relationships with our vendors to ensure they are looking out for us. We receive a TON of tree trucks in the spring and fall from many different states to fill our yard for the upcoming season. However, every once in a while, we may be sent something that is subpar and does not meet our expectations. If we can leave it on the truck to send back, we do so. Some of these trucks that come in are one-way trucks that are backhauling something else. Due to this reason, we are not able to send some things back and end up selling them at a heavily discounted price.

Discount Tree 2022

These are often still nice trees that might have a crooked trunk that can usually be straightened by staking or maybe a crooked leader that tends to fix itself as it matures. These trees are first come first serve and typically do not sit around long. Ask your customer service person about pricing details on these.

We try to rotate our material the best we can but sometimes some items may stick around a little longer due to new stock coming in and selling first. To ensure the highest quality for you and your customers, we will often mark these down to help make room for new product.

Discount Japanese Maple
Sticks & Stones Deals

Another great way to save you and your customer money is to take advantage of our Biweekly special. Every couple of weeks we run a new special with different items that are in season. You’ll see flyers when you stop into the Plant Center or right here in the Sticks & Stones e-mail.

Sale brick pavers

If you’re looking for deals in the hardscape yard, I recommend checking in a few weeks before our inventory around late June and again around late October.  You never know what you’re going to find, but it just might be exactly what you need.

Your customer service person is the best resource to help you take advantage of these ways to save you money. We’re here to help you get the job done, no matter what.

Luke Joerin

Coffee Shop Lines and Where We Spend Our Time

Starbucks Line on a Sunday Afternoon

I’ve noticed over the last several years that it doesn’t matter whether it’s a Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts or Michigan-based Biggby, the lines in the morning are outrageous. No matter how fast your favorite shop can get you through, you’re spending time in a line waiting. As I sat in line for 15 minutes one morning, mindlessly scrolling through social media, I realized that I wasn’t efficiently using my time. And while I don’t have to be hustling all the time, this was a poor choice for me, personally.

David's Teas with an Infuser

Where are the black holes in your day that you lose time? (Which is money, right?) How can you optimize these moments to better use your time? For me, that coffee shop line turned into an investment in fancy loose leaf teas and infusers for home and time to load the dishwasher while that tea is steeping, leading to clean dishes when I get home from work. The satisfaction gained from this very small routine change has led me to look at other areas to streamline.

Starbuck Line on a Sunday Afternoon

How can you invest better in your time?

I started by looking at times of my day that are not pleasant or useful to me. But, of course, it’s all a personal choice. If you enjoy those minutes in the coffee shop line, to center and think about the day ahead, by all means, continue to enjoy it. But if you hate sitting there, then it’s time to make a change.

Once you’ve identified a time, you must decide if you need to streamline the process or cut it out. In the case of the morning coffee or tea, many of us need it. So, that is an area we can try to improve. However, some things, like playing 30 minutes of Candy Crush before bed can simply be removed. I find I am a lot happier with an extra half hour of sleep than a pile of candy rubble. I needed to stop that habit completely.

Candy Crush Screenshot
Tea Mugs

Now is the time for action! It’s time to implement a plan to streamline or stop losing time. In the case of the tea, I had to invest in the infusers and a teapot and be sure I’m stocked with supplies, such as travel mugs and tea. However, in the case of unwanted gaming, I deleted the app off my phone, so I don’t slip back into the habit.

Teapot

The most important thing to remember is that if you get off track, you can always start over, go back and recommit to improving your time management. You can always treat yourself to a coffee shop once in a while, but if you realize that it’s become a habit again, go back and reacquaint yourself with new flavors in the tea or coffee section of the grocery store to rekindle your interest in steeping or brewing at home.

Christensen's App Screenshots

So, you’re probably wondering how this applies to Christensen’s, since this is our newsletter. Well, I’m glad you asked. Our Christensen’s App is available for free and can be used to look at availability and prices. It’s a shortcut that can save you a phone call and some time. You can also call, e-mail, or text your order ahead of arrival. When the order is in the system, we can assist you quicker. We know you love seeing our friendly staff at the Plant and Hardscapes Centers, but we can get you moving faster if we know you’re coming. We want to help you optimize your time.

Marci McIntosh

Where Is All The Excitement???

By Rick Lazzell

(This article of Sticks & Stones is best viewed on a desktop)

I look around at all the landscaping out there (of course I do) and most of it seems repetitious, characterless, and unexciting. Have we gotten complacent in our creativity? Are we too concerned about being like the Joneses?

A Special Edition STICKS & STONES
in cooperation with:

Landsaulptor Magazine logo

The "Little Green Hedge"

Photo 1 - Little Green Hedge

Photo 1

Photo 3 - Little Green Hedge

Photo 3

Here's some excitement!

Photo 5 Here's Some Excitement

Photo 5

Photo 7 Here's Some Excitement

Photo 7

The "Cattle Call Hedge"

Photo 9 The Cattle Call Hedge

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Photo 11 The Cattle Call Hedge

Photo 11

Photo 13 The Cattle Call Hedge

Photo 13

Photo 15 - The Authority Hedge

Photo 15

Photo 17 The Authority Hedge

Photo 17

Phono 19 - The Little Green Hedge

Photo 19

Photo 21 - The Little Green Hedge

Photo 21

The "I Can't Breathe Hedge"

Photo 23 - The I Can't Breathe Hedge

Photo 23

They Tried

Photo 25 They Tried

Photo 25

Defining Spaces

Photo 27 - Defining Spaces

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Photo 29 - Defining Spaces

Photo 29

Looks Like a Skinny Park

Photo 31 - Looks Like a Skinny Park

Photo 31

The "Anaconda Hedge"

Photo 33 - The Anaconda Hedge

Photo 33

Photo 35 The "Dis-Jointed Hedge"

Photo 35

Hum this song while reading this article: “Where Have All The Flowers Gone” By Pete Seeger.

So, what is the deal with the proliferation of all these “little green hedges” all over the front yard? (Photos 1-4)

Especially up against the front of the house. I mean, what is attractive about a mass of green velcroed against the house? And it doesn’t matter what color the house is, the hedge is always green.

What are they trying to hide? There are no ugly foundations to hide anymore.

Foundation plantings are supposed to help the house blend into the property. A green wall between the house and the additional landscaping and yard is doing exactly the opposite.

How about adding some interest and excitement – color, textures and form changes?

Now here are some examples of landscapes with some excitement! (Photos 5-8)

This “little green hedgy thing” does not end there. We have these “cattle call hedges” along front walks.

(Photos 9-13)

It's like you are cattle being herded to the front door – not allowed to veer off the path and explore.

Get your body straight to the front door – pronto.

And then there is what I like to call the “authority hedge”.  A little green hedge put in place by “those in charge” to make sure plants don’t escape. (Photos 14-17)

With an “authority hedge” you really miss out on adding some plantings to the bed that will add some excitement. I guess if the plants are all leggy and stuff this hedge makes sense. Other than that???

And there is this notion that if there is a wall in the landscape you must put a “little green hedge” in front of it or on top of it. It doesn't matter that they may be hiding an attractive and expensive feature. (Photos 18-22)

Lastly is the “I can't breathe hedge”. Those hedges that are planted in a narrow bed between the sidewalk and the garage. (Photos 23 & 24)  

They tried. (Photo 25)

Those poor plants are hacked back sooo bad that there is no way for them to breathe and they end up dying a slow agonizing death. There are alternative ways to handle this situation and add a little more excitement. (Photo 26)

Now don’t get me wrong, “little green hedges” have their place. I'm a big advocate of defining spaces. (Photos 27-30)

Too often if you look along a street all the yards just blend right into the next yard, into the next and so on. Looks like a skinny park.  (Photo 31)

But we are not done yet! We have the mix of miscellaneous “little green hedges”.  

Photo 32 is a larger version of the “cattle call hedge”. I'm surprised there are not gaps in the hedge from people falling into them when they get out of their car. What about snow?? Where does it go?

Then there is the cousin of the anaconda walk, the anaconda hedge. Scary. (Photo 33)

Also available in the “little green hedges” category is the “dis-jointed” version. (Photos 34 & 35)

And the ever so popular duo of hydrangea and boxwood. (Photo 36)

I understand that a lot of homeowners DO want to look like the Joneses. But you can help bust up this “little green hedge” calamity by giving clients options and letting them know, with pictures, that excitement is a good thing, not to be scared of.

Photo 2 - Little Green Hedge

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Photo 4 - Little Green Hedge

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Photo 6 - Here's Some Excitement

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Photo 8 Here's some excitement

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Photo 10 - The Cattle Call Hedge

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Photo 12 The Cattle Call Hedge

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The "Authority Hedge"

Photo 14 - the Authority Hedge

Photo 14

Photo 16 The Authority Hedge

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The "Little Green Hedge"

Photo 18 The Little Green Hedge

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Photo 20 The Little Green Hedge

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Photo 22 - The Little Green Hedge

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Photo 24 - The I Can't Breathe hedge

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... More excitement

Photo 26 - More Excitement

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Photo 28 - Defining Spaces

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Photo 30 - Defining Spaces

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The Large "Cattle Call Hedge"

Photo 32 The Large Cattle Call Hedge

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The "Dis-Jointed Hedge"

Photo 34 - The Dis-Jointed Hedge

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The "Hydrangea-Boxwood Hedge"

Photo 36 - The "Hydrangea-Boxwood Hedge"

Photo 36

Rick Lazzell Author MGIA Landscuplto

The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From the Tree

DNA Spiral on Red Background

Even before supply shortages, not a day goes by at Christensen’s Plant Center that requested nursery items (despite our fairly well-stocked and varied yard) are not available. High demand and scarcity in some areas certainly exist but smaller evergreens and woody ornamentals are in fairly good supply. When confronted with an unavailable or low quantity of a given shrub variety we work too hard to supply the exact variety when there are other ways to solve the problem. Especially in the areas of woodies, there are many interchangeable plant varieties.

Family Tree Illustration

During our COVID lockdowns, the one thing most people had was lots of time. There was a huge surge in interest in family histories; there were many searches on Ancestory.com and DNA samples sent to testing sites like 23andME. Discovering our past and finding distant relatives helped to fill the gaps in our social lives. The similar traits and DNA that make people a family exist as well in plants. Just as with people, plants have many traits and characteristics that define them and link them into family groups.

Viburnum carlesii flower and leaves

For sake of example, I am focusing on parts of the Honeysuckle Family (Caprifoliaceae). The Korean Spice Bush (Viburnum carlesi) is frequently requested around Mother’s Day. If we run low on this particular plant be assured, that there are a good number of solutions close at hand. Sibling variants, cousinly hybrids, and backcross hybrids are in good supply. What links them all together is the wonderful fragrance of spring after winter’s grasp. The following all offer a possible substitution for the original depending on the application. Larger in form with pinker buds is the well-known V. x juddii; also larger but with many more pink buds and semi-evergreen leaves are V. x burkwoodii and V. x burkwoodii ‘Mohawk.’ A smaller alternative with very large flowers is V. ‘Cayuga.’ These and more offer easy choices without leaving the species.

Viburnum juddii and burkwoodii 'Mohawk' in flower

In a second example, we compare the genera Weigela and Diervilla both of the Honeysuckle Family. The Asian genus Weigela florida is everywhere in our landscapes. W. ‘Wine and Roses’ and others began the flood of pink-dominant flowering varieties. A painter’s palette of foliage colors defines this species of Weigelas. The genus Diervilla of eastern North America is a b & b plant (browsing and bumblebees). In its native circumstances, it has been browsed by moose and deer without ill effect and is an obvious favorite of bumblebees with its clusters of yellow, honeysuckle-like flowers. With the advent of the Kodiak series, Diervilla is now an active participant in landscapes still retaining its native status. These honeysuckles were separated by thousands of miles, but both possess unmatched foliage variety and the ability to flush vibrant new growth after a good trim. They have very similar leaf shapes and their phyllotaxis of alternating leaf patterns attest to their being of the same family.

Weigela Wine & Roses with Diervilla Kodiak Black in bloom

Linnaeus and the Taxonomy of Horticulture give us the guidelines we need to find solutions to shortage problems. A shortage of plants just gives us an opportunity to expand our imagination and use the tools already at hand.

Jeff Good

The Great Tree Shortage – Part 2

Emerald Green Arborvitae

Walking around Christensen’s this spring you may notice a few distinct differences from previous years. You may see our new signs or the new machines at the hardscape center. However, the difference I am talking about is nothing new at all, it is nothing. The most obvious change for many of us is the half-empty field and the lack of towering evergreens waiting in our yard. As our investor for Deciduous, Ornamental, and Evergreen Trees I have been looking across the country for this material and the simple answer is that it just does not exist in many cases.

Arborvitae are experiencing an exceptionally brutal year on the east and west coast. After severe drought hit the west coast last spring and summer fires started burning across Oregon. We were being sent images of entire fields turned brown due to a lack of rain in what is historically one of the wettest regions in the country. Further east in Tennessee certain varieties of arborvitae have been hit by a yet to be identified disease. Paired with the unusually wet spring they have experienced and high demand these plants are not as readily available in large sizes (7-8’) as they once were. We have been buying up as much as we can stock due to the unpredictability of this crop.  Currently, we are overstocked in 4-5-6’ Emerald Green and have placed them on sale, but it’s hard to say what will continue to happen throughout this season with this genus.

Red Flowering Cherokee Dogwood are experiencing a similar issue. These trees are particularly susceptible to damage from excessive water, but also fungus and mold which thrive in wet conditions. Tennessee’s wet spring has resulted in crop failures and a lack of available material.

These droughts and diseases only account for a small part of the shortages, but they do contribute to the problem.  As we’ve mentioned before, the real disease behind the shortage is the pandemic we have all been living through. In addition to the increased desire to landscape, everyone sitting at home also pointed us towards a recession which was combated with a huge drop in interest rates. This created a boom in the housing market. Now demand for plants was not only surging for renovation but also for new housing developments.

Builder constructing a new home

This new housing boom is the largest our country has seen since well before the market crashed in 2008. As we mentioned in Eric’s article, Bring On Spring, trees take 5-10 years to size up, and 5-10 years ago we were on the back end of a huge recession. Due to financial difficulties, planting heavily to plan for the next demand surge was not an option. Pulling ahead on smaller and smaller crops starting in 2020 caused size shortages. This “overselling” is most obvious with evergreens, most large sizes are not available because they have all been sold as smaller trees in previous years.

So here we are in 2022, available product on many popular varieties is down to 6’ and 2” trees. As long as demand stays high, and everyone keeps selling, the next year’s available material will be smaller and smaller. And while the economy is slowing down, historically, an increase in fuel prices drives down vacations and increases investments in homes for “staycations.” If fuel costs stay high, we may be looking at yet another season of homeowners pouring financial resources into their landscapes.

Malus Crabapple Cardinal Blooms

Malus  'Cardinal' Crabapple

Unfortunately, there are no real substitutes for pine, spruce, and arborvitae but there are some options. While larger sizes of popular varieties such as Emerald Green and Green Giant Arborvitae are harder to come by, similar varieties can be easier to find. We have good quantities of Hetz Wintergreen Arborvitae available which work great as a narrow evergreen and for screening. If you can substitute smaller sizes, check out the Emerald Green Arborvitae sale (see Sticks & Stones e-mail). Crabapples or Pink Dogwoods work as a bright flowering substitute for red flowering Cherokee Dogwoods. Many growers we have spoken with have learned from this unprecedented situation the industry is in. They are planting as much as they can to try and keep up, but it could be 5 years before we see a full recovery.

Trees being delivered to plant center

We’ll continue to keep scouring our sources to keep you supplied with the best plant material as long as this landscaping boom keeps going.

Jacob Haines By Line

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