If you have seen me around the nursery lately, you might have noticed that I look a little different. That would be because I am currently 9 months pregnant, expecting my first child- a baby girl, due on July 21^st. With this article's due date, and my actual due date approaching, I wanted to think of a way to tie my baby to the horticulture industry. Not only would that make this article a memorable keepsake, but also something I could relate to on a personal level. Then it dawned on me, BABY plants! Considering the approaches of seeds, seedlings, and plugs when starting a garden or in nursery production.

Which is better when starting your own garden- seeds, seedlings, or a mixture of both? Well, that depends on how much time and money you have to invest into this project.

If choosing to start with seeds, you will have the benefit of variety. There are endless varieties of seeds available, which would allow you to grow exactly what you want. Seeds are also typically less expensive, so if cost were a factor, seeds could be a little easier on the wallet. However, do consider the added costs of materials needed for seed propagation which could include seeding trays, special tools, and equipment like grow lights (depending on your location).

Another important detail to consider is the time-consuming nature of seeds, and the time it takes to reach maturity on your selected varieties. This timing is crucial to having your crops ready when you want them. Some seeds are quick to reach maturity, such as lettuce and spinach which can be ready in as little as 30 days. Other crops such as tomatoes and peppers can take months to fruit after planting, which makes them a better option to start as a seedling. In this case, knowing your limits and making these choices based on time to maturity will be your best bet.

Lastly, when choosing seed propagation, there also is a sense of pride in growing something start to finish. That feeling of pride is something I have experienced in the past but am now feeling in a way I never thought possible. Starting something from scratch and looking back and saying “I DID THAT” is a very special feeling. Especially in the end when you see your perfect baby- or cucumber, that you grew from scratch.

Starting a garden from seedlings- or transplants, is a much easier route to get the garden of your dreams. There is no shame in letting a professional start your plants off, grow them up and then plant the established transplants in a straight row. Think of this like sending your seeds off to daycare!! The benefits of this include less planning time, less loss, and can give you more predictable results. Timing is still something to consider when planting seedlings, but MUCH less so. Instead of all of the planning of maturation times, you will just need to make sure your seedlings are not planted too late, giving them time to bear fruit by their desired harvest date. A downfall of starting with seedlings can be cost. Generally, the transplants from your local nursery are more expensive than seeding the garden. Keep the cost in mind if this is the route you are considering.

Here at Christensen’s, we do some of our own perennial production. Considering that we are not a farm, or greenhouse, we start all our production from plugs (comparable to transplants). Over the years, through trial and error, I have learned what does, and doesn’t work for us. Cell sizes in the industry range from 128 cell-teeny tiny cells, all the way up to 21 cell- jumbo cells. These individual units are called liners. Over years of experimentation, I have learned that the larger cells- 30c to 21c- work best for me. Depending on the plant, and time of year, I get the best finish out of these. There is a lot of planning when it comes to perennial production. For example, a Nepeta started past Memorial Day can finish off in 4 weeks, whereas an Echinacea started in April, will typically not be available until mid-June. My main tip is to start at your desired finish date and work backwards as to when it should to potted, crop by crop. The plug size and temperature when planting are factors you must consider. Or just come see us for all of your perennials. We’re happy to help!

In conclusion, there are benefits to starting your garden with seeds, seedlings, and a combination of both. As with most things, time, money, and determination are factors that can help make the decision for you. Choose wisely, but just know that like with becoming a parent, there will be much to learn. In my case I am going to go into it with an open mind, taking advice from those around me, while also finding my own way. I have learned that growing my little ‘seedling’ is not easy. In fact, it is the most challenging thing I have done to date. But I know the reward at the end will be the most glorious of ‘gardens’ I could have ever imagined.

Gardening enthusiasts are always on the lookout for unique and visually striking additions to their landscapes. And many homeowners love to be the ‘Joneses’ rather than keep up with them. An inimitable tree that stands out for its beauty and distinctive characteristics is Heptacodium.

Heptacodium miconioides (also known by the original species name, jasminoides and commonly known as Seven Son Flower) is native to China. First introduced to the West by the plant explorer E. H. Wilson in 1907, it would be mostly forgotten until the 1980s when additional seeds and cuttings were brought to the Arnold Arboretum. Most modern Heptacodium in North America can be traced to this shipment. Considered to be rare in the wild, this tree has been gaining popularity in gardens worldwide due to its elegant appearance and unique blooming habits.

In addition to its ornamental value, Heptacodium holds cultural significance in its native China, where it is often planted near temples and sacred sites. The number seven is considered auspicious in Chinese culture, hence the name "Seven Son Flower."

The Seven Son Flower is an excellent special-order option from Christensen’s. While it is gaining in popularity, we do not stock this variety (yet). However, we are happy to bring in what you need, just ask!

Amelanchier, also commonly known as the Juneberry, Serviceberry, or Shadbush; is an ornamental fruiting shrub native to Michigan and much of North America. With its delicate flowers, flavorful berries, and vibrant foliage, it has earned its place in gardens and natural habitats all over. We carry a variety of Amelanchier, that can be seen flushing white flowers, row upon row, in late April or early May.

Amelanchier belong to the Rosaceae family, sharing their lineage with species such as roses, apples, and strawberries. They flower early and produce edible berries in the summer after the branches flush out with elliptic leaves. The leaves emerge as bronze in spring before maturing to a lush green in summer. Come fall, they turn an array of warm colors from golden yellow to deep red. They typically grow as a multi-stem shrub, reaching heights of 15 to 25 feet, and are also grown as a single-stem tree.

Beyond their aesthetic appeal, Amelanchier play a vital role in native ecosystems. As an early bloomer, it provides a crucial source of nectar and attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Moreover, its berries serve as a vital food source for songbirds, small mammals, and people, too. Amelanchier produce small, round berries similar to blueberries, but with a distinct flavor of their own. Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, they have a sweet-tart taste and are great for jams and pies.

Amelanchier also hold a special place in the cultural traditions and folklore of North America. For Indigenous peoples, the shrub has spiritual significance and has long been used for its fruit and medicinal properties. Among early European settlers, the “Juneberry” acquired many names reflecting its seasonal habits. The term "Shadbush" came from the synchronized timing of its flowering with the annual migration of shad fish in New England.

The Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry is a fast-growing variety with an intense red fall color available as both a shrub and tree form that can grow 15-25 feet wide. Cumulus is a single-stem tree-form variety that has a strong upright growth habit that only spreads 5-10’ wide. Amelanchier are hardy and adaptable to a range of soils but prefer well-drained and slightly acidic soil. They can be planted in full sun or shade but typically produce more fruit with full sun. These characteristics make them a versatile plant perfect for applications from screening to an ornamental centerpiece.

Pick uo your Amelanchier-Juneberry-Serviceberry-Shadbush-Chuckley Pear (or whatever you call them) from Christensen’s beautiful selection!

You may not know this, but we book all the trucks that come into Christensen’s ourselves. We want to find savings that we can pass on to our customers, so we put in the work to not only find the best, affordable plants, but the best, affordable freight. We coordinate everything with our vendors from the day it is to be picked up to the time it is to be delivered. Because of this, we have had some very crazy things happen when trying to get a load picked up or delivered.

Just this past week, we had to troubleshoot a driver (an outside contractor, not a Christensen's driver) being arrested for theft... with a load of our plants on the stolen trailer! 

Some drivers have been unmindful of what they would be hauling while they bid the job. They arrived at a nursery to pick up only to realize it was plant material and drive away because they didn’t want to get their truck dirty.

This one may be my new favorite, mostly because it happened very recently. We had a trucking company that was to pick up a load on Tuesday at nursery “A” out in Oregon. When the driver showed up a day early (Monday) and it wasn’t ready, the trucking company sent them to Nursery “B” where they had a pickup for Thursday. Nursery “B” wasn’t ready either but said hang on and we will get you loaded 4 days earlier than we expected. After the driver was loaded and rolling down the road the trucking company called us to schedule the delivery. That is when we found out what was going on. We were not going to be able to unload the truck until Monday the following week because of all the other trucks we had coming in and that is when we expected the material to be here. The trucking company understood and said 'that is fine,' and we would see the truck on Monday. But a few hours later they called back and asked us if there was anywhere else, they could unload the plants. As you know this is our only location, so we had to say no and let them know that next time don’t pick up a load 4 days early.

The last one I have is about a driver that we use all the time. He is one of our favorite drivers that delivers material to us. He is here so often that you may even think he works here. While he is being unloaded, he is one of the few drivers that hang out in the store area. Mostly because he will make coffee and help clean up the store at times.

There are many more stories that I could tell about trying to get our material here, but it is spring and we’re all pretty busy. You probably have some stories like this as well. If you have time on your next visit, maybe we could exchange some stories while you pick up your orders.

Sleep was hard to come by in my young age. If I was having a particularly bad night, I would patter down the stairs in search of parental help, or at least sympathy. Inevitably, I would find my night-owl father watching reruns of Cheers or M*A*S*H. As I grew older, those same shows would be the background noise for my late-night study sessions. I grew up in the tents of the 4077th M*A*S*H unit in Korea.

One of my dad’s favorite characters on M*A*S*H, was Klinger. Klinger was from Toledo and was a big Toledo MudHens fan, so Dad has a fascination with the MudHens. Hmm, I still need to get him to a game one of these days, and maybe make a stop at Tony Packo’s.

My favorite was Corporal Walter Eugene “Radar” O’Reilly. How could you not love the man-boy admin for the Colonel? He slept with a teddy bear, his voice barely out of puberty. Radar’s rank may have been low on the totem pole, but he had that camp running like a well-oiled machine. Radar’s quiet efficiency, attention to detail, fine-tuned observational powers, and his uncanny ability to anticipate the needs of his superiors are what every good administrative assistant strives for. 

Enter me, the detail-oriented, part-timer whose goal is to take some of the load for the plant and hardscape experts. Unless you catch me on a morning walk around the blocks, you may never see me. But hopefully, you see my work at the periphery when you’re admiring the superior plants, hard goods, and hardscape materials that the Buyers have the time and energy to find. I will continue to channel Radar O’Reilly, fade into the background while supporting my coworkers and in turn, our customers.

You may ask, 'Why?' or perhaps “Do I need a Hallmark card?" No cards are required. And, ‘Why?’, Well, because peonies are about to bloom! Which peonies? – ALL the PRETTY PEONY!!

I have written a lot of articles in my life, but I do not usually jump up and say me, me, me please, pick me. But an article about PEONIES?!? – Yes, please. They have always been my favorite. The flower is massive, and the fragrance is sweet (it is also one of the few smelly plants that does not give me an instant allergy headache!). I cut them and enjoy them inside by the bucketful. I may end up with a few ants indoors – but who cares, it’s worth it for peony flowers! And, well, they are just ants.

But the production crew does not stop there. No, they have added Itoh Peonies to their production list. A totally different animal than an herbaceous Peony. Itoh’s are a cross between an herbaceous peony and a “Tree Peony” (they are known as “Intersectional” Peony – in case you were wondering). Why would you ever want that – well Itoh’s form a semi-woody stem that is able to hold up the huge flower (both come from the “Tree” Peony (Peony sufferticosa), and it also has and produces herbaceous stems – so if it dies to ground no problem. I have several at home. I do not cut them back until spring and then only to the buds on the woody stems. Every year they get bigger and bigger as new herbaceous stems join the 'club'. Believe it or not, they look more and more fab every time I see them. The easiest to come by is 'Bartzella'. It has a semi-double to double yellow flower that can be 6-8” in diameter. ‘Morning Light’ has a semi-double fuchsia flower. On the upside the plant flowers for longer period as side shoots will also flower and the colors cannot be found in P. lactiflora. (there aren’t even semi vigorous yellows in herbaceous Peony.) The foliage is very clean and lasts all year and when it blooms it is covered with flowers not only on the top but also on the sides. The only thumbs down I would give the Itoh cultivars is like a “Tree” peony the flowers are not cuttable. Vase life is only hours!

I can’t let you go just yet because although I no longer have much to do with perennials and even less on production I know a secret. There are – are you ready for this – “Tree Peonies” in stock. Yeppers. True “Tree” peonies are a rare find. They are incredibly hardy with massive flowers held up by woody stems. The group we have is an “assorted” color collection. But it doesn’t really matter because they are, well, not only Peonies but they are “Tree” Peonies and……. IT IS PEONY MONTH – YEAH! 

People have been using plants as remedies for centuries. From curing the common cold to stopping bleeding, much of modern medicine is rooted in plants. Some cures come from your favorite flowers and shrubs in your landscape. For me, herbal medicine started simply, by using dead nettles and jewelweed poultices to treat poison ivy. When I was dealing with health issues I wasn't able to treat entirely with traditional medicines, this is where I turned. I learned that mint and ginger teas could help soothe an upset stomach, or that a salve of common mugworts would do wonders for inflammation and pain after chiropractic adjustments. Treatments for everyday ailments like a sore throat or arthritis can be as close as your backyard. It should be noted that before taking any plant consistently or for medical treatment, you should consult your doctor.

Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Parts used: Herb

A poultice of its leaves can be applied to a wound to stop bleeding and help with other skin issues. Its components like apigenin and salicylic acid give it its anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties; this makes it great for some digestive, cardiovascular, and menstrual issues.

Again, always consult your doctor!  But if you’re looking for a multi-purpose landscape design, consider adding these plants for additional benefits to your customers. They may be surprised at how useful (not just beautiful) your landscaping can be!

As we enter our second season under the box tree moth quarantine, it’s time for an update on the restrictions. The short version is this…

The majority of our customer base CAN once again PURCHASE Boxwood from Christensen’s Plant Center.

If you need more details, keep reading…

If you are planting outside the 12-county quarantine area, you can still purchase from us, but they will need to be direct-shipped and some restrictions may apply. Talk to your Christensen’s representative about your options.

As a dedicated wholesaler of nursery stock catering exclusively to contractors, we know that the past year has been challenging for landscape professionals and business owners in our industry. The fluctuating zone has brought significant distortion to the market dynamics of this beloved shrub compelling many to seek boxwood alternatives.  While we do not wish to see the box tree moth spreading, the larger quarantine area does allow the business of boxwoods to return to a normal pace.  

We invite you to take advantage of the increased availability of boxwoods at Christensen’s. Our commitment to quality and compliance with state guidelines ensures that you receive healthy, robust plants for your landscaping projects.

For more information, Michigan State University has set up a website dedicated to the box tree moth. It includes articles and recommendations, along with contact information for experts on this subject.

Spring is upon us and we are selling through our mulch at a mind-boggling pace. Hardwood mulch is incredibly popular with homeowners and contractors alike, but have you considered that there is an alternative? What if I told you that this aesthetically pleasing alternative not only suppresses weeds and smells good, it even inhibits several common pests?

Cedar mulch is all of these things!

Mulch, in general, helps the soil retain moisture by preventing rapid evaporation. It acts as a protective layer, keeping the soil temperature stable, and providing insulation for plant roots.

The reddish-brown color of cedar mulch adds visual appeal to garden beds, walkways, and around trees. It complements shrubs and ornamental plants beautifully and can create inspiring contrast to accents on a home or commercial building.

Property owners and maintenance crews may find the battle with persistent weeds is much easier to win with cedar mulch, homeowners may enjoy a landscape that is easier to manage and maintain.

These compounds have been tested for efficacy against gnats and are even available extracted as a pesticidal spray for indoor plants.

Spring in Michigan is always a temperamental time. One day it’s sunny and 70, and the next day it’s snowing. Drop the words “frost free date” anywhere in a Google search and you can get the average date predicting when it’s safe to plant.  The problem with averages is that they come from data on both sides of the average and using this date could leave you frost-burnt as frequently as half the years.

Here at Christensen’s, the full moon in May, or the ‘Flower Moon’ is something we always keep top of mind along with the average frost-free dates. Each spring, we take out our calendars, look for this ever-changing date, and wait patiently. The reason being is that many in our nursery believe that until we are past this milestone, we are still at risk of a frost. Sometimes we get lucky, and this turning point is early, and in other years- like this one, it is late.

The full moon in May was named, as other monthly moons were, by Native American tribes. In regions that were covered in carpets of flowers, the commonly used name of Flower Moon was coined. Other Native American cultures used different names based on what was occurring around them at that time such as Corn Planting moon or Blossom moon. This full moon paired with a clear night has long been believed to bring bitterly cold and unseasonable weather with the threat of hard frosts. The best example of this was the 2020 Flower Moon which brought a cold snap that extended for several days.

Depending on your source, some people believe the Flower Moon is a strong indicator, while others believe it is a long-held myth.  While researching we contacted our favorite local source for all things horticulture, Michigan State University, and asked if they knew of any scientific source that could prove or disprove the moon’s effect on frost. One response was that there isn’t much research on the connection.  Another thought is that it is likely a timing thing – which leads to conclusions that may or may not be able to be proven.

Whether you believe in the Flower Moon or not, we can all agree that, for us in the horticulture industry, a sudden burst of cold weather can be very bad news.  It is dangerous to fresh foliage, buds, and flowering trees.

As you probably know, plants spend the winter in a sleep called dormancy. This dormant period naturally hardens off your shrubs and perennials to withstand the harsh winter temperatures. However, once your plants start to emerge in the spring, we become concerned about colder temps. There are 3 types of freezes issued by the National Weather Service- Frost, freeze, and hard freeze. A frost- sometimes called ‘Killing Frost’ is just frozen dew. Water on the ground, and on the leaves of plants become frozen when temps fall into mid-30s, and winds are calm. A freeze is when temps are at 32 degrees and conditions such as wind prevent the formation of frost. Lastly, a hard freeze is the most serious and occurs when temps drop below 28 degrees for an extended period. It is worth noting that the length of freeze overnight matters. A 1-hour freeze before sunrise is not as worrying as an hours long freeze in the middle of the night. All types of freeze warnings must be recognized, and a plan of action set in place.

The Flower Moon this year is late and will not occur until May 23^rd. If you pair the Flower Moon with the averages that range from May 23^rd to May 27^th, depending on where you are, you will want to watch low temperatures and come up with a plan to combat the frost. Houseplants or potted material can easily be moved inside and out of the cold. In a nursery setting, or in your customers’ yards, here are some tips to mitigate some potential frost damage. At the nursery, we do two main things to battle against frost. Our first method is the continuous running of our irrigation. This frost protection program starts in the wee hours of the morning and runs every 45 minutes for 5-minute spurts throughout the entire nursery. This protects plants by using the heat of the water to continuously warm the plants. Our second mode of action is to use frost protection blankets. These blankets are typically lightweight but effective and do a nice job of keeping the frost from hitting the newly flushed leaves and buds. This method is less practical when talking about protecting an entire nursery, but a very effective plan for flower beds, or to cover smaller groups of our flushed perennials, and Roses. Tucking our plants in before a cold night gives us the peace of mind that they are safe and sound. Some other methods used across the industry are frost fans, under tree sprinklers, keeping grass short to absorb heat, frost protection sprays, and even the use of helicopters to increase air movement.

No matter how you slice it, frost is the arch nemesis of the nursery and homeowners alike. During early spring, it is imperative that we be on watch for cold temps and potential freezes. Whether you can run continuous irrigation, or just plan on using a frost blanket, having a game plan to protect your plants is imperative. Until Memorial Day, we will be keeping our eye on the sky to ensure the best plant material possible!

A special thank you to Michigan State University’s Rebecca Finneran and Keith Mason for help with frost-free dates. MSU is an excellent source for questions on lawns, landscape, gardening and horticulture in general.  You can contact them 24/7 by clicking here. Also, check out MSU’s Enviroweather Tool by clicking here.