HYDRANGEAS

Hydrangeas have become a top seller for many nurseries.  The newer generations are looking for color in their yard with easy maintenance.   Growers are steadily working on improving hydrangeas so that they blossom more and survive Zone 4 winters.   In the last few years several new varieties have been developed for our zone.  We currently have over 400 hydrangeas in stock, with about 20 varieties to choose from.   If you are unsure of what will grow best in your yard and location of the sun, please talk to the staff and they will put you in the right direction of the ones that will do best.   Following is a slideshow of some of our hydrangeas in stock.

 

Blue Enchantress

Pink Splendor

Seaside Fire Island Hydrangea
Photo courtesy of Monrovia Nursery

 

Berry White

Incrediball

 

 

Quick Fire

Vanilla Strawberry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Twist & Shout

 

Summer Crush Hydrangea
Photo by Trees Today Nursery

 

 

Pink & blue hydrangeas
Photo by Trees Today Nursery

 

Sea of Hydrangeas
Photo by Trees Today Nursery

 

 

Vertical Gardening

Have you ever thought about adding a vertical plant to your garden? A clematis on a fun obelisk, on a trellis or on a simple piece of chicken wire attached to a couple posts will provide a beautiful vertical accent to your garden. Clematis’s come in all colors from blue to purple, from pink to red and even white. Some will bloom from spring to fall while others only bloom in select months. Our staff will tell you the pruning technique for the clematis you are interested in and how to plant it. Once establihed, they do not like to be moved. Some of the varieties we have in stock are H F Young, Tranquilite, Corrine, Issy, Edda, Roouge Cardinal, Sapphire Indigo, Rebecca, Garlland Tekia, Bernadine, Nubia, Sally, Boulevard Zara and Avante Garde, along with the ever popular Jack Manii. We also carry several obelisks and trellises. Stop in soon while you can still select the color you want.

 

Silver Moon
Photo by Trees Today Nurse

Nellie Moser Clematis Photo by Trees Today Nursery

 

Photo by Trees Today Nursery

 

Photo by Trees Today Nursery

Photo by Trees Today Nursery

Spring Flowers & Fall Color: Double Duty Plants

 

There are several plants, trees and shrubs alike, that are well known for their early season attributes, but go amiss when it comes to their fall foliage. As we turn the calendar to September and prepare for fall, the garden center is beginning to transition to reds, oranges, yellows, from the typical greens that gather the rest of the season. As you walk around, you can see its more than just the maples, oaks, grasses, and dogwoods turning color, there are common spring and summer staples that are also pulling double duty as we head into fall.

Crabapples

Crabapples are commonly known for their showy spring flowers, but did you know they also have fabulous fall foliage? Flaunting tones of red and orange, crabapples do not receive enough attention for their fall foliage which should be equal to their spring flower. So the next time you are seeking a new tree for your yard don’t forget about the dueling seasonal opportunities a crabapple can provide!

Serviceberry

An under utilized garden gem! Available as a tree or shrub, this specimen boasts beautiful spring florals that lead to edible small purple-black berries. The tree form ‘Autumn Brilliance’ is a beautiful medium sized ornamental tree if you are looking to add diversity to your landscape. The shrub form, ‘Regent’ is a great addition for feeding wildlife in your yard or creating a small hedge or screening. Not only will these plants bring spring color and edible fruit, the blaze red/orange fall color is a show stopper for sure!

Azalea/Rhododendron

Prolific blooms fill these plants early season. Bright pink, purple, white and orange are colors you can expect from these spring flowers. Many people desire the spring impact that the azalea and rhododendron bring to the landscape but many are unaware of the bonus fall color they are in for. Broad, thick leaves bring copper and bronze hues into fall with the next season’s buds adding a depth of texture, what a sight to behold!

 

So, as we make our way to the end of another year, planning for the next begins. Consider adding a few of these double duty plants to your landscape and enjoy an eye catching spring and fall landscape.

Serviceberry Fall Foliage

Crabapple Fall Foliage

Mums: Garden versus Fall

Now is the time of year when beautiful mums appear at Trees Today Nursery, grocery stores, and home stores.  These are called “fall” or annual mums.  Their colors are an assortment of reds, oranges, bronzes, yellows, whites, and many more.  They look beautiful sitting in pots on front porches or placed in gardens.  However, they generally do not survive being replanted in the garden in  Zone 4 (our area of Wisconsin and Minnesota).  If they do survive a winter, chances are they will not survive the following winter.  If you succeed in overwintering a fall mum in your garden, to get a bushy blooming mum in fall you need to start pinching it back in July or chances are it will become stringy and lanky.

Garden mums are the perennial mums hardy to Zone 3.  At Trees Today we carry Mammoth Mums that were bred at the University of Minnesota for endurance and cold.  Once planted in your garden they may grow to 3-3 1/2  feet wide by 3-4 feet tall.  Their colors are limited, but their abundant blooms are very showy and last for weeks.  Also, these mammoth mums do not need any pinching.

Orange fall mum
Photo from Trees Today Nursery

 

Mammoth lavender mum
Photo by Trees Today Nursery

 

 

Sharing Photo of Pink Splendor Hydrangea

Look at this beauty! A customer snapped this picture of their Pink Splendor hydrangea from 2020, stating “This brings a pop of color to my patio!”

A great addition to a small garden or as a patio plant, the Pink Splendor will quickly reach a height and spread of 4 feet. This hydrangea thrives in morning sun and afternoon shade or filtered sun.

If you are looking to give this one a try, stop in and pick one up, we just received a fresh shipment.

 

Continue reading

Mid-season Restock

The perennial tables have been looking a little bare lately, but not any more! New shipments of coneflower, sedum, salvia, and hibiscus and many more items have arrived!

Here is a preview of some of the spectacular colors now available!

 

  • Sweet Sandia Coneflower

Rainy Day Blooms

 

Finally, some well needed rain is reaching us here in the coulee region! It may be a dreary day, but fear not, your landscape doesn’t need to leave you will the same feeling. We have numerous shrubs and perennials in full bloom that will brighten up your landscape on days like today. Stop in and brighten your landscape today!

  • Peach Drift Rose

 

A Season of Thanks

What a whirlwind 2020, has been! The unprecedented times of COVID-19 have tested the limits of the individual and community. Here at Trees Today we have masked up, kept our distance, and meticulously sanitized our spaces in order to keep our customers and staff safe. 

The world may have stopped in its tracks, but our gardens didn’t. Customers new and old took advantage of their time at home to beautify their landscapes and looked for ideas and guidance throughout the season. Our wonderful staff revel in sharing their knowledge with each other and our customers and appreciate all the questions, answers, and new information shared this season. We are never done learning and our gardens are never complete! 

During this season of thanks, we would like to thank our customers for choosing Trees Today for all their landscaping needs. We look forward to working with you next season!

Wishing you all happiness, good health, and safety this holiday season!

 

Trees Today Nursery Staff

The Final Chores of Fall

November is quickly approaching which can only mean bitter cold and flurries will soon follow. Have you completed your fall tasks to prepare your yard for winter yet? If not, we have a few essential items that will make your work a breeze. Our GardenStraw is fully stocked and ready to be used to insulate plants going into winter. Trunk guards, tree wrap and our broad array of animal repellants are on hand preventing critters from causing harm to your beautifully tended plants. Lastly, fresh inventory of Wilt Pruf and Wilt Stop are here to minimize moisture loss in plants, including your Christmas tree!