My inspiration for this week’s Sticks & Stones is a trip that my family took last year. We traveled over to the Netherlands and France to cheer on my daughter’s team. But being a plantsman, I really noticed how trees are done along the roadways in Europe. I wondered if there is a way that we could do something similar here. I was impressed by the way the trees were well-manicured to keep the line of vision clear for drivers.

Since we are looking at the smaller crab apples, another overlooked variety is the Malus Sargent Tina. It fits into the dwarf category at about 4’-5’ tall and wide when mature. When the buds start to form in the spring, they start out with a pink color and then go to a brilliant white that is fragrant. While it is not as “fragrant” as a Cleveland pear, it differs in being considered a pleasant scent as opposed to the generally distasteful aroma of the pear. As with the Sargentii’s, Sargent Tina also attracts pollinators in the spring and has a ¼" fruit in the fall that attracts and sustains birds through winter.

Being from the North and a country music fan, I started hearing about Kudzu in songs by HARDY, Morgan Wallen, Alabama, Scotty McCreery and more. You can’t get far into country music before an artist compares something to the invasiveness of a Kudzu vine. My favorite being “My mama said addiction runs like a kudzu vine on our family tree…” Being in horticulture, I had to investigate this mythical beast of a plant and learn more about it.

Kudzu, or if we’re being scientific, Pueraria montana, was introduced at the 1876 World’s Fair Centennial Exhibition. Originally from Asia, it didn’t really make a splash with Americans.  Farmers couldn’t figure out how to leverage the plant for any sort of profit and it was quickly gobbled up by grazing by livestock. It wouldn’t have actually taken off, if it wasn’t for a supplemented government program. It’s estimated that around 1945, there were about a million acres planted. That was a far cry from the 8 million acres the government hoped would be planted and the incentivization ended. 

While the Kudzu on farms was plowed under or grazed away, the Kudzu on roadsides and railways grew to cover much of all the other vegetation, seemingly consuming the south at a rapid pace, up to a foot per day. This very visible conquest became the easy target of writers, poets and lyricists. This plant has taken on a cultural reference far surpassing most other southern plants. It has wrapped around the people to become an icon.

But in the end this plant doesn’t live up to the myth that’s been created around it. Horticulturists agree that it poses less of a threat than Asian privet, Japanese honeysuckle and invasive roses in the south. It does not grow inches in days and cover millions of acres. The U.S Forest service reports that in 2010 only 227,000 acres of forests are invaded by Kudzu. It sounds like a lot, but when you consider that over 1 million acres of the US are covered with Purple Loosestrife, you can see that it’s not nearly the problem we face from a local invasive species.

And some horticulturists even think it’s on the decline. It’s certainly debatable, but as many farming corporations, universities and the government have been attacking it with herbicides, mowers, fires, goats and replanting, it is possible that they are starting to get a handle on the spread. Another factor is the Japanese kudzu bug that has begun infesting large areas of kudzu and sucking the life out of the myth.

Kudzu’s Entanglement of South Begins to Unravel by Dan Chapman
WorldWideScience.org

There are so many reasons for individual homeowners, and hardscape or landscape installers to use a professional landscape designer when it is time to create an outdoor space.

Some of the best hardscape and plant installers I know have an artistic eye and can create beautiful outdoor areas. Can those incredible spaces be done without professional input or planning of some type? Sure, but only considering the aesthetic can have detrimental downsides. For example, installing the wrong paver on a driveway can result in broken pavers and unhappy clients. Installing the wrong plants can mean dead plants, the wrong balance of plants, or plants that outgrow the space they were intended for.

While it might seem quicker to just show up on a site with a truckload of random plants and start installing them on a property, there is a higher chance of failure. If you’re providing a warranty on those plants, that is money out of your pocket in time, manpower, and loss of installation time on another site that could be making you money.

Everyone has their favorite part of an installation. Whether it’s hardscape or softscape, we all have our opinions on what’s most important. While I love a good hardscape, I am most passionate about plants. But as a professional designer, I realize that the plants I use can be made to look more impressive if they are incorporated with a good hardscape. The reverse is also true. The simplest hardscape design and installation can be better when plants are added to showcase its structure, use, colors, etc. It’s my job to sense the whole picture and meld both of those items for the best result. Melding both is how the best designs are created. Then, of course, professional designers can add lighting, pots, structures, and many other design elements to step it up to the next level. A professional designer always keeps the big picture in mind and never just focuses on one aspect of the outdoor space.

The best designers listen to the clients’ needs and wants and work to achieve a buildable and sustainable overall plan. The hardscape must serve the needs of the homeowner while working within the limitations of the site, building codes, and product limitations. The plant selection needs to be attractive, and long-term with the right care. That care must fit the homeowner’s ability to do the work, or their willingness to hire a pro to care for it. When selecting plants, this information can make a difference in the long-term happiness of the client.

Did you know that our industry dumps thousands of new plants onto the market each year? Using a designer that is highly trained, has hands-on knowledge and continues to stay up to date on the latest plants, problems, products, and trends can make for a better installation process and result for the entire group of people involved. Save yourself the time and headaches of sifting through all the nuances by utilizing a designer.

A professional design doesn’t happen in the blink of an eye. Site information needs to be collected. Client desires, lifestyle, the intended use of the spaces, etc. must be considered. Then, the design process starts. It’s a time-consuming process that needs to be thought through to meet all the criteria for all parties involved. There is VALUE in good design. I’ve owned my own design/build firm. I have worked for other firms. Now, I do freelance design for many companies and homeowners. For my entire career in the green industry, I’ve stressed the fact that designs should never be given away. There is value in good design, and it needs to be treated with that respect.

If you would like to talk more about the pros and cons to professional landscape design, Beth Rowley can be reached at barowley02@gmail.com or 734-890-9386.

Leaving a job that you have loved for years can be tough. For me, it was made even more difficult by the incredible colleagues and team that I have had the pleasure to work with. Saying goodbye feels like closing a chapter on a book that I wasn't ready to finish.

However, throughout the process, I tried to focus on two important things. 

From day one, our team's energy and passion inspired me to work harder and strive for excellence. I learned so much from everyone at the company and am honored for the chance to share the successes and challenges with them.

While leaving behind something you enjoyed so much is never an easy decision, I take comfort in the fact that I'm taking a step towards new challenges and opportunities. I will always cherish my experiences with Christensen’s and those that I worked so closely with but am excited for what lies ahead.

Editor’s Note: We here at Christensen’s would like to wish the best to Luke and will miss his articles here in Sticks & Stones. Here are some of our favorites:
Stop the Spread – Just Squish It
How to consider “ultimate size”
They. Are. Coming.

Red Maples are some of the most commonly planted trees across North America due to their hardiness and beautiful fall color. There are dozens of varieties of Red Maples to choose from. Their differences may seem inconsequential but there are pros and cons to each variety depending on the location and desired appearance. I will outline the differences between two of the most popular varieties:
Redpointe^® and Red Sunset^®.

Red Sunset has been the standard for red maple for many years. They grow into a more oval and natural shape than Redpointe. Fall color of these trees is more of a reddish-orange and tends to last longer than other varieties. In the summer the leaves are a lighter green and may have hints of yellow due to leaf chlorosis caused by higher PH soils. Red Sunset are less resilient to heat and waterlogging but are more drought tolerant and require less sunlight. Consistent watering is still needed after planting but once established these trees require very little maintenance. They also are notably preferred for their sap production which can be used for maple syrup.

Both varieties will reach heights of 40-50 feet when mature. However, the spread of a Red Sunset can be 30-40 feet, 5-10 feet wider than a Redpointe depending on pruning. Redpointe may also require some maintenance once mature to remove some of the inner branches that become overcrowded due to their stronger upright growth habit. Both trees are fantastic options for a variety of landscapes. However, considering the conditions of the location and desired finished look of the landscape can help you decide what is best for every situation.

We’re off and running into the season here at Christensen’s.  It’s always fun as we see customers again, talking about what we all did over the winter. Some plowed snow or remodeled houses. Some fled south to soak up the warm sun’s rays, whilst others embraced the cold and hit the slopes. The conversation generally ends up on the topic of “what’s new?”

Last year we freshened up the inside of our Hardscape building. This year we are spending time reorganizing the brickyard. You’ll notice several products have been moved to different places. Once you get the hang of it, we think you’ll find it efficiently organized and will be happy with the natural flow of traffic.

We have welcomed Techo-Bloc into our family of hardscape manufacturers and are pleased by the response so far. Currently stocking some of the most popular Techo-Bloc product lines like Blu, Brandon, and Raffinato, we want to hear from you. What Techo products do you like using? –let the guys in the Hardscape building know!

Some new items from Unilock include Treo Smooth. I think of it like a Beacon Hill for sidewalks since the pieces are sized so that you can lay a nice 36” wide pattern. If you want more lines in a patio, but still have an easy time having chair and table legs finding support, Treo is the paver for you!

The Beacon Hill lineup has added more color options in the small recs and a vehicle-friendly 8cm thick version.

Stop in for some strong coffee and let’s talk about What’s New!

In every lovely garden, there live lovely creatures. Sure, most people wouldn’t find loveliness in critters like slugs and snails. Despite their proven reputation of treating gardens like their personal buffets, I have always been fascinated by them. Let’s face it, they are cute creatures. The leisurely way they move about, the cartoon-like features… there’s something special about them. That being said, they are a pain and can be detrimental to your job site. This article will provide you with some tips on how to keep them away from your plants without harming them.

Slugs and snails are part of the Gastropoda, combination of Greek words gastros (stomach) and podos (feet), under the phylum mollusca (mollusk). Is there a difference between the two? Aside from the obvious shell that differentiates them, not much. Snails tend to be slightly faster than slugs, but other than that, they are quite similar and will eat as much as the other.

While they are notorious garden menaces, they are also helping your landscape as well as feasting on it. Slowly but surely, slugs/snails will break down garden debris and turn it into nitrogen rich fertilizer that enhances soil nutrition (similar to worm composting). Not to mention, albeit a bit morbid, they are a natural food source for other insects and critters such as spiders, birds, frogs, snakes, and toads.

What kind of plants do they like to eat? Anything. They don’t discriminate. However, they usually nibble on the tender leaves and stems of seedlings.

The big question is, what’s attracting them to your landscape? Slugs/snails tend to dry out quickly, so they love wet or damp soil that will keep their jellied mollusk bodies hydrated and happy. If you have incorporated mulch into your job site, that would be another reason why they are taking up residence as mulch tends to retain moisture. Mulch is beneficial for many reasons, so to help with this I would suggest keeping the mulch away from the base of the plants.

Since their main form of transportation is crawling, their sensitive bodies will avoid rough terrain that will irritate their skin. I would suggest creating a barrier around the plants with natural items such as coffee grounds, wood ashes, sand, or eggshells to repel them while simultaneously fertilizing the plants.

Garden debris is a perfect environment for slugs and snails to thrive in, so cleaning debris quickly after the soil thaws in the spring can help. They also tend to lay eggs in debris as well, as it’s a dark, damp, hidden place. If you are dealing with a slug infestation, it is likely that you will find eggs. They are small, jelly-like balls stuck together in slimy clumps. They vary in color but are usually white or translucent. They will typically hatch anywhere from 2 weeks to 100 days depending on environmental factors. Slugs will breed all year round, but peak months of egg laying are from March-April to September-October. To prevent more generations of slugs, rake and turn over soil in areas that have been untouched. Another method is to pour slightly soapy or salty water on identified slug larvae. This will act as a natural poison without harming your plants in the process. You could also simply pick them up using a glove and discard them that way.

While I personally love slugs and snails, not everyone shares the same enthusiasm. If you run into some of our mollusk friends this season, hopefully you find some of these tips helpful to safely discard them from your job sites while maintaining the safety of the plants.

One of my favorite toys growing up was Legos. I loved the kits and themes they offered; their designs were amazing. And best of all, you did not have to follow the instructions, you could just make up anything you wanted so long as you had all the pieces. I am lucky to have a daughter that was equally as interested in Legos as well. She was young when she started, so I had to make many of the initial kits for her which gave me an excuse to play with these bricks once again. As a child, I always remember getting so excited around Christmas when I would pick up a box, and you could hear the pieces parts rustling in the box knowing that was going to be a great gift for sure! I am slightly older since the Lego days, but here I am still playing with bricks and blocks. And just like before, I am excited to announce that I have a brand new shiny set of Legos to play with: Techo-Bloc!

Techo-Bloc was founded by Charles Ciccarello back in 1989, starting the company with only 5 employees. Now, 34 years later with over half a dozen state-of-the-art factories throughout North America, they are one of the top manufacturers of pavers, wall stones, steps, and curbs. Most of the products that Techo-Bloc produce have a modern design to them and tend to lean toward neutral earth tones and colors. This has been a growing trend over the last few years, and I do not expect that to change for several more years. Colors such as reds and oranges have been phasing slowly out as well as circle and curved designs.

We hinted at this new addition in the mid to late summer of last year. We were testing the waters with some of Techo-Bloc’s accessories such as their Flexlock polymeric sand and Gator sealers and cleaners. We were planning on bringing the pavers and wall stones in over the winter, but due to the immediate demand for some of their more popular items, we decided to get a head start.

We are starting out with Techo-Bloc’s most popular paver, the 60mm Blu HD2 in both smooth and slate texture in the Chestnut Brown, Greyed Nickel, Shale Grey, and Champlain Grey. We are stocking the 3 pc Slab series, but we can special order the Grande and the 6”x13” pieces if your job requires them.

We are stocking Techo-Bloc’s Raffinato and Brandon wall series in both the 90mm and 180mm sized pieces. You can find the Beige Cream and Greyed Nickel in the Raffinato wall, and the Champlain Grey, Shale Grey, and Oynx Black in the Brandon wall. There is also Brandon and Raffinato wall caps in stock, too. We will also be carrying some of the Raffinato Steps.

We will continue to add and adjust the products stocked as the demand grows and changes. I expect a truckload of products from Techo-Bloc to arrive weekly, so please ask us about special order items, or concerns for your larger-sized projects. We can check into Techo-Bloc’s online inventory and help you know what, when, and where the status of your material is.

I do not get to play with the blocks like all our contractors do, but I do enjoy watching how they use them! I hope to see the enjoyment that you will have through the successful pictures of your beautifully created projects. And don’t worry, if you happen to lose that one piece you really needed, give us a call. I have a salesman with bare feet that will find it for you in a painful moment!

For many years, people and companies have spent countless hours and dollars on re-inventing themselves. We’ve witnessed changing logos, hairstyles, business practices, flavors, and cultures. But did they really re-invent anything, or were they just bored?

This winter, Christensen’s updated our point-of-sale system to the current model. There was nothing wrong with the version of the software we were using, except that it was older, and the manufacturer would no longer support the old version with updates to keep it credit card compliant. In other words, a forced upgrade. So here we are with the new version. It looks almost the same as the old version. The colors are different, and there are some buttons in different places. But overall, the systems operate the same and look very similar.

Like Coca-Cola becoming New Coke and then going back and becoming Classic Coca-Cola. Nothing really changed, and perhaps it never should have. Frequently, we are asked to look and see the newest, latest, and greatest shiny thing. However, very often, the original is way better, works more effectively, and did not even really go out of style.

Much of the nursery and landscape industry is just this way. We do many of the same tasks that we have done for 100 years because it is the right thing to do. Pruning, mulching, plant care. It is wise to make sure, in your company, you are not changing just to change. Some of our industry’s greatest strength comes from the fact that we perform time-tested services to ensure the best possible outcomes. It is also wise to avoid the fad that only looks good for the moment. I think that it is time that our industry celebrates our endurance and stability. We should be telling our clients that what we do has stood the test of time. While we may tweak what we do, our history is what makes us stand apart from others.

For our 92^nd year in business, Christensen’s is maintaining itself as your premier partner in the landscape industry in Michigan. And this year is starting out with a good outlook. Fuel prices are beginning to stabilize, and even drop in some areas. This is allowing freight to stabilize across the country. Hardscape material shortages of the past years have been dealt with and the manufacturers are not anticipating large issues in supply this year. Plant material remains in tight supply. The past several years of sales have not allowed the supply of plant material to catch up to the demand. And unfortunately, it will take years for this to catch up. But rest assured that our team of professional buyers are doing their very best to find all of the material that you need for this year. After all, it is what we do.

Every year at the end of the nursery season, managers and owners do the same thing I am now doing. We sit down and try to express how we appreciate our customers and having all of you as a part of our business. And every year we try not to say the same thing that we have already said. This year is no different from any other year. I sit at the computer and try to express our thanks and appreciation, but, honestly, words can’t capture the level of gratitude we have for our outstanding customers.

But this year is a little different. This was the last year Christensen’s Plant Center and Rushton Farms will operate together. Starting in 2023 the two companies will be operated independently of each other. A first, ever.

We also celebrated the retirement of Holly Christensen, who had worked here since she was a teenager. While we're happy for Holly, she left big shoes to fill and she is missed. 

So, I write this at the end of an Era. And next year will be the start of a new era. But in the eyes of you, our customers, it will be business as usual. Christensen’s Plant Center and Rushton Farms will continue to operate just as they have for the past several decades. Both companies will continue to provide you with the same exemplary quality and service that we have for years.

Starting in 2023 Christensen’s Plant center will also be expanding its hardscape line. We are excited to be adding Techo Bloc as a new offering to our customers in 2023. This new line will complement our already outstanding lineup of hardscape products, plants, ponds, pavers and walls, and low-voltage lighting. Christensen’s Plant Center remains your one-stop for landscape supplies.

As I close out 2022 and look towards 2023, I am excited for what the future holds. The future of the nursery industry looks as exciting as it ever has. Opportunity abounds for innovation and I encourage everyone to look for it. The coming season will be full of success if we simply seek it out.