28th Annual Fall Plant Sale, 2008
Questions Frequently Asked
Are the plants big enough to go outdoors now?
These plants have been acclimated and are ready for fall and winter weather. They will do best if planted outdoors in protected locations. Plants grown from cuttings may have limited root systems and need more winter protection.
How can these plants be protected from the cold temperatures and blowing winds of New England winters?
The ideal way to protect your new plants would be to plant them in soil within a cold frame. If you do not have a cold frame, plant them directly outdoors using mulch, windbreaks, and periodic monitoring. Mulching, but only after the soil has frozen, is very important; it prevents alternate freezing and thawing. Further winter protection can be provided by covering the plants with an inverted basket, burlap, or any material that will break the wind and shelter the plant. Check your plants periodically, especially during extreme weather. If a plant has been dislodged by wind or frost heaving, carefully reset it and water it well.
How will I know if a plant will be hardy outdoors at my home?
Attempt to determine what the lowest winter temperature is for your community by consulting local weather records. Compare this with the temperatures designated for the hardiness zones on the USDA Hardiness Zone Map. All plants in this catalog have a zone of hardiness rating that conforms to the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. However, hardiness zone designations are to be used as guidelines only. Temperatures within a zone may vary greatly depending on the conditions of the site.
Reference sources for additional information on the plants in this catalog:
Landscape Plants for Eastern North America, 2nd edition, by Harrison L. Flint, John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY, 1997.
Manual of Woody Landscape Plants by Michael A. Dirr, Stipes Publishing Company, Champaign, Illinois, 1990.
The Year in Trees by Kim E. Tripp and J. C. Raulston, Timber Press, Portland, OR, 1995.