Althea: Althea also called Rose of Sharon or Hardy Hibiscus is a quick growing shrub that flowers from mid-summer to mid-fall. It grows well in a wide range of soils except for the very wet or very dry soils. Prune Althea back in very early spring to encourage the flowering. Winter die back can happen at temperatures of 20 degrees below zero. In Wisconsin Althea are very late in leafing out. Althea typically leaf out just before their flowering time. Typically late May to early June. Be patient, if there is a moist green texture under the bark, the plant is alive and well, and just needs some warm weather to leaf out.

Arborvitae: Browning of the previous season's growth often shows on arborvitae in late winter or early spring due to drying winds or hot sun. Plants in exposed locations are more severely affected. This discoloration is due to the evaporation of moisture from the leaves or needles faster than the roots are able to pick up water. This is very apt to occur on newly transplanted trees. Prior to winter's arrival, spray the foliage with (Cloud Cover) for protection against winter desiccation. Mulching in addition to a thorough soaking of the ground around the trees before the ground freezes will help. Fertilize (Stein Super Gro) in the early spring as things begin to grow and again around the end of June.

Evergreen Azaleas: The most important factor in achieving vigorous growth is an acid soil mixture high in organic content. Keep the roots cool and moist with a permanent 2 to 3 inch mulch of wood chips. Plants that have been given a soil mixture rich in organic matter probably will not need feeding. If plant seems weak or sickly, use a special rhododendron-azalea fertilizer (Stein Super Gro for Acid Loving Plants). For maximum flower production, pinch off faded flowers or the seed capsules that follow. Most evergreen azaleas are hardy, but do not develop their full hardiness until after three seasons. In general, they need protection their first three winters after they are rooted.

Grasses: Many of our grasses are warm season grasses. These grasses prefer temperatures in the 80s and above. In Wisconsin these grasses start to grow late in spring and grow quickly in summer. Please be patient and give your grass plant a chance to live. Please do not assume grass is dead or not doing well until June.

Holly: Most varieties of Holly require a male pollinator to guarantee their beautiful winter fruit. To insure your success we carry Holly that has both male and female plants in the same pot. Most Hollies require moist, somewhat acidic, well drained soil. They will either thrive in a full-sun or low to medium shade situation. When planting use (Stein Tree and Shrub Planting Mix). Use a shredded bark to help maintain moisture in the soil. Be careful not to over water holly that has lost its leaves. Keep soil moist during the summer growing season, but allow it to dry somewhat in early fall to allow the season's growth to mature enough to resist winter damage. Feeding should be done in early spring or late autumn with a fertilizer formulated for acid-loving broad-leaved evergreens. (Stein Super Gro for Acid Loving Plants.) Use an anti-desiccant (Cloud Cover) in late fall to protect the leaves from winter burn. It is normal for holly to lose some leaves over winter.

Rhododendrons: Our selection of rhododendrons varieties can tolerate severe winter conditions. The main issue of over wintering is desiccation of the foliage when the ground is frozen and sun and wind attack the leaves. Rhododendron may be harmed in winter by drying winds and bright sun. Protect their shallow roots with mulch and their foliage with a loose blanket of evergreen boughs or specially built screens. Such screens must provide shade without capturing heat. A burlap screen will protect a plant while a black or clear plastic bag will cook a plant. Keep the mulch away, from the trunk of the plant. Chemical anti-transpirants (Cloud Cover) effectively cover stomata, the pores through which leaves loose moisture. Anti-transpirants need to be applied at least twice during the winter, but not too close to the growing season.

Sub Shrubs: Butterfly Bush, Caryopteris, Golden Privet, and some other plants die back to the ground during our Wisconsin winters. In spring, please give them time to start new growth. These plants are very slow in leafing out and require some patience. Once the weather gets warm, your plant will quickly become a beautiful specimen with its new growth.

General Winter Care: To insure that the plant has the ability to make it through the winter, it must be dormant. Dormancy is a normal process in which the plant goes into a rest state during the winter. A number of things cause dormancy including short days, low temperature, and drought. Several things can break or prevent dormancy. Some of these conditions we can control and some we are at nature's mercy. Too much nitrogen fertilizer after mid summer will keep a plant in a growth state when it should be going dormant. Warm weather spells during the winter can break dormancy in a plant that has gone dormant. A warm fall followed by a sudden winter, can expose a plant to the cold before it has gone dormant. Too much light, such as being planted under a spot light that is kept on all night. Mulching and a thorough soaking of the ground around plants before the ground freezes will help. Fertilize (Stein Super Gro) in the early spring as things begin growing and again around the end of June.