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Planters' Choice Weekly Picks April 3rd 2026

lorlando7
Apr 6
3 min read


Early Showcasing Shrubs and Fall-Fruiting Feeders

Finding pops color to battle wintertime blues and graceful year-round displays that will satisfy both clientele and local wildlife is a challenge every landscaper faces each season. Lucky for all, we have a vast selection that boasts variety and durability all while maintaining their beauty!


Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum) is an excellent native shrub for supporting birds, especially during the lean winter months. As a type of Viburnum, it produces persistent fruit that is high in both fat and carbohydrates, making it a valuable food source. After attracting bees
Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum) is an excellent native shrub for supporting birds, especially during the lean winter months. As a type of Viburnum, it produces persistent fruit that is high in both fat and carbohydrates, making it a valuable food source. After attracting bees

American Cranberrybush (Viburnum trilobum) is a beautiful and vital native shrub that provides birds with persistent, nutritious food when other options are scarce. The shrub produces copious, delicious red fruits in late fall and early winter that are high in fat and carbohydrates. Birds are known to prefer eating these berries after they have become frozen and thawed, making them a crucial resource in the coldest months. Beyond the fruit, the plant also features domed clusters of white flowers in spring that attract bees and butterflies.
American Cranberrybush (Viburnum trilobum) is a beautiful and vital native shrub that provides birds with persistent, nutritious food when other options are scarce. The shrub produces copious, delicious red fruits in late fall and early winter that are high in fat and carbohydrates. Birds are known to prefer eating these berries after they have become frozen and thawed, making them a crucial resource in the coldest months. Beyond the fruit, the plant also features domed clusters of white flowers in spring that attract bees and butterflies.
Sumacs (Rhus spp.) are a vital native food source for birds during the toughest months, often adding a beautiful pop of color to the winter landscape. Birds, including Cardinals and Grouse, rely on the deep red clusters of sumac berries as a crucial late-winter and early-spring meal. Although the fruit is very sour and not fatty, its long-lasting nature means many species dine on it in deep winter when more appealing options are scarce.
Sumacs (Rhus spp.) are a vital native food source for birds during the toughest months, often adding a beautiful pop of color to the winter landscape. Birds, including Cardinals and Grouse, rely on the deep red clusters of sumac berries as a crucial late-winter and early-spring meal. Although the fruit is very sour and not fatty, its long-lasting nature means many species dine on it in deep winter when more appealing options are scarce.
Crabapples (Malus) are a dazzling resource for birds, supplying vital nourishment when the landscape is at its most drab. These ornamental trees are known to hold onto their fruit, providing softened, persistent "apples" that last into the late winter and early spring. The fruit is particularly sought after by the beautiful Cedar Waxwings, which love to gobble up the berries as a crucial late-season meal.
Crabapples (Malus) are a dazzling resource for birds, supplying vital nourishment when the landscape is at its most drab. These ornamental trees are known to hold onto their fruit, providing softened, persistent "apples" that last into the late winter and early spring. The fruit is particularly sought after by the beautiful Cedar Waxwings, which love to gobble up the berries as a crucial late-season meal.
Chokeberry (Aronia spp.) is a fantastically beautiful native shrub that offers vibrant color and vital nourishment for birds. In spring, fragrant white flowers attract pollinators. The shrub then produces copious, tart, deep-red berries that persist on the branches into deep winter, bringing lots of birds to the garden. The plant rounds out the year with a grand display of brilliant red and orange fall leaves.
Chokeberry (Aronia spp.) is a fantastically beautiful native shrub that offers vibrant color and vital nourishment for birds. In spring, fragrant white flowers attract pollinators. The shrub then produces copious, tart, deep-red berries that persist on the branches into deep winter, bringing lots of birds to the garden. The plant rounds out the year with a grand display of brilliant red and orange fall leaves.
Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) is a wonderful native plant that offers both beauty and a quick, favorite meal for birds. The shrub begins the year with fragrant clusters of white flowers that attract pollinators. These are followed by delicious, edible summer fruits that are a favorite of many species, including Baltimore Orioles and Cedar Waxwings. While the berries are often quickly eaten, early-ripening varieties ensure that birds are attracted to the shrub as early as spring, providing vital nourishment.
Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) is a wonderful native plant that offers both beauty and a quick, favorite meal for birds. The shrub begins the year with fragrant clusters of white flowers that attract pollinators. These are followed by delicious, edible summer fruits that are a favorite of many species, including Baltimore Orioles and Cedar Waxwings. While the berries are often quickly eaten, early-ripening varieties ensure that birds are attracted to the shrub as early as spring, providing vital nourishment.

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From Snow to Spring: Preparing for Dig Season

While spring might feel like it arrives overnight, a lot of the work that makes this season possible starts months earlier; often in the coldest conditions.


Out at our tree farm this winter, our crew spent long days in the snow carefully sizing, pruning and grading trees. Each tree and shrub is evaluated and shaped by hand, if necessary, making sure it meets the standards our customers expect. It's detailed work, and it doesn't stop just because the temperatures drop.


Fast forward to the first week of April, and those same trees are now almost entirely dug and prepared for shipment. Timing is everything during dig season, and the preparation done over the winter helps ensure a smooth transition from field to yard.


From pruning and measuring in the snow to digging in early spring, every step is part of the process that gets quality material into your hands at the right time.


We are happy to say we have already been getting trucks of our homegrown deciduous material!

Here is a glimpse of what we have gotten so far:

🌸 Flowering Cherries 🌳 Oak Trees 🍐 Edible Pears 🌸 Redbud 🌳 Sweetgum


🍒 Edible Cherries 🍁 Maples

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Employee Favorites

Prunus subhirtella 'Autumnalis'

Autumn Flowering Cherry


Speaking of tree farm, Heather, our Office Manager in Watertown, has been so happy to see so many homegrown Autumn Flowering Cherries arrive in the yard this spring!


Prunus subhirtella 'Autumnalis' is a standout ornamental tree that brings unexpected beauty to the landscape by blooming in spring as well as sparsely in fall. Its delicate pale pink blossoms in spring, followed by fresh green foliage through the spring and summer and soft yellow tones in the fall really is something to be admired. Who doesn't love two rounds of blooms?!


Easy to care for and perfectly sized for smaller yards, it’s an excellent choice for adding year-round interest and a touch of elegance to any garden.

 
 
 

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