Chester Townscape's 2020 Tree and Shrub Sale + Order Form

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Chester Townscape has released its selections for this year's Tree and Shrub Sale to support Townscape's public landscaping projects, such as the flowering planters and bridge boxes, as well as other seasonal decorations to beautify public places around town. CT's annual Tree and Shrub Sale provides landowners with the opportunity to beautify their own properties with good-size, proven specimens at below regular retail prices while supporting a civic project. The four specimens offered this year are a Pagoda Dogwood tree and three shrubs: Winterberry, Little Quick Fire Hydrangea, and Aronia melanocarpa 'Low Scape Mound'. All specimens are hardy and low maintenance, sport colorful blossoms, and offer multi-season interest. Most are native, and all appeal to pollinators and/or birds.

To take advantage of the sale, orders must be placed and paid for by April 1. Buyers will be notified of the exact date to pick up the plants at Sunshine Acres Nursery at 1824 VT Route 11E in Chester, VT, but the expected time for pick-up is the first week in May.

Any one of these plants would make a wonderful present for Mother's or Father's Day, birthdays, anniversaries, housewarming celebrations, and so on.

Cornus alternifolia (Pagoda Dogwood). A small, compact, deciduous, slow-growing tree that reaches 20-25' high and wide. Four-season interest features fragrant, creamy-white flowers in May-June; bird-attracting, dark blue berries in mid summer; dark green leaves that turn a rich burgundy/purple in the fall; and horizontal branches that architecturally outline snow in winter. Prefers full sun with partial shade from hot afternoon sun. Prefers moist and richly organic, acidic soil away from competing grass. In very cold or exposed locations, it shallow roots welcome mulch.

Ilex verticillata 'Red Sprite.' A compact female form of native Winterberry that grows 3-4' high and wide and bears tiny white flowers in early spring and eye-catching, long-lasting red berries in late fall/early winter. Adaptable, hardy, low maintenance, best in full sun. Requires a male plant nearby to ascertain berries. 'Jim Dandy' is the preferred male.

Hydrangea paniculata 'Little Quick Fire.' Compact, deciduous shrub that grows 3-5' high and 2-4' wide. Multi-season interest. Red stems for winter contrast. Long-lasting, creamy-white blooms turn deep pink with red highlights in summer. Blooms before other hydrangeas throughout early to late summer. Attracts pollinators. Part sun to sun. Adaptable and easy maintenance. Blooms on new wood, so trim in late winter or early spring.

Aronia melanocarpa 'Low Scape Mound.' Dwarf, native, deciduous shrub that grows 1-2' high and 2' wide and features multi-season interest. White flowers in spring; black fruits in summer; glossy green foliage turns orange-red in fall; edible berries that sweeten after a freeze. Sun to part shade. Adaptable and low maintenance. Blooms on old wood. Deer resistant. Attracts pollinators and birds. 2019 Landscape Shrub of the Year.

For a detailed order form or more information, contact Lillian Willis at 802-875-1340 or [email protected]. A check should be made out to tax-exempt Chester Community Alliance, marked CT Tree Sale in the memo line, and mailed to PO Box 318, Chester, VT 05143 before April 1, 2020.