Summer Swimming!

Posted on July 25, 2014 by RutgersLN

Nothing cools you down quite like a dip in the pool, and here at Rutgers, we offer some refreshing options to custom create the pool you’ve always wanted.

Gunite pools offer you flexibility, creativity, and a lifetime of hassle-free swimming. As opposed to liner pools, Gunite concrete pools are super strong, with walls that are 8-12” thick backed by steel. Once cured, the concrete can withhold 9,000 psi (regular concrete only offers just 4,000 psi). What’s more, we guarantee them for 25 years, whereas liner pools tend to wear and deteriorate after 10-15 years.

Additionally, the sky is the limit when it comes to size and design. Whether you want a geometric shape, or create your own — we can do it!

Since Gunite is extremely malleable, it is a snap to custom carve bench seats, faux rocks, bridges, water features, and more. We also have endless choices of colored bottom pools and textures including natural river rock and lustrous diamond brite pool plaster.

Combine that with our expert landscape design and you’ll always want to be poolside! From start to finish, you can have a beautiful, entirely custom-made pool in just 30 days.

Give us a call or stop in to speak with a designer!

Coreopsis Cornucopia

Posted on July 9, 2014 by RutgersLN

Nothing gives you beautiful lasting color quite like Coreopsis! Not only are they super hardy (not to mention deer resistant), there are well over 100 varieties available of all heights, shapes, and colors!

Though very low maintenance, a little dead-heading goes a long way to help increase additional blooms. If you’re not a big fan of dead-heading, you’re in luck, especially if you’re a bird watcher — the seed pods can be left on to attract feathered friends to your garden (goldfinches in particular!).

Many varieties bloom throughout the summer and into fall, complimenting the seasons with a burst of sunshine that’s perfect for any garden walkway or border. Stop by the nursery to see some of the varieties we carry!

Beating the Beetles

Posted on July 3, 2014 by RutgersLN

Photo by: David Cappaert
bugwood.org

The Japanese beetles have descended with a vengeance, helping themselves to your backyard buffet. But you don’t have to let them destroy your beautiful shrubs and prize rosebushes! By being aware of their presence and being proactive, you can keep your garden looking great.

Though they are truly beautiful insects with shiny metallic shells ranging from hues of green, gold, and blue, they can do a number on certain types of plants.

Japanese beetle damage can be identified by skeletal-looking leaves, and it’s not uncommon to catch them in the act of snacking. Japanese beetles absolutely love roses (they nestle in the center of their blooms, eating them from the inside out!), so if you have them in your garden, they’ll tend to go for those first. Other plants they tend to go for are lindens, fruit trees, and maples.

Though there are several Pyrethrin-based insecticides on the market, there are also less toxic ways to control them such as good old-fashioned hand-picking (pick beetles off plants in the morning when they are less active and place them in a bucket of soapy water). Some gardeners have cited success by incorporating beneficial Tiphia Wasps into their garden, which keep beetle larvae at bay. Additionally, natural Neem Oil has shown to be effective when sprayed on plants as a preventative. Diatomaceous earth, which is a single-celled algae that harms insects exoskeletons, can also be applied around selected plants to destroy beetle larvae.

There are plants Japanese beetles dislike like garlic, rue, catnip, chives, leeks, onions, marigolds, and larkspur. Planting these in among plants they like can help lessen damage by deterring their presence.

Lastly, be wary of Japanese beetle traps – the bait that’s used can actually attract beetles to your yard, giving you a bigger problem than you bargained for.

By being proactive, you can happily say bon voyage to these little buggers!

Pagoda Dogwood

Posted on June 19, 2014 by RutgersLN

Lovely Pagoda Dogwood. Photo credit: Distant Hill via photopin

Make the Pagoda Dogwood part of your backyard sanctuary!

The Pagoda Dogwood is named after its unique, distinctive layered branches, much like a multi-tiered pagoda temple. This dogwood variety is a bit heartier than other flowering dogwood; better tolerates the cold and wind; and thrives in moist soil and partial shade. Ranging from 15-30′ in height with an equal spread in its canopy, Pagoda Dogwoods make a statement whether planted alone or together in a row.

Pagoda Dogwoods are most noted for their beautiful masses of sweet-smelling, luscious white flowers that bloom in early summer (birdwatchers take note: the blossoms and fruit attract a variety of birds and butterflies!). Blooms later yield fruit that ripen to shades of deep-purple. Summertime is upon us, and soon these fragrant blossoms will be too — so stop into our nursery to indulge your senses!

Paperbark Maple

Posted on June 13, 2014 by RutgersLN

Gorgeous Paperbark Maple

Sharpen your #2 pencils and add Paper Bark Maple to your must-see list of specimen trees! This slow-growing variety was originally cultivated in China, but has since found its way to our area, growing well in zones 5-7. This maple does well in both full sun and partial shade, and reaches a moderate height of 15′-30,’ with similar sized canopy. Leaves grow in clusters of three, ranging from 3-8” long, and turn from orange to bright red in late fall, holding onto its color far longer than most maples, which can be a real treat in the grey of winter! Although small, delicate yellow-green blooms appear in spring, the real boasting point of the Paper Bark Maple (as the name suggests) is its distinctive, chocolaty copper bark that peels away in ribbons and curls. This tree is truly an ornament for all seasons!

The Nursery in Late Spring Splendor!

Posted on June 9, 2014 by RutgersLN

We love this time of year; here are some pictures of the nursery in lush and wonderful Spring! Stop by!

Rutgers Nursery

The Perennial Pavillion

The Gallery of Plants – The Specimen Plant Area

The Greenhouse

Container Plantings

Shade Trees from the Farm

Gorgeous Knockout Roses

Samples From the Pottery Collection

More Colorful Perennials

Wonderful Contrasting Texture

2014 Spring Container Plantings 016Resize

Japanese Forest Grass and Oxalis

The Locust Grove Patio

Trident Maple

Posted on May 30, 2014 by RutgersLN

Though the name Trident Maple may conjure a sense of sharpness, this shade tree is anything but. In fact, the forward-facing leaves are soft, lobed, and often likened to the shape of a duck’s foot. Ideal to bring shade to a patio, yard, or street, the Trident Maple grows to a moderate height of 20-30 feet, branching out equally as wide, providing a welcoming canopy of coolness. What else is cool about this tree? Mature trunks boast an impressive display of exfoliating bark in shades of pale pink and soft orange.

Shawnee Brave Bald Cypress

Posted on May 23, 2014 by RutgersLN

Photo by Derek Ramsey

It may be stating the obvious, but this hearty tree specimen is just as bold as its name suggests. Not only does it do well in a variety of soil conditions (ranging from acidic, sandy, and wet soils), it is left alone by deer, resists erosion and stands tall against air pollution, making it an excellent choice for both urban and rural landscapes. The Shawnee Brave Bald Cypress is a stately pyramidal conifer that yields ornamental 1” round green cones that turn brown by late fall, and reaches an average height of 50-70.’ Contrary to its appearance as an evergreen, the Bald Cypress is actually deciduous, dropping its needles before wintertime. Come by the nursery to behold its bold stature — you may just feel a bit braver basking in its presence!

American Paw Paw – tasteful in both backyard and culinary landscape

Posted on May 16, 2014 by RutgersLN

The American Paw Paw is a beautiful, multi-use addition to your backyard sanctuary, offering lush attractive alternate and spirally-arranged foliage, deep purple tulip-like blooms, and delicious fruit resembling papayas. It is said that the English name Paw Paw either came from the Spanish or Portuguese word for Papaya, since their fruit is so similar to each other. The Paw Paw is part of the Custard Apple family, and tastes like a combination of tropical fruits like mango, banana, pineapple and melon. Sound delicious? Come by the nursery to grow your own to make the decadent Paw Paw pudding recipe below.

Pawpaw Pudding

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

half teaspoon cinnamon

2 eggs

2 cups pawpaw pulp

1½ cups of milk (dairy or other)

1/3 cup melted butter (or coconut oil)

Dash of sea salt (optional)
Preheat oven to 350º and oil a medium-sized glass baking dish. In a large mixing bowl whisk together all dry ingredients. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and mix in the eggs. Add all other ingredients and mix thoroughly. Bake 50 minutes. When cooled, cut in squares. Top with whipped cream if desired.

The Hardy Rubber Tree is Hardly Just a Tree!

Posted on May 9, 2014 by RutgersLN

Tough conditions seem to bounce off this tough shade tree. Not only are they extremely tolerant of drought, insects and disease seem to keep their distance as well. The Hardy Rubber tree has lovely, elongated, glossy leaves that can get up to 8’’ long that even in the harshest conditions, retain their elegant green foliage. Another perk specific to New Jersey is that they can thrive in many soil environments, including heavy clay as long as adequate drainage is provided. Not only is the bark and sap processed to make natural latex, it has also been used in Chinese medicine for alleviating pain, strengthening joints and bones, and rejuvenating kidney and liver health.

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