July 2016 Volume 19 : Issue 2

Sales have been strong in the nursery sector this spring and

landscapers are busy now. Landscapers are our main

customer base for the summer months. Plant inventories are

very low in the nursery sector as production was cut back in

the early 2000’s so we have seen some shortages.

Regal Celebration is the name for our new Freeman maple

which was chosen by Manitoba’s Lieutenant Governor Janice

Filmon to recognize distinguished Manitobans and visitors to

the province. The new cultivar will not be available until fall

2017 as we are still increasing stock levels. On May 12th,

Sharon and I took part in a naming and planting ceremony at

the Lieutenant Governor’s residence on the grounds of the

Manitoba Legislature.

Sales growth in field stock is good. Strong sellers in bare-root

included Starlite®and Gladiator®flowering crabapple as well

as the Spire series of columnar crabapples. Strong sales in

basketed trees included Silver Cloud, Starlite®, Gladiator®

and sugar maple. Linden sales showed a marked increase

this year as tree purchasers diversify their plantings. All in all

it has been a good spring season.

We are currently working on the 2016-2017 catalogue that

features many new plant introductions including a new

potentilla and hybrid lilac developed at Jeffries (see

descriptions on page 2).

You are welcome to visit our operation over the summer

months. Tours of Jeffries shrub cultivar trial can also be

arranged at your convenience.

Wilbert Ronald

Proudly serving northern gardeners since 1982

P. O. Box 402 Portage la Prairie, MB.

R1N 3B7

Toll Free: 1-888-857-5288 Fax: (204) 857-2877

e-mail: jeffnurs@mts.net www.jeffriesnurseries.com

Office Contacts

President wilbert.ronald@jeffriesnurseries.com

Sales Manager michel.touchette@jeffriesnurseries.com

Saskatchewan / Alberta Sales Rep pete@jeffriesnurseries.com

Accounts / Inside Sales shawna.ronald@jeffriesnurseries.com

Field Manager andrew.ronald@jeffriesnurseries.com

Research / Marketing philip.ronald@jeffriesnurseries.com

News Briefs

In this issue, we are pleased to feature our first of many customer profiles: The Saskatoon Farm in De Winton, AB. You can find more info on their website: www.saskatoonfarm.com or on Facebook at: Saskatoon Farm. Remember that you can access our updated availability list online. The list is updated weekly and features all available nursery stock including wire-basket trees. Use the password: xxxxxxxxx to access protected files.

From the President

REGAL

CELEBRATION

MAPLE

Manitoba’s

Lieutenant Governor

Janice Filmon planted

the first Regal

Celebration Maple at

the Lieutenant

Governor’s residence

on May 12, 2016.

Growing Matters

Parkland Pillar

Birch

NEW PLANT INTRODUCTIONS FOR SPRING 2017

SILVERADO™ HYBRID OLIVE

Elaeagnus x ‘Jefsil’

A small version of Russian Olive,

‘Silverado’ reaches 10 feet (3 m) in 6

years. This sterile plant has none of

the invasive species issues that

often limit the use of Russian olive.

One great improvement over an

earlier introduction named

‘Silverscape’, is that we have not

seen as much suckering on this new

selection.

MANDARIN TANGO™ POTENTILLA

Potentilla fruticosa ‘Jefman’

‘Mandarin Tango’ is a compact plant

whose flowers have a touch of red

from its ‘Red Robin’ parent. It is

hoped this new cultivar will replace

‘Orange Whisper’ in the nursery

trade. ‘Mandarin Tango’ is the first

of several exciting new potentilla

that will be introduced from Jeffries

breeding program.

LITTLE LADY™ HYBRID LILAC

Syringa x ‘Jeflady’

A unique hybrid lilac, this new

cultivar combines the large, fragrant

flower panicles of ‘Miss Kim’ with

the dwarf compact habit of ‘Dwarf

Korean’. With a mature height of

only 4-5 feet (1.5 m), ‘Little Lady’ will

grow to half the size of ‘Miss Kim’.

Sure to be a winner in the space-

limited residential landscapes of

today, ‘Little Lady’ offers superb

winter hardiness in zones 2 and 3.

‘Little Lady’

‘Miss Kim’

NEW CATALOGUE LISTINGS FOR SPRING 2017

INVINCIBELLE SPIRIT II® HYDRANGEA

SPILLED WINE® WEIGELA

INCREDIBALL BLUSH® HYDRANGEA

TUXEDO® WEIGELA LIL’ DITTY

® VIBURNUM

INVINCIBELLE RUBY® HYDRANGEA LOW SCAPE

® ARONIA (CHOKEBERRY)

FESTIVUS GOLD® NINEBARK TINY WINE GOLD

® NINEBARK

FIRST EDITIONS® CANDY CORALBERRY CANADIAN SHIELD

® HARDY ROSE PINK SPARKLER® BIRCHLEAF SPIREA

CUSTOMER PROFILE

The Saskatoon Farm By Pete Van Vliet

In 1987, Paul and Karen Hamer bought the property now known as The Saskatoon Farm in De Winton, Alberta. They originally started growing Saskatoon seedlings and developing a Saskatoon U-Pick. As the years went by the Hamer’s started adding buildings; some for growing, and some for retail. As their business continued to grow, and trends kept changing, the Saskatoon Farm moved forward with diversification. People of all ages, from all walks of life, tour the fantastic property. The staff are always ready to help with any questions, and also maintain a very unique display garden full of interesting plants. It is home to a beautiful view of the river valley on the east side, and the Rockies in the distance to the west. With the jaw-dropping view of the river valley, Paul has set up a fully-landscaped lookout, which is a great spot for a photo op, especially for weddings! Some newly-weds also take advantage of other areas, whether for the reception, or just photo shoots with the wedding party. There are even yoga classes available, for those inclined to stretch their stresses away! Visitors can walk through the retail area, and shop through a massive assortment of hard goods to add something unique for your home or yard. If you get hungry while visiting the Saskatoon Farm, check out their bakery and restaurant. The menu is great, and the food is even better!! You can also find fresh produce in season, whether its already picked, or, of course, the u-pick option is always available. As an avid horticulturalist, I enjoy walking through the greenhouses and garden center, where there seems to always be something new to find. Did I forget to mention concerts? Watch the Saskatoon Farms website for upcoming live bands!! With so many different things to see and do, be sure to schedule a LOT of time to tour the Saskatoon Farm! It is truly a unique destination!