I looked at my Forest Pansy again for you - it did start budding last week (unusually warm), but I think it got stunted after that (colder now), as it never reached that full, covered in pink flowers look. Some buds look stunted, but on a couple tiny red leaves are staring to appear. Again, mine is established. As for box stores versus nurseries - I agree, the loss of nurseries royally sucks. The real problem (at least on Long Island, NY), is that the only remaining nurseries are so extremely high-end that it is truly impossible to shop there. We used to have a chain called Frank's Nursery and Crafts - they went under a few years ago, and no one has filled the void. Their prices were similar to the box stores, but their stock was in great shape and every store had a certified horticulturist on site and all managers were required to take horticultural classes. Their bankruptcy was blamed on bad management, but in reality they could not compete when HD and Lowes moved in down the street - HD and Lowes always sell their stuff well-below wholesale when they first open - forcing local businesses to go under. Today the prices are more normal. I bought a TON of shrubs from Lowes, HD this year, but only because I needed a ton (I'm getting rid of my grass, and we lost a huge tree last month). They are not the most unique, but they were too cheap to pass up. My tactic is to use cheaper plants as bulk, and then invest in unique shrubs as the specimens. I order most of my stuff from online nurseries now. Last year I got a Fernspray Gold Hinoki Cypress online for $35 (I'd wanted it for years and couldn't find it locally); before I ordered it I called the two best nurseries around, and the one that had it wanted $250 for a 30" high plant! Mine is about 24" - I ordered the 18", but they were out of that size so they upgraded me at no charge. Please tell me how one nursery can charge $35 (probably should be $50 for that size), while the local nurseries charge $250? That is why so many nurseries go out of business - they charge WAY TOO MUCH! Especially when all any customer needs to do is go online and compare prices. I would NEVER buy a tree from a box store though - I get fruit trees from fruit tree specialists, and shade/ ornamentals from tree specialists or native tree specialists. I bought a Mac Apple from HD years ago and that was the worst thing ever - it was already pruned into the wrong form, and although I have fixed all the bad branches, there is nothing I can do about the vase-shape, so I really do not like that tree (but I feel guilty about chopping it down and replacing it, since it is so large now). Prices at the box stores are not much better on trees and specialty perennials, though. By me they want $40 for fruit trees - normal price from a specialist is $20-30, depending on variety. Most perennials are the same cost as online, and online nurseries have a much better selection. I bought mostly Rhodis, Azaleas, Pieris and Mountain Laurels this year from them. But, for unique Rhodis I shop at Rhodi specialists (we used to have a specialist nursery near me, but they went out of business a few years ago :( I bought 4 PJM Rhodis ($7 small, $30 large), 5 Purple Gem Rhodis ($15 each, large size), and 5 Silver Sword Azaleas ($7 each); the prices could not be beat. Lowes had beautiful Mountain Laurels for $25, and I grabbed 2 because they are IMPOSSIBLE to find around here (even though they are native). I had purchased one from a new local nursery a few years ago, but it was so root-bound (I paid $35 during the 30% off sale), that I could not perform effective surgery, so I threw it out and replaced it this year (still no new roots). You basically have to know what you are purchasing - what to look for in a plant to make sure it is worth purchasing. All my online purchases have been great, except TyTyga (sp?) in Georgia - do NOT buy from them - bad trees.

I hear ya! Envious you seen a traveler in person though... When I'm limited to black walnuts in the ravine I have to just bite the bullet. Though we have been blessed with FREE plants from a few folk. 15 or so...along with what we planted things don't look so bare. (Established flowerbeds last year) Planting on the rocky waterfall tucking in flower ends here and there keep the soil From being contaminated by the roots if the walnut. But sadly where we need to plant these we are dealing with what will survive there. Due to the walnut tree. I want a nice flowering substance tree/shrub. I have three hibiscus...Rose of Sharon...lil'Kim...and a Rose Mallow. The list is so limited to things I can plant...I have one zone pet friendly which also makes it more difficult. I want two redbuds next spring...I am pretty sure the weeping Ruby Falls and a Lavender Twist allowed to go natural. Trunk no more than 1 1/2 ft. From where branches start. I want a low laying branch look more like they have gotten with the Traveler. After years back losing $$$$ on everything dying. We would rather pay and have success. Planted two weeping cheeries. One we planted the other a nursery...both died. The nursery (one we no longer deal with) wouldn't hold up to the refund we were told they would stand by if they planted it. So $$$ waisted. Figured later we know about the roots of a walnut...that was the problem. So...little by little. We bite the bullet and get what will survive and live. But hope to achieve the same look of the Traveler...with an un-staked Lavender Twist.

I have them and both have required staking to get a upright leader. Some say 'Falling Water' will eventually throw up a leader but I cant speak of that. I've spoke to others stating their 'Cascade Falls' had a leader without staking. Guess it depends on who you talk to. Staked, both look similar with 'Cascade Falls' being wider in my opinion. What are you wanting to do with the tree?...Let it grow and take on it's natural shape or stake and shape to your imagination? Since I'm in your region, I know Taxodium will grow fast for you. I got 3-4 foot of growth from my Taxodium distichum 'Cascade Falls' and 'Falling Water' trees that I grafted last Feburary. If your wanting to manipulate the tree, I would get the smaller sized plants so you can shape the tree as you wish. You can prune hard back to the main stem and create the framework for your tree. Then allow the branches to grow and droop from where you please. It should grow rapidily for you. This post was edited by abciximab on Thu, Mar 28, 13 at 0:29

I live in the north shore of Massachusetts. I installed a Cercis Canadensis - Rising Sun Redbud last October - a 5 gallon container tree in a full sun area of my front yard - where there is decent drainage. Made it through the winter with no problems, and the tight lavender buds popped in April . The bark and branching is a light grey and it all appears to be healthy - all branches are still pliable. The tiny lime colored leaves that appeared after budding have now morphed into larger, darker leaves. Watering has been a consistent once / wk process, but we did have some pretty intense rainfall about a month ago. I began noticing slight drooping and wilting of the leaves right before the heavy rains we received. Since then, it has been dry and warm, and the leaves have gotten more wilted and curled. At the recommendation of one of our nursery managers, I tried soaking the root area. There has been no improvement, and the smaller leaves are now drying up. No spotting on the leaves or signs of leaf decay, and no insect issues.. If it weren't for the drooping and wilting of leaves, they'd look completely healthy. In other words, the color and structure of the leaves are fine. The Rising Sun Redbud is a relatively new cultivar, so not much to go on re. diseases, insect issues and tree care solutions... My first inclination was that the tree might be suffering from root rot or a root fungus - based on the wilting and curling of leaves. I checked the soil around the root ball, which is cool and moist, but not wet, and there is none of the distinct smell you commonly get with root rot... When soaking the root area, the water pooled then drained fairly quickly. If anyone has any information on the Rising Sun, this particular issue, and a possible solution please pass along.. Many thanks!