A few years back, Payne’s came across an extraordinary story — that of a flowering pear tree that not only endured the devastation of 9/11, but flourished in the years that followed. As we pause to honor this day, we share with you the powerful legacy of The Survivor Tree.
This Callery pear was pulled from the wreckage at Ground Zero in October 2001, its roots torn, branches burned, and trunk nearly lifeless. Rescued by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, the tree was nurtured back to health and, in 2010, returned to the 9/11 Memorial. From its scarred trunk, new branches have grown — a striking symbol of both its past struggles and present renewal.
Today, the Survivor Tree stands as a living emblem of resilience and hope. Extending its legacy even further, the 9/11 Memorial shares seedlings each year with communities that have faced tragedy, ensuring the spirit of survival and rebirth continues to take root around the world.
Launched in 2013, the Survivor Tree Seedling Program, in partnership with Bartlett Tree Experts and John Bowne High School in Queens, keeps this story alive — reminding us that even in the darkest of times, renewal is possible.
It’s the best time to plant trees, shrubs and ornamental grasses!
Get READY FOR FALL and Stop by PAYNE’S NORTH for a variety of shade, flowering, fruit and decorative TREES!
Payne’s considers Fall the best time to plant a tree … and here are some of the reasons why:
Mild Weather: Fall typically brings cooler temperatures after the scorching summer heat has subsided. This mild weather is ideal for newly planted trees as it reduces the risk of heat stress and excessive transpiration. Trees can establish their roots more effectively in these conditions, setting a strong foundation for future growth.
Moisture Availability: Fall often comes with more consistent rainfall, which helps to keep the soil adequately moist. This moisture is crucial for root development. Additionally, trees planted in the fall have several months of cooler, wetter weather ahead, allowing them to establish themselves before the heat and drought of summer return.
Reduced Stress on Trees: During the fall, deciduous trees begin to go dormant, meaning they redirect their energy from top growth to root development. This reduces stress on the tree and increases its chances of survival. Planting in the fall allows the tree to focus on root growth without the demand for new leaves or flowers.
Less Pest Pressure: Many insect pests and diseases become less active in the fall, reducing the risk of infestations that could harm newly planted trees. This gives the tree a better chance to establish itself without the constant threat of damage.
Availability of Nursery Stock: Nurseries often have a wider selection of tree species and healthier stock available in the fall, as this is the prime season for tree sales. This enables you to choose the best tree species for your specific location and landscaping needs.
Preparation for Spring Growth: By planting in the fall, your tree will have a head start on spring growth. When warmer weather returns, the tree will already have a well-developed root system, allowing it to focus on producing leaves and branches for the upcoming growing season.
In this week’s archived show from previous years, the Garden Guru mentioned that now is the time to start pulling out some of those tired plants and replace them with full blooming plants like mums and pansies. Lynn said Pansies are tough little guys… you know they can take a frost so if you plant them in a protected area in your yard or in the pot they might bloom for you all Winter long — which is always nice to go out on a cold day and see those smiling pansy faces looking at you!
Lynn also mentioned that it’s also a good time to start mulching — and there’s two basic types of mulch. One is a decorative mulch that just makes your yard and garden look prettier and the other is a mulch that actually holds moisture. Listen to Lynn’s tip on how much mulch is adequate for your gardens.
CLICK HERE to listen to the GARDEN GURU’s archived show regarding Indian Market and what to do now in the garden!
BEAUTIFUL GARDEN MUMS IN A VARIETY OF COLORS IN STOCK NOW AT PAYNES!
PHOTO OF THE WEEK! WELCOME TO PAYNE’S NORTH ENTRANCE!
Beautiful photo taken by Payne’s very own team member – Erica!
—————————————————- SHARE YOUR PHOTOS! Please keep sending in your photos. You Could WIN a $25 Gift Card! If you have a photo taken in one of our greenhouses or of your own garden orlandscape that contains products from Payne’s, please send it to info@paynes.com!
If your photo is chosen, and used in our e-newsletter website or other marketingmaterials, then you will receive a Gift Certificate from Payne’s for $25!Please make sure to give us your contact information in your email.
Mums, or chrysanthemums, are one of the most beloved fall flowers, known for their vibrant colors and abundant blooms that brighten gardens and patios. While many people enjoy them as seasonal potted plants, mums are also hardy perennials. With the right care, they return year after year, offering a reliable burst of color when most other flowers are fading.
These versatile plants can be enjoyed both in containers and directly in the garden. Planted in the ground, mums establish strong root systems that help them thrive through the seasons. Their variety of colors and shapes make them perfect for borders, flower beds, or accent plantings, ensuring your garden has a fresh pop of color well beyond a single season.
Come see them for yourself—and TAKE HOME your favorite fall colors!
Bring a little sunshine to your garden with marigolds, now growing at Payne’s Nursery!
With cheerful blooms in shades of golden yellow, bright orange, and warm gold, marigolds are an easy, colorful choice for flower beds, containers, and vegetable gardens. They love the sunshine, attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, and their distinctive fragrance may help discourage some common garden pests. Whether you’re adding a pop of color or creating a vibrant garden display, marigolds are a beautiful choice for the growing season.
Marigolds also bring a special meaning to the season through their connection to Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). In Mexico and throughout parts of Latin America, their vibrant flowers are traditionally used to decorate altars and honor loved ones who have passed away. Their brilliant golden and orange colors symbolize remembrance, celebration, and the warmth of cherished memories.
Stop by Payne’s Nursery and discover these beautiful blooms for your garden!
A Little Holiday Magic is already taking shape at Payne’s Nursery!
Long before poinsettias make their way onto your holiday table or into your home, they spend months being carefully grown and tended right here in Santa Fe. With plenty of time, attention, and a little help from our team, these young plants will transform into the colorful holiday favorites you know and love.
Growing poinsettias locally means we get to be part of their journey from the very beginning—and we’re excited to share that journey with you. As the plants grow and the season gets closer, we’ll be sharing glimpses of what’s happening behind the scenes at the nursery. Keep following along to watch our Santa Fe-grown poinsettias take shape and get ready to bring some holiday color home for Christmas!
We’ll be watching them grow all season long—and we can’t wait to see the finished blooms! Follow along for a behind-the-scenes look at Santa Fe’s holiday poinsettias as they get ready for Christmas.
CLICK HERE TO SEE PAYNE’S POINSETTIA GROWING PROCESS.
WHAT SHOULD WE DO FIRST BEFORE WE BRING IN THOSE HOUSEPLANTS THATWE PUT OUTSIDE THIS SPRING!
Another GREAT Question!
In this week’s archived show from previous years, the Garden Guru mentioned that it’s time to bring in your houseplants that have been living outdoors for the Summer!
The Garden Guru suggested that the first thing you should do is inspect your plants very carefully for insects. Insects can be pretty tricky. They can hide underneath the leaf or where the leaf attaches to the stem. They can crowd themselves down in that little bitty space and they’re hard to see — so you really need to go over them carefully and make sure that they don’t have any insects on them before you bring them back in the house.
A secondary precaution that Lynn suggests to do before you bring in those houseplants is… well, LISTEN to Lynn’s tip to find out!
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CLICK HERE to listen to the GARDEN GURU’s archived show regarding Indian Market and what to do now in the garden!
Here’s THIS MONTHS ZODIAC SIGN PROFILE AND HOW IT CAN HELP YOU GARDEN:
VIRGO (AUGUST 23 – SEPTEMBER 22) Virgo ends the summer. The major heat of the season is beginning to pass, and there is a hint of a change just around the corner. As this sign truly represents the harvest, you, an industrious soul, love all things that last or keep. Potatoes are a big favorite here, as well as corn and many varieties of winter squashes. You are an ardent organizer; we expect to see neat, trim rows of vegetables in your gardens. Gloves live on your hands for the entire growing season, as you love to check items off of your “to-do” list with patient persistence. Everything has its place in these kitchens, and meat and potatoes are on the menu with consistent regularity.
