So, you are going to plant some flowering shrubs for your next landscaping project. You got the plants at the local nursery, got the shovel, got the gloves on, dug the hole….but now what? Here are a few simple steps to get those shrubs out of the containers they grow in and up and blooming in no time!
Step 1: Remove the plant from the container
The first thing you will want to do is water the plant. This will help loosen the soil. Next, lay the container on its side. To get the plant out, try tapping the sides. If it does not come out with tapping, cut the sides of the plastic container with a box cutter and pull it off.
Step 2: Break up the roots
After you have the plant out, you are going to want to help the roots spread out after you plant it. You can do this by taking a garden spade or garden rake and breaking up the clump of roots. The bigger the roots are, the more you will need to break it up.
Step 3: Check the depth of your hole
Place your new plant in the hole, and let it rest on the bottom of your newly dug hole. You want the crown of your roots to be a couple inches above ground. It is best to dig the hole a little deeper than you need and then add dirt back to the hole. This gives the roots some soil beneath them that will be easy to grow through and will help the plant quickly become established.
Step 4: Plant the shrub
Put the plant in the hole and add half the soil around the plant, but do not cover the crown of the roots. Gently step on the soil to stabilize the plant. Save the remaining soil for later.
Step 5: Water the shrub
Take a hose or bucket and fill the hole until the water pools. After the water has been allowed to soak in, add the rest of the soil to the hole. The root crown should still remain above ground.
Step 6: Make a moat around the shrub.
Take a shovel or small rake and create a small moat around the plant. Add more water, and allow it to soak in. Sprinkle a little fertilizer around the roots, and wait for your plant to take off!
For more information on garden and landscaping planning, see this article on flowering shrubs.