Planting Shrubs

Planting and Caring for Shrubs & Roses: A Greenwood Nursery Guide

Enhance your landscape with beautiful shrubs and roses from Greenwood Nursery, your trusted online nursery. This guide provides expert advice on planting and caring for these garden staples.

General Spacing Guidelines:

Many shrubs and roses from our online plants nursery thrive when planted 2 to 5 feet apart, depending on their mature width. Always check the specific variety's growth habit.

Preparation:

For hard or clay soil, amend the backfill soil with organic matter. For loose or sandy soil, incorporate topsoil and organic matter into the backfill.

Planting Bare Root Shrubs & Roses:

1. Dig a hole 8 to 14 inches wide and 12 to 14 inches deep, ensuring it's at least 3 to 4 inches deeper and 4 to 5 inches wider than the root system.
2. Pour about 2 inches of water into the hole and let it soak in.
3. Remove any plastic wrap and shredded newspaper from the roots.
4. Hold the plant with the root collar slightly above ground level and pull soil back into the hole, pressing lightly.
5. Fill the hole with your prepared soil mixture and firmly press around the base.
6. Water thoroughly with an amount similar to the pre-watering.
7. Apply a 3-inch layer of mulch in a doughnut shape around the base, keeping it a couple of inches from the trunk.
8. For the first 4 to 6 weeks, water every 2 to 3 days, adjusting for rainfall. Check soil moisture by digging down about 5 inches and 4-6 inches away from the trunk. Water if dry.
9. Gradually reduce watering frequency. Water more during hot, dry periods. Mulch helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.
10. Clip any broken or damaged tips and branches.

Planting Container Grown Shrubs & Roses:

1. Dig a hole 2 to 4 inches wider and 3 to 5 inches deeper than the container.
2. Pour about 2 inches of water into the hole and let it soak in.
3. Loosen the soil in the pot, gently remove the plant, and comb through the roots to loosen any circling growth.
4. Position the plant with the base slightly above ground level and backfill with soil.
5. Water thoroughly with an amount similar to the pre-watering.
6. Apply a 3-inch layer of mulch in a doughnut shape around the base, keeping it a couple of inches from the trunk.
7. For the first 4 to 6 weeks, water every 2 to 3 days, adjusting for rainfall. Check soil moisture as described for bare-root plants.
8. Gradually reduce watering frequency. Water more during hot, dry periods. Mulch helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.
9. Clip any broken or damaged tips and branches.

Fertilizing Shrubs & Roses:

Often, adding organic matter at planting and using organic mulch eliminates the need for fertilizer in the first year. In the second year, fertilize after leafing out with a timed-release formula according to package directions. Avoid overuse of water-soluble and liquid fertilizers, which can harm the soil.

Care Tips for Specific Shrubs & Roses:

• Buddleias (Butterfly Bush): Plant in full to partial sun with 4 to 8 foot spacing. Groupings of 3-5 look best. Prefer alkaline soil (pH 6.5-7.0). Fertilize in spring/summer with slow-release fertilizer. Deadhead for longer blooming. Prune back in winter. Monitor and treat spider mites with miticide if needed.
• Rose of Sharon Shrubs: Plant in full to mostly sunny areas for best blooming (mid-summer to frost). Prune dead branches and shape in late winter/early spring. Mulch with 2-3 inches. Fertilize with timed-release (10-10-10) as new growth begins.
• Rosa Rugosas: Plant in full to partial sun. Adaptable to poor, sandy soil and cold hardy. Most grow 4-6 feet tall and wide. Prune oldest and damaged canes at ground level in late winter/early spring after the first few years. Prefer organic matter over chemical fertilizers. Water less frequently, allowing soil to dry between waterings.
• Knock-Out Roses: Plant in full sun but tolerate as little as 4 hours (morning sun preferred). Use organic fertilizers. Plant in well-drained soil with organic matter (peat moss or aged manure mix). Water thoroughly after planting. Deadheading encourages more blooms (mid to late spring until hard frost).
• Hydrangeas: Plant in morning sun with afternoon shade. PeeGee hydrangeas tolerate full sun. Need plenty of moisture, especially in the first two years and during droughts. Fertilize with slow-release 1-2 times a year (May/July for zones 6-8; June for zone 5 and north) according to label directions. Avoid fertilizing wilted plants.

Explore a wide variety of shrubs and roses at Greenwood Nursery, your leading online plants nursery, and create a vibrant garden!