Planting Shrubs & Roses

Many shrubs and roses can be planted between 2 and 5 feet apart depending on the variety's width at maturity.

Preparation

• Hard or Clay Soil: Add coarse sand and organic matter to the soil you will be putting back in the hole to lessen compaction around the root system after planting.
• Loose or Sandy Soil: Add topsoil and organic matter to help build the quality of the soil, provide nutrients, and improve density.

Planting Bare Root Shrubs

• Dig holes 8 to 14 inches wide and 12 to 14 inches deep, ensuring it is at least 3 to 4 inches deeper than the root system and 4 to 5 inches wider.
• Pour about 2 inches of water into the hole and allow the water to soak in.
• Remove the plastic wrap and shredded newspaper from the roots, placing them aside.
• Place the plant just above the root collar, level with the ground, and fill the hole with your soil mixture, pressing down lightly.
• Water the soil as needed and apply more soil if it sinks, pressing it down again.
• Apply about 3 inches of mulch in a "doughnut" shape around the base, keeping it a few inches from the trunk and mounding it 6 to 12 inches outward.
• Water every 2 to 3 days for the first 4 to 6 weeks, checking the soil moisture regularly. Gradually decrease watering over time.
• Clip any broken or damaged tips and branches.

Planting Container Grown Plants

• Dig holes 2 to 4 inches wider and 3 to 5 inches deeper than the container.
• Pour about 2 inches of water into the hole and allow the water to soak in.
• Loosen the plant from the pot and gently pry the root system out.
• Loosen and spread apart the roots as needed.
• Place the plant slightly above ground level, fill the hole with your soil mixture, and lightly press the soil around the base.
• Water as needed and apply more soil if it sinks, pressing it down again.
• Apply about 3 inches of mulch in a "doughnut" shape around the base of the plant, just like with bare-root plants.
• Water regularly for the first 4 to 6 weeks, gradually reducing the frequency of watering as the plant establishes.
• Clip any broken or damaged tips and branches.

Fertilizing

Adding organic matter when planting and using organic mulch often eliminates the need for additional fertilizer during the first year. In the second year, wait until plants begin leafing out before starting a fertilizing program. A timed-release fertilizer works well. Be cautious of overusing water-soluble fertilizers as they can build up saline in the soil, damaging plant growth and making the soil unsafe for future plantings.

Care Tips for Shrubs & Roses

Buddleias

• Plant in full or partial sun with 4 to 8 feet of spacing. Plant in groupings of 3 to 5 plants.
• Prefer alkaline soil (pH 6.5 to 7.0).
• Fertilize in spring or summer with a slow-release fertilizer.
• Deadheading will extend blooming. Prune in winter as the plant ages.
• Common problem: spider mites. Check with a piece of white paper and a tap on branches; if you see tiny red or rust-colored spots, treat with a miticide.

Rose of Sharon Shrubs

• Bloom from mid-summer to frost.
• Grow best in full sun, but can tolerate partial shade.
• Prune dead branches in late winter or early spring.
• Apply 2 to 3 inches of mulch around the base, creating a well.
• Apply a timed-release fertilizer such as 10-10-10 when new growth appears in spring.

Rosa Rugosas

• Plant in full to partial sun. They are cold-hardy and disease-resistant, thriving even in poor, sandy soil.
• Prune in late winter or early spring, cutting back the oldest or damaged canes.
• Prefer organic matter over chemical fertilizers.
• Water carefully, as they do not like overwatering.

Knock-Out Roses

• Resistant to common diseases such as black spot.
• Plant in sun for optimal growth but can tolerate as little as 4 hours of sunlight per day.
• Plant in well-drained, well-aerated soil with good organic matter.
• Deadheading is optional, but removing spent blooms can encourage new growth.
• They bloom from mid-spring to frost.

Hydrangeas

• Grow best in morning sun with afternoon shade. Avoid heavy shade.
• The PeeGee variety is hardy for full sun.
• Hydrangeas prefer moisture, so monitor watering, especially during the first two years.
• Fertilize 1 to 2 times a year with a slow-release fertilizer. In zones 6-8, fertilize in May and July; in colder zones, fertilize once in June.
• Do not fertilize if the plant appears wilted or unhealthy. Address the issue first before applying fertilizer.