Care Sheets & Tips

HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR NEWLY PLANTED TREES AND SHRUBS

The first year for newly planted nursery stock is the most crucial, as trees and shrubs expend their energy in getting established in their new environment.

Bonsai

Butterfly Bush & Bluebeard

Favourite Herbs

Gardening For Moist Area

Growing Ornamental Vines

Growing Your Own Asparagus, Rhubard, Strawberries & Raspberries

Grubs In The Lawn

Houseplant Pests

How to Maintain Your Newly Planted Trees And Shrubs

Hydrangeas

Japanese Maple Care Sheet

Ornamental Grasses

Perennials For Shade

Planting And Growing Hedges

Planting Vegetables

Plants To Attract Hummingbirds

Poisonous Plants

Rhododendrons & Azaleas

Rock Garden Plantings

Rose Care Throughout The Year

Roses: Type And Pruning

Tropical Foliage Plants

Water Garden Design

Water Lilies And Aquatic Gardens

EVERGREENS AND BROADLEAF EVERGREENS

Fertilizing

Water-soluble fertilizers are the easiest to use. For evergreens, mix 1 heaping tablespoon of 20-20-20 in one gallon of water and apply with a watering can or pail to 3 to 5 evergreens depending on size. Apply every two weeks from April to August. For granular fertilizer, use Tree Food 14-7-14 at a rate of one handful per plant in April and again in June.

Pruning

Evergreens are best pruned between the middle of June and the middle of August. This is right in the middle of the growing season, so the plants can produce more new growth after the pruning takes place. Prune spreading evergreens selectively, so that you reduce the total size of the plant. However, do not make secure cuts in the branches that will become unsightly stubs later on. Upright evergreens generally need just enough trimming each year to keep them neat and manageable. A bit of pruning will also keep the broadleaf evergreens full and compact.

Winter Protection

Most evergreens are completely cold hardy and require no winter protection. Upright evergreens may be loosely wrapped with mesh or burlap to prevent snow load damage. Some broadleaf evergreens like Rhododendrons, Kalmias and Pieris should be wrapped in burlap in late November and uncovered in April.

FLOWERING SHRUBS

Fertilizing

Deciduous shrubs should be fertilized with Plant Products 20-20-20 or 15-30-15 soluble fertilizer twice monthly from April to August. Granular 4-12-8 can be used in April and June.

Pruning

• FOLIAGE SHRUBS:
  Plants such as Silverleaf Dogwood, Purpleleaf Sandcherry, and most Spireas should be pruned back hard in early spring before growth emerges, so as to encourage vigorous healthy foliage all season long.
  
  
• FLOWER BUDS FORMED IN PREVIOUS SEASON:
  Shrubs like Forsythia, Lilacs, Snowball, Juneberry, Quince, Flowering Almond should be pruned back hard after the flower buds have dropped. This will encourage vigorous growth which will form numerous flower buds for next season.
  
  
• FLOWER BUDS FORMED IN SAME SEASON:
  Shrubs like all Spireas, Butterfly Bush. Hydrangeas, Potentillas, Rose of Sharon, Kerria, Weigelas are best pruned in spring to encourage the vigorous growth through spring and summer on which the flowers are born.

SHADE TREES

Fertilizing

Shade trees can be fertilized with Plant Products 20-20-20 or with a granular tree food 14-7-14. Both are applied at the drip line of the tree (as far as the branches extend from the trunk). Fertilize in April and again in June.

Pruning

Pruning is not always a yearly necessity for your shade trees. They should normally need pruning only to promote a better shape, or to eliminate weak, diseased or damaged branches. Most trees may be pruned in early spring even if bleeding occurs. Research indicates this bleeding is harmless. When pruning, do not leave stubs that can cause problems later on. Sealing wounds is not beneficial to the plant but may be done for cosmetic purposes.

Winter Protection

If rodent damage has occurred in the area previously, it is best to protect the trunk with tree wrap, or a plastic tree guard. Paint on rodent repellents are also effective.

Watering Trees and Shrubs

Watering is generally dependent on soil and weather conditions. The spring and fall seasons are usually rainy, so most watering is necessary only in summer (except in unusual weather conditions). Clay soils tend to hold water “like a sponge” so be careful not to overwater the plants. Even in July drought conditions, a good soaking once a week is usually enough. Watering may be required more often in sandy soils, Always check a few inches below the soil surface first to ensure growth and appearance of your plants.