Basics of Planting Trees, Shrubs, and Evergreens

As we reach the peak of the summer, you’ve probably long since planted your garden and hung your potted plants for display, but what if you’re looking to plant some trees, shrubs, or evergreens to fill out your space? Even if you have moderate to intermediate gardening knowledge, you might not know everything about successfully planting and growing these types of plants. But our experts at Blomidon Nurseries do, so we’ve compiled everything you need to know about the basics of planting trees, shrubs, and evergreens, including the selection and planting process, watering, and our top choices to add to your yard this season.

Selection and Planting

The first thing you need to do before planting your tree, shrub, or evergreen is to choose the right plant for the right spot. For example, in Nova Scotia, one of the main concerns is that you don’t plant a large tree right under a powerline that could cause future obstructions or issues. That’s why Nova Scotia Power has partnered with Landscape Nova Scotia to create the Plant the Tree in the Right Place program, which is essentially an information package that outlines what trees, shrubs, and evergreens are okay to grow near powerlines. Most provinces will have something similar to ensure you’re not planting too close to any potential hazards.

Once you’ve found the right plant for the right spot, you’re going to dig a hole twice the size of the container that it’s currently in. You’ll also want to dig a little deeper than the current pot just to loosen the soil so you can easily plant it. Probably the most important thing to remember when planting trees, shrubs, or evergreens is that they shouldn’t be buried any deeper than the pot you bought it in. A common mistake people make is burying the stem and the overall plant too deep, which causes stress. You even need to be aware of things like bark mulch and ensure that you leave a little space around the trunk so it doesn’t get buried too deep accidentally. You can tell if you’ve planted your tree, shrub, or evergreen too deep because it won’t grow as much as it should be, and the growth will look gnarly since it’s under undue stress.

Watering

Now that you’ve found the perfect spot and planted your tree, shrub, or evergreen at the ideal depth, it’s time to water it so it can continue to grow and thrive. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to just plant it, water it once, and forget about it. In fact, you’ll need to water any new plant for the entire first year of planting right up until the freeze up in the fall. The best way to water your new plantings is slow and deep so it encourages the roots to go deep down into the soil. You can achieve this slow and deep watering by putting your hose on a light trickle and leaving it at the base of the plant for about 20 to 30 minutes. Similarly, you could put your sprinkler on low, but in this case, you’d need to dig a hole to ensure the water is getting down deep enough. If you don’t have access to a hose or a sprinkler, our Blomidon plant expert Jackie has an ingenious solution. Her pro tip is to take an empty two-litre pop bottle, flip it upside down, cut the bottom off, bury it in the soil, and fill it with water. The water will slowly seep into the ground, and it’s perfect because the bottle is already 12 inches deep, meaning the moisture can easily get down to the roots where it needs to be.

Regardless of the method, if you water your trees, shrubs, and evergreens really well and deep, you’ll only need to do it about once a week. It’s critical for the health of your new plantings that you do not underwater them. Underwatering causes roots to come to the top, and then on hot days, the plant will show significant signs of stress because you’ve encouraged the roots to go to the surface rather than going deep. Therefore, getting on a consistent watering schedule with a method that works for you is critical for your new plantings to take hold and thrive.

Hydrangeas

At Blomidon, hydrangeas are one of our most popular plants each season, thanks to their long blooming cycle and big, beautiful blossoms. Plus, we currently carry over 35 different varieties of hydrangeas—talk about selection! There are seven different groups that hydrangeas belong to, meaning there is a perfect option for every location and situation. For example, some hydrangeas thrive in light shade while others need direct sun, and some grow to be 4-ft tall while others can grow as high as 6-ft to 8-ft tall.

One thing you’ll notice if you own hydrangeas is that they’ll sometimes wilt in the heat of the day. This is a safety mechanism and a way for them to help conserve energy because their leaves are so big. However, some people take this as a sign that they need more water, leading to overwatering and damaging your new hydrangeas. So, don’t fret; as soon as the heat is gone, your hydrangeas will perk back up and be as good as new.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, when you decide that you want to plant some new trees, shrubs, or evergreens in your yard, there are a few factors you need to consider. For one, ensure you have a proper spot selected and don’t bury your new plantings too deep. Second, you’ll need to commit to a watering schedule so your plants can continue rooting downwards while growing upwards. Lastly, consider stopping by Blomidon to check out our wide range of hydrangeas. As one of our most popular shrubs, they always go quick because of how easily they beautify an entire yard!

If you need any additional support or have further questions about the basics of planting trees, shrubs, and evergreens, feel free to contact us directly! Our on-site specialist Jackie has over 35 years of experience with all things plants, and she can be reached by phone at (902) 542-3346 or by email at jbezanson@blomidonnurseries.com.