We have put this basic planting guide together to provide you with some ideas on how your plants should be cared for. If you ever have any questions on plants that you own, whether or not you purchased them from us, please feel free to stop by our nursery to discuss your plant concern with one of our specialists. If possible, a picture of your plant's current condition would be helpful.

Container Grown Plants

Hole Size:  Dig approximately 2” wider  and 1” deeper than the container.

Removing the Container:  Remove plant from container by turning it upside down and holding the plant at the base while pulling  the  pot off the root ball. Never pull the  plant from the pot as you may damage or break vital branches and roots. If the pot does not come off easily cut it with pruning shears or a sharp knife.

Loosening the Roots:  Prior to planting, gently loosen the roots from the root ball by rubbing the outside of the rootball with your fingers or cutting into rootball approximately 1/4” deep with a knife.

Planting:  Place the plant in hole and backfill with amixture of 2/3 native soil and 1/3 peatmoss. Tap this soil mix around the plant so there are no air pockets. Water It!

Mulch:  Mulch your plant with a good quality double-ground bark mulch and maintain an approx. 2-3” mulch cover throughout the life of the plant.

Fertilizer:  You will not need to fertilize your new plant for the first 3-4 months because we’ve put all the essential nutrients in the soil mix for you. Acid loving plants like hollies, azaleas and rhododendrons will benefit from monthly feedings of a liquid fertilizer such as Miracid throughout the growing season.

Ball & Burlapped Trees & Shrubs

Hole Size:  Dig your hole 8-10” wider and only slightly deeper (2-3” below grade) than the size of the rootball. Excessively large holes with loose fill will allow the plant to move too much during windy or wet periods damaging new roots.

Burlap / Wire Baskets:  Always leave the wire basket on your new tree because it helps protect the roots and keeps the ball intact. After placing the plant in the hole loosen the burlap on top of the ball and fold back so that it will be buried when you backfill the plant. The burlap will deteriorate on its own over time.

Planting:  Gently place the plant or tree into the hole making sure that it stands up straight and is perpendicular to the ground. Evenly backfill the rootball all around the tree tamping everyfew inches as the hole is filled using a backfill mixture of 2/3 native soil to 1/3 peat moss. Use excess soil to form a water-holding saucer approx. 3” high about 18” from the trunk of the tree or 8-10” from the base of a mulit-stem shrub.

Mulch:  Mulch your tree or shrub with a good quality double-ground bark mulch. Make sure the mulch does not touch the trunk of the tree!

Staking:  Trees over 3’ tall should be staked for 1 to 2 years after planting. Make sure you periodically adjust your wires and contact points on the tree to allow for seasonal growth.

Fertilizing:  Most B&B trees or shrubs will benefit from a yearly application of 10-10-10 fertilizer as per manufacturers recommendations. Acid loving shrubs will benefit from applications of Holly-tone or liquid fertilizers such as Miracid.

The Blue Heron Blue Ribbon Quality Warranty

Your Blue Heron Nursery “Blue Ribbon Quality” plant is grown in the finest media available and grown to exceed industry standards. You just add the water! If your plant fails to live for a full six months after planting, we will replace it free of charge! Please bring this guide, along with your original receipt and plant, if possible, to the nursery for replacement claims.

Help Is On The Way

For questions about plants, plant selections or general horticultural problems, you can e-mail us 24 hours a day at help@JROutdoorServices.com or call us during regular business Monday through Friday,  8:30 AM—4:30 PM. You can also send your question to The Plant Guy and he will share your question and answer with other inquiring minds. Contact Us.