How To Grow Shrubs Successfully
Things that will increase the chances of a gardener successfully growing shrubs happen even before the bush is bought. The gardener should know what the climate, soil and light conditions are in the area where the bush or shrubs will be planted. Native shrubs may be ideal. She should then choose a type of forest that can thrive in the climate, is long-lived and resistant to disease and pests. Also, the shrub should be tidy and not litter the ground around it with fruit or seeds. The gardener should also take into account how large the bush is going to get over the years. For example, a forest shouldn't be planted so close to the home that its branches will rub up against the wall when it's mature.
Some tips for buying shrubs are:
The branches should be symmetrical. They shouldn't have been pruned because it's a sign that unhealthy branches have been removed from the bushes. Flowering shrubs should not have dead buds. The bark should be healthy looking and shouldn't look as if it's been uninjured. If the plant's dormant, the gardener might scrape away a tiny bit of the bark. If the stem tissue is green, the shrub is probably healthy. A potted shrub shouldn't have roots protruding from the soil's surface. This means that the bush has been in the pot for too long. If the gardener can take the plant out of the container, the roots should be white or tan. Black or brown roots probably mean that the shrub is sick.
A burlapped ball should feel firm in both native shrubs and non-native shrubs. A loose ball probably means that the roots have dried up.
You should dig a hole twice the width of the root ball for shrubs. Flowering shrubs receive the same treatment. The bushes should be planted to the crown, which is where the stem meets the root. The soil should be firmed down around it, then thoroughly watered. A newly planted shrub, especially an evergreen shrub, will need to be regularly watered to ensure the roots don’t dry out. You can layer mulch or rotted manure around the bush, but it shouldn’t cover the crown. Mulch not only keeps the soil cool in hot weather but retains moisture and reminds the gardener to mow carefully around the shrub.
