Planting a shrub is easy if you follow our step-by-step illustrated guide
Shrubs form the backbone of a planting scheme, providing important structure as well as flower and foliage effects. Before planting, check the plant label for the shrub's preferred site and soil, since moving it at a later date could delay its establishment.
1 Soak the plant thoroughly in its pot. With a spade, dig a large hole, approximately two to three times the diameter of the pot. Remove any old roots and large stones, and break up the soil in the base of the hole with a fork.
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| 1 Dig a large hole
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2 Check the hole is at the correct depth, place a cane across the top; it should rest on both sides of the hole and on the top of the root ball. Position the plant with its best side facing the direction from which it will be viewed.
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| 2 Use a cane to check the level
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3 Remove the pot; it should slide off easily, leaving the rootball intact. Tease out any encircling roots. Add organic matter, such as garden compost, to the removed soil, especially if it is poor. Backfill around the root ball.
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| 3 Leave the rootball intact
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4 Firm the earth down gently. The plant should sit at the centre of a shallow depression, which will assist watering. Spread a mulch of organic matter around the plant, keeping it away from the stems. Water the plant well.
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| 4 Firm the earth down
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| Apply fertiliser the first spring after planting
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| Water in if dry, or let the rain wash it down
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Extracted from the book
Planting a Small Garden by Phil Clayton, from the
Simple Steps to Success series, and published by Dorling Kindersley and the RHS.
* For more on trees and shrubs see Related Articles at the bottom of this page.
denotes Subscriber-only content | Thursday 20 November 2008 | Help | Glossary 
