Shrubs

Follow the general planting directions in Easy Steps to Planting Nursery Stock.

Give shrubs room to grow by setting them rather far apart unless you want to form a dense, upright hedge. It's better to allow too much room than too little since cramped quarters will cause shrubs to lose their natural shape. Set shrubs far enough from the house so that they won't touch the walls when mature. This avoids a cluttered look in the landscape and more importantly, protects the health of the plants. It permits air to circulate freely, lessening the chance of disease. Never plant directly under the drip line of a roof where shrubs could be damaged by falling icicles or snow. Avoid planting under overhangs where the plants won't get sufficient moisture. Don't place a shrub in an exposed site if it's a variety that needs shelter from winter winds. Most shrubs need very little pruning--just enough to maintain the basic shape of the bush and to keep dead wood trimmed out. Shrubs should not be pruned straight across the top because this spoils their natural habit of growth. Lightly prune early blooming shrubs immediately after they finish flowering. Midseason and late bloomers can be pruned in late fall after flowering or in early spring.

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