Welcome to the journey of cultivating healthy and thriving plants in your garden! We understand that getting your plants acclimated and started properly is key to their success. Here at Great Garden Plants, we provide a copy of our planting guide with every order, but we’re also making it available online for easy reference.
1. Unpacking and Initial Care
Once your plants have arrived, it’s time to unbox them carefully. The journey they’ve taken in transit can leave them stressed, so immediate attention is necessary. Start by unpacking the box fully and removing any packaging material. If the soil surface appears dry or plants look wilted, give them a good watering to help them rehydrate. Plants that have come unpotted during shipping should be gently repositioned in their pots, ensuring the roots are covered with soil. You may want to do this in a shaded spot outdoors or on a garage floor to manage any mess.
For the first 24-48 hours post-unboxing, place your plants in a cool, shaded area out of direct sunlight. This acclimation period allows them to recover from the stresses of shipping before they are planted in the garden. If they need to be held longer, keep them in a sheltered spot away from direct sun, wind, and extreme temperatures. Check daily for watering needs.
2. Planting Procedure
When you’re ready to plant, select a location that matches the light exposure and soil conditions specified on our website. Dig a hole deep enough to accommodate the pot and about twice as wide. The handle of your trowel can serve as a guide for sizing the hole in relation to the pot. Gently remove the plant from its container, untangle any roots to encourage them to spread out, and place it in the hole. If desired, you can add a packet of Bio-Tone fertilizer (one 5oz packet treats 4 one-quart plants) into the planting hole. Position the plant so that its soil surface is level or slightly above the surrounding ground; backfill the hole with the soil you removed and gently tamp it down around the plant.
Choosing the Right Site
Select a location that matches the plant’s soil type, sunlight needs, and moisture requirements. Even drought-tolerant plants require consistent moisture and nutrients during their first year in the ground. Remember the key rule: right plant, right place!
Soil Preparation
Good soil is the foundation for good plants. Ensure proper drainage, adequate nutrients, and regular watering. If needed, incorporate organic matter like peat moss, compost, or aged manure thoroughly with your existing soil. If you need to delay planting, keep pot-grown plants shaded, water as needed, and adjust the frequency in hot, windy weather.
3. Spacing and Watering
Watering
After planting, water thoroughly, regardless of the weather forecast or your sprinkler schedule. This helps new plants establish roots. Maintain a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the plant to keep roots cool and promote vigorous growth. However, avoid piling mulch around the base of the plant; it should taper down towards the ground.
Closely monitor your new plants’ water needs. Too much or too little water can severely impact root growth. Soil should be evenly moist but never wet or soggy. All newly planted shrubs, trees, and perennials require regular watering during their first season. Pay special attention during hot, dry weather.
How to Space Your Plants
Proper spacing allows for good air circulation around the plants, which is crucial for their health.
- Shrubs: Space based on the mature width of the plant. For example, if Knock Out® roses grow 36 inches wide, plant them 36 inches apart.
- Perennials: Consider the mature width when spacing. Proper spacing minimizes mildew and fungus problems and provides room to walk through your garden beds.
- Groundcovers: Low-growing varieties can be spaced closer (8-12 inches) for quicker coverage.
- Hedge Plants & Thuja: Plant Thuja Green Giant 4-5 feet apart in a straight line or zig-zag pattern. Keep them adequately moist during their first 1-2 years of establishment. Fertilize with a slow-release fertilizer in spring.
For hedges, if the boxwood width is 3 feet, plant them 2 feet apart to create a continuous barrier.
4. Care After Planting
Fertilizing
1-2 weeks after planting, sprinkle a slow-release fertilizer (such as Espoma Rose Tone for flowering shrubs and evergreens, or Espoma Plant Tone/Garden Tone for perennials) according to the label instructions. Roses, in particular, benefit greatly from this feeding.
Mulching
Mulching helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. Apply 2-4 inches of mulch around plants, tapering down to ground level beside each plant. Avoid mulching directly over the plant crowns. For moisture-sensitive plants like lavender and delosperma, use a thin layer of pea gravel to ensure rapid drainage of surface water.
Summer and Fall Planting Tips
- Summer Planting: Opt for a cloudy day to plant. New plants require frequent watering to establish themselves.
- Fall Planting: Plants slow down their growth in the fall but it’s an ideal time for planting as the soil temperature and moisture levels are conducive to root growth. Plant at least 6 weeks before the first hard frost to allow roots to establish before winter. Avoid fertilizing until spring.
Basic Perennial Care
- Deadheading: Removal of dead flower heads encourages new blooms.
- Shearing: Cut back about 1/3 at mid-season to maintain a dense plant and encourage strong late-season blooms.
- Shrub Care: Shrubs like Buddleia and Caryopteris need pruning in spring. Hydrangeas have specific pruning requirements depending on their type: those that bloom on old wood (macrophylla, paniculata) should be pruned after flowering, while those that bloom on new wood (like Endless Summer) can be pruned at any time.
Basic Ornamental Grass Care
Cut back grasses in fall or early spring to about 6-8 inches above the ground.
For more detailed care instructions for individual plants, visit their product page and click “How to Care.”
