Methods of Planting Ornamental Plants

1. Methods of Planting Ornamental Plants 21.00 Plant selected ornamental plants to establish an attractive landscape

2. Planting Ornamental Plants • Tools vary depending upon type and size of plants from bulb planter, trowel, spade, shovel to power augers and front end loaders.

3. Planting Ornamental Plants • Hole should be larger than plant roots and soil prepared so that new roots will grow in it. • Methods of installation are determined by root form whether bare-rooted, balled-and-burlapped or containerized

4. Balled and Burlapped Plants • Balled and burlapped plants have a round soil ball of roots wrapped in burlap fabric. • Planted in flat-bottomed, straight-sided hole that is deeper and wider than the ball. • Backfill soil should fill the hole enough to raise the plant to the level at which it grew in the nursery. • Loose burlap around top of plant. • Mounded ring of soil around plant to catch water.

5. Balled and Burlapped Plants

6. Containerized Plants • Use the same type hold, mounded ring, etc. as balled and burlapped. • In addition, the plant must be removed from the container • Roots should be unwound or cut at two inch intervals if pot-bound

7. Bare-rooted Plants • Have to have a mound or dome in the bottom of the hole to spread roots and direct roots to grow downward.

9. Planting Ornamental Plants • Tall plants, even small trees, need to be staked to prevent blowing over. • Mulching should be done to help retain water, prevent weeds, improve appearance, and minimize temperature fluctuations. • The diameter of a hole to plant a shrub or tree should be larger than the roots

10. Soil should be mounded to form a circle around newly planted shrubs and trees to catch and hold water.

11. Handling Ornamental Plants • Balled and burlapped plants should be handled by the root ball • Container grown plants should be handled by the container until removed and then by the root mass

12. Mix a slow release fertilizer into the soil mixture. Do no add general purpose fertilizer at planting If no slow release; 3 times from Mar-Sept 12-4-8/16-4-8/8-8-8/10-10-10 1 tsp-shrubs or 2 tsp/1” trunk for trees Broadcast Perforate at drip line *Not in late summer/early fall because the plants are preparing for dormancy.

13. Maintenance of Landscape 22.00 Maintain newly planted plants in a given environment

14. What is landscape maintenance? • Landscape maintenance includes watering, fertilizing, mulching, pest control, mowing, edging, winterization and pruning of landscape plants.

15. Mulching • Mulching should be done at planting and replaced as needed. • Mulch must be replaced over time as it decays.

16. Mowing Lawns • Mowing lawns at the correct height for the type of grass and frequently enough to prevent damage is a key to maintaining lawn.

17. Edging • Edging makes a sharp line of separation between a planting and the lawn. • Can be done with tools or with an edging material such as plastic • Edging materials should be installed at planting time.

18. Careful Observation of newly planted shrubs, trees, annuals, and perennials on a regular basis will determine the time and amount of maintenance needed.