Planting trees, shrubs, and perennials is a rewarding way to enhance your gardens and landscapes. However, proper planting is crucial for the long-term health and growth of any plants involved. From choosing the right tools to planting at the proper depth and creating the ideal growing environment, there are several key steps that can make all the difference. In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to properly plant trees and shrubs, ensuring they thrive for years to come. You can also watch our tutorial video for a quick overview of planting best practices.
Tools/Supplies for Planting Trees, Shrubs, and Perennials
Tape measure
Tarp
Mulch (Shredded cedar & Gorilla Hair mulch are best for wind resistance.)
Root stimulator (Myke Tree & Shrub Root Stimulator or Fertilome Liquid Root Stimulator)
Stakes, wire, tree straps, and a mallet or post-pounder
How To Properly Plant Trees, Shrubs, and Perennials
1. Choose the Right Location
Selecting the right location for planting a new tree, shrub, or perennial is crucial to the plant's long-term health and vitality. If a plant is placed in an area that doesn’t meet its specific needs, it won't thrive, leading to poor growth, lack of flowers or fruit, or diminished coloring—ultimately losing the appeal that drew you to it in the first place. To ensure your plants reach their fullest potential, it’s essential to first understand the environmental conditions of the planting area, such as sunlight, soil type, and moisture levels, and then choose plants that are well-suited to those conditions.
2. Plant During the Appropriate Season
The timing of planting new trees, shrubs, or perennials is critical for their successful establishment. In Colorado, the ideal times to plant are during the spring and fall months, specifically between March 15 and June 15, or September 1 and October 15. These periods offer moderate temperatures, which are optimal for new plantings as they reduce stress on the plants and allow them to establish roots before the extremes of summer heat or winter cold set in. Planting during these windows gives your trees, shrubs, and perennials the best chance to thrive and grow strong in their new environment. To learn more about the best times to plant trees, shrubs, and perennial plants and find details specific to planting in different seasons, check out our blog!
3. Prepare Your Planting Location
Start by soaking the area one day before planting; this softens the soil and makes digging easier. It’s also important to be aware of any underground utilities or sprinkler lines before you begin to dig so that you do not cause damage to these existing structures. Contact your local utility company or refer to your irrigation plan for a reminder as to where your lines run. Once you're ready, use your measuring tape to measure the depth and width of the root ball or your new plant, then dig a hole that is exactly as deep and 2-3 times as wide. A pro tip is to lay out a tarp next to where you dig the hole. This will make amending your soil and cleaning up much easier. Put the displaced soil on your tarp and leave it for the next step.
4. Amend Your Soil
Amending your soil is a key step when planting a new tree, shrub, or perennial. After digging your hole, mix the soil on your tarp with compost in a blend of one-third compost to two-thirds soil. Plants generally require soil that is rich in organic material. With our native Colorado soils being extremely dense, clay-heavy, and void of nutrients, adding compost is a great way to contribute to the nutrient availability, moisture retention, and proper drainage of the soil. Every plant has its own specific needs, so keep in mind the soil requirements of any plants you are adding to your gardens or landscaping and amend the soil appropriately. For more information on soil amendments and the importance of amending your soil, check out our blog, Your Ultimate Guide to Soil Amendments.
5. Prepare Your Tree, Shrub, or Perennial to be Planted
Start by creating a small mound of loose soil in the center of your planting hole; this will help support the root ball. When moving the tree, always support it from the bottom. Avoid lifting by the trunk or branches, as this could cause damage. Lay the tree on its side to remove the container—either by wiggling it off or cutting it carefully. Gently loosen any circling roots with your fingers to encourage proper root expansion. If you choose to use a root stimulator like Myke (highly recommended for any non-xeric trees or shrubs), apply it to the root ball at this stage. This product will help to promote root development and ensure a successful transplant. It also extends your tree's warranty for 5 years! Learn more here.
6. Plant Your Tree!
When planting your tree, shrub, or perennial, carefully place it into the hole you prepared, ensuring that the top of the root ball sits 1-2 inches above the original soil level. Take a moment to inspect the plant from all angles, confirming it is upright and not leaning in any direction. Fill in the empty space around the plant with your amended soil. Be sure to add soil around the base of the plant evenly to avoid knocking it off-center or causing it to lean. Gently tamp the amended soil around the roots of your plant as you backfill. Do this until the soil reaches the base of the plant and sufficiently covers all exposed roots.
7. Water Your Newly Planted Tree, Shrub, or Perennial
With your tree now in place, it's time to give it a thorough watering. Use a hose to water slowly and deeply, ensuring that the moisture penetrates the soil and reaches the roots. This deep watering not only helps the soil settle around the roots but also eliminates any remaining air pockets that could hinder the tree's growth. If you notice the soil settling after watering, be sure to add more back-fill to maintain the proper soil level around the tree's base, ensuring it remains stable and well-supported.
8. Add Mulch Around the Base of Your Plant
Mulching is a crucial step when planting a new tree, shrub, or perennial. Mulch helps the soil retain moisture, suppresses weeds, insulates the roots from extreme temperatures, and gives the area a nice, clean, finished appearance. Apply a 2-4” layer of mulch around your new plant, ensuring you leave a few inches of space around the trunk/base of the plant to promote good airflow, prevent rot, and deter pests. This simple step not only supports the health of your plant but also enhances the overall look of your landscape.
Caring For Trees, Shrubs, and Perennials After Planting
1. Staking Newly Planted Trees
Staking is a crucial part of caring for newly planted trees, especially before their roots are firmly established. Any newly planted trees over 4 feet tall should be staked, since they are particularly vulnerable to being blown over by the wind or thrown off-center. To provide stability, it's essential to stake these trees for support for the first one to two years or until their root systems are adequately established. When staking, use fabric straps to protect the bark, and ensure there is a slight sag in the wires to allow for natural movement, which helps the tree develop a strong and resilient trunk.
2. Develop a Consistent Watering Schedule
Newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennial plants need to be watered regularly and consistently throughout the first 1-2 years of growth to help ensure that they develop strong and deep root systems. It is important to water slowly and deeply, as this allows the water to soak deep into the soil, which in turn encourages deep root growth. Flooding the area around your plant with water for just a few minutes only causes the water to spread out over the surface and does not allow it to soak deep into the soil. This causes the roots to grow shallowly, which can lead to the compromised health of your plant down the road. After the initial watering, new plants need to be watered at least once a week, and in the full heat of the summer, you may need to water as often as 2-3 times per week. Keep in mind though that proper moisture is key! Too much water is just as bad as too little water. If you are not sure whether to water, here is a simple way to check: Dig into the soil a few inches out from the base of your plant. Squeeze the soil in your hand. If the soil crumbles, it is time to water. If it forms a ball, wait to water for a couple more days. You can also simply feel the soil, and if it is moist to the touch, hold off on watering.
DON’T FORGET TO WINTER WATER! Colorado winters can be very dry, and all of the plants in your landscaping, especially any newly planted plants, will need additional moisture. Make sure to water once per month if temperatures are above 40˚F and there has not been substantial regular precipitation. Learn more about winter watering in our blog, The Importance of Winter Watering.
3. Fertilizing New Trees, Shrubs, and Perennials
Fertilizing new trees, shrubs, and perennials is a key step in ensuring their healthy establishment and growth. A root stimulator is particularly essential when planting a new tree or shrub, as it helps promote robust root development and overall vitality. During the first year, it’s beneficial to use a mild, balanced fertilizer such as Espoma Tree-tone. This type of fertilizer provides a steady release of essential nutrients, supporting strong growth without overwhelming the young plant. Proper fertilization, combined with adequate watering and care, sets the foundation for a thriving landscape. Be careful not to overfertilize, as this can damage the roots of any new planting. It is also good to be aware of not using the wrong fertilizers. Fertilizing young plants with a nitrogen-heavy fertilizer right after they are planted can encourage them to focus more on foliage growth than root development, which can easily lead to a decline in the health of the tree, as then the root system will not be established enough to keep up with the water and nutrient needs of the rest of the tree.
4. Use Tree Wrap in the Winter
Wrapping newly planted trees and shrubs is crucial for protecting them from sunscald caused by the intense winter sun. This condition can damage the bark, leading to long-term harm or even death of the plant. To safeguard your new plantings, wrap the trunk with paper tree wrap up to the lower branches. This should be done in late fall, typically around early November, and removed in the spring around mid-March. Proper wrapping not only shields the bark from temperature fluctuations but also helps your trees and shrubs establish themselves more successfully during their first winter.
Bath Garden Center Warranty
We offer a one-year conditional warranty on all trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, roses, and grasses. If you think you may have a tree, shrub, or perennial plant that may qualify for a replacement, please visit our Warranties Page for more information on how to proceed!
How To Plant Trees and Shrubs in Colorado
Adding new plant material to your gardens and landscapes is exciting, yet it can be overwhelming if you're new to the process. We hope this blog has provided you with all the information and guidance you need to feel confident in planting any variety of trees, shrubs, or perennial plants. If you have any other questions, please reach out! We are more than happy to address any of your plant-related questions and love being able to assist in all of your planting endeavors. Come into the Garden Center, fill out a contact form, or give us a call any time!
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