Deciduous Shrub Of The Day

 

Philadelphus x lemoinei

Mock Orange

Type Shrub, woody plant

Hardy range 5A to 8A

Height 4' to 8' / 1.20m to 2.40m

Spread 8' to 12' / 2.40m to 3.60m

Growth rate Average

Form Rounded and upright or erect

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color White

Bloom Time Spring

The flowers are fragrant and very showy.

Environment This plant tolerates some drought.
This plant will grow in dry soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color Green
Fall Color No change in fall color



Culture Notes A sight to behold and smell in full bloom, plants perform best in full sun in moist soil. Like many garden plants, those supplied with some organic matter in the root zone before planting make the best growth. Plants offer little after they flower. Might be best located in a shrub border where the plant in smelled but not seen for most of the year. Flowers are extremely fragrant compared to other Philadelphus. This plant is considered mostly allergy free and causes little or no allergy problems in most people.

Philadelphus will not flower following annual hard pruning because plants flower on last year's growth.Planting and establishing shrubsThe most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep. Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery. In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off. The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider. In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole. Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.

Weed suppression during establishment is essential. Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth. Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk. If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer. This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry. Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water. Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment.

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Perennial Of The Day

 

 

Galanthus nivalis

Common Snowdrop

Type Perennial

Hardy range 3A to 9A

Height 4" to 6" / 10cm to 15cm

Spread 6" to 10" / 15cm to 25cm

Growth rate Average

Form Upright or erect

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color White

Bloom Time Spring and Winter

The flowers are fragrant.

Environment This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy or sandy.
The pH preference is an acidic to neutral (less than 6.8 to 7.2) soil.

Leaf Color Green

Culture Notes Plant in sun to partial sun, avoid wet soils, and do not allow the soil to stay dry during the summer. Usually plant in groups or large masses. Fall is the time to plant new bulbs, and just after the honey-scented flowers fade is the time to divide and move the plants. A good winter chill is important for good growth and blooms.

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Deciduous Shrub Of The Day

Spiraea japonica 'Magic Carpet'

Japanese Spirea

Type Shrub, groundcover, woody plant

Hardy range 5B to 7B

Height 12" to 36" / 30cm to 90cm

Spread 36" to 4' / 90cm to 1.20m

Growth rate Average

Form Rounded and spreading or horizontal

Exposure Full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Pink

Bloom Time Spring and Summer

The flowers are fragrant and very showy.

Environment This plant tolerates some drought.
This plant will grow in dry soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to neutral (less than 6.8 to 7.2) soil.

Leaf Color Green, purple and yellow
Fall Color Copper and yellow

This plant has attractive foliage.

Culture Notes 'Magic Carpet' (Patent # 9,363) grows best in full sun or high shifting shade. Plants receiving less than 4 or 5 hours of direct sun become thin and flower poorly. Plant on 3 to 4-foot centers to form a mass planting. As with other light colored-flowering plants, place in front of other green foliage plants or other dark background to show the best flower display. Spireas combine well with ornamental grasses and plants with large foliage. Remove spent seed heads and developing seed heads to improve the neat look of the plants. There appear to be no shoot reversions on this cultivar. Makes a tight ground cover with fabulous flowers.

Planting and establishing shrubsThe most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep. Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery. In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off. The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider. In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole. Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.

Weed suppression during establishment is essential. Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth. Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk. If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer. This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry. Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water. Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment.

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Perennial Of The Day

Primula x polyantha 'Pacific Giants'

Polyanthus Primrose

Type Perennial

Hardy range 5A to 8A

Height 6" to 8" / 15cm to 20cm

Spread 7" to 9" / 18cm to 23cm

Growth rate Average

Form Rounded

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun

Persistence Semi-evergreen

Bloom Color Blue, pink, red, white and yellow

Bloom Time Spring

The flowers are fragrant and suitable for cut flowers.

EnvironmentThis plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy.
The pH preference is a neutral soil.

Leaf Color Green

This plant has attractive foliage.

Culture NotesIn moderate climates, these plants can endure full sun, but they prefer partial shade and a cool area. Used as an underplanting for bulbs. 'Pacific Giants' have large, 2"-wide flowers and come in a wide range of colors. They look good when planted with dwarf hostas, bleeding hearts, forget-me-nots and hellebores.

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Perennial Of The Day

Tricyrtis hirta 'Miyazaki'

Toad Lily, Japanese Toad Lily

Type Perennial

Hardy range 4A to 8A

Height 24" to 36" / 60cm to 90cm

Spread 18" to 24" / 45cm to 60cm

Growth rate Average

Form Upright or erect

Exposure Full shade to partial sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Purple and white
Bloom Time Summer and Fall

The flowers are suitable for cut flowers.

Environment This plant tolerates drought.
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy.
The pH preference is an acidic to neutral (less than 6.8 to 7.2) soil.

Leaf Color Green

This plant has attractive foliage.

Culture Notes Toad lilies are grown primarily for their unusual spotted blossoms. They self-sow easily, and stem cuttings taken in the summer are easily rooted. These plants prefer a moist, well-drained soil and are able to tolerate a half day of sun. In the spring, cut away dead foliage only. Deadhead spent flowers after blooming and, in the fall, cut back to the ground. 'Miyazaki' is noted for its white lily-like blossoms that are heavily spotted in purple. This is an excellent plant for those shaded areas of the garden.

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Perennial Of The Day

Haemanthus coccineus

Blood Lily

Type Perennial

Hardy range 10A to 11

Height 12" to 24" / 30cm to 60cm

Spread 10" to 12" / 25cm to 30cm

Growth rate Average

Form Upright or erect

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Red

Bloom Time Summer and Fall

The flowers are showy.

Environment This plant will grow in dry to moist soil.
Suitable soil is sandy.
The pH preference is a neutral soil.

Leaf Color Green

Culture Notes When planted in containers, repot when signs of new growth are evident. However they flower best when their roots fill the container. Propagate by removing the small bulblets in the spring and plant.

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Vine Of The Day

Campsis grandiflora

Trumpet Vine

Type Vine

Hardy range 7A to 10A

Height 25' to 50' / 7.60m to 15.20m

Spread 40' to 50' / 12.20m to 15.20m

Growth rate Fast

Form Spreading or horizontal, variable height and variable spread

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Orange and yellow

Bloom Time Summer

The flowers are very showy.


Environment This plant tolerates drought and occasional wetness.
This plant will grow in very dry to occasionally wet soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color Green
Fall Color Yellow

Culture Notes Like many vines, Trumpet Vine flowers best in a full sun location. It grows but flowers poorly in a shaded location. It will do fine in any soil except those kept continually wet and flooded. Trumpet Vine climbs to 30 feet or more when given support. The brilliant orange flowers are borne in summer and are often visited by hummingbirds. They will hang down from an arbor or trellis making a wonder "wall" or "ceiling" in a garden. Rapid growth makes training easy, but regular pinching and pruning is required to establish this vine on a structure. This hybrid is wonderful in flower.

This plant is related to the native Campsis but is much less aggressive. 'Morning Calm' bears coral flowers. This plant is considered mostly allergy free and causes little or no allergy problems in most people.

Planting and establishing shrubsThe most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep. Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery. In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off. The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider. In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole. Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.

Weed suppression during establishment is essential. Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth. Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk. If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer. This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry. Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water. Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment.

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Day Of The Clematis Vine

Clematis (lanuginosa x group)(n) 'General Sikorski'

Clematis

Type Perennial, vine

Hardy range 3B to 9A

Height 8' to 10' / 2.40m to 3.00m

Growth rate Average

Form Upright or erect

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Lavender

Bloom Time Summer and Fall

The flowers are showy.

EnvironmentThis plant tolerates some drought.
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy or sandy.
The pH preference is a neutral to slightly alkaline (6.8 to 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color Green
Fall Color No change in fall color

Culture NotesThese vines prefer cool, rich, moist, relatively acidic, well-drained soils, and one should never allow these plants to become too dry. They need to be placed in an area of the landscape that receives full sun. These plants will do better if they are mulched with a shallow-rooted ground cover.
If being used on a trellis, it's best if, in the spring, you add compost or cow manure to the base of this plant. Also add a water soluble fertilizer (15-30-15) every two weeks through May, June and July.

 

Clematis (patens x group)(n) 'Bee's Jubilee'

Clematis  

Type Perennial, vine

Hardy range 4A to 8A

Height 8' to 15' / 2.40m to 4.60m

Spread 8' to 12' / 2.40m to 3.60m

Growth rate Slow

Form Spreading or horizontal and variable spread

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Blue and pink

Bloom Time Spring and Summer

The flowers are showy and suitable for cut flowers.


Environment This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to alkaline (less than 6.8 to more than 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color Green

Culture Notes Most Clematis are hybridized and do not come true from seed. Stem cuttings can be taken early summer. Removing spent flowers often increases the blooming period. 'Bee's Jubilee' requires no pruning. Plant so that the roots are shaded.

Since Clematis do not climb by tendrils or aerial roots, their leaf petioles will twine around anything close by (including themselves) for support. Clematis are beautiful specimens climbing up (with proper support wires, etc.) a fence, trellis, lamp post or wall. It's best not to plant Clematis in an area where it would have to fight for its water supply, such as next to the roots of a tree. 'Bee's Jubilee' is a woody climber and shows good performance if its exposure is facing south and west. Although a weak climber, its blooms remain even when the plant begins browning. The 6-8" blooms of 'Bee's Jubilee' are a mauve bluish-pink, with a darker pink stripe running through each petal. This makes for a beautiful flower.

Clematis 'Multi Blue'

Hybrid Clematis

Type Perennial, vine

Hardy range 3B to 9A

Height 8' to 12' / 2.40m to 3.60m

Growth rate Average

Form Spreading or horizontal and variable spread

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Purple

Bloom Time Spring through Fall

The flowers are fragrant and showy.

Environment This plant tolerates some drought.
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy.
The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color Green
Fall Color No change in fall color

Culture Notes Multi Blue has fully double blooms, nearly 5 inches across. These vines prefer cool, rich, moist, relatively acidic, well-drained soils, and one should never allow these plants to become too dry. Many need to be placed in an area of the landscape that receives full sun but allows the roots to remain cool. To keep the roots cool, spread several inches of an organic mulch for several feet around the main stem. Prune these vines after flowering, if desired, to maintain the plant's general shape.

They can be planted at the base of any support. The best time to plant in the north is spring. Cutting back young plants about one-half will encourage branching and lead to larger flowers. Prune spring flowering plants (those that bloom on previous season's growth) only to remove dead branches and to control the plants size.

Clematis 'Guernsey Cream'

Hybrid Clematis

Type Perennial, vine

Hardy range 5A to 10A

Height 10' to 15' / 3.00m to 4.60m

Growth rate Average

Form Spreading or horizontal and variable spread

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color White

Bloom Time Summer

The flowers are fragrant and showy.

Environment This plant tolerates some drought.
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy or sandy.
The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color Green
Fall Color No change in fall color

Culture Notes These vines prefer cool, rich, moist, relatively acidic, well-drained soils, and one should never allow these plants to become too dry. They need to be placed in an area of the landscape that receives full sun but allows the roots to remain cool. This is best accomplished with several inches of an organic mulch spread several feet around the main stem. Prune these vines after flowering, if desired, to maintain the plants general shape.

Clematis (viticella x group)(n) 'Etiole Violette'

Clematis

Type Perennial, vine

Hardy range 5A to 9B

Height 8' to 10' / 2.40m to 3.00m

Spread 5' to 8' / 1.60m to 2.40m

Growth rate Average

Form Spreading or horizontal

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Purple

Bloom Time Summer

The flowers are fragrant and very showy.

Environment This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy or sandy.
The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.This plant tolerates some drought.

Leaf Color Green

Fall Color No change in fall color

Culture Notes These vines prefer cool, rich, moist, relatively acidic, well-drained soils, and one should never allow these plants to become too dry. They need to be placed in an area of the landscape that receives full sun but allows the roots to remain cool. This is best accomplished with several inches of an organic mulch spread several feet around the main stem. Prune these vines in the spring.

Clematis (patens x group)(n) 'Elsa Spath'

Clematis

Type Perennial, vine

Hardy range 5A to 10A

Height 8' to 12' / 2.40m to 3.60m

Growth rate Average

Form Spreading or horizontal and variable spread

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Purple

Bloom Time Summer

The flowers are showy.

Environment This plant tolerates some drought.
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy.
The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color Green
Fall Color No change in fall color

Culture Notes These vines prefer cool, rich, moist, relatively acidic, well-drained soils, and one should never allow these plants to become too dry. They need to be placed in an area of the landscape that receives full sun but allows the roots to remain cool. This is best accomplished with several inches of an organic mulch spread several feet around the main stem.

Clematis (florida x group)(n) 'Belle of Woking'

Clematis 

Type Perennial, vine

Hardy range 5A to 9B

Height 8' to 12' / 2.40m to 3.60m

Growth rate Average

Form Spreading or horizontal and variable spread

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Lavender, purple and white

Bloom Time Spring and Summer

The flowers are fragrant and showy.

Environment This plant tolerates some drought.
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy.
The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.


Fall Color No change in fall color

Culture Notes These vines prefer cool, rich, moist, relatively acidic and well-drained soils, and one should never allow these plants to become too dry. Many need to be placed in an area of the landscape that receives full sun but allows the roots to remain cool. Prune these vines after flowering, if desired, to maintain the plant's general shape.Leaf Color Green

Clematis (jackmanii x group)(n) 'Prince Phillip'

Clematis

Type Perennial, vine

Hardy range 4A to 8A

Height 8' to 12' / 2.40m to 3.60m

Spread 8' to 12' / 2.40m to 3.60m

Growth rate Average

Form Spreading or horizontal and variable spread

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color Purple

Bloom Time Summer

The flowers are showy and suitable for cut flowers.

Environment This plant will grow in moist soil.

Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.

The pH preference is an acidic to alkaline (less than 6.8 to more than 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color Green

Culture Notes

Most Clematis are hybridized and do not come true from seed. Stem cuttings can be taken early summer. Removing spent flowers often increases the blooming period. Plant so that its roots are shaded.

Since Clematis do not climb by tendrils or aerial roots, their leaf petioles will twine around anything close by (including themselves) for support. Clematis are beautiful specimens climbing up (with proper support wires, etc.) a fence, trellis, lamp post or wall. It's best not to plant Clematis in an area where it would have to fight for its water supply, such as next to the roots of a tree. 'Prince Phillip' has 7-9" rich purple blossoms.

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Annual Of The Day

Clarkia amoena syn. Godetia amoena 'Dwarf Mix Improved'

Farewell to Spring, Satin Flower

Type Annual

Height 12" to 18" / 30cm to 45cm

Spread 12" to 18" / 30cm to 45cm

Growth rate Fast

Form Irregular or sprawling and rounded

Exposure Full sun

Bloom Color Lavender, pink and red

Bloom Time Spring and Summer

The flowers are suitable for cut flowers.

EnvironmentThis plant will grow in dry soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy.
The pH preference is a neutral soil.

Leaf Color Green
This plant has attractive foliage.

Culture NotesSeeds can be sown in the spring or in the fall in warmer areas; then the seedlings should be thinned out. Avoid rich soils or too much fertilizer, since this will encourage leaf growth.

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Deciduous Tree Of The Day

 

 

 

Cladrastis lutea syn. Cladrastis kentukea

American Yellow Wood, Virgilia

Type Tree, woody plant

Hardy range 4A to 8A

Height 50' to 75' / 15.20m to 22.80m

Spread 35' to 50' / 10.60m to 15.20m

Growth rate Average

Form Rounded and vase shaped

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun

Persistence Deciduous

Bloom Color White

Bloom Time Summer

The flowers are fragrant and very showy.

Environment This plant tolerates some drought and occasional wetness.
This plant will grow in dry to occasionally wet soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to alkaline (less than 6.8 to more than 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color Green
Fall Color Copper and yellow


Culture Notes American Yellow Wood was chosen as a 1994 Gold Medal Plant by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society for being a plant of exceptional merit, but underused in landscaping. American Yellow Wood grows slowly in full sun on moist, well-drained soils but growth may be more rapid if provided with some shade in the southern part of its range and in the plains states. It tolerates alkaline soil because it is native to dry limestone outcroppings as well as along stream banks. It also grows well in acidic soil and tolerates urban conditions. It performs well with only occasional irrigation once established, even in poor, compacted soils. It adapts to wet soils by growing a shallow root system. For some reason the beautiful tree is found only widely scattered in its natural habitat.

Ability of roots to fix nitrogen appears controversial. There are several very large, coarsely-branched roots dominating the root system which makes water management following transplanting very crucial. Pollen can cause some allergy symptoms. There is a pink flowering form in the trade known as 'Perkins Pink' from Massachusetts.

This tree develops severe included bark in the crotches of the main branches. If this is allowed to develop unchecked, these branches can fall from the tree. This can be minimized with appropriate pruning practices. American Yellow Wood should be pruned in the summer to avoid excessive "bleeding" and when young to develop branches having a wide angle with the trunk and a `U'-shaped crotch. Remove or cut back those with a "V" shaped crotch in favor of those with a "U" shape. Wood is considered ring porous.

Tree establishment specificationsChoose good quality trees for planting. The most common cause of young tree failure is planting too deep. In most instances, the point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk (referred to as the root flare zone or root collar) should be located just above the soil surface. You may have to dig into the root ball to find the root flare. If there is nursery soil over this area, scrape it off. Never place ANY soil over the root ball. The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider because roots grow best in loose soil. In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, extensive research clearly shows that there is no need to incorporate any amendments into the backfill soil. Simply use the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole. Simply planting with the topmost portion of the root ball slightly higher than the surrounding soil might still install the tree too deep - be sure to locate the root flare.

Weed suppression during establishment is essential. Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch to at least a six-foot diameter circle around the tree. This area should be at least two feet in diameter for each inch of tree trunk diameter and maintained during the establishment period. Apply a thinner layer of mulch directly over the root ball but keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk. This allows rainwater, irrigation and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry. Placing mulch against the trunk and applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water.

Regular irrigation after planting encourages rapid root growth that is essential for tree establishment. Trees provided with regular irrigation through the first growing season after transplanting require about 3 months (hardiness zones 9-11), 6 months (hardiness zones 7-8), or one year or more (hardiness zones 2-6) per inch of trunk diameter to fully establish roots in the landscape soil. Trees in desert climates may take longer to establish. Trees that are under-irrigated during this establishment period (and most trees are) often require additional time to establish because roots grow more slowly. Be prepared to irrigate through the entire establishment period, especially during periods of drought.

Irrigation also helps maintain and encourage the desirable dominant leader in the tree canopy on large-maturing trees. Instead of a dominant leader, trees that are under-irrigated during the establishment period often develop undesirable, low, co-dominant stems and double leaders that can split from the tree later.
Unlike established plants, which do best with deep, infrequent irrigation, research clearly shows that recently transplanted trees and shrubs establish quickest with light, frequent irrigation. For trees planted in spring or summer, provide one (cooler hardiness zones) to three irrigations (warmer hardiness zones) each week during the first few months after planting. Daily irrigation in the warmest hardiness zones provides the quickest establishment. Following the initial few months of frequent irrigation, provide weekly irrigation until plants are fully established. With every irrigation, apply one (cool climates) to two (warm climates) gallons of water per inch trunk diameter (e.g. 2 to 4 gallons for a 2-inch tree) over the root ball only. In most landscapes that receive more than 30 inches of rain or irrigation annually, if the mulch area is maintained weed-free, irrigation does not need to be applied outside of the root ball. Never add water if the root ball is saturated.

In cooler hardiness zones, in all but the driest years, irrigation of spring- and summer-planted trees usually can be discontinued once fall color has begun. Irrigation of fall planted trees, however, should be continued until foliage has dropped from the deciduous trees in the region. In warmer climates, irrigate fall-and winter-planted trees as described for the spring- and summer-planted trees.

In drier, desert climates there is benefit to be gained from applying additional irrigation outside of the root ball area. This is best done by making a large diameter berm four to six inches high, then filling it with water so it percolates into the soil. For the first two years, irrigate twice each week through the spring, once per week in summer provided monsoons arrive, and twice each week again in fall if it remains warm. Taper off watering to once or twice each month in winter and resume twice weekly next spring. For years three to five, water twice per month in spring, summer, and fall and once or twice per month in winter. During years five through seven, water once every three weeks in warm weather and once every six weeks in winter. After this, the drought-tolerant desert trees should be able to survive on natural rainfall.

Trees with good, strong structure need no pruning at planting, except to remove broken twigs. Do not remove branches to compensate for root loss - research has shown that this can be detrimental to establishment.

[[spring transplant best]]


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