Installing Woody Landscape Plants, Ground Covers, Perennials, and Annuals

1. Ms. Gripshover Landscaping Unit 16 Installing Woody Landscape Plants, Ground Covers, Perennials, and Annuals

2. Identify the different methods of harvesting plant materials used by the nursery • trade. • Prepare for planting trees, shrubs, and ground covers. • Outline proper planting techniques. • Describe the methods of planting annuals and perennials. • Understand the importance of the use of mulch, landscape fabric, antitranspirants, and climate. Our Objectives

3. Plants are sold in many different ways • It is important to pick the best desired harvest so that rates of transplant are high • They are produced in 3 basic methods: • Container grown- grown and sold in containers • Easy to handle • Suitable for evergreen and broadleaf shrubs, herbaceous, perennials, and annuals 2. Balled & burlapped (B&B)- grown in a field, dug up with the soil ball, then wrapped in burlap + suitable for herbaceous shrubs, and larger specimens 3. Bare root (BR)- grow in the field, harvested when dormant, cleaned to remove soil, and stored in a cool place +Must keep moist +Suitable for many perennials, especially roses, bulbs, some herbaceous trees How can students select the best harvesting method for the pant they are harvesting?

4. When installing consider: • Water requirements • Amount of h20 needed for plant growth • Xeriscaping- using drought tolerant plants) • Growth rate • Hardiness • Plant suitability to a particular climate (recall the hardiness zone map) • Hardy plant- tough plant • Tender plant- weak plant • Nutrient & pH needs • Pick plants that will do well in that area so not a lot of attention is needed such as soil amendments Installing the Plants (Refresher)

5. Transporting plants takes special care • Cover with a tarp to prevent wind burn, sunscald, etc. • In most climates, spring is the best time to plant • Generally heavy rain • Plants are entering their most active growth cycle • Some plants such as perennials and woody trees can be planted in the fall • If you must plant in the summer take these precautions: • Mulching • Heavy watering • Possibly a sunshield Care & Timing

6. For B&B Plants: • Dig hole 12” bigger than the soil ball • The soil ball should be level with surrounding soil and the bottom flat (this allows for the same growing conditions it once had) • Pull the burlap and twine away from the trunk and bury • Container Plants: • Remove container • If it has root circling, break the roots up so they will spread and continue to grow once planted • Bare root Plants: • Remove the plastic/ wrapping • Dig hole as deep as longest root and 12” in diameter • Form a mound in the bottom of the hole and rest the stem on it • Spread out roots and fill • Build a trench around the parameter of the plant and water Proper Planting

7. Small trees usually do not have to be staked • Not staking also helps the roots to grow better • Trees 6- 12’ tall may need it • Drive 2- 3 long wooden stakes into the ground on the edge of the plant hole and attach wire between the stakes • When wrapping around the tree, use something to protect the trunk from the wire • Guying is done for trees 12’ or higher • Cables are attached to the tree trunk which are in turn anchored to the stakes in the ground Staking & Guying

8. Staking Guying Staking VS. Guying

9. Annuals are colorful and inexpensive • Flowers in front of shrubs create a flower border • Flower beds are when they contain only flowers • Tall plants in the back, short in the front • Keep it simple, placing the same species together is more visually appealing • Easy to install if soil is well prepared • Bed is free of grass/ weeds • Till in some fertilizer within the top 6” • Awareness of environmental factors • Small holes the size and depth of the soil ball, water well Installing Annuals

10. Perennials grow two or more growing seasons are fairly more expensive than annuals • Can dvided into woody or herbacesous • Most have a distinct, short bloom time • Planting plants that bloom at different times will create color all year • Soil needs to be well prepared because ammending the soil after plants are installed is difficult • Place into holes the size and depth of their growing container • Water well • Plants species together of 3 or more • Taller plants in the back or middle Installing Perennials

11. Once planted, follow- up care is necessary • Watering, weeding, fertilizing, etc. • Mulch helps plants by reducing water loss, preventing weeds, keeping soil temperature uniform, protecting roots, and preventing erosion • Spread 2- 4” with a small area near the base of the plant without mulch • Organic mulch ex: wood ships, pine needles, tree bark, etc. • Organic generally need to be added toe very year • Inorganic mulch ex: gravel, stone, sand, brick chips, etc. • Doesn’t usually need to be topped off every year Mulching

12. Landscape fabric is like a mesh. Allows air and water to pass through but restricts weed growth • It is covered with 4” of mulch • Antitranspirant is an aerosol product applied to leaves of plant to reduce transpiration • Used when transporting plants or just after transplanting to help plants survive • Cuts down water loss Landscape Fabric & Antitranspirant