Container-Grown Plants to the Landscape

wider than the root ball and 1–2 inches less than the height of the root ball. The hole should be backfilled with existing soil. Do not over-compact the soil when backfilling, as this removes all air pockets. Water can be used to help settle the backfill, eliminating large air pockets without overcompacting.

Mulch should be applied at a depth of 2–3 inches and should be kept away from the base of trees and shrubs. Mulch provides many benefits including maintaining soil moisture, preventing erosion, and controlling weeds.

A little extra effort will help ensure that containergrown plants become healthy, established landscape plants and will help improve landscape sustainability.

Mandy Bayer, PhD, is Extension Assistant Professor of Sustainable Landscape Horticulture at University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Resources

Gilman, E.F., A.L. Shober, K.A., Moore, C. Wiese, M. Paz, and S.M. Scheiber. “Planting Shrubs in Florida Landscapes.” UF/IFAS Extension ENH1129.

Gilman, E.F., A.L. Shober, K.A., Moore, C. Wiese, M. Paz, and S.M. Scheiber. “Establishing Shrubs in Florida Landscapes.” UF/IFAS Extension ENH1130.

Photos and Illustrations

UMass -Amherst

The Morton Arboretum - Lisle, IL