wn 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.
After hole preparation, remove plant from container and prep roots and root ball.
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
Cut girdling roots and site plant in hole making note of root flare direction, relative height and of course verticality .
Back fill hole with prepared soil taking careful note of plant height relative to existing soil. Apply mulch to drip line, but not touching trunk. Spring|2023
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