Proper care for your ornamental trees and shrubs is important in maintaining the overall health and vigor of the plants. these tips will help you keep your trees and shrubs healthy and growing all season long.
Watering
In most years, ornamental plants don’t need watering beyond normal rainfall. Young or transplanted trees and shrubs, on the other hand, can use a supplemental irrigation. It is very important to help them through severe summer weather with occasional watering, at least until their root systems become stronger and more established in the soil.
Mulching
Adding mulch to shrub beds does more than simply improve their appearance. Along with reducing the weed population, a proper depth of mulch helps the soil to hold moisture longer. This can make it easier for plants to get through drought periods. It is very important not to apply mulch too deeply (from 2” to 3” is best). If too much mulch is applied, it will soak up all the rain, preventing moisture from getting to the soil where it is most needed.
Pruning
Some plants must have their size and shape controlled to maintain
a natural (but conforming) appearance. Examples would be in front of the house so that plants don’t block windows, or in shrub beds that may get too crowded.
Light, frequent pruning is more beneficial and easier than waiting until a plant is too large to reduce in size. Once or twice per season is usually sufficient in most situations. Pruning equipment should be sharp for clean cuts. Any flowering plants should be pruned right after flowering is finished, and before they start putting a lot of energy into the next year’s flower buds.