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Planting techniques

rhs masterclass
Shrubs and roses
From forming the backbone of garden beds to focal points and long-term features, shrubs and roses require particular care.

Time of year Bare root or


The general rule is to container?
plant deciduous plants Bare-root plants tend
during their dormant to be limited to roses,
season (November to hedging and native
March). Plant evergreens plants; these are usually
in spring or at the end cheaper but the planting
of summer so they have season is restricted to

gap / friedrich strauss


time to settle in before winter. Container-grown
weather extremes, such plants cover a wider
as drought or drying range and can be planted
winds, can cause harm at any time of year
to the foliage. (but at a higher cost).

Planting Transplanting
Dig a hole no deeper Using a spade, cut
than the rootball and up around the plant roots
to three times its width. the year before it is
For roses, ensure the removed to stimulate
graft union is at soil fibrous root growth and
level otherwise the risk help establishment once
of rose die-back is moved. Reduce the size

gap / graham strong


increased. Aftercare is of the plant by pruning
simple: water regularly, the top growth; treat the
mulch, weed and feed plant as if newly planted,
Time and care spent until the plant becomes with the appropriate
when planting will be
rewarded in the long run. established. watering and aftercare.

Planting techniques
For plants that will be in the ground for many years, it is worth taking time to plant
Long-term success with climbers
Mainly shrubby, these plants are often planted in demanding situations so have specific considerations.
Climbers tend to be tough plants and they
are usually grown in challenging positions,
such as a dry, warm south-facing wall (for
Trachelospermum jasminoides) to a cold, dark
them well so that they establish quickly and are then able to thrive north wall (enjoyed by Hydrangea anomala
subsp. petiolaris). In addition, climbers can
As gardeners we want our plants to establish soil with organic matter around a plant is more face competition from surrounding plants
well so that we can enjoy them for many years to beneficial than just concentrating on the planting for light and moisture.
come. Plants may be often viewed as an investment hole. Working the soil over a wider area will help with Selecting a plant for the right conditions is
because of the cost and time involved especially long-term establishment. Improving just the soil in the key and making sure it is cared for (until it
with trees and shrubs so by following some basic planting hole can lead to problems; adding organic establishes with water, mulch and tying in)
principles and advice, and by taking a little extra time, matter to the planting hole can cause the plant to sink is a must. Plant 3045cm (1218in) from the
wall or fence, or at the edge of the tree
you can give them the best possible start in life. as the organic material breaks down, adversely
canopy, as this allows the plant to keep out
Author: Jon Planting correctly in the first place is an important affecting the plants health. The plant may also become of the rain shadow and enables the roots to
Webster, Curator, step in this journey: as with most things you need to too comfortable and not push out and develop all- capitalise on available moisture.
RHS Garden start from the bottom up, and for a plant this means its important anchor roots. Therefore, backfilling the hole When building a support, allow a gap of at Climbers and trees Clematis
Rosemoor. roots. Primarily for searching out nutrients and water with the same material that was dug out will help to least 5cm (2in) between this and the wall to When growing a climber up a tree, plant Plant large-flowered cultivars with their
Photography: that the plant relies on, roots are equally as valuable promote wider root growth and reach. Fertiliser such help the climber attach and grow; this also away from the trunk at the canopy edge rootball 58cm (23in) below the soil;
Tim Sandall allows air to circulate around the plant.
for creating firm anchorage into the ground. as bonemeal, traditionally added to the planting hole, so the roots will receive more rainfall. evergreen clematis at soil level.
A current school of thought is that improving the does not appear to greatly boost root establishment.

60 The Garden | September 2014 September 2014 | The Garden 61
Planting techniques
rhs masterclass

Transplanting mature
Trees trees: a case study
Whether ornamental or productive, all trees Malus Zabergau Reinette had been growing
in the fruit nursery at RHS Garden Wisley,
benefit greatly from thorough preparation before Surrey in an old wooden apple crate for many
planting, followed by regular attention. years, so it was ready to be planted out. First, a
large, square hole was dug to accommodate
Time of year to plant Bare root They establish Air-Pot This design
the rootball; once the tree was moved to the
Although a containerised tree can be planted at any hole, the crate was broken off (inset) to reveal
quickly and easily, due to encourages fibrous roots the root structure was in a good state. The old
time of year, traditionally trees are planted during their being field grown. Although to develop. As a result there soil was removed and, once the best face of
dormant season between November and March. low cost they have a short are no root girdling problems the tree was chosen, the apple was carefully
Bare-root trees are only available from November to lowered in. Due to the sandy soil and mature
planting season and a often encountered with
March and are cost effective; most fruit trees are state of the tree, the hole was backfilled with
limited selection is available. mature plants in pots. compacted layers of soil and organic matter
produced this way. They need more support, as they in order to help it establish. Finally, a strong
have a less-dense root system than containerised plants. stake was used and the tree watered regularly
When buying a pot-grown tree make sure it is a until it established.
healthy plant which has not been sitting around for too
long tell-tale signs include broken pots, moss on the
compost and roots coming out of the base. When
planting, break the encircling roots as these can cause
problems in establishment. Instead of teasing roots
out, actually slit the edges of the rootball with your
spade but be gentle with plants with delicate roots that Containerised hessian Containerised in bags
need to be teased (not cut), such as Japanese maples wrapped Used for large Used to grow trees of all
and magnolias. This problem is eliminated in trees semi-mature trees ready for types as an alternative
grown in Air-Pots; fibrous root growth is promoted by planting or for field-grown method to pots. The added
Firm the soil in the hole
the corrugated walls of the container, and the amount of shrubs and conifers, lifted bonus is you can plant them after planting and staking.
air holes that allow for efficient drainage and aeration. during the dormant season. at any time of year.

Shape of hole Irrigation


Dig a round hole (below) on lighter Newly planted trees will require regular Hedging choices
soils; on heavier soils it is better to watering in spring and summer for the first Hedges create structure, garden rooms, wildlife habitats or windbreaks, as well as
dig a square hole. Roots can find two to three years after planting, until the adding privacy and security to our houses and gardens.
corners to break out in square tree is fully established. This will help to
holes, but in clay can girdle in a promote good root growth.
round hole. Make the hole three Creating a dish of soil at the base of
times the width of the roots and the tree will help when watering and stop it
spike the sides and bottom with a running off. Alternatively, for larger plants,
fork to encourage good drainage. ensure that the water penetrates the soil by
placing a perforated drainage pipe around Mulch after planting with
the rootball during planting to be certain organic matter but keep it
that water is delivered directly to the roots. clear of the tree trunk.

Ongoing care
Apply a layer of organic mulch
510cm (24in) thick around the
tree after planting; keep a collar
Correct level and staking free around the stem of about
Position the tree so the top of the roots is just
10cm (4in) to prevent the bark Types of hedging Slit or trench Planting and
below the soil surface. If the tree is container
rotting. The mulch will help to A wide palette of plants can planting aftercare
reduce weed competition and be grown as hedges ranging
ised, scrape away the top level of compost to Slit planting with a spade is For an effective hedge, plant
also conserve moisture levels in from formal evergreen yew
find this level, and check the depth again prior effective for young bare-root in a staggered, double row,
the soil. Check the stake and tree (often sold in containers) to
to backfilling. Staking is key in the early stages plants in cultivated soil. But if spacing young plants 30cm
tie each year, and loosen the tie informal native plantings
until the roots establish, so support the tree you need to prepare the soil (12in) apart. Stake larger
as required. Once the tree is well such as hawthorn and holly,
trunk to around a third of its height. This will for pot-grown plants, create evergreen plants. In spring,
rhs advisory

Roots are more likely to Mound the soil to create a anchored this can be removed.
grow out into the corners allow the top of the tree to move, which helps dish that will retain water often available as bare-root a trench, place the plants in cut back top growth to
An annual spring feed using a whips (above).
of square planting holes. stimulate anchor roots to take hold. close to the tree roots. and backfill accordingly. encourage a thicker base.


balanced fertiliser is ideal.

62 The Garden | September 2014 September 2014 | The Garden 63


rhs masterclass

Perennials, annuals and bulbs


Even small plants need some care when they are planted if they are to perform well over time.

Perennials Pot-grown plants 1 can be planted


throughout the year, but this is best done during
autumn and spring when the soil has some warmth.
When planting in summer, puddle in plants by filling
the hole with water 2 before backfilling.
Perennials enjoy a rich soil; beds can be prepared
with well-rotted manure or compost to improve the

1 2
structure and fertility.

Annuals These give seasonal, colourful displays


and prefer a well-cultivated soil 3 . However, be sure
it is not too rich as they can put on lush growth and
at the expense of its flowers. Ensure they are watered
well in dry weather after planting.

Bulbs Dormant bulbs should be planted between


September and November while the soil still has some
warmth, but a few, such as snowdrops and bluebells,

3 4
are available after they have flowered, for planting
during summer. A general rule for bulbs is to plant
them to a depth of three times their size 4 to provide
good anchorage and to prevent drying out.

Planting and
Instant trees mycorrhizae vi
so
ry

Trees can take a long time to grow to create the impact within our gardens or landscape There are products

d
Sa
on the market that

RH
that we desire. However, there are several companies specialising in the supply and
planting of what are called semi-mature trees (as used to bulk up the woodland planting contain mycorrhizal
by the lake at RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Essex, below). fungi, which can be
To ensure success, check the provenance of the tree; particularly where it was grown applied to the roots
so the climate and soil type can be compared with those where it is to be planted. If the at the time of
tree is from a nursery specialising in mature stock it should have undergone regular root planting and can help
pruning to promote a fibrous root system to allow it to be planted at any time of year. with establishment of
Even though they are mature trees, the plants still require a lot of care in the early plants in certain situations
years, and can take longer to establish in new surroundings than smaller trees; as always, but there are factors that
watering, mulching and correct staking are key to success. need to be taken into consideration.
See The Garden, August, pp4648
for the latest thinking.

The trees are planted as


Planting semi-mature Betula supplied by delivered and roots grow
Majestic Trees at RHS Garden Hyde Hall requires
special handling, but gives instant impact.
unhindered through the
hessian as it rots.
Find out more
Search Planting at
www.rhs.org.uk/advice

64 The Garden | September 2014

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