Shrubs that have been grown in a container can be planted at any time of the year, apart from when the ground is frozen solid or waterlogged. Without a question, autumn is the best time to plant your shrubs this is as the soil is still warm, so the roots will put on some growth before the start of winter.
This helps the shrub establish quickly so that it is more able to withstand any hot, dry spells the following year.
How to plant shrubs
The first thing to check is that the plant is well watered, one way to do this is to let the plant sit in a bucket of water for 10-20 minutes, and then take it out and stand it to one side allowing it to drain off any excess water away.
After you have chosen where your plant is going, check the individual plant descriptions for the best location in the garden. The first thing is to dig a hole.
This hole needs to be at least twice the width and a little deeper than the shrub’s pot, as you dig the soil out of the hole, mix this soil you are removing with compost and keep it to one side.
Gently remove the plant from its pot
The shrub needs to be planted at the same depth as it was in the pot, this is called the nursery line, you may need to check the depth and add some soil back into the hole and place the shrub on top.
Check that the plant is at the right height by laying a bamboo cane across the hole and the top of the root ball should be the same height. If the shrub is standing high or low, you will need to either add or remove some of the soil in the bottom of the hole.
To help the shrub get established carefully spread out some of the roots from around the bottom and the sides of the pot. This will help them to grow away from the plant and into the soil.
The planting
Place the shrub in the middle of the hole then check to make sure you have its best side at the front. Then, fill in the gaps around the sides of the roots with the soil mixture, gently firming the soil as you go.
You don’t want to force it in, just enough to get rid of any air pockets, and you may have a little soil left depending on the size of plant you have just put in. This can simply be spread around the flower bed.
The final job is to water the shrub again, this will help to settle it in place. Don’t forget that it will need watering until it gets established.
Top shrub planting tools
You could dig and claw with your hands, but life’s easier with the right tool for the job. Get your shrubs planted in a flash with one of these handy spades
Kent & Stowe 110cm Stainless Steel Digging Spade
This spade comes with an extended shank to reduce back strain, with minimal soil adhesion for an easy-to-clean and excellent rust-resistant spade. With a unique heritage and history, Kent & Stowe tools have been built on tradition and crafted for life. Kent & Stowe offers award-winning garden tools, expertly handcrafted for today’s gardener.
Shop this Kent & Stowe 110cm Stainless Steel Digging Spade
104cm Stainless Steel Border Spade
With a high-quality stainless steel head and a handle made from beautiful ash wood split to form a traditional YD handle, this spade is built for good use. Much like the one above, there’s an extended shank for improved strength, with a larger tread edge for added digging comfort.
Shop this Kent & Stowe 104cm Stainless Steel Border Spade
118cm Bronze Copper Orion Spade
This hardwearing bronze Orion spade is a beautiful, efficient addition to any gardeners tool collection. The spades bowl-shaped blade is very sharp, slicing easily in to the soil. Its bowl shape also makes the spade an excellent all-purpose garden spade, allowing you to lift large volumes of material at a time.