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Planting Shrubs, Ground Covers and Flowers
 You can use ground covers in shady areas, low spots and slopes to provide color and texture, prevent erosion and conserve water.
- A good time to plant seedling or bare root ground covers is in the early spring or early fall to allow plant roots to become established before the onset of summer heat or winter cold. Do you know how many plants you will need?
- Rototill two to three inches of compost into the soil to a depth of eight to 10 inches. If the terrain is uneven or rocky, or if the plants are one gallon or larger, dig individual planting holes from four inches to two feet apart, depending on your budget and desired look (Figure 3-7).
- Check the Interactive Landscape Guide section to determine the recommended spacing between each plant and plan each plant's distance based on the chart. For example, one-foot plant spacing in a 20-square-foot area needs 20 plants. Stagger the plants in a checkerboard pattern as shown in Figure 3-8.
- For all ground covers, dig a hole two to four inches wider and 1.5 times deeper than the plant root ball (Figures 3-9a, 3-9b and 3-9c). Backfill the hole with 50 percent organic matter and 50 percent natural soil, then pack the soil firmly around the roots. Leave a slight depression around each plant to hold water, then water thoroughly. Apply a one- to two-inch layer of organic mulch around each plant, being careful not to cover the growing crowns.
- Lightly pruning plants when they're first planted reduces transplant shock and encourages growth. Once established, most ground covers will need little care or
pruning, and they'll only need fertilization once each spring with an all-purpose fertilizer.
- Since flowers are typically planted in groups or masses, prepare the flower bed all at one time instead of digging individual holes. Perennials require well-drained soil which you can foster by adding two to three inches of bark humus, bark compost, or aged animal manure (not steer manure) over the planting area. In heavy clay soils, add up to 50 percent organic matter to your flower bed.
A handful of bone meal or triple phosphate added to the soil encourages root growth and flower formation. Adding aged manure and bone meal in the fall of each year will provide the best floral display the following year. Other tips to remember include:
- Flowers should be pruned prior to planting to reduce effect of transplant shock.
- Dig a hole 1.5 to two times the depth of the root ball.
- Hole should be two to three times the width of the root ball.
- Gently loosen roots prior to planting (Figure 3-10). If roots are tightly compressed, make a few one-inch cuts with a knife down the length of the root ball. New roots will grow in the area of the cuts.
- Mix 50 percent organic matter with 50 percent native soil to backfill hole. Tamp soil lightly. Keep top of root ball even with existing grade.
- Soak plant thoroughly after planting. Add soil as needed to maintain a level grade, making sure not to bury plant crown. Mulch around plant to conserve water and reduce weed growth.
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