When is the best time to plant an all-season landscape with ornamental shrubs and trees?
When I plant, I try to develop interest in the landscape throughout the year. Ornamental shrubs that carry attractive foliage, berries and blooms when other plants are not in blossom deserve some attention if you want a well-planned landscape. Planting shrubs and trees in the fall gives them a better chance of surviving hot weather. In the South, our winters are pretty mild and our soil rarely gets cold enough for roots to stop growing in the winter. Plants also require less water in the cooler months. First, select the right planting site and make sure it meets the requirements for good soil structure, sun and water requirements. When planting a shrub or tree, plant at the depth that the plant was growing in the container. When planting ball and burlapped plants, make sure to cut the wire or cord around the trunk that holds the burlap in place. When you purchase root-bound plants, cut small slits in the root ball so you can spread the roots out. Do not fertilize; wait to fertilize unt
