Shrub Questions
Shrubs, like trees, can be planted anytime spring through fall. We recommend avoiding planting in August (due to heat), but it can still be done successfully with an adjustment to watering.
Barberry, Boxwood, Hydrangea, Potentilla, Spirea, and Arrowwood Viburnum are a few options of shrubs that are deer resistant.
There are a ton! Dogwood, lilac, forsythia and willows to name a few. Stop in to Gertens and speak with our nursery staff for more suggestions.
Winterberry, ‘Cranberry’ Cotoneaster, ‘Raspberry Lemonade’ Ninebark, Sumac, Snowberry, ‘Mohican’ Viburnum, and any of the Cranberry bushes will produce beautiful red berries.
The options for colorful shrubs are endless! It all depends on your specific site conditions such as sunlight, soil conditions, etc. From there it is really a personal preference on coloration, timing of bloom, and overall size of the plant.
Arborvitaes are typically what we recommend for screening. However, if looking for a deciduous option there are many. Again, it will depend on site conditions and desired size/appearance of the plant. Viburnums, dogwoods and lilacs are good options.
If they were purchased from Gertens and planted this season, do not fertilize. There is a slow-release fertilizer in all the containers Gertens sells that is good for the season. After the first year, if you desire to fertilize your shrubs, ...
Gertens has about 44 different families of shrubs, and we carry multiple varieties within each of those families. Gertens carries just over 250 deciduous shrubs.
Some of our evergreen shrubs may require winter protection depending on where they’re planted in your landscape. Talk to a Gertens expert when purchasing your shrubs. You can also send an email to questions@gertens.com if you’re unsure of a shrub in your current landscape.
Root stimulators provide a hormone to the root system to recover faster from any damage done during the transplant process. This will also help the roots grow faster and stronger.
Full sun is six or more hours of direct sunlight, part sun is four to six hours of sunlight including some afternoon sun, part shade is four to six hours of sun before midday, full shade is less than four hours of sun.
Cut the dead flower off just above the first five leaflet junction on the stem. NOTE: The dead flower usually has 3 leaves just below the bloom. They will come off with the dead flower.
Mulch helps stabilizes soil moisture and temperature. Gertens experts recommend Red Cedar mulch, from that fact that the cedar oil repels soft body insects. Place mulch 2 to 3 inches thick like a donut, not a volcano.