What is the best way to plant a shrub in my outdoor space?

You will want to dig a hole no deeper than the pot the shrub is in, and about twice as wide. Place the shrub still in its container either inside of, or next to the hole. Free the root ball from the container (the container may need to be cut off using a utility knife). Do not break the root ball apart, if need be, use a utility knife to score a .5” deep cut on four sides, and an “X” on the bottom. Place the root ball, intact, inside the hole. The root flare (where the roots begin to branch off the trunk should be slightly above the existing ground. Before backfilling, amend the soil with compost, and/or peat moss, roughly a mixture of 1/3 new organic material mixed with 2/3 native soil. This will help ease the root system’s transition from the soil in the pot to the soil in your yard. Back-fill using this mix, packing it as you go to avoid any large air pockets. Mulch over the top of the disturbed dirt. Water well and continue to water every 3-4 days for 20 minutes with the hose on a slow trickle at the base of the trunk (or an hour with a soaker-hose).