Trees, Shrubs and Evergreens
Growing Conditions
Selecting the Plant
Planting
Care and Mainenance of Trees and Shrubs
Colorful
Fragrance
Hedges and Screens
Trees and shrubs will create the backbone of your garden spaces. These ‘woody’ plants can be used to create the feeling of ‘ceilings’ and ‘walls’ in your outdoor living spaces. Tree and shrub varieties can be versatile in the landscape as screens, accent plants, wildlife borders or to soften architectural features and camouflage foundation lines. At Meyer, we group trees as Shade Trees, which are deciduous varieties (such as Ash, Gingko, Maples, Oaks, Locust, Linden) that are generally moderate to slow growing varieties and longer lived in the landscape; Ornamental Trees, also deciduous, (such as Amelanchiers, Dogwoods, Crabapple trees, Flowering Cherry, Japanese Maples, Magnolias and Ornamental Pears), varieties that are generally faster growing and of smaller stature; and finally, Evergreen Trees (plants with needles or leaves that remain on the plant year-round) varieties we carry at Meyer are Arborvitaes, Firs, Hemlocks, Pines, Spruces, False Cypress, and upright Junipers. Meyer also carries pyramidal and upright Yews that are useful for screening purposes.
Trees and shrubs are generally available as either ‘Balled plants’ or ‘Container plants’.
Balled plants are field grown plants that are dug at the proper time of year for each specific variety with a root ball that is proportionate to the size of the plant. The soil surrounding the root mass is carefully wrapped in burlap and tied with twine. Sometimes the root ball is also caged with a wire basket. DO NOT REMOVE the basket or burlap…
Instructions follow. Container grown plants are grown in plastic pots and generally sold as #1, #2, #3 or #5 containers. Some varieties of plants are also sold by height or spread.
Plants all have their own optimal growing conditions-light, drainage, moisture and exposure. These requirements are generally listed on the label or information sheet next to the plants. Plants will generally grow vigorously and thrive under these ‘ideal’ conditions. Many plants will grow under less than optimal conditions, but will sometimes struggle or be more prone to problems.
Shopping for plants for a particular area around your home, will need a some amount of investigation with regards to the amount of actual sunlight available (Full Sun is 6-8 hours direct sun/Part Sun is 4-6 hours of sunlight/Part Shade is 2-3 hours of sunlight/Shade is less than 2 hours of sunlight/Deep shade is total lack of sunlight). However, a location with full sun from 10am-2pm could be considered Full Sun, as this is the strongest sunlight of the day. Small leaved or thinly branched trees that allow sunlight to ‘dapple’ thru create only part shade. Bright ‘indirect light’ can be found in ‘Open shade’ along a north side of fence or building that has no other obstruction and is suitable for many varieties of Part Shade-Part Sun plants. Also, an understanding of the area’s drainage conditions, whether it dries quickly (hillsides, berms or areas under overhangs), stays constantly moist (swales and bottom of slopes) or is average soil that drains well. The final aspect to check is exposure, whether the plants will be along the East side of a structure or planting windbreak (protection from the Northwest winter winds or along a West property line, fully exposed.
Planting Trees, Shrubs and Evergreens
- A. Balled plants: Leave burlap, basket & twine tight on ball during installation. (See #5)
B. Container plants: Remove plastic pot completely; slit root ball with a sharp knife vertically, from top to bottom, in three spots 1”deep.
- Dig hole 12-16” wider than diameter of ball and same height as existing root ball. DO NOT PLANT TOO DEEP.
- Roll heavy balled plants to edge of hole. Slide plant into hole while guiding by holding onto trunk. Smaller plants can be lifted into place.
- Straightening: Dampen sides of hole and push on tree trunk while prying against side of ball with shovel.
- Backfill: Break up and save best soil during excavation of plant pit. Work loosened soil around ball. When hole is ½ filled, SOAK SOIL thoroughly. Make sure tree is straight. (Loosen twine and burlap & fold below soil line.) Finish backfilling hole with dry soil, tamp soil around ball, wait 3 days then water again. Then follow #7 remaining part of the season.
- Create a dike around tree or plant which is not incorporated into a landscape bed. Dike should be built on the outside edge of the hole, at least 3’ in diameter. Topdress with mulch to conserve moisture.
- Watering: Water once every 10-14 days. WATERING TOO OFTEN WILL KILL PLANTS. Loosen soil or mulch, before watering; allow water to run in lead pencil stream from hose until water puddles or runs off. Allow water to soak in and repeat. DEEP WATERING IS IMPORTANT. Lead pencil stream about 20 minutes.
- Wrap newly planted shade and ornamental tree trunks from base to first branch. Leave wrap on until the following May. Thin barked trees, such as crabapples, ash and maples, should be wrapped every November to spring to protect bark from splitting during winter.
Watering:Begin watering 3 days after planting.Loosen soil or mulch, then lay garden hose in root area and let it run ‘lead pencil’ thickness for 15-20 minutes until a puddle forms. Allow water to soak in. Repeat. Do this every 10-14 days until Thanksgiving (unless ground is wet). Do not over water. Following years, supplemental watering will be needed during drought.
Some years when the Fall season is dry and there is little snow cover during the early winter, a follow-up watering during January thaw will be necessary, especially for evergreen plants.
Cultivation:Keep 3-4 feet diameter of loose soil or mulch ring around trees and shrubs for at least 3 years. This keeps moisture in and accelerates growth. Grass growing close to trees slows down growth.
Fertilizing: Use 13-13-13 fertilizer or an organic fertilizer in spring. Keep fertilizer 18”-24” away from tree trunks, 12” away from shrubs. Cultivate into soil or mulch and water. Fertilize at the rate of 1 cup fertilizer per 1” of tree diameter or 1 cup fertilizer per 3’ of shrub height.
Tree Wrap: Remove tree wrap June 1st or 4 weeks after planting, and re-wrap crabs and maples in November for winter and tie with degradable twine. Always wrap from the ground up to the first limbs.
Lawn Fertilizer:Do not use a weed & feed product in the spring or summer. Fall is the safest, most effective time to use this product. Use a weed preventer plus lawn food in spring and lawn food in summer & spot spray weeds. At Meyer, we handle granular professional products as well as organic fertilizers, and will be glad to advise you about your lawn.
Selecting Trees and Shrubs
When selecting trees and/or shrubs for our landscapes; we often have a theme or possibly a ‘LOOK ‘ or even a specific function as with a screen or windbreak, that will suit our own individual needs. The following group listings may help you find some plant additions to an existing planting or even suggest some plants for a difficult area that you may not have considered until now. Remember that your plants will ‘thrive’ under optimal conditions, so understand the light, drainage and exposure of your particular site.
Color in the Garden for All Seasons
The following plants have features such as flowers, variegated foliage, foliage other than green, textured foliage, fall color or berries and textured or colored bark to give them Fall and Winter seasonal interest in the landscape.
Trees
Amelanchier- Sp/S/F/W
Ash, Autumn Purple- S/F
Beech, Purple-Sp/F
Beech, Tricolor-Sp/S/F
Birch, River-Sp/S/F/W
Crabapple, Cardinal-Sp/F/W
Crabapple, Golden Raindrops-Sp/F/W
Crabapple, Weeping-Sp/S/F/W
Dogwood, Corneliancherry-Sp/S/F/W
Dogwood, Flowering-Sp/F/W
Fir, Concolor-Sp/S/F/W
Fir, Douglas-Sp/S/F/W
Hemlock, Canadian-Sp/S/F/W
Hemlock, Weeping-Sp/S/F/W
Juniper, Glauca Pyramidal-Sp/S/F/W
Lilac, Japanese Tree-Sp/S/F
Magnolia, Stellata-Sp/S/W
Maple, Japanese Cutleaf-Sp/S/F/W
Maple, Japanese Bloodgood-Sp/S/F
Maple, Japanese Coral Bark-Sp/S/F/W
Maple, Crimson King-Sp/S/F
Maple, Three Flower-Sp/S/F/W
Maple, Norway Columnar-F/W
Magnolia, Stellata-Sp/S/W
Maple, Red Sunset-F/W
Pine, Japanese White-Sp/S/F/W
Pine, Tabletop-Sp/S/F/W
Spruce, Norway Weeping-Sp/S/F/W
Shrubs
Azalea, Herbert-Sp/S/F/W
Azalea, Karen-Sp/F
Boxwood Green Mountain-Sp/S/F/W
Boxwood Green Velvet-Sp/S/F/W
Boxwood, Wintergreen-Sp/S/F/W
Clethra, Hummingbird-S/F
Deutzia, Chardonnay Pearls-Sp/F
Dogwood, Grey-Sp/S/F/W
Dogwood, Red-Twig Variegated-Sp/S/F/W
Dogwood, Silver & Gold-Sp/S/F/W
Euonymus, Emerald & Gold-Sp/S/F/W
Fothergilla gardenii-Sp/S/F
Holly Blue Prince or Blue Princess-Sp/S/F/W
Holly, China Boy or China Girl-Sp/S/F/W
Hydrangea, Oakleaf-S/F/W
Hydrangea, Pee-Gee-S/F
Itea, Henry’s Garnet-Sp/S/F
Juniper, Blue Rug-Sp/S/F/W
Juniper Buffalo-Sp/S/F/W
Juniper Gold Coast-Sp/S/F/W
Kerria, Golden Guinea-Sp/S/F/W
Plum, Purple Bush-Sp/S/F
Rhododendrons-Sp/S/F/W
Spirea, Anthony Waterer, Sp/S/F
Spirea, Birchleaf-Sp/S/F
Spirea, Goldmound-Sp/S/F
Spirea, Neon Flash-Sp/S/F
Viburnum, Arrowwood-Sp/S/F/W
Viburnum, Burkwood-Sp/S/F
Viburnum, Wentworth-Sp/S/F
Weigelia, Midnight Wine-Sp/S/F
Weigelia Wine & Roses-Sp/S/F
Weigelia Red Prince-Sp/S/F
Yews, Browni-Sp/S/F/W
Yews, Densiformis-Sp/S/F/W
Yews, Hicksi-Sp/S/F/W
Landscaping in Layers with Accent Plants
Often with an existing landscape, we need to only add-on a few plantings to either replace overgrown or dying plants or add a tree for shade or screening as well a few shrubs to fill-in open areas.
Shade Trees
Ash, Autumn Purple-Sp/S/F
Beech-Purple-Sp/F/W
Beech, Tricolor-Sp/S/F
Birch, River Clump-Sp/F/W
Elm, Vanguard-Sp/S/F
Linden, Glenleven-Sp/S/F
Locust, Sunburst-Sp/S/F
Locust, Shademaster-Sp/S/F
Maple, Green Mountain-Sp/S/F
Maple, Red Sunset-Sp/S/F
Maple, Crimson King-Sp/S/F
Oak, Shingle-Sp/S/F/W
Sweetgum-Sp/S/F
Willow, Golden-Sp/S/F/W
Evergreen Trees
Fir, Concolor-Sp/S/F/W
Fir, Douglas-Sp/S/F/W
Hemlock, Canadian-Sp/S/F/W
Pine, Japanese White-Sp/S/F/W
Pine, Red-Sp/S/F/W
Pine, White-Sp/S/F/W
Pine, Scotch-Sp/S/F/W
Spruce, Colorado Blue/Green-Sp/S/F/W
Spruce, Norway-Sp/S/F/W
Spruce, Norway Weeping-Sp/S/F/W
Ornamental Trees
Amelanchier-Sp/S/F/W
Cherry, Kwanzan-Sp/S/W
Crabapple, Flowering-Sp/F/W
Crabapple, Weeping-Sp/S/F/W
Dogwood, Pagoda-Sp/S/F/W
Fringetree, White-Sp/S/F
Lilac, Japanese Tree-Sp/S/F/W
Magnolia, Royal Star-Sp/S/F
Ornamental Pear, Chanticleer-Sp/S/F
Tall Shrubs-5 feet or Higher
Deutzia, Perle Rose-Sp/S/W
Dogwood, Grey-Sp/S/F/W
Dogwood, Ivory Halo-Sp/S/F/W
Hydrangea, Oakleaf-S/F/W
Hydrangea, Pee Gee-S/F/W
Plum, Purple Cistena-Sp/S/F/W
Rhododendron-Sp/S/F/W
Rose-of-Sharon-S/F
Viburnum, Arrowwood-Sp/S/F
Viburnum, Burkwood-Sp/S/F
Weigela, White Knight-Sp/S
Weigela, Wine and Roses-Sp/S/F
Shrubs-Under 5 feet
Boxwood, Wintergreen-Sp/S/F/W
Boxwood, Green Mountain-Sp/S/F/W
Clethra, Hummingbird-S/F
Currant, Alpine-Sp/S
Euonymus, Emerald & Gold-Sp/S/F/W
Fothergilla, gardenii-Sp/S/F
Itea, Henry’s Garnet-Sp/S/F
Juniper, Buffalo-Sp/S/F/W
Juniper, Gold Coast-Sp/S/F/W
Spirea, Anthony Waterer-Sp/S/F
Spirea, Snowmound-Sp/S/F
Weigela, Minuet-Sp/S
Fragrance is a topic often overlooked when selecting trees and shrubs for our landscapes. While spring blooms may be fleeting in an early hot spell, the fragrance they bring is worth the wait. Place fragrance plants near entries, walkways and near windows and decks to be appreciated.
Shrubs:
Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)-Jy/S
Clethra (Summersweet)-Summer
Dwarf Fothergilla-Sp.
Mockorange Snowbelle-Sp/S
Roses-S/F
Viburnum Carlesii-Sp
Privet-Late Sp.
Purple Plum-Sp.
Lilac, Common-Sp.
Lilac, Dwarf-Late Sp.
Viburnum Mohican-Sp
Viburnum Burkwood-Sp
Caryopteris (Blue Mist Spirea)-S/F
Deutzia gracilis-Early Sp.
Boxwood-Sp.
Trees:
Star Magnolia-Early Sp
Crabapples-Sp
Fringe Tree-Late Sp.
Linden
Ornamental Cherry-Sp
Serviceberry-Sp.
Lilac, Japanese Tree-Late Sp./S
Compliment these plantings with perennials, annuals and vines that will bloom in between the bloom times of the trees and shrubs.
Perennials:
Dianthus J-J
Chrysanthemums Ag-S
Lilies Jn-S
Mints Jn-Jy
Lavenders Jy-S
Nepeta Jn-Ag
Peonies-Sp.
Phlox,Tall-Jy-Ag
Monarda-Jy-Ag
Shasta Daisies-Jn-Ag
Yarrows-Jn-Ag
Echinacea, Sunrise or Sunset Jy-Ag
Annuals:
Sweet Alyssum
Verbena
Petunias
Dianthus
Stocks
Nicotiana
Violas
Heliotrope
Snapdragons
Scented Geraniums
Assorted Herbs
Ground Covers:
Creeping Thyme
Hostas
Lily-of-the-Valley
Mints
Pachysandra
Nepeta
Vines:
Sweet Peas-Perennial
Clematis, Sweet Autumn
Japanese Honeysuckle
Climbing Hydrangea
Roses
Wisteria
Hedges and Screens are often planted with varieties that tend to grow upright, so the plants should need less maintenance to keep their growth in a reasonable amount of space. Some plants to consider for Hedges would be:
Rose of Sharon-FS
Arborvitae, Pyramidal-FS
Barberry, Rosey Glow-FS
Juniper, Canaerti, Pyramidal-FS
Lilac, Common Purple-FS
Lilac, Dwarf-FS
Lilac, French Hybrids-FS\
Privet, Amur-FS/PS
Rose, Shrub or Floribunda-FS
Spirea, Anthony Waterer-FS
Spirea, Goldflame-FS
Kerria, Golden Guinea-FS/Sh
Yew, Hicksi-FS/Sh
Yew, Pyramidal-FS/Sh
Willow, Blue Arctic-PS/Sh
Dogwood, Red-Twig-FS/Sh
Viburnum, Arrowwood-FS-PSh
Viburnum, Burkwood-FS-PSh
Hydrangea, Annabelle-PSh/Sh
Dogwood, Yellow-Twig-FS/Sh
Hydrangea, Pee-Gee-FS/Sh
