April 10, 2014

What Every Homeowner Ought To Know…How to Transplant Iris

Transplanting (moving) Iris is easy. Anyone can do it. Follow these simple steps.

Loosen the soil around the stem with a trowel or spade and gently lift.q

Loosen the soil around the stem with a trowel or spade and gently lift.

Iris is a classic hardy perennial. It will grow back from the roots each Spring and it blooms in a variety of sophisticated colors. I’ve been moving Iris shoots for over five years. You’re going to get hooked once you see them bloom!

Iris will not bloom in the shade. If you or a previous homeowner planted it on the North side of the house, move it to the western or southern side. Even the east side is better than the North. There isn’t enough sunlight to force the plant to bloom.

Don’t bury the plant in new soil. The Iris should almost rest on the surface. Do not mulch over the crown of the plant.  Gently dig a shallow hole and set the plant down, covering any small roots with soil.

There, all done. Wasn’t that easy! What is your favorite color of Iris? (Mine is the burgundy red, bronze with yellow). Let me know in the comments section below.

 

Filed Under: Establishment and Care Advice, Plant Install, Right Plant In The Right Place
April 2, 2014

The Lazy Man’s Way to Kill A Tree – FAIL – Always Cut the Cording String

They should have known better…It only takes a minute.

Cut the strings around the stem once the tree is stable. This red maple tree will eventually die.

Cut the strings around the stem once the tree is stable. This red maple tree will eventually die.

A landscape contractor (professional) overlooked the red maple above and the one next to it. What am I writing and ranting about? The lacing that holds soil-grown trees together. Sometimes there is a wire basket holding the soil and burlap together.

Either way, always cut the strings around the stems of a soil-grown tree or shrub. Always. But, wait…before you do, is the tree stable?

Don’t cut the string until the plant has settled into the soil. After install, sometimes a plant will sway one side or another due to wind and rain. It’s easy to straighten the tree before you cut the string. After, be careful moving the stem. If you hear popping noises, then roots are snapping.

The red maple above has been planted for over a year. This is plenty of time for the area to stabilize. Someone made a big mistake. Lucky for them I happened to come by and fix the problem.

Why cut the string at all, you’re thinking…? The string will eventually strangle the cambium layer of the stem. This effectively chokes stems and branches of receiving nutrients. It’s not uncommon to see this.

There are 1000 details to growing plants well. Don’t forget this one.

Have you ever seen this problem in the landscape? Let me know in the comments below.

Filed Under: Establishment and Care Advice, Expensive Mistakes
March 27, 2014

How To Prune Like A Pro Landscaper…Evergreen Arborvitae

Have you ever seen a Christmas tree? Of course, you have. That’s how you prune almost every kind of tree, deciduous and evergreen.

Select one stem as the central leader and prune the rest back.

Select one stem as the central leader and prune the rest back.

Central Leader. It’s the most important word for today. Select a stem or branch as the center of the tree and go for it. It’s not complicated. Cut the competing branches below the central leader and the tree will do the rest.

This works on every kind of tree and shrub. Why is this such a big secret? I don’t know… Maybe it should be taught in school. When in doubt, think central leader.

Why a central leader? It’s the most structurally sound form for a tree. The branch angles will approach 90 degrees (considered the best strength angle). The tree will thank you by not breaking during a snow or ice storm.

Filed Under: Establishment and Care Advice