We all look at beautiful landscapes in magazines and dream of our yards becoming magazine-worthy. While every yard has the potential to become magazine-worthy, it does not happen overnight! We will give our customers all the tips and tricks we have, to be successful in growing plants, however, there is one asset all customers must possess… Patience!
All too often, plants are planted, watered occasionally, (or worse yet, way too often), and then the homeowner is shocked why plants are struggling. At this point, the homeowner starts to give up and think that since the plant does not look like it would in magazines, it never will. In reality, most landscapes take at least 3-4 years (with trees longer) to start to mature and reach their full potential. Many plants appear to decline in the first year or two after planting (especially hydrangeas and some perennials) but start to turn the corner at about year 3. Whether you are planting annuals, perennials, shrubs, or trees; you cannot plant them and then expect to immediately have beautiful full-grown plants with no work into them. To grow beautiful magazine worthy plants, it starts from the time it is planted.
Planting depth, amount of moisture, pruning practices and fertilization all are key factors in your plant’s success. Planting at the right depth for correct oxygen to the roots and watering correctly are the first steps in successful plant growth. Most plants fail because of improper watering. Making smart pruning cuts will shape your plant into the future plant it will become. Most trees and shrubs will benefit from thinning cuts as the plants are developing and growing, and very few shrubs should be pruned more than 1/3-1/2 in late fall. Perennials and annuals benefit from being deadheaded on a regular basis and trimmed as needed to contain their shape and size. Yearly fertilizing is important for the overall health of the plant. Applying granular tree and shrub fertilizer to perennials, trees and shrubs before July 4th will give plants the needed nutrients for the year, but also applying a winterizer in mid to late fall will feed your roots and give plants an extra boost for early spring green up.
If your plants are not exactly what you imagined they would be, you are not alone. Regular maintenance is required to grow a beautiful magazine worthy landscape. So rather than fretting about the present, sit back, let Mother Nature (and your green thumb) do its thing and have patience!
