What is a shrub?
Shrubs are woody plants with multiple stems (a.k.a they have lots of branches, not just one trunk like a tree has), and people love them for a variety of reasons. Some bear fruit, provide shade or remain evergreen all year round, while others serve as stunning ornamentals or attractive foliage. No matter what kind you've purchased, the basics to planting your shrub are the same.
Shrub planting tools and materials
- Shovel or spade
- Garden gloves
- Measuring tape
- Garden hose or watering can
- Mulch (wood chips or shredded bark)
- Compost (optional, for amending poor soil)
- Pruning shears (for damaged roots)
Before you plant
Check the calendar
Fall is the best time to plant most shrubs, with spring coming in a close second. According to the University of Maryland Extension, shrubs planted in fall benefit from cooler temperatures and more consistent rainfall, allowing roots to establish before summer stress. If you purchased your shrub from Sunday, you won't have to worry about this—we'll send it at the right time. All you have to do is plant ASAP after receiving and unboxing it.
Call before you dig
Protect yourself and your utilities by calling 811 a few days before you dig to have someone come map your buried utility lines.
Location, location, location
You might have the perfect spot in mind, but aesthetics are just one part of choosing the right planting site. Consider the following before you get your hands dirty:
- How much sun does it need?
- Does it have enough space to mature?
- Will it get the right water here?
- Can it thrive in a container, or is it best in a garden bed?
- Will it negatively impact nearby plants as it grows?
- If it has roses, does your shrub need trellising?
Sunday Tip:
Species-specific information on location, spacing, sun requirements, mature size, and more is usually available on a plant tag. If you bought your plant from Sunday, this info is available from our online plant product pages.
How to plant your shrub in the ground
Prep
- Dig a saucer-shaped hole 2-3x wider than the root mass and just deep enough for the topmost roots to sit level with the surface.
- Remove any rocks or debris.
- Prevent your shrub from sinking by loosening soil along the sides, but not the bottom of the hole
Plant
- Make sure the shrub is straight, not leaning, and place it in the hole.
- Gently spread roots horizontally—don't bend or break—and make sure topmost roots are level with the soil surface.
- Fill back in with soil—no need to press down, the soil will settle on its own.
Optional:
- Create a 3-inch tall "water ring" around the root ball with extra soil.
- Mulch with 2-4 inches of mulch to moderate soil temperature and reduce weeds and water loss.
Water
- Water immediately after planting with 1-2 gallons, then keep soil moist (but not saturated) by watering every 2-3 days for the first 6 weeks.
- Improper watering is one of the main reasons shrubs fail within a few years of planting.
How to plant your shrub in a container
First, make sure your shrub is suitable for a container because some types need more space to prosper. Then:
Prep
- Choose a container big enough for your fully grown shrub.
- Make sure it's clean.
- Fill the bottom with potting mix.
- Make sure the top of the root ball will sit about 1-2 inches below the top lip of the container.
Plant
- Remove shrub from the pot and gently separate roots.
- Keep the shrub straight—not leaning—as you place it in the container.
- Fill with potting mix, adding about ½ to 1 inch on top of the root ball.
- Don't fill to the rim or it'll overflow when you water.
- ProTip: Do not add materials such as broken clay pottery, stones, etc. for "drainage". Adding these bulky materials reduces the height of the soil column in the pot and in fact reduces drainage from the pot.
Water
- Water immediately after planting.
- Keep soil moist until plant is established, then water according to specific plant needs.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Planting too deep: Burying the root flare can suffocate roots and cause rot
- Digging a hole too narrow: Roots need room to spread horizontally
- Overwatering: Saturated soil leads to root rot; keep soil moist, not soggy
- Underwatering: New shrubs need consistent moisture for the first 6 weeks
- Skipping mulch: Mulch helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature
- Piling mulch against the stem: Keep mulch 2-3 inches away from the trunk to prevent decay
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to plant shrubs? Fall is the best time to plant most shrubs because cooler temperatures and consistent rainfall help roots establish before summer heat.
How wide should the planting hole be? Dig the hole 2-3x wider than the root ball to give roots room to spread horizontally.
How often should newly planted shrubs be watered? Water with 1-2 gallons every 2-3 days for the first 6 weeks, keeping soil moist but not saturated.
How deep should I plant my shrub? Plant so the root flare (where the topmost roots meet the trunk) sits level with the soil surface.
Proud plant grower
Give yourself a high-five! You're now the proud owner of a brand-new ornamental, shade, fruit or rose shrub. And if you still need to buy a shrub—or you'd just like to add more to the mix—you can find your new PFF (plant friend forever) here.
Key Takeaways
- Best planting time: Fall is ideal; spring is a close second
- Hole size: 2-3x wider than the root ball, depth matches root ball height
- Root flare position: Keep topmost roots level with soil surface
- Watering: 1-2 gallons immediately after planting, then every 2-3 days for the first 6 weeks
- Mulch: Apply 2-4 inches around the base, keeping it away from the stem
Cited sources
Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment at UMass Amherst. Landscape: Guidelines for Planting Trees and Shrubs.
Cornell University. The Cornell Guide for Planting and Maintaining Trees and Shrubs.
University of Maryland Extension. Planting a Tree or Shrub.
University of Minnesota Extension. Planting and transplanting trees and shrubs | UMN Extension.
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