Thank you for buying your new plants from us.  You will get the best results if you follow these instructions.

Planting your new outdoor tree or shrub

1. Water your new plant thoroughly in preparation for planting.
2. Dig a hole several centimetres deeper and wider than the pot containing the plant.
3. Line the bottom of the hole with a mixture of 1 part topsoil, 1 part planting medium (compost/peat/coco fibre) and a handful of Bonemeal mixed in to promote root growth. Stephen H. Smith's Professional Compost is ideal.

4. Remove the plant from the pot, but do not break up the compost rootball. Put the plant in the hole so the top of the compost rootball is level with the top of the soil around the hole.
5. Fill the space around the compost rootball with the same mixture used in (3.) above. NEVER FILL THE SPACE WITH ORDINARY SOIL - ROOTS MAY NOT GROW OUT OF THE COMPOST ROOTBALL AND INTO YOUR SOIL.
6. Gently firm around the plant with your heel. It is a good idea to make a water-retaining basin around the plant with a circular ridge of soil.
7. WATER THE NEW PLANT THOROUGHLY - about one bucket/watering can per plant should be enough. Watering should be frequent during dry, hot or windy weather for the first 12 months.

Problems with your new tree or shrub

VERY LITTLE OR NO OBVIOUS SPRING GROWTH

The most common complaint we receive is that a new plant appears to be dead after its first winter. Please remember that it will take time for a plant to establish itself in your garden - the "shock" of transplanting from container to soil can cause delayed leaf or flower production (some plants will not flower at all for a few years) - so PLEASE BE PATIENT DURING THE FIRST SPRING!

WINTER DAMAGE

Frost or wind damage will cause brown blotches on the leaves of evergreen plants (such as brown "scorching" on conifers), late frosts will damage lush new growth and cause flower buds to turn brown and drop off. There is no cure for this type of damage except waiting for replacement leaf growth during the spring and summer.

DROUGHT

Lack of water will kill plants. Unlike indoor plants, it is virtually impossible to over-water outdoor plants. Make sure all plants (especially newly planted ones whose roots are still shallow) are thoroughly watered during dry, hot or windy weather.

Pest and disease advice

Like all living things, plants can become infected with insects and various diseases. Almost all of these can easily be treated with the correct knowledge - which our staff will be pleased to share with you. In general, the sooner you spot a problem, the easier and cheaper it will be to treat! Please bring a decent sized plant sample if you would like to take advantage of this service.

INSECTS

Such as greenfly are abundant during the summer months. If your plants become infected with any harmful insects, they should be sprayed with an appropriate insecticide (some of which carry the "environmentally friendly" label).

DISEASES

May show themselves in the form of marks on the leaves. Once again, these can usually be cured or controlled with an appropriate fungicide (some of which carry the "environmentally friendly" label).

Outdoor Plant Guarantee

If all else fails, remember that we offer a 12 month guarantee on all container grown hardy outdoor plants.  Click HERE for details.