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How To Plant A Shrub In A Container

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How To Plant A Shrub In A Container

How To Plant A Shrub In A Container. Steve Redman from Holland Park in London takes you through the technique of planting a shrub in a container. For more basic information watch 'An Introduction to planting in containers' How To Plant A Shrub In A Container. Steve Redman from Holland Park in London takes you through the technique of planting a shrub in a container. For more basic information watch 'An Introduction to planting in containers'

Step 1: You will need

Step 2: Choose the plant

Buy plants with green and healthy foliage, and avoid any with discoloured, dead or damaged leaves. When buying a shrub, squeeze the pot to test whether the plant is easily removed from it's container. The compost should be moist and stay together when you remove the root ball. The roots shouldn't grow out of the base of the container.

Step 3: Prepare the container

Cover the base of the container with a layer of crocks. You can also add a layer of compost and a layer of gravel for extra drainage. Add more compost until the container is about half full. Steve recommends mixing in a small handful of slow release fertiliser and water retaining crystals to nourish your shrub and help it survive.

Step 4: Plant

To remove your plant from it's original container, put it on it's side and gently squeezing the pot. Tease the roots around the base of the root ball to help the plant grow in it's new pot. Place the shrub in the centre of the container. Add more compost around the shrub and firm it down with your fingers. The level of the compost around the shrub should be about 2 centimetres below the rim of the container.

Step 5: Water

Although you can water your plants a few hours before planting, Steve prefers to water container plants after they've been planted to help the compost settle around the roots. Most shrubs have large root systems that need a lot of water. The compost should be kept slightly moist so check the container regularly and water when necessary.

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Tips & Comments
  1. keithwheatley

    Good sound advice. I have never used crocks or polystyrene myself and have never had problems. Terracotts pots won't become waterlogged as they are porous and non porous pots won't get waterlogged if enough drainage holes are drilled. I would always water the plants before installing in containers and if the plant is very dry I would recommend submerging the plant in water so the pot is completely soaked for five minutes or so. When a dry root ball is planted with general purpose compost the new compost retains more water and the dry compost around the pot may not draw water from the new medium. Very large plant containers for trees and shrubs are available at www.plantcontainershop.com. We can supply, install and maintain the plants too!

  2. holden

    J Montague. If you have a drainage system in the base of the new pot, you will NOT NEED to add crocks to it. It is a real of thumb to re-pot a plant into a new container of double the size as the old one. You can continue repoting your favorite gardenia until the pot you have gets too big. It is then that you can attempt to prune the roots, thus reducing the root ball, to encourage new feeder roots, but that is a different process all together, and you shouldnt need that advice for some time. Regards, Steve

  3. Anonymous

    Steve, I watched the video of How to Plant a shrub and found it very useful,I was hoping you may mention the size of the pot to be used when re-potting. I bought a small potted gardenia this week and am about to re-pot it in a larger pot but am not sure if I can use a much larger pot or should I choose a pot which is not much bigger than the one it came in? The pot I want to use is one of those which have a plastic drainage system inside, so you just water it through a small spout on the bottom of the pot and it keeps the compost moist.Also in this type of pot is it necessary to add crocks? I don't know whether you answer queries but thought I would try and see. Thank you. J Montague

  4. Anonymous

    thanks alot ...here what i looking for !!! good intruction.