TREES, SHRUBS & VINES

You can find an estimate of how big each tree or shrub will get after 10 years on our tags and signs. Many trees will continue to grow after this time range. Growth rates vary depending on all kinds of factors such as soil type, shade, and water.

There’s so much to learn about pruning, but you can start by narrowing it down. Most deciduous shrubs should be pruned in the winter. Fruit trees, roses, and hydrangeas should be pruned in early spring, around February. Rhododendrons and azaleas should be pruned once they are done flowering in the spring. You can always start by removing any crossing or weak branches, and then prune for shape.

Planting large trees and shrubs can seem a little daunting. Start by digging a hole twice as wide but only slightly deeper than its original container. You may need to get some rocks or roots out of the way, or try a different spot if your first one has too many obstacles. Add some compost and mix with the existing soil, remove the plant from its pot, loosen up the plant roots, and plant it firmly so that the soil level matches the top of the root ball. You can find more detailed instructions in our planting guide.

Even though these materials break down eventually, your plant’s roots will grow much faster if they are out of the way. We recommend removing plants from pulp pots before planting. With “ball and burlap” plants, set them into the finished hole, burlap and all, cut the string, and roll or cut the burlap down as far as you can to allow lateral root growth. You can then bury the burlap and it will break down over time without obstructing the roots.

Most people water trees, shrubs, and vines more often than necessary but not deeply enough. In most situations, we recommend watering trees, shrubs, and vines very deeply, but only 2-3 times per week in the summer. Soaker hoses and tree watering bags are a couple of great tools that can help you water deeply and gradually. If you aren’t sure whether your plant needs water, stick you finger all the way into the soil. If it’s dry at your fingertip, it’s time to water.

We love natives, and recognize their vital role in native ecosystems. In fact, they're a key group of plants that we like to carve out space for, both in our nursery beds and aisles, and in our online messaging. We carry natives like Iris tenax, Mahonia nervosa, Kinnickkinnick and more whenever they are available to us, but unfortunately, local wholesale native growers can be few and far between.

If you're looking for more natives then we have at the moment, we recommend Go Natives, MsK Nursery, Hima Nursery or Oxbow Farms. Happy planting, and thanks for doing your part to contribute to our local ecosystem!