Choosing A New Tree Or Shrub For Your Garden, Yard or Backyard

 

The mainstay of any garden is the trees and shrubs. These provide the form and structure of your garden all year round. What trees and shrubs you choose will influence your choice of other plants and flowers. As with any project it is important to do any research first, as not all trees and shrubs are suited to all gardens and soil types.

Trees and shrubs that are grown in containers are very popular with a lot of people as they are convenient and can be purchased and plantaed at any time of year. If this is your preferred choice, be careful not to buy them after a very cold spell as their roots may be frozen, or after a very hot period as they may be suffering from stress brought on by drought.

The price of trees and shrubs varies according to their size. Most people would assume that bigger is best, but this is not always the case. The bigger tree will not only be a lot more expensive than a smaller tree, but will need more looking after as it requires frequent watering and will take a lot longer to establish.

It is vital that the size of tree or shrub is also suitable for your size of garden. Some trees can grow too big for their environment after about ten years, so unless you are prepared to prune and regularly shape the tree opt for a smaller tree. Also be aware that some trees do not respond well to this kind of treatment, so always check before you buy.

The best time of year to plant trees and shrubs is in the Autumn or Fall. Planting at this time of year allows the roots to spread whilst the soil is still rather warm and moist. This time of year also allows the plant to acclimatize before the stressful growing summer months come round.

Choosing trees or shrubs for your garden should be a pleasurable experience and not a chore. Therefore if you take a little more time over your choices then you will not be disappointed over time. Learn to be choosy and always look for the healthiest plants.

Inspect the stems for signs of pests or infection and check that the leaves are in good condition too. Do not be tempted to buy an unhealthy looking plant because of a price reduction, in the long run it will prove to be a waste of money. Avoid any plants with weeds or moss on the surface as these have not been looked after properly. Another thing to look at is the growth below the surface, congested roots will suggest that a plant has been in its pot too long.

 

More articles about trees & shrubs >