Your Container Guide

Shrubs in containers bring big impact to spots that may not normally get it! You can transform your porch, deck, or even the entrance to your driveway into a truly special spot. It’s easier than you might think! To make sure your display is a success, we’ll explore each section of your Decked Out tag, answer some FAQs, and share some care tips to help you out.

A closer look at our tags

Light
This will depend on the plant you’ve bought, reference the plant tag for specific requirements. One thing to keep in mind is where the light comes from. If the light comes from mainly one side, try to rotate the plant regularly so its growth will be even.

Fertilizer
There is no need to fertilize the first year you have your container, the soil will have enough nutrients to support its growth for this time. Permanent plantings will use up the fertilizer in potting soils after the first season though, so plan to apply a granular fertilizer formulated for flowering shrubs (like a rose fertilizer) in early spring, when the soil thaws.

Water
As the plant grows, its water needs will increase. Containers can dry out quickly in hot, sunny weather, so plan to check your container daily and water it thoroughly. Morning watering is best. You may want to consider a drip irrigation system if frequent hand watering isn’t feasible.

Winter Care
As long as your shrub is hardy in your area and your container is weatherproof, you don’t need to do all that much more to get your planting winter-ready. A 2-3” (5-7.6 cm) thick layer of shredded bark mulch will help regulate soil moisture. Alternatively, you can place cut branches from evergreens, like spruces, pines, and arborvitae, into the soil all around the base of the plant for protection. In areas where the soil does not freeze, you should check the soil every two weeks or so: it should be neither bone-dry nor soggy. Cold climate gardeners should check soil moisture if warm weather causes the soil to thaw before spring. When spring finally returns, it presents the perfect opportunity for you to assess your plant’s health and appearance and decide if it can spend another season in the same container, or if it should be planted into the ground or a larger pot.

Transplanting
Carefully remove the shrub from the pot. Examine the roots. If you see that they are growing closely together against the side of the pot, take your fingers and rake them across the matted roots. This should loosen some of the ends, which will help it root out into its new home. Then, plant it in your landscape at least six weeks before the ground freezes.

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FAQs

Can I use shrubs in seasonal arrangements?
Yes! They pair very well with perennials, annuals, and bulbs. Pop a few complementary geraniums, petunias, or even tulips into the pot and let it show off for a few weeks or even months. This approach gives you all the enjoyment of a showy seasonal container plant but saves you money, since you can add the shrub to your landscape instead of throwing it away when the show is over.

How long will my shrub be able to stay in its pot?
Permanent plantings will last, on average, 3-5 seasons, depending on the variety, the pot size, and your climate. Stunted growth and flowering indicate that it’s time to transplant into a larger container or into the landscape.

What type of soil should I use if I’m repotting my shrub?
Use standard bagged potting soil. Potting soil is lightweight, drains quickly, and fosters healthy, vigorous root growth.

What kind of pot should I use for my permanent shrub planting?
The container you choose must be weatherproof; that is, it must be made of a material that will not break, crack, or flake when left outdoors over winter. This usually means that clay, terra cotta, and ceramic containers are off-limits. Most other materials are fine. The container also must be large enough to accommodate the plant with room to grow into. Typically, this means containers that are 16"-24" (40-60 cm) in diameter and proportionally deep. Small containers dry out quickly and become very difficult to maintain. In temporary plantings, you can use any type of container, since you will remove the plant before winter comes. Container size isn’t that important, either. It needs only be large enough to hold all of the plants you want in your design.

Should I bring my shrub indoors or put it in the garage for the winter?
In most cases, no, provided that the shrub is hardy where you live. These shrubs MUST spend winter outdoors. It may seem like bringing it indoors to protect it from the cold would be good, but in fact, the plant needs the fresh air and the strong light of the outdoors in order to grow properly. If the area where you want to keep it is exposed to exceptionally harsh weather, such as on a rooftop garden or a high balcony, it’s a good idea to select plants that are one or even two zones hardier than where you live. Find out the hardiness zone where you live here.

More resources
Over the years, we’ve posted lots of articles on caring for shrubs and trees. Here’s a roundup of some pages that you might find helpful.

If you are looking for additional information on a plant, please search for your variety in our database.
If you’d like to get more in depth information on container care subject, let us know via feedback.

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