The Garden Barn
228 West Street
Vernon, CT 06066
Phone: (860)872-7291
Fax: (860)872-6846
E-mail: info@gardenbarn.com
Contact Us
Watering your plants is essential for 1 full year the installation date. Plants can become dehydrated easily, causing plant wilt. This will damage a plants root system and potentially kill the plant. Maintaining a healthy root system by properly watering is your key for your plants survival. Morning is the ideal time for watering, but if you can't, anytime of day is better than skipping a watering day. Weather plays a major factor. Wind, heat, and sun can cause drought conditions. Supplemental watering, even up to 3 years after planting, will help avoid summer heat stress on your plants. A water well is a must, especially on a slope. To create a water well, mound the soil about 2" up in the shape of a ring around the perimeter of the planting hole (or half ring on the downside of the slope.) This will help capture runoff on a slope and hold water at the plants base when watering. Mulch is a must to hold moisture around the base of the plant and stops moisture evaporation from the soil. A dramm head on the end of your hose is the most effective watering tool. It allows a gentle flow of water with maximum water volume. Most hose nozzles do not achieve this. Sprinkler and soaker hoses are not as effective as hand watering. When using either form, ensure soil saturation reaches down at least 8".
Times are based on dramm head use and should be used as a GUIDE for watering.
DURATION:
Perennials: water for 30 seconds each
Shrubs: water for 1 minute each
Trees: water for 1.5 minutes each
HOW LONG?
Every day for the first week
Every other day for the next 8 weeks
After 8 weeks, during the hot summer months, twice a week ....OR after 8 weeks during the spring and fall, once a week
This should be kept up until the plant has been established for a full year in the ground.
In year 2 and 3 please avoid summer heat stress June-August. Your plant is still young and a good watering once a week will insure the life of your plant.
SPRING FLOWERING PLANTS
Andromeda, Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Cherry Laurels, Mountain Laurels & Leucothoe, Lilacs, Sand Cherries, Weigelas, Viburnums, St. Johns Wort, *Spireas, *Ninebarks, *Ivory Halo Dogwoods & *Burning Bush are some examples
When do I prune? After blooming, June 1st - July 4th
How do I prune? Tip pruning (2"-4") to maintain shape OR remove up to 1/3 of the top foliage growth to restrict / reclaim size as desired.
*May require an additional pruning in October OR March (before new growth emerges) as described above.
NON-FLOWERING BROADLEAF EVERGREEN
Hollies (large and small leaf) Boxwoods & *Euonymus are some examples
When do I prune? June 1st - July 4th
How do I prune? Tip pruning (2"-4") to maintain shape OR remove up to 1/3 of the top foliage growth to restrict / reclaim size as desired
*May require an additional pruning in October OR March (before new growth emerges) as described above.
NEEDLED EVERGREEN SHRUBS THAT REQUIRE LITTLE TO NO PRUNING
Dwarf Spruce (blue and green varieties), Dwarf Junipers, most forms of Hinoki, Thunderhead Pine, free formed upright Junipers & Emerald Green arborvitae are some examples.
When do I prune? June 1st - July 4th
How do I prune? Light tip pruning (1"-2") to desired shape.
NEEDLED EVERGREEN SHRUBS THAT REQUIRE YEARLY PRUNING
Dwarf Pines, Crippsii Cypress, upright formal Junipers, Dark American Arborvitae, *Gold Mop Cypress & *Yews are some examples
When do I prune? June 1st - July 4th
How do I prune? Tip pruning (2"-4") to maintain shape OR remove up to 1/3 of the top foliage growth to restrict / reclaim size as desired
*May require an additional pruning in October OR March (before new growth emerges) as described above.
HYDRANGEAS
All varieties can be pruned in March - early April to desired size. Paniculata varieties (those that tend to grow larger and most tree forms) require additional tip pruning (2"-4") May 15th - June 1st, to maximize the number of blooms and promote a stronger denser branching structure.
SUMMER BLOOMING DECIDUOUS SHRUBS (PLANTS THAT LOSE THEIR LEAVES IN WINTER)
Smokebush, Caryopteris (blue mist shrub) Rose Of Sharon & Butterfly Bush are some examples
When do I prune? October - November, or March (before new growth emerges)
How do I prune? Tip pruning (2"-4") to maintain shape OR remove up to 1/3 of the top foliage growth to restrict / reclaim size as desired.
ROSES - Knock Out series & traditional varieties (excluding climbers)
Pruning in March (before new growth emerges) to 12" from ground, Hand pruning is better than using shears or power trimmers. Then throughout the growing season prune dead flower tips back to the first or second set of 5 leaves to increase speed or reblooming. Continuous dead heading when hand pruners increases fullness and bloom set of the plant. For climbers prune to desired shape / size in March only. Follow dead heading procedures throughout the season.
GRASSES (all varieties)
For root protection, it is best to cut back perennial grasses to 2"-3" from the ground in March. Pre-emptive cutting back in the fall can be done to prevent unsightly flopping but should be only cut to 6" above ground. The additional 4" will still need to be removed in spring before the new growth begins to emerge.
TRADITIONAL PERENNIALS
Sedums, Daylilies, Shasta Daisies, Euphorbia, Hostas and Ornamental Onions are some examples.
When do I prune? October or November
How do I prune? Cut to 1"-2" from the ground, removing all debris. In season dead heading will help to keep the plants looking tidy and compact
REBLOOMING PERENNIALS
Dianthus, Coreopsis, Echinacea, Delphiniums, Balloon Flowers, *Salvias & Catmint are some examples
When do I prune? After the first blooms have faded
How do I prune? With hand pruners remove the faded blooms to promote reblooming
* Cut plant 1/3 to 1/2 way back to help decrease flopping while promoting reblooming
EVERGREEN PERENNIALS
Hellebore, Coral Bells & Basket Of Gold & Ginger are a few examples
When do I prune? March (before new growth emerges)
How do I prune? Remove any foliage that has become withered or browned
CREEPING PERENNIALS
Creeping Phlox, Creeping Thyme and Sedum Angelina are some examples
When do I prune? Any time after they bloom
How do I prune? Prune tips back to desired size and shape to restrict control spread
13 Acres. 1000s Upon 1000s of Plants. 1 Great Experience.
High quality plants are an essential part of a successful garden. Our team brings together years of experience shaping our own successful gardens. Stop by to share the passion and experience, it’s “Everything You’d Expect”!
