How to Plant Shrubs in Containers for Portable Landscaping

How to Plant Shrubs in Containers for Portable Landscaping thumbnail
Shrubs can thrive in containers when properly planted.

Shrubs are woody-stemmed plants that vary in their size and appearance. Shrubs will thrive in a variety of conditions depending on the species. To grow shrubs in containers, you should select a smaller variety so the container is not too heavy to move. By choosing a shrub that matches all areas of your landscape and planting it in a pot, you can move it around the yard whenever you want to change the design. Does this Spark an idea?

Things You'll Need

  • Containers
  • Terra cotta pieces or gravel
  • Potting soil
  • Slow release granular fertilizer
  • Hand spade
  • Water
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Select species of shrubs that are adaptable to a variety of light exposures. Shrubs that can thrive in partial shade or full sun will grow well in various areas of the landscape, making them more versatile in your yard.

    • 2

      Select plant containers that are lightweight so they will be easier to move. Plastic containers are generally the lightest. The containers should be neutral in color and design so they will easily blend in various areas of the landscape. They should also be large enough to accommodate the roots of the shrub, and have drainage holes in the bottom.

    • 3

      Fill the bottom of the containers with a 2-inch layer of terra cotta pieces or gravel so the potting soil does not clog the drainage holes. Fill the pot 2/3 of the way with potting soil. Add granular slow release fertilizer to the soil according to the package directions and mix it in with a hand spade.

    • 4

      Lower the shrub into the container and fill the pot the rest of the way with soil so the shrub is planted at the same level it was in its nursery container. Water until the soil settles. Place the shrub in the area where you want to grow it.

    • 5

      Water the shrubs as needed. The rate and amount will vary with the species you have selected. Each spring, remove the top 2 inches of potting soil and replace it with new soil. Move the shrubs around the yard as desired.

Related Searches:

References

  • Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images

Comments

You May Also Like

  • Boxwood Shrub Varieties

    Boxwood Shrub Varieties. Boxwood shrubs makes great hedge plants. Because they grow so densely, it's almost impossible to see through them. Boxwood...

  • How to Grow Dwarf Fruit Trees in Containers

    Dwarf fruit trees will grow either in the ground or in a container, but growing in a container has definite advantages. Containers...

  • How to Grow Shrubs in Containers

    There are several benefits to growing shrubs in containers. The issue of the permanency of planting shrubs is no longer a consideration....

  • How to Plant a Tree or Shrub From a Container

    Many common nursery plants are sold in containers of various sizes and materials. Unlike bare-root and B-and-B, container-grown plants can be planted...

  • Fire Pit Landscaping Ideas

    Fire Pit Landscaping Ideas. Fire pits are a modern form of the classic camp or cooking fire. Instead of simply digging a...

  • Containers Good for Planting Trees

    Trees require sizable containers so their roots can grow and seek out nutrients needed to survive and thrive. Almost any type of...

  • How to Pot Boxwood

    Boxwood is a slow-growing, evergreen shrub that forms a naturally rounded shape as it matures, making it a good choice for hedges...

  • Container Shrubs for Shade

    Container Shrubs for Shade. If your covered deck or patio is looking bare, you might want to add a few containers and...

Related Ads

Featured