How to Preserve Shrubs Until They Are Planted

Ideally, shrubs should be planted as soon as you receive them. If, however, you need to store your shrubs for a time before planting, you must know that each type of shrub (bare-root, balled and burlaped, and container grown) are stored differently. Bare-root shrubs have the shortest storage time while container grown shrubs can withstand a month or two before planting. If you must wait longer than a month to plant your shrubs, you should prepare a temporary planting bed. You will still need to plant your shrubs with care in the temporary bed and they will still require water, but they can stay in the temporary bed for six months or more.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bucket
• Water
• Mulch

1. Store bare-root shrubs in a cool (45 to 50 degrees F) dark location with in the container you received them in until you are ready to plant them. Leave the top of the container open and remove plastic liners. Mist or sprinkle water over the plants every day. You can store bare-root shrubs for seven to 10 days.

2. Store balled and burlaped shrubs in a shady (under trees, in a garage or outbuilding) location out of the wind. Pile mulch over the root ball, covering it completely, keep the mulch covered root ball moist until you can plant the shrub. Shrubs can be stored this way for two to four weeks as long as you keep the root ball moist.

3. Place container grown shrubs in a cool spot out of direct sunlight and with protection from strong winds. Keep the shrub well watered. You can store shrubs in their containers for one to two months without harming the plant.

4. If you must store shrubs for longer than a month, prepare a temporary planting bed for them. Plant the shrubs as usual, however, the spacing does not need to be exact as this is a temporary home. Dig the shrubs up when you are ready to transplant them into their new home. Shrubs can be stored this way almost indefinitely. This is a great method for homeowners who are moving and taking a large number of shrubs, perennials and small trees with them.

Tips & Warnings

• Shrubs stored for too long will not survive transplanting.
• Always checked balled and burlaped and container grown shrubs for circling roots. Prune off these roots before planting.

References

• "The Garden Primer"; Barbara Damrosch; 1988
• North Dakota State University Extension; planting
• Washtenaw Michigan Conservation Dept.