How to Plant Mountain Shrubs

Shrubs add a touch of variety to your landscape between trees and garden beds. Many mountain shrubs are good for areas with high elevations. Some good mountain shrubs are common lilac, chokeberry, burning bush and elderberry, according to Colorado State University. Plant your mountain shrubs in the spring once the ground thaws so they can grow and harden off before the next winter.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Compost
• Rake
• Mulch
• Hose

Instructions

1. Select a site for your mountain shrub that is in full to partial sun with well-drained soil. Pull all the weeds out of the soil and remove the large rocks with the rake.

2. Add 3 to 4 inches of compost to the surface of the soil in a diameter about 8 feet wide. Work the compost into the soil to a depth of 18 inches to 2 feet.

3. Dig a hole for the mountain shrub as deep as the root ball and three to five times as wide.

4. Place the shrub in the hole and loosen the roots. Lay the roots out in the hole, for bare-root plantings. Fill the hole with soil and pat the soil down.

5. Water the soil well for 10 minutes after planting. Apply a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch around the base of the shrub, spacing it 2 to 3 inches away from the trunk.

References

• Colorado State University; Trees and Shrubs for Mountain Areas; J. Klett, L. Vickerman and I. Shonle
• Clemson University; Planting Shrubs Correctly; Bob Polomski; May 1999