OUTDOOR PLANT CARE GUIDE
WATERING NEW PLANTS
Watering is extremely important - the soil will dry out during hot, windy, and dry weather. Soak the ground when you water to reach the roots - watering just the surface is a waste. If possible, water in the morning. This will keep the flowers and foliage dry, preventing disease.
There are a few factors that will determine how much water is needed and how frequently you should be watering. The two primary factors are: weather conditions and soil conditions.
Check soil conditions before watering. Always check the soil to determine if water is needed. If the soil is dry at 4 to 7 inches deep, you should apply water. Generally, sandy soils will need moisture more often than any other type of soil, but always check before watering.
Water thoroughly so moisture penetrates the soil. Plant roots will seek out moisture below the surface. Deeper roots enable plants to absorb moisture from farther below the surface, even when top soil dries out. With deeper root systems you get stronger, healthier plants.
Avoid frequent, light watering. Roots go where the water is. Frequent, light watering keeps the moisture near the surface and causes shallow root systems that are more vulnerable to weather conditions, especially heat and heavy rain.
FERTILIZATION
Fertilize established plant materials every few years. Apply fertilizer in the fall after the leaves have dropped, or early in the spring.
Never apply fertilizer in the late summer. This promotes new growth, which makes the make the plant susceptible to winter damage by not hardening.
To prepare your plant material for winter, you can apply phosphorus and potassium. To prevent the fertilizer from drawing too much moisture away from plants, water both before and after fertilizing.
PRUNING
When planting new plant material, always cut any limbs that are damaged or rubbing with others.
Always make the cut at the base of the branch collar. Never leave a stub extending off the collar. An open stub - like an open wound - makes plant vulnerable to disease and insects.
Generally, pruning should be done in late winter or early spring when the plant is dormant. But there are exceptions to the rules.
Practice tree TLC. Proper pruning builds strong, healthy trees that resist disease and are less vulnerable to damage from high winds.
Indian Laurel Fig “Nitida” care
LIGHT: Bright indirect light to bright shade.
WATER: Ficus plants need consistent, but moderate watering throughout the growing season, with dry spells in the winter. Make sure soil is just moist, not dry or drenched, at all times, but cut back waterings in the winter. Your plant will likely lose leaves during the winter "dry" spell.
HARDINESS: 20 F
Camellia “Kramer’s Supreme” care
LIGHT: Part Sun
WATER: Maintain moderately moist soil. If you're not sure when to water, simply check your surrounding soil with your finger at a depth of at least 2 or 3 inches. If the soil is dry in this area, it's time to water your Kramer
SOIL: Camellias love a bit of humus and slightly acidic soil. A pH of 7 or less is best but somewhere in the range of 5.5 to 6.5 is ideal.
HARDINESS: 0 F
BLOOMS: Midwinter to spring.
Blue Hibiscus “Santa Cruz”care
LIGHT: Full sun.
WATER: Weekly. They like to be constantly moist, but not wet.
HARDINESS: 30 F
BLOOMS: Late spring to fall.
SOIL: well-drained soil.
PRO TIP: Protect from winter winds.
OTHER: Attracts hummingbirds
Attracts butterflies.
The flowers of hibiscus steeped in boiling water produce a delicious and healthy tea which has a taste resembling cranberry juice. It is said to lower blood pressure, and contains numerous valuable vitamins and essential fatty acids.
Tea Tree “Martinii” Care
LIGHT: Need sun to thrive.
WATER: Tea trees are not one of those potted plants that like drying out between drinks.
SOIL: Provide well-drained, slightly acid soil
POTTING: When the rosemary plant puts out considerable growth or looks like it just can't get enough water, it has outgrown its pot and needs to be transplanted into a larger one.
HARDINESS: 10 F
BLOOMS: Early to late spring.
Rosemary “Tuscan Blue” Care
LIGHT: Full Sun
WATER: Water rosemary plants when the soil is completely dry. Be careful not to over-water and avoid making the soil soggy (especially when growing in containers), as this leads to root rot.
HARDINESS: 10 F
BLOOMS: Spring to summer.
Everblooming Gardenia “Veitchii” Care
LIGHT: Select a site with full sun to light shade
WATER: Gardenias require at least an inch of rain (or equivalent watering) each week. Apply a 2- to 4-inch layer of organic mulch to help keep soil moist.
SOIL: Moist, rich, well-drained soil. Gardenias prefer acidic soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.0
HARDINESS: 30 F
BLOOMS: Late spring to fall.
Carolina Jasmine Care
LIGHT: Full to Part Sun
WATER: Weekly. Water regularly to maintain even moisture.
SOIL: Well draining.
HARDINESS: 0 F
BLOOMS: Spring and again in fall.
Fortnight Lily (African Iris) Care
LIGHT: Full to part sun.
WATER: Weekly. Overwinter containers indoors in a bright window, barely watering plants through winter.
SOIL: Well draining.
HARDINESS: 10 F
BLOOMS: Early spring through summer.
Penstemon “Margarita Bop”
LIGHT: Part Sun to full
WATER: Weekly / drought tolerant.
HARDINESS: 10 F
SOIL: Tolerates dry soil. Needs well-drained soil.
BLOOMS: Summer to fall.
INFO: Attracts hummingbirds
Rosemary Care
LIGHT: Full Sun
WATER: Water rosemary plants when the soil is completely dry. Be careful not to over-water and avoid making the soil soggy (especially when growing in containers), as this leads to root rot.
SOIL: Grow rosemary in sandy, well-draining soil. This plant is native to the rocky hillsides of the Mediterranean and doesn't do well if its roots stay wet
HARDINESS: 10 F
INFO: Does better with good air circulation.
Fish Hook Care
LIGHT: Full to Part Sun. Keep away from hot windows.
WATER: It’s good to let it almost thoroughly dry out between waterings. No matter the frequency, you want to thoroughly water the plant & make sure all the water drains out.
SOIL: Well draining.
HARDINESS: 25 F
Crassula Seboldi Care
LIGHT: Full to Part Sun. Keep away from hot windows.
WATER: It’s good to let it almost thoroughly dry out between waterings. No matter the frequency, you want to thoroughly water the plant & make sure all the water drains out.
SOIL: Well draining.
HARDINESS: 25 F
Silver Sheen Care
LIGHT: Full to Part Sun
WATER: Weekly. Water regularly to maintain even moisture.
SOIL: Well draining. Neutral to acidic.
HARDINESS: 0 F