Winter may seem like an odd time to plant shrubs, but it can actually be a good time to get your new landscaping in place. With proper care and preparation, most shrubs can be successfully planted in winter. Here’s what you need to know about planting shrubs in the colder months.
Why Winter Can Be a Good Time for Planting
There are a few key reasons why winter planting can work well:
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Soil conditions – The soil is easy to work in winter as it is moist but not muddy. This makes digging and planting easier than in wet spring soil.
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Plant availability – Nurseries and garden centers are less busy in winter so there is better availability of plants. Sales are also common.
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Lower stress – Since plants are dormant in winter, transplanting causes less stress than during the growing season.
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Establishment time – Planting in late fall or winter allows roots to establish before active growth in spring
So while it might seem counterintuitive, winter can actually be an ideal time to get new landscaping planted.
Tips for Successful Winter Planting
If you’re going to plant shrubs in the colder months, follow these tips:
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Choose hardy plants – Select shrubs suited to your planting zone that can tolerate cold winters. Evergreens like holly, boxwood, and yew are good choices.
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Check for damage – Inspect plants for dried out or damaged roots, stems, or branches before purchasing. Avoid stressed plants.
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Plant promptly – Don’t allow roots to dry out. Plant shrubs as soon as possible after purchasing.
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Plant correctly – Dig a hole only as deep as the root ball and 2-3 times as wide. Set the plant at the same level it was growing in the nursery container.
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Water well – Water thoroughly at planting time and whenever soil is dry until the ground freezes.
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Add mulch – Mulch around plants to regulate soil temperature and retain moisture. Avoid mulch touching stems.
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Protect if needed – For vulnerable plants, add winter protection like burlap wrapping or a small fence around the plant.
Aftercare Through Winter
Proper aftercare ensures your new plantings survive the cold:
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Water when possible – Water whenever the ground thaws. Prioritize before freeze and thaw cycles.
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Check for heaving – Make sure plants remain upright and re-firm any that get heaved from frozen ground.
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Prune in spring – Wait until new growth begins to prune dead stems or shape plants.
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Fertilize in spring – Apply balanced fertilizer when growth resumes. Avoid high-nitrogen blends.
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Monitor conditions – Check for animal damage, drying winds, or other issues throughout winter.
Best Shrubs for Winter Planting
These shrubs tolerate transplanting during cold weather:
- Holly (Ilex species)
- Boxwood (Buxus species)
- Privet (Ligustrum species)
- Yew (Taxus species)
- Juniper (Juniperus species)
- Arborvitae (Thuja species)
- Rhododendron
- Mountain laurel
- Barberry
- Viburnum
Evergreen varieties tend to be most resilient when planted in winter. Avoid planting more tender, cold-sensitive plants like azalea, camellia, and rose until spring.
While it’s an unconventional time to plant, winter can be an excellent time to get new shrubs settled into your landscape. Just be sure to select hardy varieties suited to your climate, plant them correctly, and provide attentive aftercare through winter and into spring. With the right approach, those shrubs will flourish once warmer weather returns.
How to move plants
1. Make sure you have the new hole dug prior to lifting. Choose a cool, calm day and water the plant before you move it.
2. Use a spade to make a circular trench around the roots and tie in any branches.
3. Once the plant is free, slide an old blanket or sheet under it and wrap it around to keep the root ball together. Then, move the plant to its new spot, take off the sheet, and water it well as usual. Bare-root fruit trees are available through winter and January is a good time to buy and plant them. This method of obtaining plants is cheap and often available via mail-order. So that the roots don’t dry out even more, plant them as soon as they arrive or heel them into the ground.
4. Fill in the hole where they will be planted with garden compost, multi-purpose compost, or shrub-planting compost. Water the soil well and press it down firmly.
5. Mulch with composted bark.
January is prime hedge-planting time. Small, bare-root deciduous plants are available at a reasonable cost. Plants such as hawthorn, beech or hornbeam, all make great hedges. Usually, they come bundled together and containerised. Before you get the plants, get the area ready to plant them by adding garden compost or shrub-planting compost. Then you can get them in the ground as quickly as possible. Mulch with composted bark afterwards and keep well-watered.
Winter gardening is all about making sure your trees and plants are as safe as possible so they can make it through the winter. We have put.
Planting a winter flowering shrub
1. First, make sure the plant is moist by submerging the pot in water for half an hour.
2. Dig a hole a little deeper than the pot and three times its width.
2. Fork over the base and remove roots and big stones.
3. Dig in garden compost, multi-purpose or shrub-planting compost, then knock the plant from its pot.
4. Take the plant out of the pot and put it in the hole, making sure it is at the same depth as it was in the pot.
5. Fill in the holes with a mix of soil and compost. Press down on the soil with the heel of your boot and water the area well.
After planting it is worth adding a mulch of garden compost or composted bark. This will feed the plant, help the soil hold on to water, cut down on weeding, and protect the roots in case of a sudden freeze.
Also, January is a good time to think about moving deciduous plants that had a hard growing season or are just in the wrong spot. They may be experiencing the wrong conditions or might have outgrown a location. Moving in winter minimises transplant stress as water losses will be lower. The longer a plant has been in the ground, the less likely it will survive the move.
It is best to move evergreens in autumn or spring. Successful moving of garden plants is all about preparation.
Five Plants for Winter Interest! ❄️// Garden Answer
FAQ
Should I plant shrubs in winter?
What is the best month to plant shrubs?
Can newly planted shrubs survive a freeze?
Is it OK to transplant shrubs in the winter?
Is it recommended to plant shrubs in winter?
Planting shrubs in winter is recommended. With a little planning, you can enjoy your landscape year-round. Shrubs are an easy way to add winter interest to your garden as they look good when the rest of the landscape is brown and dormant. Additionally, they provide habitat and food for birds and wildlife during the dreariest time of year.
When should I plant winter-flowering shrubs?
It’s best to plant your winter-flowering shrubs before the first frost in fall. Planting after frost can be difficult as the ground will be frozen and it could risk a lack of time for the roots to establish and become strong enough to get through harsher winter temperatures.
Can you plant trees in winter?
With frozen ground, tree roots can’t get the water they need to get off to a good start. That being said, if you live in an area free of freezing winters, or your area’s having a seasonably warm winter, you might be able to plant in wintertime. Are there any trees you can plant in winter?
How do you care for shrubs in winter?
Continue protective measures throughout the winter season. Pay extra attention to newly planted shrubs for the first two years. Shrubs need proper hydration, as winter winds can dry out plants even when the ground seems moist. Mulching helps moderate soil temperature and retain moisture.