Plant in spring or early fall to give plants the best start.
Choose a location that will allow roots to spread and branches to grow freely. Space plants far enough from building foundations, walls, and decks so that the growing foliage won’t crowd the structure. Consider whether tall trees or shrubs will block windows or interfere with the roof or power lines.
To prepare the planting area dig a hole as deep as the root ball and three times as wide. After removing the soil, mix it with some compost or peat moss. This enriches the soil and loosens the existing dirt so that new roots can spread easily.
To remove the plant from the container, gently brace the base of the plant, tip it sideways and tap the outside of the pot to loosen. Rotate the container and continue to tap, loosening the soil until the plant pulls smoothly from the pot. The container can also be removed by carefully cutting it down the side.
Set the plant in the hole. If the root ball is wrapped in burlap fabric this must now be removed along with any string or wire securing the burlap. If roots are tightly packed gently rake them apart with your fingers.
Return the soil to the planting area packing it firmly around the root ball. Fill the hole until the soil line is just at the base of the plant, where the roots begin to flare out from the main stem.
Water the plant well then add a 2” (5cm) layer of mulch, such as shredded bark, around the planting area. Keep the mulch at least 4” (10cm) away from the trunk of the plant as this can keep the bark too moist and cause it to decay.
I want to cut back the width of my black cider hedge. How far back can I go?
Hi Eric,
When pruning any shrub, it’s generally recommended to take off no more than one third of the foliage/branches. Older areas of branches are not as likely to produce new growth, so you’ll know you’re going too far if a cut would leave more exposed wood remaining than foliage. Leaving younger, green parts of the branches allows for the shrub to fill back in with fresh growth making it more aesthetically pleasing and reducing the shock to your shrub that can result from a hard pruning. To more specifically answer your question then, it is possible that you could take off slightly more than one third of a branch as long as you are leaving a sufficient amount of young, green growth to continue to support the plant. Once you get your shrub to the desired size, try to do light trimming annually to maintain the desired size.