How to Plant Nursery Perennials: From Pot to Garden

Retail perennials (garden centers, hardware stores, mail-order) come in pots or cell packs (some mail-order bare-root). Potted plants priced by pot diameter. Cell packs: plastic groups of 4–6, sometimes biodegradable (plant directly). Avoid undivided flats with many seedlings — roots break during separation.

Mail-order shipping costs less for small plants/containers — hence cell packs. Inspect garden center plants personally for health.

Planting Steps

Step 1: Arrange potted plants for best layout. Asymmetrical groupings look natural.

Step 2: Dig hole same depth as container. Remove rocks/root clumps.

Step 3: Gently slide plant out — tap pot bottom with trowel to loosen root ball if needed.

Step 4: Set plant in hole, backfill with soil. Water, add more soil if needed to fill.

Learn to use landscaping mulch for plant protection.

Nursery vs. Mail Order

Mail-order offers unique plants — ensure health guarantee and good arrival condition. Garden center advantage: personal inspection. Avoid plants with: yellow/wilted leaves (illness/drought), spindly stems (pot-bound), many flowers (energy in blooms, transplant shock risk), weeds in pot (nutrient theft), roots escaping bottom (stressed, pot-bound).

Before planting: water seedlings so potting mix firms around roots. Snip container, place plant at same soil line, fill gaps with garden soil. Firm surrounding soil, water gently (hose force shouldn't uproot).