Question
Sir,

I live in the Atlanta, Georgia area and am very interested in planting some Tea Olive shrubs.  The soil is average and irrigation is available.  What is the best time of year to plant.  They will be in full sun. Lastly, what size container is best to purchase i.e. 1-3 gallon?

Thanks

Answer
Hello Ed

Theoretically, you can plant container grown specimens at any time of the year, as long as the ground isn't frozen.  However, I prefer to put in new plants from the end of April to the end of May or end of September to the end October.

I would always recommend that you buy the largest specimen you can afford.  However, don't judge a plant by size alone.  Seek out a healthy looking, bushy plant with no obvious signs of pests or damage to the stems and, if you're buying at this time of the year, plenty of buds to come.

Dig a hole about twice as wide as the container the plant came in and incorporate some granular fertilizer into the soil at the bottom of the hole and the dug out soil, to give your new plant a boost.  If the roots seems to going round in circles (because the plant has been in a container for a long time), loosen some of them by pushing your thumbs into the compost and teasing some of the roots outwards, but try not to break them.  This will encourage the roots to grow outwards into the soil much more quickly.

Water the plant in well and make sure that it is kept moist, but not saturated, during dry periods for the first year, after that it should be able to take care of itself.

I hope you get years of enjoyment from your new plants.

Gill