EVERGREEN SHRUB Facts

COLORS

Green

LIGHT

Full sun

SOIL

Well drained

WATER

When soil becomes dry during the first year

pH

5.5 to 7.5

HARDINESS

Varies with selection

USES

Foundation plantings, hedges, screens, windbreaks

TIP

Use several different types of evergreen shrubs to accentuate their contrasting textures and color hues.

EVERGREEN SHRUBS

Most evergreen shrubs benefit from yearly fertilization for the first five years after they are planted. After that, their root systems become so extensive that they often do a good job of gathering sufficient nutrients from soil. However, if your soil is very porous and infertile, it is a good idea to give evergreens a little fertilizer every year. The best time to fertilize evergreens is in spring, just as new growth appears.

The best time to fertilize evergreens is in spring, just as new growth appears.

FERTILIZING EVERGREEN SHRUBS

Use a plant food that contains timed-release fertilizer for feeding that lasts many weeks. Vigoro^® Tree, Shrub and Evergreen Food or Evergreen and Holly Plant Food Spikes are a good choice for most evergreens. Starting 6 inches away from the base of the plant, scatter the fertilizer evenly all the way out to the "drip line" -- the outside perimeter where water might drip down from the plant's leaves. Then cover the fertilized area with a 2- to 3-inch deep layer of pine needles, rotted leaves, or other acidic mulch.

Do not be alarmed when you see leaves drop from some evergreen shrubs in early spring. This is normal; as some old leaves will drop when new growth begins.

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