Basic Tree Care Guides
Plant and Tree Care
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Native trees
Really simple native tree care
It's really important that you remove your tree from the outer packaging immediately and add a small amount of water into the plastic bag around the root of the tree. Keep your tree root moist and out of direct sunlight until you plant it. Plant your tree as soon as you can into the ground or into a large pot. Water the root area of your tree each day during dry weather. Do not water the leaves of your tree (because direct sunlight will burn wet leaves). Native trees need to be kept outdoors at all times.
We have selected a range of feed and fertiliser to help your tree grow. View our Tree Care Products here.
Finding the best Spot to plant your tree
It is important that you plant your tree in a place where you know it will grow happily for many years. If you are likely to move house in the future, we recommend that you plant your tree into a large pot (2litre, 5litre or 10litre) where it can grow happily for up to 10 years and even move house with you! You can use topsoil from your garden mixed with a little peat free compost to add to the pot for your tree to be planted into.
If you want to plant your tree out into the ground, make sure that you consider the location carefully. Don’t plant large tree species and willows close to your house or walls because their roots can cause problems to foundations in the future. Different tree species like different conditions, for example; areas where they can attract full sun, full shade or partial shade or soils that are loamy, chalky or clay.
Seasonal Tree Advice
Trees are wonderful living plants that can grow to last for thousands of years. It is good to know how trees work during each of the four seasons.
Trees in the Spring time
If you are planting your tree in the Spring time, you will need to take extra care, especially if your tree has started to bud (grow and form new leaves). Plant your tree quickly into a pre prepared hole and water thoroughly. Deciduous tree species come back to life each Spring, some species will naturally bud before others. If you enjoy lots of sunny Spring weather your deciduous tree might bud earlier than expected.
Trees in the Summer time
Summer time is not the easiest time to plant young trees. Trees use all their energy to grow during Summer months. If you are planting a tree in the Summer time, we recommend that you plant it straight away into a 2litre pot and water the root area as soon as it is planted and then each day in dry weather. NEVER water the leaves of your tree as water droplets can act as mini magnifying glasses for the sun to burn through!
Trees in the Autumn time
Deciduous trees loose their leaves in the Autumn and fall asleep until the Spring time the following year. Don't worry if your tree appears to be in self destruct mode - its natural! Late Autumn is a good time to plant a tree as it can have several weeks to get used to its new surroundings before going into its Winter sleep.
Trees in the Winter time
Winter is a good time of the year to plant trees because most species are dormant which means planting a tree in a new place will not upset its natural balance. If the month has an ‘er’ at the end of it, you can be rest assured that it’s a good month for planting. Do not plant your tree during icy weather and make sure you protect the roots of your tree from frost by placing some hay or a pile of leaves around the base of the tree. If you are unable to plant your tree straight away during Winter time, don't worry, your tree will be happy for up to 3 weeks in its jute bag if stored in a cool dark place.
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Native wildflowers
Sowing native wildflower seed
For best results sow native wildflower seed in late Spring or Autumn. For good germination, sow seed in a well raked seed bed, ensuring the soil is fine and crumbly. Scatter the seed and rake lightly, firm down well. Keep well watered and weeded in the early stages.
Citrus trees
Really simple tree care
It is important that you remove your tree from the outer packaging immediately and place your tree in a shady ventilated room in your house.
Let the soil dry out completely each time before you completely soak it with room temperature water. Never leave your Citrus tree to stand in water.
Protect your Citrus tree from sudden changes in temperature.
Keep your tree in a well ventilated position throughout the year.
Seasonal Citrus Tree Advice
Citrus trees are outside plants that need help to become protected against frost. Citrus trees offer year round enjoyment, with fragrant flowering buds growing into ripening fruits of yellow orange and green.
Citrus Trees in the Spring time
As the weather becomes more sunny and bright, please take extra care because temperatures in sun rooms, conservatories and greenhouses can soar. Vents, windows and doors must be opened to prevent your Citrus tree from over heating or leaves from being scorched.
Citrus Trees in the Summer time
Once the frosty weather has ended and the temperature rises, it is best to move your Citrus tree outside - normally from the end of May. Your Citrus tree first needs to move to a new spot that is shady where it should to sit for a few days. After a few days, move your Citrus tree to a part sunny position for one week. Your Citrus tree will now be ready for a full sun position for the rest of the Summer after gradually getting used to its new surroundings. Citrus trees love sun, so the more the better! If you want to keep your Citrus tree indoors during the Summer, place your tree near a light window in a cool room (15°C to 30°C) with good ventilation.
Citrus Trees in the Autumn time
Mostly as with the Summer time guidelines. Move your Citrus tree back indoors before the weather starts to change too cold and windy - normally during late October.
Citrus Trees in the Winter time
Keep your Citrus tree indoors during the Winter. Citrus trees are evergreen trees and need lots of light during Winter months. Place your tree near a south facing window, away from a radiator and other large plants. Keep your Citrus tree above 4°C and below 15°C and try to avoid sudden changes in temperatures. Sudden temperature changes can cause your tree a lot of stress and cause leaf and blossom to drop. Keep the air circulating in rooms that attract a lot of sun, particularly during sunny days. Do not stand your Citrus tree in water.
Watering your Citrus Tree
We recommend that you thoroughly water the surface of the compost each time it dries out. You will normally need to water your Citrus tree each day during sunny Summer weather and every two to three weeks during cloudy Winter weather. Leave your tree to almost completely dry out before flushing the pot with water and allow to drain away. Citrus trees do not like a lot of water, you should never stand your tree in water. Its a good idea to keep the watering can filled in the same room as your tree to avoid creating shock and stress for your tree.
Feeding your Citrus Tree
Citrus trees have very healthy appetites. Your tree needs lots of nutrients for energy to grow a good crop of fruit. Its best to feed your Citrus tree each time it is watered year round to ensure that you enjoy a good crop of fruit.
We recommend that you consider buying Citrus feed to add extra nutrients to the tree during watering times.
Pruning your Citrus Tree
Citrus trees are usually very well shaped plants. However you might find that one or two branches grow a little longer than others. It is best to snip the ends off these branches to encourage your tree to sprout new branches further back and make a happy bushy tree.
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Fruit trees
Really simple fruit tree care
Its important that you remove your tree from the outer packaging immediately and place your tree in a safe place in your garden.
Water the soil of your ornamental tree daily during hot and dry periods.
Keep the roots of your fruit tree well drained, never let your tree stand in water.
Protect your tree from sudden changes in temperature.
Keep your tree in good shape by pruning unwanted leaves and stems during Winter months.
Seasonal Fruit Tree Advice
Our fruit trees are garden trees that need help to become protected against frost. Fruit trees offer seasonal enjoyment, with flowering blossom during Spring months and ripening fruit in late Summer and the Autumn.
Fruit Trees in the Spring time
As the weather becomes more sunny and bright, it is important to make sure that fruit tree species remain in a sunny position close to a wall or fence to protect from wind and frosts. Fruit trees blossom in the Spring and are pollinated by local Bees if the tree is not self pollinating.
Fruit Trees in the Summer time
Once the frosty weather has ended and the temperature rises, its best to move your trees into a south facing position for Summer. Fruit trees love the sun and needs lots to ripen the fruit. Keep your fruit tree in a sheltered position that gets lots of sun for best results. You should see the blossom petals fall off to slowly become ripening fruit. Garden birds might need a deterrent to stop them eating your fruit. We recommend a fruit cage or fruit netting.
Fruit Trees in the Autumn time
Mostly as with the Summer time guidelines. The most exciting season for fruit tree growing! As the fruit ripens, you may find some fruit falling to the ground. Pick your fruit by holding the fruit and pull and twist it off the tree. Store picked fruit in a cool airy place.
Fruit Trees in the Winter time
Keep your fruit trees in the same full sun position south facing during Winter months. Fruit trees are deciduous trees and can be pruned during Winter months. Long whip-like branches can be cut back if required. Please see our website for more information.
Watering your Fruit Trees
You will normally need to water your fruit trees each day during sunny Summer weather. You should never stand your trees in water.
Feeding your Fruit Trees
Fruit tree varieties have healthy appetites. Your trees need nutrients for energy to grow and keep healthy year round. Its best to feed your fruit trees once a month during the Summer months with our organic tree fertilizer.
Re-potting or Planting Out your Fruit Trees
Fruit tree varieties need to look good and healthy year round, we recommend repotting or planting your trees within 12 months of receiving them. It is essential to keep the root system healthy and to avoid root spiralling in the pot. Choose new pots with drainage holes and add a layer of stones to the new pots before adding a thin layer of topsoil. Remove the old pots from around your trees and introduce your trees into the new pots or into the ground, filling in any gaps up with topsoil.
Pruning your Fruit Trees
Fruit trees may grow a lot over Summer months. You will find that branches will grow a little longer than others - causing the trees take up more space. Its best to snip the ends off these branches to encourage your tree to sprout new branches further back and make a happy bushy tree in good shape. We recommend that you prune your trees in December.
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Ornamental trees
Really simple tree care
It's important that you remove your tree from the outer packaging immediately and place your tree in a safe place in your garden or doorway.
Water the soil of your ornamental tree daily during hot and dry periods.
Keep the roots of your ornamental tree well drained, never let your tree stand in water.
Protect your tree from sudden changes in temperature.
Keep your tree in good shape by pruning unwanted leaves and stems regularly throughout the year.
Seasonal Ornamental Tree Advice
Ornamental trees are outside plants that need help to become protected against frost. Ornamental trees offer year round enjoyment, with evergreen foliage adding distinction to your doorway, patio or garden.
Ornamental Trees in the Spring time
As the weather becomes more sunny and bright, it is important to make sure that ornamental tree species remain in a sunny position close to a wall or fence to protect from wind and frosts.
Ornamental Trees in the Summer time
Once the frosty weather has ended and the temperature rises, its best to move your trees into a good position for Summer. Ornamental trees love the sun, so if you place your trees on your doorstep at the shady side of your home, we recommend that you move it to a full sun position from time to time during sunny weather.
Ornamental Trees in the Autumn time
Mostly as with the Summer time guidelines. Move your ornamental trees back into a sunny position close to a wall or fence before the weather starts to change cold and windy normally during late October.
Ornamental Trees in the Winter time
Keep your ornamental trees in the same full sun position south facing during Winter months. Ornamental trees are evergreen trees and need lots of light during Winter months. Strong Winter winds may cause some scorching to the foliage.
Watering your Ornamental Trees
Do not overwater your trees. Overwatering can be more harmful in the short term than underwatering. You will normally need to water your ornamental trees each day during sunny Summer weather and every two to three weeks during cloudy wet Winter weather. You should never stand your trees in water.
Feeding your Ornamental Trees
Ornamental tree species have healthy appetites. Your trees need nutrients for energy to grow and keep healthy year round. Its best to feed your ornamental tree once a month during the Summer months with a general shrub fertilizer.
Re-potting your Ornamental Trees
Ornamental tree species need to look good and healthy year round, we recommend repotting your trees within 6 months of receiving them. Repotting ornamental trees is essential to keep the root system healthy and to avoid root spiralling in the pot. Choose new pots with drainage holes and add a layer of stones to the new pots before adding a thin layer of topsoil. Remove the old pots from around your trees and introduce your trees into the new pots, filling in any gaps up with topsoil.
Pruning your Ornamental Trees
Ornamental trees are very well shaped plants. However you will find that branches and leaves will grow a little longer than others - causing the trees loose shape. Its best to snip the ends off these branches to encourage your tree to sprout new branches further back and make a happy bushy tree in good shape. We recommend that you prune your trees at least every two weeks during Spring and Summer months. Little and often is the best advice when pruning.
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Rose Bushes
Really simple Rose Bush care
It's really important that you remove your rose bush from the outer packaging immediately.
Add a small amount of water to the pot if it has dried out during transit.
Place the bush in the container outside in a sunny spot and keep watered until you are able to plant it.
Plant as soon as you can into the ground or into a large pot.
Water the root area of your plant each day during dry weather. Do not water the leaves of your plant (because direct sunlight will burn wet leaves).
Rose bushes need to be kept outdoors at all times.
Seasonal rose care advice
Roses are deciduous plants and will be dormant through the late autumn, winter and early spring.
Rose bushes in the Spring time
If you are planting your rose bush in the spring time, you will need to take extra care, especially if it has started to bud (grow and form new leaves). Some types will naturally bud before others. If you enjoy lots of sunny spring weather your rose bush might bud earlier than expected.
Rose bushes in the Summer time
If you are planting a rose bush in the summer time, we recommend that you take extra care.
Ensure regular watering but NEVER water the leaves of your bush as water droplets can act as mini magnifying glasses for the sun to burn through.
‘Dead heading’ your rose bush throughout the summer will encourage more blooms. (Removing dead flower heads.)
Look out for summer time pests and treat accordingly.
Rose bushes in the Autumn time
Deciduous plants lose their leaves in the autumn and fall asleep until the spring time the following year. Don't worry if your rose bush appears to be in self destruct mode – it is natural! Late autumn is an excellent time to plant a rose bush, as long as the ground isn’t frozen or water logged.
Rose bushes in the Winter time
Winter is a good time of the year to plant deciduous plants as they are dormant.
Do not plant your rose bush during icy weather and make sure you protect the roots from frost by placing some plant fleece or old sacking around the root area. If you are unable to plant your rose bush straight away during winter, don't worry, it will be happy in its pot for the winter.
Pruning advice
Late September/early October is the best time for pruning.
Prune the stems down to an outward facing bud, 2/3 buds from the base of the stem.
Remove all fallen leaves and left over prunings from the base of the bushes as soon as possible to avoid disease.
Planting your rose bush
Ensure the soil is moist and dig a hole large enough to avoid any disturbance or damage to the root ball.
Ensure plant is well watered an hour before removing from pot and planting. Create a mix of soil, compost & organic rose food.
Carefully remove the plant from the container.
Place the plant in the hole and refill with the previously mixed soil. If you are planting into a container you must have drainage holes in the bottom, remember containers dry out quicker than the garden. Water daily, especially in dry weather.
Picking the right spot to plant roses
Choose a spot which gets plenty of full sun but may be slightly shaded in the afternoon. Choose an area that is airy and the rose bush will not be crowded by over hanging plants.
Choose an area of ground where the soil is well drained. Roses do not like to be water logged.
Choose an area that will be sheltered from cold winds, perhaps by a nearby fence or hedge.
If you are planting more than one rose bush at once ensure there is a distance of at least 100cm between them.
More info
This is a general care guide is for a Rose bush varieties. This is a starters guide, therefore we recommend visiting our website for further indepth care information or to purchase accessories.