Gardening Tip: Purchasing Native Shrubs – What Pot Size is Best?

 

Tips on choosing the optimal pot size for native shrub purchase.

Late Spring and early Fall are good times to plant native shrubs in Western Colorado and parts of the Four Corners states. For more on planting native plants see: https://mothernaturesmontrosegarden.blogspot.com/2020/09/gardening-tip-september-is-planting.html.  Shrubs are often offered in different size options; one-, two-, five- and ten-gallon are common pot sizes. Given the choice, what is the best size to purchase?

It might seem that buying a larger shrub would be the best option. Many landscapers like to use large size trees and shrubs because they ‘look settled’ from the time of planting. You might also surmise that a larger shrub would reach full size more quickly than a smaller version of the same species.  But with native shrubs, the obvious answer is not always the best one.

Consider a ten gallon (or even larger) native shrub or tree. To get to size, the shrub has likely grown in the nursery for at least two years – sometimes much longer.  That means it has gotten used to nursery conditions: optimal sun and water, nice potting soil and judicious doses of fertilizer.  In short, the nursery-grown shrub has lived a nice life - up to now.  

What a shock when that shrub must suddenly cope with the conditions in your garden! Not that your garden isn’t a nice place. But it just isn’t the same as the nursery. The longer a shrub lives in the nursery, the more difficult the adjustment can be.  So, a smaller plant, with less time in the nursery, will likely have an easier time adjusting to your garden.  

Just like with pets, it’s easier to adopt a youngster than the alternative.  Studies done with native shrubs – and our own experience – suggest that a one-gallon shrub has a better chance of survival in the garden. Young plants are simply more adaptable. In fact, after several years, the one-gallon plant will often be healthier – even larger – than a five- or ten-gallon plant planted at the same time.

Another problem with larger size shrubs is that their roots may have become pot-bound (circle around inside the pot because they have nowhere else to grow). The roots of all native plants should be loosened just prior to planting.  But shrubs that are seriously pot-bound often have a harder time growing out into surrounding soil. In fact, some never do at all – and subsequently die from lack of water and nutrients.

In summary, native shrubs and trees in the one-gallon size provide the best compromise between too small and too large – or, put another way, too short or too long in the nursery.  One gallon plants also are less expensive and easier to take home!

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We welcome your comments (below).  You can also send your questions to: monaturesmontrosegarden@gmail.com