Gardening Guide

It's easy to grow Wayside trees, shrubs, and perennials; just take a moment to read the following sections on preparing your soil and caring for your Wayside plants. Just a little extra time and attention at planting time and during the first season will get your plant off to its best possible start in your garden, helping it grow healthy roots, and looking its best for years to come!

For specific planting instructions, refer to the alphabetical listings below. You can also download and print this useful Gardening Guide to use at your convenience.

First Things First...

Wayside's high-quality plants are ready to establish and grow in your garden upon arrival. Please take a few moments to read these general care instructions before planting, and then refer to the detailed instructions (organized by genus) for your plant throughout the year.

When your plant arrives from Wayside, remove it from the shipping box immediately, even if you cannot plant it right away.

If it is a potted plant, discard any packing material clinging to the leaves or soil, then water it thoroughly until water runs out of the holes at the bottom of the pot. Place the pot in a shady, protected area for at least 3 days. This allows the plant to acclimate to your garden without the stress of being transplanted right away. If you cannot plant it within a few days of receiving it, make sure the plant stays well watered.

If it is a bareroot plant (which means no soil around the roots), inspect the plant to make sure it is moist but not soggy. If it seems dry, add just enough water to moisten. Leave the plant in its packing material until you are ready to plant it in the ground. Put it in a cool, protected area, and always keep the roots from drying out. Plant bareroots as soon as possible.

When you are ready to plant, do the job as early in the day as possible. Overcast, slightly cool weather is ideal, but you can always add some temporary shade if the sun is hot. Even sun-loving plants appreciate a little shade their first few days in the ground.