Seasonal Floral Care
To help maintain your new seasonal plant materials, we have provided some basic care instructions below. For additional information, call us anytime at 614-486-7913.
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General Care Instructions
Remember that plants are living and require special care. Once we have installed your landscape, you have the responsibility for the continued health and vigor of the planting. The following general instructions will help you to maintain and enjoy your investment.
Watering
Check all plants daily.
Simply dig around the root zone with your fingers to a depth of 2-3” for small plants and 6-8” for larger ones and trees. Water generously when the soil feels dry to the touch.
Slow, deep watering is preferred.
This type of watering is accomplished by using a water breaker type nozzle on a “shower” setting. Soak the soil to saturate the top 3-5 in. to encourage deep rooting.
When the soil feels wet, do not water.
Soil must be allowed to dry out between watering, but should not become completely dry. If a plant is maintained in a consistently wet soil, the plant’s health will deteriorate over time. A plant weakened by over watering may die of oxygen deprivation or become susceptible to pest and disease. For this reason, lawn irrigation systems, if not designed correctly, can be hazardous to ornamental plantings.
Monitoring water requirements frequently is more important than watering frequently.
Plants close to buildings where heat may reflect and plants under roof eaves require closer monitoring. During the hot summer months and early fall, disregard natural rainfall. Often, rain received during these periods produces mostly runoff and contributes little, if any, to increasing ground moisture.
Maintain a 2-2 1⁄2 in. mulch layer
to help conserve ground moisture and prevent weeds. Remember, excess amounts of mulch will result in poor air circulation and reduce plant vigor.
Fertilization
Rine Landscape Group fertilizes at planting so generally no fertilizer is necessary for the first 2- 4 weeks.
After that, we recommend using a 1-2-1 or similar (i.e., 15-30-15, 12-9-6) flowering plant food. We recommend liquid fertilizers, as they are less likely to burn the plant, and provide faster uptake than granules. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label. If you have any questions on specific requirements, please call us.
Pests
Your plants are guaranteed to be free from pests and diseases upon installation.
We use plant varieties that are disease and pest resistant whenever possible. As a secondary control, our plant material is closely monitored and turned over rapidly so you benefit by receiving the freshest and healthiest plants available.
Be observant of changes in plant vigor and growth.
Plants are more susceptible to disease and pests if they are weakened through poor maintenance practices, such as over or under watering. If you make it a practice to talk the landscape and be observant of your plants’ progress, you will spot symptoms of disease or insect infestations well in advance of any serious problems.
Pruning / Deadheading
Pruning and deadheading is essential for best performance of your floral display.
Some plants do not require pruning or deadheading, but some varieties perform much better when pruned. Deadheading is done by pinching or cutting off dead blooms. Annuals such as petunia, geranium, salvia and marigold need to be pinched back to encourage new blooms. Spent blooms can be removed after flowers wilt. To create more profuse flowering, some plants can be pruned to 6-8 in. after the first flush of growth, typically around the 4th of July. Be sure to fertilize and water immediately after pruning to encourage new growth.