This is a busy time in the garden. Much of our woody plant care takes place as winter wanes, from pruning to fertilizing. Most trees and shrubs are fertilized in early spring. Feed the following plants to encourage strong growth and bountiful blooms.
Deciduous Trees and Shrubs
- Buddleia, hydrangea, roses, viburnum, and weigela
- Young ornamental trees benefit from late winter feeding.
Broadleaf Evergreen Trees and Shrubs
- Abelia, boxwood, camellia, cleyera, dogwood, holly, loropetalum, mahonia, and nandina
Needled evergreens
- Arborvitae, chamaecyparis, juniper, podocarpus, and yew
- These plants often do not require fertilizing; when needed, fertilize in late winter.
- Do not fertilize newly-planted evergreens.
Fruits
- Blueberry: apply the first of three applications at bud-break.
- Fertilize grape vines.
- Fertilize fruit and nut-producing trees in early spring.
Other
- Feed spring-flowering bulbs as they emerge.
- Fertilize cool-season lawns such as bluegrass, fescue, and ryegrass.
- Cool-season vegetables will need a boost after they emerge.
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