Trees, Shrubs and Conifers: need help selecting shrubs for shade, 1 by killdawabbit

killdawabbit wrote:
The way I plant mine is I make up a large enough quantity of soil just blended for rhodies, azaleas and other ericaceous plants. Then I loosen the rootball really well. Sometimes it takes a really good massacre.
Then I put down some of the new soil on top of the ground and set the plant on it and put the rest of the soil and mound it up to the place where roots meet trunk. I make a broad mound, not a volcano.
Pic attached of Janet Blair in front of my house. It's been planted for 3 years now and grows like a weed.
I also mulch all my rhodies with pine needles. I use this method for many other plants also, adjusting the soil mixture to suit the plant's needs.
This might seem very elaborate but my soil will only grow trees and some shrubs. It's worthless for most plants.