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How high to plant?

11 years ago

I planted a tree hydrangea about 3 weeks ago. I'm had issues with root rot in the soil in past (lots lost) so I ammended very well and planted HIGH. I'm unsure though if it's too high. There's the "tree" part, then a huge ball like shape (I think that may be the graft?)??. Then underneath the "ball", the roots start (need to get much better rooted, the nursery owner claims they are tough and it will be okay? It's tap root looked broken, she assured me).

Is this guy planted too high? It's in some type of crisis now, looks like all these hollowed damaged stems (like a borer?) and tips of branches looking like they were chewed off and broken with hollowing..etc.

Amy

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Comments (2)

luis_pr
11 years ago
I cannot picture your scenario well but I think what you call the ball may be the crown. If so, I prefer to plant the crown either at the same height as the surrounding soil or slightly (1/2") above.

Here are some planting instructions:
http://www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com/planting_fert.html

The damage that you describe may be borer insects or chewing by other animals but it is hard to tell. Can you post pictures, Amy?
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
11 years ago
Only way to be certain everything is OK - or not OK - is to post pictures. There is usually no limitation on how high or how much above grade one can plant. If done correctly, even placing the entire rootball on grade so that it is all above the soil level is perfectly feasible.
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