Planting — Trees, Shrubs, Perennials & Flowers
The right plant in the right place, planted so it actually establishes.
Thoughtfully selected trees, shrubs, and flowers add color, shade, screening, and structure to a property — and they are the part of a landscape that gets better every year instead of wearing out.
We plant for residential and commercial clients across Macomb, Oakland, and St. Clair counties, choosing material for Michigan hardiness and for the specific light, soil, and drainage of the spot it is going into.
What we plant
Right plant, right place
Most plant failures are placement failures. Full-sun plants go into a north-facing bed, moisture-loving material goes into a dry slope, or something rated for a warmer zone gets planted and does not survive a hard Michigan winter.
We select against the conditions of the actual spot — light through the day, drainage, exposure, mature size against the space available — rather than against what looks best at the nursery in May.
Planting so it establishes
Planting depth and the first season decide whether a tree thrives or limps. Too deep is the most common and most fatal mistake; a tree planted below its root flare declines for years before it dies.
We plant at correct depth, prepare the surrounding soil rather than dropping a root ball into an unamended hole, and mulch properly — rings, not the volcano piled against the trunk that suffocates bark. You leave knowing what watering the first season requires.
Common questions
- When is the best time to plant in Michigan?
- Spring and fall are both good — fall is underrated, because cooler air with still-warm soil lets roots establish without the plant supporting heavy top growth. Summer planting works with attentive watering. We avoid planting into frozen ground.
- How long until new plants fill in?
- The nursery saying is sleep, creep, leap — year one establishes roots, year two shows modest growth, year three fills in. Perennials move faster than shrubs, shrubs faster than trees. A design accounts for mature size so it does not look overplanted at year five.
- What do I need to do after planting?
- Water is the main thing, especially the first season, and deep and infrequent beats shallow and daily. Beyond that, keep mulch off trunks and hold off on heavy pruning until plants are established.
- Can you match plants to a deer problem?
- We can steer toward material deer tend to leave alone, which helps a great deal in parts of Macomb and Oakland counties. No plant is truly deer-proof in a hard winter, and we will say so rather than promise otherwise.
Get a free quote
Tell us about your property and what you need. We'll walk the site and put a written estimate in front of you — serving Macomb, Oakland, and St. Clair counties since 1993.