How to Plant a Conifer in the South |Expert Tips from a Lifelong Gardener|

[@skgreenhouse]

HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT! We are having a meet & greet with Bruce Duncan, Kathy Hornebuckle and myself at S&K Greenhouse on October 5th. Are you going to be there?? Sign up for for our conifer notification list here: skgreenhouses.com/pages/conifers

[@danielashton4399]

So bummed that I will be out of town, otherwise, I'd have been there. Big fan out of Hendersonville, NC!

[@skgreenhouse]

@@danielashton4399 bummer! We may do it again in the spring!

[@buffyhamilton]

Omg! We will drive up from GA for this!

[@bruceduncan1792]

@@danielashton4399 I'm sorry but Hendersonville's not far. Come see us anytime.

[@bruceduncan1792]

@@buffyhamilton Oh great!!

[@singingriverwoodwork]

Bruce, what a bro. Please do more planting videos

[@merriebranstetter6278]

Bruce needs his own channel! Love seeing his plants and vegetable garden.

[@lisaskatesIRL]

"Plant it high, it won't die." - Aaron, Garden Answer.

[@skgreenhouse]

@@lisaskatesIRL love that!

[@bruceduncan1792]

Aaron, whassss up!! we love Garden Answer!! Yes, I will remember that rhyme. Thanks for watching.

[@johnwilliams188]

YYYYYEEEEESSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!! Makes me smile seeing and hearing from you two together EVERY SINGLE TIME!!! I watch all the big names I can find on KZbin, didn’t start with S&K, but you two together are my favourite! Thank You for encouraging, sharing and educating, KEEP IT UP!! #BECOMEAPLANTPERSON🎉

[@skgreenhouse]

Thank you so much for your support! It means the world 😄 We will keep it coming!

[@bruceduncan1792]

Makes us smile when you're watching. Thanks

[@greetthemind]

I like that Bruce sounds like he has a piece of candy in his cheek at all times. Also. I just planted 2 pine trees and 2 spruce’s at my house in TN. I dug the hole kind of deep and wide and filled the hole almost all the way up with sandy gritty soil, soil conditioner, and my regular clay-ish soil, and then put the root ball in there and mounded it all up around it. Now that I see this video I’m glad I did!

[@lillianreed2599]

Justin, Alex, Bruce, please let us know how you are doing in the aftermath of the hurricane. Thanks. 🙏Prayers for each of you and your families.

[@donnamathias5973]

Thanks S&K and mascot Bruce answered a lot of questions about planting and watering! 👍🏼👏🏼❤️

[@IceyIcey2023]

Your channel brightens my day 😇 and motivates me!

[@skgreenhouse]

thank you so much! I'm glad to know that!

[@bruceduncan1792]

Well you just brightened our day as well. Thanks for watching

[@kaychaney6102]

Oh how I wish I could be there. Have fun and please video the event!

[@bruceduncan1792]

We wish you could too Kay. But thanks for watching us at least on the net.

[@leannamurphy3055]

My sister is getting married on 10/4, but dang I would love to come there! I’d drive all the way from Mississippi to shop and meet both of you. Love watching and learning from y’all!

[@pamelasallie421]

Bruce has by far the most beautiful yard. I live in Florida zone 9 and some of his plants just make me jealous that I can’t plant here. It’s always fun to watch his home garden tours. Please keep them coming I enjoy seeing them 🫶🏻

[@CS-bn4un]

Georgia Zone 8b here. We had a beautiful hemlock that my dad planted and "babied" (bought it as a living Christmas tree one year then planted it) and folks couldn't believe it was growing here. It wained in its later years with the intense summers and periods of high 90s-100s BUT a tropical storm is what finally uprooted it about half way...leading to its end. Miss it so much, but now have some new basic facts for trying another one or just another conifer. THANK YOU! BUT...."Woof" to the college football comment!

[@wmcovington1041]

We are going to plan a road trip to visit!! A shipment from Isley Nursery too! Exciting!! I’m driving the truck for this one.!!!🛻💚💚💚🎄🌿🪴🍁 Coming from Washington, DC.

[@thirdtothesixthcollectible9582]

What a great video, you guys put me on Fat Albert and now it’s my favorite tree. I plan on buying a second one and I will plant it this way going forward. Fat Albert does well in Texas FYI

[@SunshineShellz]

Love watching these guys❤

[@conniedavis4692]

Love Bruce!

[@bruceduncan1792]

Love you too Connie. Thanks for watching

[@vincentgaglio5106]

So so awesome. My wife and I will make the trip. Wow. So awesome. Wish you were closer. Because I want to get some conifers

[@RealALSK]

Vince!!! Yes! Come by ! I’d love to see y’all again! Hope y’all have been doing well!

[@vincentgaglio5106]

@@RealALSK we plan on it. Thanks

[@kekiebeautylove123]

I wish I could come. I love Bruce garden. It’s so beautiful…………great content as always. You guys are amazing!!

[@bruceduncan1792]

God bless you. We wish you could be there too. Thanks for the kind words

[@silverbackag9790]

lol…I have never seen pine bark soil conditioner sold around me here in north central Missouri; nor that fancy expanded shale that you guys have. And we have clay. Not quite as bad (there’s generally 12 inches of top soil in places not leveled for cookie cutter housing projects).

[@rehtse8249]

Yay!! Excited for the meet and greet!

[@bruceduncan1792]

Great!! We hope you make it

[@lindamelz242]

Congratulations on your meet and greet and your SHIPment!!! Exciting News . Such helpful information on planting .

[@bruceduncan1792]

LOL. that was funny. Thanks so much for watching and glad it helped.

[@christalespinosa1929]

You two are the best!! If I lived closer I would for sure come to the meet and great ❤

[@jenniferolson7296]

Thank you for the planting advice for conifers! Very helpful. Living in Arkansas, a little too far for a road trip. Wish I could be there.🌲

[@rizocars6115]

Excellent video guys.

[@skgreenhouse]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@ritamedley5891]

Love your videos. Thank you for sharing your knowledge about conifers. Looking forward to Oct 5th.

[@bruceduncan1792]

Thanks Rita. Hopefully we'll get to see you and chat a bit.

[@amandamorse7035]

Awe! I wish I could attend in October. I hope you two decide to do this again sometime.

[@skgreenhouse]

@@amandamorse7035 im sure we will! Next time!

[@bruceduncan1792]

We plan to do a meet and greet on a regular basis so hopefully you can catch us next time. Thanks for watching

[@bobbymeyerti9300]

I try and go through the whole summer without watering🥰🥰🥰 if the plants are in the ground it can be pretty easy here in the Pacific Northwest, The last few years the weather has been hot and dry Western Summers no real spring with any rain ……. so during the summer if you’re not paying attention you can easily overwater conifers and they hate it😢😢😢

[@DeniseDark-e5y]

Very helpful information! Thanks! I needed to know not to mess with the rootball.

[@skgreenhouse]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for your viewership!

[@eerieforest9188]

White pines are very tolerant of Southern heat and humidity. Now, trying to grow a balsam fir or red spruce is almost impossible, except at high elevations, and except maybe the low end of north slopes with lots of moisture. I've heard that Concolor fir are being grown successfully into north Florida sand hills. I'm always surprised how far south Norway Spruce will grow.

[@bruceduncan1792]

Sad but true. We've talked about fir trees on previous video's. The one exception does seem to be the concolor fir. Myself and a few others I know are growing them successfully here in the deep South.

[@lisahahn173]

I love this video and you guys! My question is, what variety are those 3 globe arbs? I'm obsessed.

[@dawndawn6946]

I just LOVE Bruce's garden!❤

[@bruceduncan1792]

You're a sweetheart Dawn. Many thanks!!

[@BerthaRamsey-e9o]

Enjoyed seeing Mr Bruce. Would love to come to the meet and greet. But illness has me down right now.

[@bruceduncan1792]

I'm sorry. Hope you do better soon. Come see us if you're up to it.

[@kaitmeeker1541]

Wow!!

[@ruthwilkerson9386]

😂”Oh Lord, he’s about to cuss.”😆

[@cnk3208]

Thank you for this video Bruce and Justin! I am so sad I won't be there for the meet and greet but hope to be there for a future one!!

[@bruceduncan1792]

We are sorry too Carol. But we'll do it again. God bless!!

[@blackjewel1000]

😂😂😂 I already love Bruce. I bet he would be fun to be around. Love your garden too Bruce. Can't do what you do here in Texas.

[@bruceduncan1792]

Love you too blackjewel, thanks for watching!!

[@maryandrews2265]

Wish I was close enough to visit!! Ty for these fun videos.

[@bruceduncan1792]

You bet Mary. Wish you could come too.

[@reneewhite8675]

Planning to be there if possible. Where is the link to sign up for notifications on shipments? I can’t seem to figure it out. LOVE you guys together!!! Y’all are so informative and FUNNY which is a win, win for me.😊

[@skgreenhouse]

Here ya go - skgreenhouses.com/pages/conifers Thanks for tuning in! Glad you are liking the videos. Cant wait to meet you!

[@bruceduncan1792]

Gosh, thank you renee. Can't wait to see you also

[@ruthwilkerson9386]

Thank you Bruce!

[@bruceduncan1792]

Oh thank you ruth for watching. That was my grand mothers name. the sound of it still warms my heart. God bless

[@dawnsabella130]

Following you guys from NJ and sadly won't be able to make the meet and greet. But I do have a question for Bruce - why never hollies?

[@buffyhamilton]

OMG thank you so much!!! Love you guys!!!

[@bruceduncan1792]

Thanks buffy. Love you too

[@jamartin99]

Came across this a week after planting an angel falls and a 12' weeping white spruce where I did carefully tease out the roots. Angel falls is looking a little rough with some yellowing and browning of needles. Spruce looks like it maybe is going a little browner than it had been. Anything I can do to help them survive?

[@morlanjames]

@bruceduncan1792 I planted my dwarf blue spruce about 1.5 years ago and it hasn't grown much. Unlike the video I did not plant her above ground. My soil is clay like and I'm afraid she's sitting low and and soggy. Is 1.5 years to much time for me to dig her up and plant her right. Love this video btw!

[@StaceySmith-q5w]

You mentioned that you might need to keep certain limbs off the ground when planting. How would you do that?

[@Oppenheimer1968]

Great educational tips and demonstrations. Although, I am very curious of Mr. Duncan's lack of interest in boxwood shrubs? I am redesigning my small treeless front yard (southern NC) and had intentions of creating a linear ditch border using wintergreen boxwoods (30 feet) until I saw this video. I am also partial to yews. Any recommendations? thank you.

[@bruceduncan1792]

Oppenheimer, please don't let my comments deter you from doing what you like. But quickly, I'll explain why I don't landscape with hollies and boxwoods. First, and this is foremost, they require regular pruning. I'm trying to avoid that. Which is why I love conifers. Second, and this is just a personal thing, boxwoods/hollies look too cookie cutter to me. The same ole same ole. Boring. Conifers provide so much more contrast in colors, shapes and textures. That's it in a nutshell. If you decide not to use the boxwoods but want that look, see about planting firechief arborvitae or Mr Bowling Ball arborvitae. Or something similar. These maintain a neat, compact, round look with virtually no pruning. Yews would be a great choice too. But don't grow as neatly round without some pruning, if that is the look you're wanting. I'm assuming that bc of you mentioning boxwoods. Usually when a person is wanting boxwoods, they are thinking of that typical neatly pruned rounded shape. I hope this helps. And please feel free to respond. God bless.

[@lynetteleiser580]

Yes I love in Dothan alabama

[@dvssayer5621]

What did you go and do Bruce! You lost weight! And your orange shirt reminds me of your bright lights cosmos which i immediately bought seeds for next yr! ( i love orange flowers!) We are in the pnw and you and your conifers make me laugh, because......they gonna get HUGE. At least all my beautiful trees have in just 7 short yrs! But my believing brother reminded me " its all gonna burn up anyway" very soon . Still i garden while we wait for Him. Also could you please tell me where you get " buddy purple" gomphrena !??? I cant find it anywhere! Not in seed and never seen it in spring for sale. So excited everytime your on! The garden is beautiful! Hows your bright lites doing? I found twelve plants the very next day but next yr direct sow!

[@bruceduncan1792]

I lost a few pounds but I tend to do that during summer and put it back on in the winter. Ha! I love orange flowers!! They go with my many Clemson Orange shirts. LOL again. SK Greenhouse had buddy purple gomphrena this year. I planted it. So did another of our local nurseries, Stacy's Garden World. I guess check with your local nurseries for next year and let them know you want it. It's pretty available with most wholesale growers. My Bright Lights did well this year. Still blooming. I sowed them from seed five years ago and now they always come up in the spring. Thanks for watching!!

[@lynetteleiser580]

I love watching your videos. I'm having issues with my crytomeria globosa Nana. It's turning brown

[@bruceduncan1792]

Do you live in the South? We have the same issues with the globe type Japanese Cedars. I've about concluded not to grow them. Now the tree form like Black Dragon does well. It seems to be only the globes. And I'm guessing its got something to do with the root stock its grafted on.....And that's just an assumption. Thanks for watching!!

[@patriciamcgonigal2688]

I bought several nightlight chamaecyparis recently and they looked a little rough. They were a little flat on top and the color on top was a bit white with a tiny bit of browning. They told me just a little transit damaged. 8a Metro Atlanta. Any advice. Would it be sunscald??

[@joec6747]

Any chance on doing a transplanting a conifer tutorial/video?

[@skgreenhouse]

That's a good idea! We may just do that.

[@RealALSK]

👀🎥

[@elainewashington3004]

Do you recommend planting high in all zones or just in the south?

[@skgreenhouse]

It sure doesn't hurt!

[@bruceduncan1792]

Yes. Even the growers in Oregon where conifers grow so naturally often employ this method. So I would say go for it. Thanks for watching

[@LoriL010]

Thanks for the helpful planting tips. Maybe I'm wrong, but in the first video tour of your property didn't you say you add horse manure to the soil? Or was that for another plant/tree?

[@bruceduncan1792]

That was another video Justin did at William and Susan's home. Not sure what the subtitle is for that particular video. Although I have used horse manure and no doubt its wonderful stuff. Only problem with it is make sure you get some that is properly composted. If not, you'll have grass growing out your ears. LOL. Thanks for watching LoriL.

[@LoriL010]

@@bruceduncan1792 Ahhh...I see. You're right about the grass...haha...and thanks for the response!

[@kaystinebrink1220]

Zone 5b with heavy clay soil. I planted my conifers at ground level. These are newly planted since June. Should I raise them up this fall.

[@skgreenhouse]

I don't think I would mess with them unless they look like they are struggling. Chances are they will be fine. 🙂

[@bruceduncan1792]

I'm with SKgreenhouse on that. In zone 5b I wouldn't be much concerned. Unless you just have an odd spot where the soil stays unusually wet. Then raise them.

[@aleksarobinson5885]

Why Mr. Bruce does not like Hollys and Boxwood? I am relatively new gardener and curious of is it personal preference or plant quality? Apologies if he explained that in your previous posts. Thanks in advance!

[@bruceduncan1792]

Glad you asked aleksa. Boxwoods and Hollies are fine. They make good foundation plants. I just like looking at them rather than growing them because....... they typically require yearly maintenance. Much pruning. As I'm growing older I've selected plants that require virtually no extra work. Which is why I'm big on conifers. Thanks so much for watching us two coots. LOL

[@robinsbruce]

Hey Justin, what kind of under armor boots are those? Are they waterproof?

[@skgreenhouse]

Yes they are and I love them! Best shoes I have ever worn. www.underarmour.com/en-us/p/military_and_tactical_boots/mens_ua_hovr_infil_waterproof_rough_out_tactical_boots/3027538.html?dwvar_3027538_color=200

[@Checkthefineprint]

I had a cupressa (sp) Wilma cypress. I did water alot. The interior turned black. High temps end of may 2023, turned crispy and checked out. Overwater you think? See you 10.5.24!

[@bruceduncan1792]

Possibly. If you're living in the South you can forget Wilma Cypress. Unless maybe you're in a mountain area like the Blue Ridge. They will fry when the heat and humidity kicks in usually around May to June. I tried growing them in containers and was successful for a couple of years. Since in pots the soil dries out quickly and I watered them sparingly. But this year we had heavy rains. Coupled with the heat/humidity they fried. The best way to grow that cypress in the South is treat it like a fall/winter annual. Cupressa is also problematic but not impossible. I had one at my old property for over ten years. it was planted high and kept watered infrequently during its first summer. After that it only got what mother nature gave it. Thanks for watching!!

[@bertexsted3713]

Hmmm...I just planted a 4 ft Wilma Cypress here in NW GA...back in June... I've been watering it every 3rd day...and by golly I found a pair of shipped pants under it the other day with a lil note, "Become a plant person!" I love your garden tours and Justin is great too. I picked up two 'Forever Goldies' from S&K, along with an Isle 'Firefly' and some soil amendment this past Spring...after watching last year's S&K's tour of the Duncan Arboretum. All three are doing well. My youngest boy's a Clemson fan...got his heart broken on Saturday as his older UGA brother claimed victory. 😊🏈😢

[@Checkthefineprint]

@@bertexsted3713 glad yours is doing well. I may try the same watering program that you’ve implemented plus I’m not planting going into summer.

[@bruceduncan1792]

@@bertexsted3713 Boy! I feel your son's pain. Our tigers are offensively challenged these last few years. Sometimes it looks like they couldn't score on a free hooker. Pardon the expression. Good luck on your Wilma cypress. Don't know how close you are to our weather type but I'd guess its close. In this area I have found it just about impossible to grow them. They are very sensitive to heat during high humid days. They are very finnicky about watering. Just a little over or under will greatly affect them. Sorry to say but don't be surprised if you walk out one day and it starts turning black. Once that happens its pretty much over. Being in NW GA you may be ok. I know some who grow them with success just an hour up the road from me in the mountains of western NC. I'm in the foothills. It seems there's enough difference to make a difference. Thanks for the message.

[@SaltyGal4life]

Justin you are the bees knees!!

[@skgreenhouse]

Right back at ya! 😄

[@bruceduncan1792]

He's really full of bees wax. LOL. JK. He's a great guy and I love him like a son.

[@johnbarron2293]

Oct. 5th is @Florida State for Clemson....Bruce has to be dying inside lol...Roll Tide!

[@bruceduncan1792]

Oh gosh yes!! we had them beat last year had our QB just went down near the games end. That was typical of our 23 season. Too many rookie mistakes. I've got my fingers crossed this year will be a vast improvement. I'm interested to see how Bama responds with their new coaching staff. I think he's a great coach but tide fans ain't got much patience. Oh Lord, now I'm going on about college football. You shouldn't have.....LOL

[@johnbarron2293]

@@bruceduncan1792 ain’t nothing like it! Best time of the year!

[@michaelwood3421]

What's your primary watering system?

[@bruceduncan1792]

dragging a hose around when necessary. Seriously. Proper planting, great soil and good mulching will require less watering than most people realize.

[@tomsanfilippo6333]

When you mentioned a boxw😢,, why did Bruce say. Not 8n my yard?

[@bruceduncan1792]

LOL. Tom, I think boxwoods and hollies are good shrubs. Its just they usually require regular maintenance and as I'm growing older, its my goal to stick with plants that are worry free. Which is why I love conifers. They are virtually hands off. Just sit back and enjoy the show. We appreciate you watching.

[@tomsanfilippo6333]

I see, but is it because they might be evergreen however not necessarily a conifer?

[@bruceduncan1792]

@@tomsanfilippo6333 No sir. Its not because they are not conifers. I have other non-conifer shrubs in my landscape. I don't like boxwood's and hollies simply because they require regular pruning. I'm trying to avoid high maintenance plants. Thanks for asking.

[@darrell6845]

I know you mentioned it in previous videos, but what is the chartreuse colored conifers in the bed?

[@bruceduncan1792]

You mean the small round ones near the tree we planted? Those are Mr Bowling Ball Arborvitae's. They grow perfectly round and compact. Without the need of pruning. Gotta love that.

[@darrell6845]

@@bruceduncan1792 not those. The larger chartreuse ones seen at the beginning of the video.

[@bruceduncan1792]

@@darrell6845 Gotcha. The two at the very beginning? Those are Forever Goldy Arborvitae.

[@darrell6845]

@@bruceduncan1792 thanks!

[@jisson57]

❤

[@Panhandle_plant_dude]

What about sandy soil… or mainly sand?!?

[@bruceduncan1792]

You mean for conifers? Yes, should be good. Just mix in some compost or something to give it a little something to feed on. But avoid fertilizer. Definitely no slow release type. Apply a water soluble kind in mid spring. Once or twice a month apart. But no more. Rock on Plant Dude!!

[@julesdavis1845]

Do you deal with fire ants? If so, how? Thank you.

[@janieearwood6841]

is Bruce losing weight??? Love his yard so much

[@RealALSK]

He sure is!

[@jmgardner2121]

Why does Bruce hate Hollys so much? Don’t think I ever seen him explain.

[@bruceduncan1792]

its not that I hate them, but they typically require regular pruning. I'm trying to avoid those type of plants, especially as I'm aging. Which is why I'm big on conifers. They are the most worry free when it comes to maintenance. And.......Conifers provide so much more in colors, shapes and textures. Which hollies and boxwoods aren't so versatile. Yes, I know there are varieties of hollies like a Fosters vs a Yaupon vs a needle point, but basically they still look similar. Conifers have a much broader range of contrast. And one more thing, to me, hollies and boxwoods are too cookie cutter looking. If you drive thru a neighborhood full of "contractor landscaping" it gets boring quick. But as my mom likes to say, that's why they make vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream. To each his own. If someone loves or likes that look, go for it. jmgardner, I appreciate you asking and thanks for watching.

[@jmgardner2121]

@@bruceduncan1792 you’re preaching to the choir sir. I am a conifer lover too. Unfortunately I live in zone 9a (Sav GA) so my selection of conifers is much narrower than yours. I pack them in the best I can. I also have a few hollies and boxwoods but you’d never classify my yard as cookie cutter. I absolutely love your landscape. Thank you so much for sharing it with us and taking the time to answer my question. I look forward to the next video. Happy planting!

[@bruceduncan1792]

@@jmgardner2121 Oh jmgardner please please know that I wasn't inferring you had a coolie cutter landscape. I was just thinking about many of the developments I drive thru with the typical contractor landscapes. Which is ALL boxwoods and hollies. You may already know this but just in case here are some conifer idea's that will work in your area; Spruces are tough but one in particular, Fat Albert Blue Spruce grow well all the way down to mid florida. They are grafted on mamosa root stock and are bred to grow well in heat/humidity. Almost all false cypress (chamaecyparis) also called Hinoki Cypress. There are many in my landscape that will do well in South GA. Here are a few, Blue Boulevard, Crispi, Fern Leaf, and Wells Special. Most arborvitae's. There are many of them to choose from and most cedars. There are many cedars bred these days that are not the same ole huge juggernauts we typically think of. There are several in my landscape on previous video's such as Snow Sprite, Creampuff and Electric Blue that fit small area's well. God bless and thanks for your comments.