Planting Japanese Holly Sky Pencils

Question

How do I plant Japanese Holly Sky Pencils on my patio? I need to know how to plant them in the 3ft wide X 3ft high large pots. They have a root ball. Should I free the roots from the ball, and how deep in the pot do I plant them? Also, how often should I water them during spring through summer? I live in the Metro DC area. Is it possible I over watered them? They died last year after being there for 10 years. These are the new ones I have. I don’t want them to die.

Answer 1

Plant them to the same depth in the soil that they were in when you bought them. So, the part of the plant that was at the soil surface should still be at the soil surface after you pot them up.

It’s best to determine when to water by checking the soil. Make sure the soil is dry to about 1 inch down before you water. Overwatering is very common in potted plants. Of course, you’ll also have to make sure they aren’t wilting or going brown from lack of water.

Answer 2

Also, you don’t need to free the roots from the root ball except for removing any burlap or other covering that’s over them.