All the plants MINIER are grown and delivered in container of different sizes, quoted in liters (for instance: C3 L = 3 liters container)

Further information on Gardening and Plants in the Guide MINIER.

Planting advice

Tools needed: a spade, secateurs, a wheelbarrow, organic matter (compost and/or loam). Peat can be used to lighten the soil and improve the water retention. Plane stakes, tree ties and a watering can. 
 

Soak the root ball with its container for a few minutes.

Dig out a hole three or four times the size of the container.

If you meet a layer of heavy clay, dig wider without making a basin in which water would stagnate. Same procedure if the soil is hard. Plants need to have space to spread their roots. 
 
 

Take off the container.

If the ball is stuck, turn it upside down and hit it on the bottom and sides.

In some cases, cut the sides of the pot to release the ball.le conteneur. 

Loosen the small side roots around the edges and on the top.

In the bottom of the hole put loose soil mixed with organic matter.

Add compost and/or loam to the rest of the soil. Place the ball in the hole checking that the collar is above the surface.

Use the soil mix to fill the hole and shape a water retention basin for watering.

Firm the soil gently and water well, if needed, repeat the operation several times.

If it is a standard or a plant offering resistance to wind, a single breeze could break young roots.

Put a stake, at an angle to the trunk, facing the prevailing winds.

Attach a rubber tree tie around the plant and the stake, check the fit to prevent trunk injuries. 

Cable-bracing of conifers and full standards

Because of their dense branches and resistance to wind, it is advisable to hold some trees upright with the help of guide ropes. At least, three guide ropes taut around the tree.

One end fastened to the stake and the other one to the trunk which could be protected by a piece of garden hose.

You can use fencing wires and turnbuckles. Make a notch on the back of the stake to block the cable.

You can set colored markers on it to make it more visible.

 Plants Pruning

 
Most plants need pruning for maintenance and training. A whole book would be required to explain in detail every single plant pruning.

Find information layed out in the following paragraphs about the main principles of pruning.

a) Deciduous shrubs:

- Spring-flowering shrubs: flowers on last year's wood.
Prune immediately after the bloom until early june. Vigorous species should to be pruned hard.
- Summer or autumn flowering shrubs: flowers on the new year's wood.
Prune in late winter, more or less, depending on the species and varieties.
- Decorative fruits: fruits on last year's or this year's wood.
Prune in late winter, more or less, depending on the species and varieties.
- Decorative foliage and peeling bark:
Prune in late winter, more or less, depending on the species and varieties

b) Evergreen shrubs:

- Spring-flowering shrubs: flowers on last year's wood.
Prune immediately after the bloom, more or less, depending on the species and varieties. Ericacious need very little pruning, remove only faded flowers. Training tolerated.
- Summer or autumn flowering shrubs: flowers on the new year's wood.
Prune in late winter, more or less, depending on the species and varieties.
- Summer-flowering and decorative fruits: flowers on the new year's wood.
- Decorative foliage:
Prune between the months beginning with « A »: April until August, twice if necessary.

Remarks: always remove the dried or damaged branches. Try not to prune evergreens after August, they may not have time enough to heal and regrow wood able to live through winter.

There are three kinds of hedges :

- Mixed flowering hedges made up of several species or varieties.
Maintenance can be spread over the year.

- Formal clipped hedges made up of one species or variety.

- Shelter hedges, different sizes, made up of one or more species or varieties.
Same pruning as described above and below for shrubs, trees and conifers. Shears can be used for low hedges, however, you will need a hedge-trimmer for longer ones.

In general, conifers, if not planted as hedges, will not need any special pruning. However, it is advisable for some species to prune the tips of branches to maintain regular and compact shapes. It is springtime pruning. Remove dried or damaged branches.

Trimming hedges of conifers happens between the months beginning with « A », April and August, if the weather is not too hot. Prune more or less hard, depending on the result you wish. Two light prunings are better than a hard one because conifers can struggle to regrow from old wood

Refer to the shrubs' chapter for the periods of pruning.

Generally, it is to be done in late winter or early spring, when the buds are easy to see. During the first few years, plan the 'formative pruning' to shape the tree the way you would like it. When the tree is older professional tree surgeons help may b required.
In some cases, notably in the countryside, tree protections should be planned, at least during the first years: against rabbits, hares and livestock... Some plants are more sensitive to rondents: Cytisus laburnum, Magnolia, Cedar, and Liriodendron, to name but a few