The Right Place
Coralbells and its relatives grow and flower best in full sun in the North, but they will also do well in light shade. In the warmer southern climates they do best in light shade, especially in the afternoon. Plant them in fertile, well-drained soil with a high organic content to absorb and hold water. Improve clay soil by adding peat moss or gypsum to improve its drainage. Coralbells like their soil to be only slightly acidic (pH 6.0 to 8.) toward slightly alkaline.
Planting Nursery Stock
Plant young plants in containers anytime during the growing season, but the spring is the best time. If necessary, plants can be transplanted in August or early September. Prepare the planting area by clearing it of weeds and debris and digging and loosening the soil with a trowel or shovel down 8 to 10 inches. Remove stones and smooth the area. Dig a hole for each plant about the depth of its container and slightly wider. Set the plant in the hole so that its crown (the point at the base of the plant from where the roots grow) is just at ground level or slightly higher. This will be quite shallow. Fill the hole with soil, firm it around the plant and water well. Space plants about 12 inches apart.
Amendments In Planting or Transplanting
There are a number of products at the garden center that will help your newly planted or transplanted plants deal better with the stress inherent in the planting process. All healthy plants have beneficial fungi, called mycorrhizal fungi, living on their roots. You can buy these valuable additions to your plant’s ecosystem. See the file describing Using Micorrhizae When Planting.
There are a number of products such as seaweed, compost tea, and beneficial soil microbes that when added to the planting process will help your new established plants get going faster. See the file New Technology In Plant Growth Activators
