Warm-Climate Privacy Kit Thuja plicata x standishii 'Green Giant'; Ligustrum sinense

1. Planting: 

• Thuja Green Giant: Choose an area that receives full to partial sun. When planting, dig a hole for each tree that is three times as wide as the root ball but just as deep. You don’t need to add anything to the planting hole. Place the tree, fill in around the tree with the same soil you took out when initially digging the hole. Finally, tamp down as you fill to cut back on any air pockets from forming, water the tree, then mulch to conserve moisture.
  
• Sunshine Ligustrum: A minimum of 4 hours of sun is its preference, so seek full sun to partial shade locations (anywhere from 3 to 6 hours of sunlight daily). Soil type doesn't matter, provided that it's well-draining. When you're ready to plant, dig a hole that's large enough to accommodate your shrub's root ball, backfill your soil, and mulch the surrounding soil. Finally, water to settle the shrub's roots.

2. Watering: 

• Thuja Green Giant: For the first two weeks, water your tree every other day thoroughly. During the second two weeks, switch to watering every three days. After the first month, water once a week unless it is dry and hot. If it's hot and dry, water twice a week. After the first six months, the trees will be established and won’t need any extra water. Your natural rainfall should be sufficient at this stage.
• Sunshine Ligustrum: While tolerant of drought once established, good watering is important until your plant reaches that stage. You should water when the surface soil dries to 1 to 3 inches down by touch.

3. Pruning: 

• Thuja Green Giant: You won’t have to prune this tree if you are growing it with enough space for it to maintain its naturally graceful pyramid shape. If you’re growing several close together as a hedge, you can shear the plants yearly after the final frost.
• Sunshine Ligustrum: You can shear or prune your Ligustrum in spring, and remove dead or damaged branches at any time of year.

4. Fertilizing: 

• Thuja Green Giant: For optimal growth, feed your Thuja with a balanced evergreen tree and shrub fertilizer starting in the spring. 
• Sunshine Ligustrum: Avoid highly soluble fertilizers if possible. Slow-release, organic-based nutrient sources are the best. Fertilize in early spring, after the threat of frost has passed.