Quercus trees, also known as oaks, are suited to growing in cool/temperate regions, and are popular on account of their beautiful appearance and relative drought tolerance.  There are over 600 species and they may be deciduous, semi-deciduous or evergreen. For deciduous species, they put on a striking autumn display with yellow, orange or red foliage. They flower in spring and are popular with bees that collect the pollen. The English Oak is famed for its cute nuts and beautiful timber.


How to grow quercus in a garden

  1. Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Enrich the soil with Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food. Remember, these are big trees, and will need adequate space.
  2. Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the tree from the container or bag (for bare-rooted trees), gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.
  3. Position in hole and backfill with soil, gently firming down. Form a raised or doughnut-shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant's root zone. This helps keep water where it's needed. Always water in well after planting with Yates Thrive Natural Seaweed Tonic to help reduce transplant shock and promote root growth.
  4. Mulch around the base with organic mulch, like bark chips, woodchip or pea straw, keeping it away from the trunk.
  5. Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.  
  6. Feed in autumn and spring with Yates Thrive All Purpose Granular Plant Food to promote strong root development and healthy foliage. TIP: For an added boost, apply Yates Thrive Fish Blood & Bone Plant Food Concentrate.

     

Growing tips

  • Can grow to up to 12-15 metres in height depending on variety so choose the planting spot with this in mind.

  • Varieties include: English, Pin, Cork, Scarlet and Rubra varieties.

  • Some oak varieties are used for truffle production.


More Plants

Dwarf Pōhutukawa

Dwarf Pōhutukawa (AKA Pacific Rata or Tahitian Pohutukawa) is a fantastic flowering shrub or small tree ideal for use as a feature plant, hedge or screen.

Daphne

Daphne is an evergreen shrub with glossy green leaves and beautifully fragrant flowers in shades of white and pink. Grow in the garden or in pots.

Smoke Bush

Smoke Bush is an ideal shrub to add a splash of foliage colour to gardens. It provides year-round seasonal interest and looks fabulous in both gardens and pots.

Picea

Piceas, or Spruces, are evergreen coniferous trees from the Pinaceae family with a lovely conical shape, needle-like leaves and ornate pendulous cones.

Recommended products

Yates Thrive Natural Seaweed Tonic

A 100% bull kelp seaweed tonic. Great for improving plant resistance and protection against pests, drought and frosts -also reduces transplant shock.