How to Plant a Flowering Almond Shrub

Determine whether your climate is suitable for a flowering almond. The flowering almond is a deciduous tree that will grow in zones three-B through six of the USDA Hardiness Zone Map (see Resource section).

Choose a planting spot for your flowering almond, keeping in mind the overall design of your landscaping project. If you plan to prune the almond into a shrub, it will need a 4- to 6-foot mulched area around the base as well as full to partial sun, and needs to be protected from cold winter winds.

Dig a hole that is two times the size of the container that the shrub came in. If your soil is poor, widen the hole 1 foot to leave room for compost when back-filling.

Remove the plant from the container and gently loosen the root ball to untangle the roots (if the plant is root-bound in the container, soak it for 1 hour in warm water).

Decide which side of the plant looks the best, and place the shrub into the hole with the best side facing out.

Fill in the hole up to the original soil line on the plant, adding up to 50 percent compost and potting soil if desired. Keep in mind that flowering almonds thrive in rich soil and will benefit from additions if your soil is poor.

Pat down the soil firmly and make a "water ring" around the circumference of the planting area.

Water your flowering almond shrub until you see no more air bubbles coming up from the soil.

Mulch your new shrub with four inches of mulching material in a 4- to 6-foot circle to help retain the moisture in the soil.