How to Plant Chocolate Boneset

Loosen the soil in a sunny part of the garden to a depth of 10 to 12 inches with a spade or tiller. Remove weeds, rocks and other debris, and pulverize clumps. Then, spread 3 to 4 inches of organic matter, such as compost or peat moss, over the soil and till it in to improve drainage and aeration. Follow this with a 5-10-5 fertilizer at a rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet. Broadcast the fertilizer over the soil and till it in.

Dig a hole in the soil that's three times the width of the root ball and equal in depth to the height of the root ball. Loosen the soil that makes up the walls of the hole using a spade.

Brace the base of the plant, tip the nursery container sideways, and then rotate it while you tap the outside of the container. Catch the root ball in your hand when it separates from the container. Then, break up the outer soil layer of the root ball lightly and loosen the roots.

Place the chocolate boneset in the planting hole, spread out the roots and then backfill one-third of the excavated soil. Tamp the soil lightly to eliminate air pockets and to ensure proper root-to-soil contact. Continue backfilling and tamping the soil until the plant is set at a similar depth as it was growing in its previous container. If you're planting multiple plants, space them about 2 feet apart.

Water the plant immediately after planting, and after this, water regularly with about 1 inch of water per week to keep the soil moist so the roots can establish. Adjust your watering frequency during hot, dry spells and after rainfall.

Spread a 3-inch layer of organic mulch, such as wood chips, on the soil over the planting hole to promote soil moisture retention. Keep the mulch about 4 inches away from the stem of the plant.