SHRUB PLANTING
Houston Code of Ordinances, ch. 33, App. E
in effectAPPENDIX E. - SHRUB PLANTING
I. Shrub selection. Shrubs planted in public rights-of-way shall be selected from the parks and recreation department perennial shrub list (Appendix D). Shrubs planted in other areas may also be selected from that list.
The following factors should be considered when making a selection from the shrub list for planting:
A. Hardiness for the specific site selected.
B. Present and ultimate size, branching habits, and growth rate. The plant shall be at least 18 inches in height as measured from the surrounding soil line, shall have a minimum eighteen-inch width at the widest portion when planted and shall be capable of growth to not less than 30 inches in height as measured from the surrounding soil line within three annual growing seasons.
C. Resistance to pests.
II. Shrub planting.
A. Holes for shrubs should be excavated six inches greater in width than the diameter of the soil ball. The sides of the hole should be vertical and the bottom horizontal. Shrubs should be planted with top of root ball slightly above existing grade. No holes should be left uncovered overnight.
B. Shrubs should be set in an upright plumb position at a depth slightly higher than grown in the container. Care should be taken not to injure the root system, trunk, or foliage. The trunk should not be used as a lever in positioning or moving the shrub in the planting hole.
C. Holes should be backfilled with soil and tamped lightly and carefully so as not to damage roots. The shrub should be watered to settle soil around the roots and remove air pockets.
D. All damaged branches shall be removed.
E. A minimum three-inch layer of mulch shall be placed loosely at the base to retard weed growth and conserve moisture.
III. Watering. The following water schedule may be utilized and revised during prolonged periods of rain or drought.
Initial Watering After Planting | Root zones should be drenched every seven days for four weeks.
November December January February | In the absence of sufficient rainfall, root zones should be drenched on a twenty-one-day watering schedule.
October March April | In the absence of sufficient rainfall, root zones should be drenched on a fourteen-day watering schedule.
May June July August September | In the absence of sufficient rainfall, root zones should be drenched on a seven-day watering schedule.
Source: City of Houston, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/houston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH33PLDE_APXESHPLFetched: 10/26/2026