Perennials, Annuals, and Shrubs
Whenever you plant a perennial, annual, or shrub, you need to know what the crown of the plant is and how to handle it properly so the plant is healthy. Whether they are planted in the ground or in a container, most plants are planted so that the crown is right at soil level. Burying the crown lower than soil level can often lead to crown rot and the eventual death of the plant, depending on the species. Clematis and peonies are two of the few plants that do well when the plant crown is planted a few inches below soil level. Bulbs, like tulips and daffodils, and tubers, like tuberous begonias and cyclamen, are also planted with the crown slightly below soil level.
Trees
So where are the crowns of trees? The branches of a tree form its crown, and the shape of the crown is one of a tree’s identifying characteristics. Larger trees that capture more light are said to have dominant crowns, and smaller ones, which need less light, are called understory trees.
