First They Sleep… Then They Leap
One of the oldest sayings in gardening is:
“First year they sleep, second year they creep, third year they leap.”
While it isn’t true for every plant, it’s a surprisingly good way to understand what happens after planting many trees and shrubs.
Year One: “They Sleep”
After planting, your tree or shrub has one priority:
Growing roots.
It may produce some new leaves and a little new growth, but much of its energy is going underground. It’s establishing the root system that will support future growth.
This is why a “fast-growing” tree may not seem very fast during its first season.
Year Two: “They Creep”
By the second year, the plant is beginning to settle in.
The roots have expanded beyond the original root ball, and you’ll usually notice more growth than the first year.
It’s still establishing itself, but confidence is building.
Year Three: “They Leap”
This is when many plants really begin to show what they’re capable of.
With an established root system, much more of the plant’s energy goes into producing new stems, leaves, flowers, and fruit.
A tree that seemed to grow only a few inches the first year may suddenly add a foot or more of growth.
Why Patience Pays Off
One of the biggest mistakes gardeners make is assuming a plant isn’t doing well because it isn’t growing rapidly during its first season.
In many cases, it’s doing exactly what it should.
A healthy root system is an investment in decades of growth.
Does This Apply to Every Plant?
No.
Annual flowers, vegetables, and some fast-growing perennials don’t usually follow this pattern.
However, many of the shrubs and trees we grow at Black Hills Gardens—including lilacs, hydrangeas, viburnums, maples, oaks, and many fruiting shrubs—often spend their first year establishing before they really take off.
How You Can Help
The best thing you can do during that first year is:
- Water deeply during dry periods.
- Keep weeds and grass away from the base.
- Apply mulch if appropriate.
- Be patient.
The reward for that patience is often years—or decades—of healthy growth.
A note from Black Hills Gardens
Many of our plants have already spent a season or more growing in our nursery before they’re offered for sale. They’ve already been potted, cared for, and established in our local climate. Even so, once transplanted into a new landscape, it’s perfectly normal for them to spend some time adjusting before they hit their stride.
