Information
-Zone 5a (Central Iowa)
-Native soil is clay, but not real hard packed
-Dug holes slightly deeper then pot and 2.5-3x as wide
-Mixed native soil back in hole with some aged manure, Schultz Garden Soil (Sphagnum), and some Structure
-When planting i used 1 gallon of water mixed with a Plant Start fertilizer (3-10-3 with rooting hormone and some other goodies) in the hole.
-I also sprinkled 1/4 cup of epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) around the drip line of each plant and watered it in
-Planted the shrubs about 2" higher then the surrounding soil
-Added 2" of cedar mulch around the hostas but made sure none was touching the plant

Varities:
-We planted (2) Korean Lilacs on the SE part of the house about 2.5' away from the foundation
-I would say that they are partial sun as they get sun till about 3 pm

-We planted (1) Goldmound Spirea on the W part of the house about 2.5' away from the foundation
-I would say that it is in partial sun to shade as it gets a little morning sun and then it gets full sun from 3 pm till dusk

-We planted (1) Summer Wine Ninebark on the W part of the house about 2.5' away from the foundation
-This plant gets the same amount of sun as the spirea as they are next to each other

-We planted (3) Dwarf Burning Bushes on the SE, SW, and NW corners of the house and all around about 3' from the foundation
-The bushes on the SE and SW part of the house are full sun and the bush on the NW part of the house is partial sun

Questions:
-What pH do the bushes prefer to be in? Im going to say that our soil is slightly alkaline but i havent tested it yet.
-Any suggestions on pruning for the first year? I have left them alone for the most part except for the ninebark that ive had to remove some dead branches.
-Are any of these plants water loving or like it less wet? I havent had to water much for the past few weeks as we've had quite a bit of rain.
-Any thoughts on fertilizer application for the first year?
-The rabbits/deer have left these alone so far but im concerned come winter, any suggestions?
-The ninebark and spirea have shown new growth already and the spirea is flowering. The lilac has flowered already and is putting on a little growth. The burning bushes really havent put on much for growth so far; maybe a little transplant shock with the burning bushes?

Any and all suggestions, comments, etc would be greatly appreciated as well.

again.. none of these EVER need fertilization .... so dont waste any further money in that regard ..

if you are concerned with the pH ... have a soil test done ... which might be hard now that you amended the beegeebees out of the soil ... and find out EXACTLY what your pH is.. and then act accordingly ...

PROPER watering is imperative.. i think i covered that in one of your other posts ...

good luck
ken