How To Pick The Best Plants For Your Garden

Many times we buy plants on impulse then find there is nowhere in the garden that really suits them. Before buying plants carefully examine your garden to see how much sun and shade it gets, whether the soil is well drained or waterlogged and whether your aspect is sheltered or windswept. You’ll then be equipped to go and buy the best plants for your situation; shade-loving plants for the sheltered areas, sun-lovers for the warm spots, drought-resistant plants for the parched areas which may be either sunny or shaded, and swamp plants for the poorly-drained parts.

But wait! Test your soil first, to determine the pH level of your soil and what kind of nutrients you need to add, if any. Is the soil acid or alkaline? Most plants prefer soil that is slightly acidic, but there are some that must have alkaline soil to grow. You can alter the soil’s pH level, but it’s much easier to simply plant for the soil you have.

Will you be planting your plants in groups or stand alone plants? Groupings can add big impact and offer a lot of design options. Think of color when considering group plantings as well. If you’re a person who likes to buy one of everything, sometimes it can leave areas wanting or look a bit disorganized. The cool thing however, is in nature even that look has a beauty of its own style.

Before actually planting your plants, space them in their pots in the place where you are thinking of planting them. It helps to get a visual on it. Avoid areas near trees where the severe competition of nutrients and water may hinder their survival. Try to plant taller plants either in the center of the garden or towards the back, conversely shorter plants near the front and sides. Keep in mind color combinations and texture as well for an interesting display. Grouping in sets of 3 or 5 is usually more eye catching than even numbered groupings.

Timing of blooms is another important consideration. You don’t want them all to bloom in one or two weeks and have nothing else the rest of the year. Try to find plants to bloom in early spring, summer and fall, or have very interesting foliage to help have interest during those lagging times.

The right color scheme is one way to maintain the harmony in your garden. Imagine the color of the flowers when they are in bloom. Some colors may clash with others, but can still be planted side-by-side if they have a different blooming season. Foliage color is also important. Many flower plants have silver, grey or purplish foliage that is just as attractive as the flower. This means that they are still attractive well past the blooming season and so have added value.