Walking into a garden center can be an overwhelming experience. Immediately you are surrounded by plants, and perhaps many you are not familiar with. Before ever stepping foot in the nursery there are some steps you should take so you are prepared to pick out plants or work with the staff to find plants that work for you.
Lighting Conditions
The first and possible most important thing to know before looking at plants is what kind of light the area of planting gets. Sometimes this is straight forward such as out in the open with no trees around or deeply tucked under many tree canopies. Other things that can affect lighting are buildings and surrounding plants. As the sun moves across the sky the light conditions of the planting area can change. Knowing if you have sun in the morning or that afternoon can be a major factor in plant choice. Before going to the garden center, take a couple days to observe the planting are at different times of the day to see how much sun it is getting.
Soil Composition
Plants can also be quite picky about the kind of soil they are grown in. Many of our soils here in southern Wisconsin are clay. There can be pockets of other kinds of soil so it is best to do a test dig and see what is hiding in the soil. Some soil problems can be amended with different soil additives like peat moss, but unless you excavate a vast area and depth you will have to consider the composition of the soil.
Water
Similar to soil composition the water retention of the soil can greatly affect the health of plants. Wet soils are not tolerated by many plants, while others can tolerate them for short periods, and yet others can completely tolerate it. You can generally figure this out the same way you can find the composition of your soil: do a test dig in the planting area. It can also be helpful to know how the area is affected by rain. Does the area get very wet from rain or stay relatively dry? How long after rain does the area remain wet? The drainage of the soil influences the health of the plants and many cultivated plants prefer well draining soil. If applicable, be aware of potential flooding to the area.
Height and Width
Another important factor to consider is how much space you have for a plant to grow. Unfortunately many people don’t measure or consider the space before coming to a garden center. Think about how much space you would want a plant to take up at maturity and if you want multiple plants in the area. This can help direct you toward the right plants. Be aware that not all height and width combinations exist or exist for your conditions so be ready to be a little flexible.
Color and Compliments
Though not the most important factor on this list, considering what colors of foliage and flowers should also play into your plant choices. This can also be as simple as know what colors you DON’T want. If you do have colors in mind it’s a good idea to know what the complimentary colors are. Putting complimentary colors next to each other can help them both standout and really punch up the look of the area.
Texture and Contrast
This should be the last thing on your mind when picking out plants, but a more experienced gardener might want to think about the texture of the foliage when planting different kinds of plants next to each other. Finely textured plants like ornamental grasses and thread leaf tickseed can contrast well with more broad leaved plants like hostas and cone flowers.
These six categories are a good starting point for being a smart plant shopper, but don’t be afraid to ask questions. After choosing plants it’s best to know more about them specifically such as issues to watch out for. Last, but not least, be ready to be flexible and open to plants you may not have thought about much before. Every year new cultivars come out and can be surprising so don’t overlook plants you may not favor. Most importantly, have fun!
