Plant Selection

Once you've determined your plant hardiness zone, assessed your site conditions, determined the garden style and laid out a general plan, it’s time to pick your plants! When selecting plants for your garden, mix colors, shapes, and textures to create interest.

When shopping for plants at your local nursery or garden center, here are some things to look for to insure you are picking a good quality specimen:

• Look for healthy, green foliage. Stay away from plants that have yellowing leaves or look wilted.
• Look for a compact, full shape. Tall, leggier plants have been straining for light and have grown thin and spindly.
• Inspect the soil and both sides of the leaves for insects and disease. Blackened areas, holes, mush areas and stickiness are signs that you should pick another plant.
• Check the roots…if they are growing out of the bottom of the container the plants are root bound which creates stress on the plant.
• For thick, woody stemmed plants make sure the stems are free from cracks or scars.
• Look for containers that are free of weeds. Weeds sap precious nutrients that the plants need.
• When selecting flowering plants, choose plants with more buds than open flowers. They will transplant better and last longer.

Types of Plants

Trees and Shrubs
Trees and shrubs come in all shapes and sizes and have a life span of many years, becoming more attractive and functional with age. Trees and shrubs increase the curb appeal of your home as well as provide shade and privacy. Shade trees can directly affect your home's comfort and energy efficiency by helping to keep your home cool.

Things to consider when choosing these valuable landscape plants: height and shape, deciduous or evergreen, density of leaves or needles, and proximity to the house.

Perennials and Annuals
An annual is a plant whose life cycle lasts only one year. They're an excellent way to add splashes of color in flower beds or in pots.

Perennials, on the other hand, come back again year after year as long as growing conditions remain beneficial. Many perennials, such as camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons are also evergreen.

Vines and Ground Covers
Ground covers and vines are both functional and beautiful. These plants will provide cover, shade and unique visual texture. Some ground covers will grow where grass cannot thrive, such as shady areas under trees, on steep slopes, and other areas that are hard to reach with a lawn mower.

Vines may have flowers, colorful foliage and fruit. They can provide spectacular vertical accents, as well as hide unsightly fences. Some vines climb freely connecting with tendrils to other plants, trees or structures while others like roses need assistance to assure their ascendance.

Fruits and Vegetables
There are few things more rewarding than to wander out to your vegetable garden, harvest and consume the fruits of your labor. Fresh picked produce is also more nutritious than that which has been picked and transported long before it appears on your table.

The site location for growing fruits and vegetables is of utmost importance. A spot near the house in full sunlight is usually the most convenient location. A good vegetable garden must have at least 6 hours of full sun each day. Growing fruits and berries is an investment in time but well worth the effort.

Dwarf trees make it possible to grow fruit trees in containers and there's always room for a strawberry pot.

Bulbs
The term "bulb" is used by most people to refer to plants that have underground, fleshy storage structures. The purpose of these underground storage structures is to store nutrients to ensure the plants' survival. Bulbs are usually perennials; they can be broken down into five types of storage structures: True bulbs (daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and alliums), corms (gladiolus and crocus), tubers (caladiums, oxalis, anemones and potatoes), tuberous roots (dahlia and tuberous begonia), and rhizomes (lily-of-the-valley).

Generally spring blooming bulbs are planted in the fall and fall blooming bulbs are planted in early summer. Examples of spring blooming bulbs are tulips, daffodils, iris and hyacinth. Fall blooming bulbs include autumn crocus, cyclamen and amaryllis belladonna (naked ladies).

Roses
Roses are perennials and can be in the form of a shrub, tree or vine. There are several different types of roses:

• Floribunda roses are bushy shrubs that produce large, showy flower clusters of three to fifteen rather than a single bloom on a stem.
• Hybrid Tea roses are upright bushes that typically produce one flower per stem. This is the classic rose for cutting.
• Grandiflora roses are a cross between a floribunda and a hybrid tea rose. They can grow up to 6 feet tall and produce classic hybrid tea flowers singly or in clusters.
• Shrub roses grow close to the ground with a spreading habit and come in all shapes and sizes.
• Climbing roses grow vertically using an arbor, trellis or fence for support. They have long arching canes with numerous blooms.
• Tree roses are made up of a hardy root stock grafted with a long stem and a rose bush that is grafted to the top of the stem. This type of rose requires extra care to insure winter survival.

Web Resources

• How To Choose the Right Plants from the Landscape Design Site
  Plant selection is one of the most important steps in creating a beautiful garden. Many things should be considered such as planting zone, height and width, form and texture. Learn more about how to make the best plant choices for your garden.
• Using Color in the Garden from Proven Winners
  Not sure how to mix colors in your garden? This article describes different types of color schemes and how to integrate them into your garden.
• Searchable Plant Catalog from Monrovia
  A searchable plant catalog allows you to punch in your zone, growing conditions, preferences on plant type, size and color to create a list of potential plants for your garden.
• How to Select a Tree from TreesAreGood.com
  Selecting and planting a tree is one of the biggest commitments you can make in your garden and it’s also an investment so it’s important to pick the right tree. This is a great article that covers everything from the function of the tree, the form and size, and growing conditions.
• Advice About Growing Herbs from GardenGuides.com
  Looking for some basic tips for growing herbs? This article provides some general information on planning your herb garden including which herbs to plant and where to plant them.
• Top 20 Perennials for Your Garden from BHG
  Use this list of 20 easy to grow perennials to create a smashing perennial border in your garden. The list includes plant descriptions and growing tips for each perennial.
• Tips For Buying Plants Online from MyIdealGarden.com
  Buying plants online can be a great way to get plants for your garden – it’s convenient, there is a bigger selection, and you can shop for the best price. Here some great tips to make buying plants online a positive experience.
• Which Grass is Best for Your Area from This Old House
  Are you installing a new lawn but know which type of grass you should choose? This Old House can help you find which grass type to choose for your local climate and soil conditions.