While there is more to a beautiful garden than just the plants, they are certainly the main attraction! Stones, trellises, barriers, statuary, and other items may dot your patch of paradise, but without plants you really cherish, chances are your garden won’t bring you as much pleasure as it should. Let’s take a look at how to select garden plants that will be just right for you.
First of all, do some research in plant encyclopedias or online to discover the kinds of plants you think you’ll like the most. Plants have distinct personalities, and they are always somewhat different in person than when you learn about them from a book or website. But doing some homework will be enjoyable and will get you started in a direction that will yield the best results. Make a list of plants you want, and make sure that they are suited to your region’s temperature zone and precipitation levels. You should be able to find that information in the books or on the sites you use for research.
How to select garden plants
Secondly, choose plants of various sizes and widths to create a pleasant variety in your garden. Having all short, bushy plants or all reed-thin tall ones will get a little boring! Choose a selection of ground cover plants for borders or for areas you’re not ready to develop further yet. They hold moisture in the ground and look much better than bare dirt! Pick out some short, full plants to form an inviting first row of the garden from a visual angle. Select taller plants of various widths as you consider what you will plant toward the middle of round gardens, or the back of gardens you view from only one or two sides. In considering your selections, take into account the plant’s need for sun, what time of the season it blooms, and how large/wide it should be expected to grow. We cover these topics in more depth in other guides on this site.
Thirdly, keep these important factors in mind:
- Choose plants that need similar watering requirements for each segment of the garden.
- Select only plants that look healthy and vigorous, free of pests and damage.
- Pick a blend of colors that you find attractive.
- Avoid plants that look root bound in their containers, with roots protruding from the soil.
- Plant more than just bloomers – a few varieties of Hostas or Dusty Miller complement flowers nicely.
- Don’t crowd plants too closely. Give them room to spread out and flourish!
- Wait until autumn to choose some of your bulbs. Plant them in garden spots that need filling in.
- Select herbs for the garden, and make sure to enjoy their production in the kitchen, as well!
Don’t fret about making your garden perfect – enjoy the adventure of working on it throughout the season and year by year, to tailor it to become just what you want. Keep learning, keep using a “trial and error” method to discover the plants you really connect with – that refresh your soul. The process of developing a great garden is not something to be rushed, but to be savored!
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