Plant Selection Is Key
Is it sunny or is it shady?
The best thing you can do before selecting a plant is to know how much sun the location gets. Does the area face north, east, south, or west? Eastern locations are great for plants that need part to full sun but need protection from that afternoon scorching sun. Nothern locations should include plants that are part sun to shade as any plants that are sun loving will not thrive in these locations. Southern facing locations should be planted with things that love the heat, and western facing locations will get the harsh sun toward the end of the day.
How much space do you have?
Go out and measure the space. The last thing you want is to end up at the garden center trying to make a decision and you don’t know how large the space is you have to put a plant you’ve found. Also, try to pick shrubs and trees that can grow to their full size without pruning. Some varieties don’t fair well when pruned and it can upset their structure and beauty. Other plants take well to pruning or are intended to be pruned, but it’s important to know the difference.
Know your soil
Does the location hold water? Does it drain quickly? Those are important questions to know before you go searching for plants. You don’t want to put a sedum in a water-logged area, but a willow shrub or dogwood may absolutely thrive in those areas and actually prefer it. Is it a location far away from a water source and it won’t get watered often? Pick something that is drought tolerant, but don’t forget to water consistently for its first season in the ground to ensure success.
What season is it?
Fall is always a great time to plant. It gives your plants many months to settle in and focus on root growth during winter. Early spring planting can also be great, but plants have fewer months to settle in for the summer heat. Plants planted in spring may need a little more water to get them through summer. I personally try to avoid planting in the heat of summer – July and August in particular. When the days start cooling in mid-September, I pick up planting through fall. It’s generally recommended to stop planting several weeks before your first hard freeze. If you plant too late in the fall, the ground may become frozen and make it difficult for those plants to root out during winter or the plant can suffer damage from the freeze before it is acclimated to its spot.
Know the variety (or ask)
Read the plant tag! Or feel free to ask your local garden center for recommendations. So many people underestimate the help of a local garden center. People who work at garden centers love plants. If they don’t know the answer to your question, they’re typically more than willing to find someone who can assist!
Get to planting
After you’ve made your selection, get it planted. It will, in most cases, be happier in the ground than it will in a container. The small exception is planting during the hottest part of summer. In those cases, it may be best to keep it protected out of the extreme heat and sufficiently moist until the hot weather breaks and starts to cool.
