Smart Plant Selection: Match Plants to Your Garden’s Conditions

Impulse buys at the nursery lead to dead plants. Filter before you purchase.

Five Questions

1. Perennial or annual?
2. Sun, part shade, or full shade?
3. Well-drained or wet soil?
4. Sheltered or windy?
5. Soil pH (test kit)? Acid or alkaline?

Design Placement

• Arrange pots in proposed layout. Step back. Adjust.
• Tall back/center, stair-step down to front.
• Mix bloom times for season-long color.
• Foliage texture/color (silver, purple, chartreuse) = interest beyond flowers.

Root Competition

Keep beds away from trees/shrubs—they steal water and nutrients.

Right plant, right place = garden that thrives on autopilot.