Smart Plant Shopping: Arrange, Pair, and Check

Nursery Cart Design to Avoid Costly Mistakes

Landscape designers match perennials on a nursery cart to see what works together. Follow these steps:

• Arrange plants on a cart to test combinations.
• Pair flowers for color—hot summery (red, orange, yellow) or cool springlike (blue, lavender, peach, pale pink).
• Check plant tags for mature size and sun/shade needs.
• Choose plants that bloom together and include early/late bloomers to extend the season; aim for two or three great combos per season in a border.
• Consider plant size: Gallon perennials establish faster but cost more; 4-inch pots are better for containers and mass planting.
• Check health: Avoid leggy stems or roots protruding from drain holes—signs of rootbound plants that may perform poorly.