Ways to Avoid Bad Plants

Many issues with our yards begin with the plant choices. We find something that looks good at the nursery, but when we get it home it doesn't look right, its too big, it requires too much work and so on. A lot of landscape hassles can be solved by choosing the right plants in the first place. Its great to go pick a cool plant at the nursery, but if it isn't right for the space, the plant will bring you nothing but trouble.

I love red, lace-leaf Japanese maples. They are a gorgeous small tree that adds color and life to any space. But we have lots of cold, winter winds and Japanese maples are very sensitive to cold and wind. So, if I put a Japanese maple in my yard it wont grow well, it wont look good, and it probably wont live long. So the first step to having a yard you love is to choose the right plants.

First, know your space. Plants are going to do their own thing, so always leave a little buffer space. You should know how big the area is where you are going to put the plant. Many times people put larger plants in smaller spaces, then the plant either encroaches on walkways or it gets pruned all the time. Being mindful of the size will keep things looking neat and tidy without all the pruning.

Second, know how much sun or shade your plants want. Sun loving plants will not do well in the shade. Making sure your plants have as much sun or shade as they need will help them look happier and healthier.

Three, know how cold hardy the plants are. Many nurseries sell a range of cold hardy plants. So not every plant in the nursery will be suitable for every yard in their service area. Putting a plant in your yard that can't survive your winter low temperatures will give you a good chance of losing that plant.

Four, know your maintenance preferences and abilities. Some plants will need different soils, extra pruning, or regular fertilizing. If you don't want to spend lots of time caring for your plants, then be sure to choose lower maintenance plants. Some plants grow in a naturally tight symmetrical form and will give you that formal look without the pruning. You can even find a rose that doesn't require constant pruning and deadheading. You don't have to learn everything about each potential plant, a good nursery will be able to direct you to the type of plants you need and answer any questions about specific plants you may have.

Choosing the right plants for your space will make the difference in how it looks and how you feel about it.