Container Garden 411

Choosing Plants for Your Garden

Many times we buy plants on impulse then find there is nowhere in the garden that really suits them. Carefully examine your garden before buying plants to see how much sun it gets, to see whether the soi is waterlogged or well drained. Then you’ll be ready to go and buy the best plants that suits you; shade loving plans, sun-lovers for warm spots, drought-resistant plants for parched areas that could either be sunny or shaded.

But hold on! Test your soil first, to determine the pH level of your soil and what kind of nutrients you need to add, if any. Is the soil acid or alkaline? Most plants prefer soil that is slightly acidic, but there are some that must have alkaline soil to grow. You can alter the soil’s pH level, but it’s much easier to simply plant for the soil you have.

Now you are ready to plant. Well…. almost. Will you plant in groups or singly? If you buy ‘one of everything’ your garden may seem rather spotty. Group plantings are organised, harmonious and you can vary the color for interest.

Before planting out, place your chosen plants around the garden bed in their pots to see how they will look. Re-arrange them until you are satisfied. Grouping plants in sets of threes or fives usually looks better than planting in groups of even numbers. Be sure that you have an interesting combination of colors and textures of plants. If you have tall plants, they should go towards the back or center for equal views from all sides. Try to keep your plants away from trees. The roots of trees are fiercely competitive and will steal all the nutrients and moisture meant for your flowers.

A way to maitain harmony in your garden is choosing the right color scheme. Imagine the color of the flowers when they are in bloom. Some colors may not go with others, but can still be planted side-by-side if they have a different blooming season. Foliage color is also important. Many flower plants have silver, grey or purplish foliage that is just as attractive as the flower. This signifies that they’re still in good standing well past the blooming season and therefore have value.

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