Choose plants carefully Want to spend more time enjoying your landscape and less time working in it? Remember this mantra: right plant, right place. Adhering to this important principle will save you time and money. Plants, shrubs and trees prefer some environments over others, and they may not survive if planted in the wrong soil, climate zone or sunlight conditions. Pachysandra, a ground cover, likes the shade. A Japanese maple tree prefers a shaded area sheltered from wind. Azaleas and rhododendrons like acidic soil and shade. Place them where they’re happy, and they will thrive.
Coneflower and Black-eyed Susan thrive in this sunny bed.
Some flowers are happier if you leave them alone. Coneflower and Black-eyed Susan, for example, are native to Ohio and can handle a hot, dry summer with little or no attention. They are a great choice for the time-starved gardener who wants summer color in a sunny bed.
Here are some considerations when choosing plant material for your outdoor spaces: What part of your landscape needs plants? What problem would you like to solve in that location? What are your favorite plants, trees and shrubs? If they are trees or shrubs, will they fit your landscape in five or 10 years, or outgrow the space? Do you know the condition and type of soil where you want to plant? Does the soil support the plant you want to grow?
What are the sunlight conditions in the place you're planting? Will it have enough sun, or too much sun?
How much water will your favorite plant or tree need? By carefully matching your needs with the plants you like and placing them in conditions they prefer, you'll enjoy greater satisfaction from your home landscape.
For more ideas on choosing plant material, read this article from Fred Hower, the Ohio Nurseryman.
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