Beginners Gardening Guide #6 :How to Choose What to Plant

Choosing what to plant in your garden is largely a matter of personal preference, as long as you are selecting from among plants that grow well in your region or climate, called a growing zone. Local nurseries and garden centers will only carry those plants that will flourish where you live. If you purchase plants online, the web-based retailer will have a planting guide that shows which plants do well in your growing zone. Selecting a plant not generally intended for your zone might be interesting as an experiment, but do not expect great results! Nature knows best, and it is best to stick with the guidelines it imposes!

The next principle is to choose plants that will blend well with your existing garden style. Even if your “style” is eclectic, and many gardens are, avoid plants that will clash with what’s growing there currently. If you are just starting out on your garden, it is best to select fewer plants to begin with, making sure their look and colors work well together, then add a few additional plants each year.

Speaking of color, if flowering plants are being considered, choose those that will offer a nice complement or contrast to your current plants. Choosing plants with differing texture and leaf type is also a good idea. It provides good variety and interest in the garden.

Thirdly, consider the light conditions where you intend to add plants, and only choose from among those that will grow well in the light afforded them. Some gardens are planted where they get full sun, and certain plants will not prosper in those conditions. Partial shade and full shade plants likewise need the right amount of sunlight to do their best for you.

When selecting plants, next take into account how much water they require. If part of your garden is dedicated to plants that do well with little water, adding a neighbor that needs a lot of water will cause inevitable problems. Group plants together by their watering preferences, in addition to the aesthetic and light characteristics you are already trying to blend.

Lastly, a word about seasonal flowers is important. If you are planting bulbs and perennials, be sure to arrange them so that each part of the garden maintains some color throughout the growing season. If a section contains only early season bloomers that fade by the end of spring, you’ll be left with an empty spot for the rest of the year. The plant stake at the nursery, or the description in the catalog or online information will let you know when each flower blooms, so you can select them and arrange them accordingly. Many gardeners like to leave open places that they can fill with annuals, giving them the opportunity to add some variety to each year’s garden while still enjoying the reliable appearance of the perennials.

A garden is a work in progress. Every gardener makes plant selection mistakes along the way. If a plant doesn’t work in one section of your garden, perhaps it can be transplanted to another, or to a new location elsewhere in the yard. Keep adding plants and working with their arrangement, enjoying the process along the way, in your pursuit of the garden you envision.

A-Z Beginners Gardening Guides

• Beginners Gardening Guide #1 : How To Start Your Garden
• Beginners Gardening Guide #2 : Steps for Designing Your First Garden
• Beginners Gardening Guide #3 : Choosing the Right Tools for your First Garden
• Beginners Gardening Guide #4 : How to Keep Pests Out of Your Garden
• Beginners Gardening Guide #5 : A Beginner’s Guide to Planting Flowers and Trees
• Beginners Gardening Guide #6 :How to Choose What to Plant
• Beginners Gardening Guide #7 : First Steps in Vegetable Gardening
• Beginners Gardening Guide #8 : Maintaining Your Garden
• Beginners Gardening Guide #9 : Lawn Care for Beginners
• Beginners Gardening Guide #10: Blossoms for Every Season
• Beginners Gardening Guide #11 : Your Garden During the Fall
• Beginners Gardening Guide #12: What Steps to take as Winter Approaches
• Beginners Gardening Guide #13: Preparing for a Great Spring Start