Are plants in your garden suffering from a lack of water, too much sun, or extreme heat? Picking plants that match the characteristics of your outdoor space is essential to ensure the optimal growth and beauty of your garden.
Here are some steps to help you learn how to select plants that will ultimately thrive in your space.
Understand your goals for the new plants
When selecting plants, consider your garden preferences. Your outdoor space should be inviting and make you want to spend time outside. If you’re looking to add colour to your property, look for plants in vibrant, complementary hues. If you want to enjoy a lively garden all season long, consider each plant’s growing and blooming season so that each month brings fresh, exciting blooms. The “perfect” garden is one that suits your unique taste!
Analyze the space
Plants grow best with sun, proper soil texture, and water. Understanding how these factors differ around your property can help determine what types of plants will thrive in specific spots. Also, consider nearby structures or large plants that could interfere with new plant growth. Large, established plants and trees can hog resources like space and sunlight, making it harder for new plants to grow.
As well, manmade features like the brick wall of a house or a wooden fence can interfere with plant growth. Since bricks retain heat well, garden areas near brick walls may experience drier soil. Brick walls can also cause garden beds to dry out quickly due to direct, unabsorbed sunlight. Wooden privacy fences may create dark areas around the perimeter of your property, as their design lets little light through. If you’re not already familiar with what areas of your property get the most sun, take some time to observe your garden throughout the day. Making informed decisions is a crucial step in successful planting!
Check the plant’s hardiness scale
The Canadian Soil Hardiness map “outlines the different zones in Canada where various types of trees, shrubs and flowers will most likely survive.” This map provides helpful information for gardeners about what plant varieties will thrive in your area based on elevation, climate, frost, precipitation, wind speed, etc. To assist with the process of picking hardy plants, we’ve developed a list of native plants that will thrive in the Niagara Region.
Some plant tags and labels may indicate a plant hardiness zone, which can be helpful for quick reference. However, remember that the USDA and Canadian hardiness zones are different! The USDA hardiness scale only considers the lowest temperature a plant can tolerate, whereas the Canadian scale accounts for additional factors like frost-free periods, precipitation, etc.
Try native plants
Native plants are a great option to consider when selecting plants because they are adapted to the natural conditions in your area. They require less maintenance, such as chemicals or fertilizers, because they naturally thrive in your environment. They are available in many beautiful varieties, such as flowering plants and trees. Adding native plants to your yard can also provide essential nutrients for wildlife like birds and pollinators.
Give room to grow
When selecting plants for optimal growth in your space, consider the full-grown size of the plant. Planning for the mature space the plant needs allows it to grow uninterrupted. Plantings should be appropriately spaced to prevent overcrowding and visually bare spots between them.
Add some perennials
Are you looking to minimize annual upkeep in your garden? Perennial plants are a great solution. Perennials are plants that live for more than two years and regrow every year after the winter. This means you don’t have to replant them every year like you do with annuals. Daylilies, hostas, and Russian sage are examples of common perennials. They are ideal for promoting growth in your garden because they mature further each year and often can be pruned back and shaped to your liking. Less digging up annuals means less disruption to other nearby plants, too.
Need help with plant selection?
Analyzing your space can be tricky. If you’re unsure what plants will thrive in your space and how to arrange them, we’re here to help. Our team of experienced gardeners and landscapers can provide personalized advice based on your needs. With our expertise, a beautiful landscape is in your future. Contact us, and let’s get started today!