| With a hint of
spring in the air, it can sometimes be difficult to resist the
urge to rush out with somewhat reckless abandon to buy
flowering plants. With so many choices—perennials, annuals,
colors, heights, and textures—it can be exhilarating. But
how do you know your selections will look good once summer
gets into full swing?
While successful gardening isn’t
a complete science, it doesn’t have to be a total experiment
either. Before you set out on this spring’s plant-buying
expedition, take some time do a little advance planning. It
will help ensure the beautiful, summer-long gardening results
you are looking for.
As part of your planning, it’s
a good idea to sketch out the area you will be planting.
Include the shape and size of the area, any hardscapes such as
walkways or structures, and existing plants in and around the
garden. Note what areas receive full sun (8 or more hours of
direct sunlight), part sun (4 to 6 hours of sunlight), or
mostly shade (under 4 hours of sunlight). Be sure to mark down
any parts of the garden that may receive substantial shading
from a structure such as a fence, even though the rest of the
bed may be full sun.
Also take note of what kind of
soil you have. Here a soil test, available through your local
extension office, may be especially helpful in determining the
organic matter, pH, and nutrient levels in your soil. Does the
planting area have heavy amounts of clay or sand? Is the area
well-drained or does water have a tendency to stand here for
periods of time? While soil may be modified to some degree
over time, knowing what plants will favor your growing
conditions (light, soil, moisture) can be a big step in
determining their, and your, happiness in the long run.
Information on plants can be
obtained from a number of sources including greenhouse
professionals, plant catalogs, books, the internet, and
workshops. Understand whether or not the plants you are
considering will meet your needs. Get to know:
- Annuals vs. Perennials.
While annuals are only sustained for one growing season,
they often provide a long bloom period. In contrast,
perennials that our hardy for our growing area may bloom for
a couple of weeks to a month, but return to provide
enjoyment year after year.
- Plant Specifics.
Plants like perennial Phlox, for example, comes in a variety
of whites, pinks, oranges, and purples. They enjoy a full
sun location with good air circulation, and are typically a
medium to tall plant. One of the more important
considerations with Phlox, however, is their mildew
resistance. While newer varieties have been cultivated with
a higher resistance to powdery mildew, many of the
non-resistant varieties are still available. Keep in mind
you will be much more satisfied with your plants if you
select a named cultivar that is mildew resistant.
- Size and Numbers.
With your sketch and sizes of the plants you have selected,
you should be able to determine how many plants you will
need. Plantings typically look their best in odd number
groupings of 3, 5, 7, etc. Also take into account how large
the plant will be at maturity. For perennials, keep in mind
it may take a few years for plants to reach their full size
potential. Planting larger one gallon plants, while more
expensive than 4" pots, can speed this process up.
- Plant Combinations.
It’s important to select companion plants not only for
individual qualities but also how well they will work
together. Consider how they will look in a grouping based on
size, color, leaf texture, and bloom period. Also be sure
they have similar growing requirements—sunlight, soil
conditions, moisture needs, and fertilization requirements
should all be similar for plants in the same planting area.
- Maintenance Needs
.
This consideration can sometimes be overlooked, but is a
very important part of successful gardening. Do the spent
flowers need to be removed (deadheaded), for example, to
promote continual bloom throughout the season? Will less
hardy perennials require winter protection to assure their
return the following season? How much water will the plants
need during dry periods? If the answers to these types of
questions require more maintenance time than you are able to
commit, starting out with lower maintenance plants may be a
better solution.
Pre-planning your garden can be
a lot of fun, especially when you begin to explore all the
choices available to today’s gardeners. New cultivars are
being introduced every year, and greenhouses and nurseries are
making them easier to obtain and include in your landscape.
And don’t forget to take note this summer of those plants
and plant combinations that really catch your eye. Find out
what they are and mark them down for consideration in next
year’s gardening projects. If you’ve done your homework
and had some luck, your garden will provide you with a whole
summer of beauty and enjoyment. |
