Choosing the Best Plants for your Garden
Many times we buy plants on impulse then find
there is nowhere in the garden that really suits them. Before buying
plants carefully examine your garden to see how much sun and shade
it gets, whether the soil is well drained or waterlogged and whether
your aspect is sheltered or windswept. You'll then be equipped to go
and buy the best plants for your situation; shade-loving plants for
the sheltered areas, sun-lovers for the warm spots,
drought-resistant plants for the parched areas which may be either
sunny or shaded, and swamp plants for the poorly-drained parts.
But wait! 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 organized, 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. Tall plants should go to the back, or the centre if your
garden will be viewed equally 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.
The right color scheme is one way to maintain the harmony in your
garden. Imagine the color of the flowers when they are in bloom.
Some colors may clash 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 means that
they are still attractive well past the blooming season and so have
added value.
About the Author: D. Benjamin is the owner of
iapsales.com LLC - a family business specializing in HVAC products. We
are distributors of
Qmark Heaters,
electric tankless water heaters,
bathroom heaters,
patio heaters, electric heaters,
portable air
conditioners & electric towel warmers. Shop on line at
www.heateroutlet.com for these great home improvement products.
Iapsales.com LLC was established in 2003 and is the sister company to
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generation manufacturers’ rep firm dedicated to providing residential &
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