Are You Sure That You Want That Plant?

      In the spring it’s easy to get seduced by the wide selection of plants in the garden centers. The many pass-along plants available at garden club sales are also tempting, and there are shovelfuls of free offerings from friends and neighbors. But free or not, do you really want these plants?

       The best practice is to match the right plant for the right location; if a plant is happy where you’ve placed it, it will be more likely to grow well and be less work for you. A perennial or shrub that likes sun won’t do as well in deep shade, for example, and plants that get windburn won’t thrive in exposed locations.

       Those offerings at plant sales are likely to be perennials that either self-seed or need frequent dividing. They might be fine if you’re the type who likes to work in the garden, but if you want a low-maintenance landscape there are better choices for you.

       And beware of falling for a plant based on flowering alone. Most plants in this region are in blossom for a short period of time, and may or may not look good before or after bloom. So what’s a home-landscaper to do?  Research.

       A trip to the local garden center, library or bookstore can help you make the right choice.  So when someone asks “Do you want this plant?” the answer should be, “Maybe…let me look into it.”