No-Regret Plants: 5 Questions Smart Shoppers Ask

Fall is an ideal season for planting and establishing many kinds of plants, especially deciduous trees and shrubs, perennial flowers and ornamental grasses. Buying plants when they're for sale at a reduced price makes the season even better. Nurseries don't want to overwinter their stock, so they're happy to reduce their inventory and make their customers happy at the same time.

It's tempting to go crazy making new plant purchases — especially when you're excited about all the plants on your wish list — but take a few minutes to review this checklist before adding any plants to your cart. Remember, it's only a "deal" if your purchases integrate well into your garden and lifestyle, and don't end up on the compost heap. Before you buy, consider the following questions.

1. Will the Plant Grow Where You Want to Plant It?

Is your garden hot, dry and subject to all of Mother Nature's vagaries, or is it a shady, cool and damp cocoon? Read the plant's label thoroughly to see if it will be compatible with your site. The information you need to confirm includes:

USDA hardiness zone, which gives the temperature range (based on a 10-year average of maximum low winter temperatures) for survival. Find your hardiness zone. This is a good place to start, but it's only a general guideline for a plant's success in your area.

Exposure refers to the amount of sun the plant needs to thrive. Full sun, partial sun and shade may be indicated. Exposure affects plants' foliage color, flower production and ability to survive. Be realistic in assessing the amount of sunlight that will be available to the plant you're interested in.

Moisture. Even the most drought-tolerant plants need regular watering while their roots develop, and some plants must have a constantly moist or wet soil to survive. Do your site conditions match the needs of the plant you're interested in?


Other important considerations for plant compatibility may not be included on the label. Find a salesperson who's an experienced gardener (this is when it pays to shop at your local independent garden center) and ask bout the plant's:
Soil needs Humidity preferenceWind tolerance Heat tolerance Storm resilienceGrowth rate


Once you've determined that the plant you're interested in will indeed grow where you want to put it, it's time to consider:

2. Is the Plant the Right Size for the Job?

If you're looking for a garden focal point or a screen, a large shrub or an ornamental tree — plants 8 to 25 feet tall — will do the job. The same size will work if you need a bit of shade or privacy for a small patio or ground-floor window.


However, if you're looking for a lot of shade, a ceiling for an outdoor room or even a windbreak, bigger is better. Deciduous shade trees or evergreens over 30 feet tall should be your focus. The size of smaller, decorative plants should be chosen based on compatibility with adjacent plants and other features in the landscape.

And, speaking of size, remember that plants grow! Select a plant that won't outgrow its designated space once it's mature. You'll save maintenance time and expenses, and you'll be able to keep the plant in its natural form.


3. Does the Plant Suit Your Garden Style?

If you're trying to create a stylish garden, focus your buying power on plants whose decorative attributes meet your needs. Colorful foliage and flowers, unusual plant forms and textures can be combined — with thoughtful consideration — to create a specific look or at least to reflect your personal taste. For example, a Mediterranean-style garden with lots of fleshy succulents and sculptural forms employs a completely different plant palette than a soft, floriferous cottage garden.


Or perhaps you're trying to develop a strong color story. The green-on-green planting with red accents shown here has a lush, tropical feel.


As long as your plant purchases match your personal design criteria, you're good to go.


4. Will the Plant Suit Your Desired Maintenance?

Some plants just demand more attention. Staking, fertilizing, treating for pests and diseases, deadheading and shearing all take time and resources. Select plants that are relatively care free if you prefer a hands-off approach.


5. Is the Plant Healthy?

A Charlie Brown tree or a shrub with its own character may be perfect for your garden, but after a long, hot summer in the nursery, plants can be a bit stressed.


Look for these signs of good health:
The foliage should look and feel plump and firm. Avoid plants with wilted, yellowed or sunburned leaves.Examine the entire plant for signs of insects or disease. (Reject these plants and bring them to the attention of the staff for isolation and treatment or disposal.)The root ball of balled and burlapped trees should be whole and firm.Remove smaller plants from their containers (ask the sales staff for assistance) and examine the root system. A well-established root system will hold the soil ball together. Healthy roots will be white and firm. Roots that are black or brown, mushy or with a bad odor are not healthy. Avoid plants that are root bound as well; their overgrown root mass may have a difficult time adapting to and growing in your garden soil.Next: 5 Essential Considerations for a Landscape Design Project

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