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 organised,
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.
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