|
|
Choosing The Best PLants For Your Garden
Most of the times we buy plants on a feeling of impulse and then find there is nowhere in the garden that really suits the plant.Carefully examine your garden before buying plants 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 before this you have to test your soil first, to determine the pH level of your soil and what kinds 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 which require 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 almost ready to plant.Now you have to decide whether you plant singly or in groups.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.
Now, place your chosen plants around the garden bed in their pots to see how they will look. You have to do this before planting out. Arrange and re-arrange them up to your satisfaction.Grouping plants in sets of threes and 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. Keep your plants away from the trees as the roots of the trees are fiercely competitive and will steal all the nutrients and moisture meant for your flowers. A combination of right colors maintains harmony in your garden. Imagine the color of the flowers when they are in bloom. If flowers have a different blooming season, they can still be planted side-by-side, even though some colors may clash with others. 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.
|
