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| On sunny days, the edge of this hoop house works like a sun dial |
#1 Pick a Winning Location
How hard do you want to work?
Maybe your hose doesn't reach the quarter mile down to your mailbox. Do you see yourself willing to carry watering cans all summer long to hit those pretty sun-loving annuals you couldn't resist in April?
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| An evergreen situated too close to the foundation |
Think about the mature size of what you're planning as well. Crape myrtles are beautiful, but different varieties mature to different sizes. If you don't pay heed, you may find it growing halfway into your driveway because you set it too close initially. Maybe that same crape myrtle would fit easier into a different space in your garden which is mostly shaded. They tend to reach for the light and not bloom much in those circumstances. In that case, perhaps it is worth thinking about another variety or a different tree altogether.
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| This azalea was shaded out by a nearby magnolia |
#2 It's All About Timing
Plan your timing for success. Is this the best season for what you want to put in?
Planting out of step with the proper time can lead to weak, burnt, bolted and diseased plants (if they even survive in the first place). If that gorgeous hibiscus is on sale for $2 in late September, you may find that it is not the pretty perennial you'd thought, but a tropical variety that won't survive the first frost. Alternatively, the unpicked spinach left in your garden box will most likely bolt when it starts turning warm. So, it is definitely worth paying attention to information tags and seed packet directions.
#3 Round Pegs and Square Holes
It may be gorgeous in the catalog or even at the local nursery, but that doesn't mean it will be happy on your property.
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| When this tree leafs out, these beds are in full shade |
Look at the area you want to fill. Note where the sun hits during the day. Even "part-sun" or "part-shade" creatures usually require 3-6 hours of sunlight during the day. There are many plants that don't make it, never fill out properly due to lack of light or burn because they're getting way too many rays.
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| An ornamental tree reaching for light |
#4 Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery
What do you see planted nearby that looks beautiful in the same light?
What is the name of the purple spikes the city planted at that nearby intersection? It just gets fuller every year and seems to thrive in full sun, wind and auto pollution. Take a picture! If you're in our area, send it in & we'll try to identify it for you. If you are in a totally different part of the country or another country altogether, I suggest bringing it to your local nursery.
Love that shady bloomer at the neighbors house? Gardeners love to talk about their successes - they might share where they got it. They might even be willing to offer you cuttings or volunteers.
#5 Not Sure? Trial Runs
Patience is a virtue as much in the garden as elsewhere.
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| These pots have received differing amounts of light and thus, one is much fuller than the other |
When you're not sure it's going to work where you have in mind, go mobile. Pot that shrub into a larger container so that it doesn't get root bound and try just setting it in the area for a while. I often find material which is more available in the spring and don't actually plant until the autumn. It is important to check the pot for watering and general health pretty frequently.
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| We use this box to heel in leftover plants. It's a full sun storage spot. |
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