When starting a landscaping project, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is which plants to use. Picking the right plants is essential for creating a beautiful and functional landscape design.
However, how do you determine which plants are the best for your upcoming project? There are many factors to consider when making your plant choices, such as climate, sunlight exposure, water requirements, and soil type. Today, we’ll cover how to pick the right plants so that you can enjoy a beautiful yard during the upcoming warm months!
Select Plants that Match Your Vision for Your Yard
One of the best ways to pick plants for your landscaping is to start with a vision. What do you want your finished landscape design to look like? Do you envision a space filled with colorful flowers? A low-maintenance yard with mostly greenery?
Your plant choices will be different depending on what type of aesthetic you’re going for. If you want a colorful garden, look for annuals and perennials that bloom in vibrant hues. For a more subdued landscape, consider using evergreens and other plants with green foliage.
Choose Plants that Fit in Your Yard
It’s also important to consider the amount of space you have available in your yard when picking plants. If you’re working with less space, look for dwarf varieties of trees and shrubs so that they don’t overpower your yard.
You can also use more container gardens filled with annuals and perennials. This is a great way to add color and interest to your landscaping without taking up too much space.
Avoid Using Exotic Plants in Landscape Design
While you may be tempted to choose interesting and exotic plants for your landscaping, it’s important to avoid using these types of plants unless you’re experienced in gardening.
Exotic plants can be difficult to care for and may not thrive in your climate. Stick with native plants that are well-suited to the climate in your area. Not only will they be easier to care for, but they’ll also add more beauty to your landscape design.
Pick Plants Based on Climate
When deciding on the best plants to use in your landscaping, the first step is to consider your climate. Different species will thrive in different climates, so it’s important to pick varieties that will do well in the temperature and precipitation conditions of your area.
For example, if you live in a hot and dry climate, you’ll want to choose plants that are drought-tolerant. If you are gardening in a cold and wet climate, you’ll want to choose plants that are able to withstand both cold temperatures and wet conditions.
Consider Sunlight Exposure
In addition to climate, another important factor to consider when picking plants is how much sunlight your yard receives. Different plants will require varying amounts of sunlight. Choose varieties that will be able to thrive in the light conditions of your landscape.
If you have a yard with plenty of shade, you’ll want to pick plants that don’t require full sun. Some good options for shady areas include ferns, hostas, and impatiens. If you have a sunny yard, you’ll want to pick plants that can tolerate and even thrive in direct sunlight. Good choices for sunny areas include succulents, cacti, and lavender.
Think About Water Requirements
How much water will your plants need? Select varieties that will be able to thrive in your landscape without needing too much or too little water. Rainy areas will supply plants with higher amounts of water during storms while a dry area will only have sparse instances of rainfall. You may also want to invest in a new sprinkler attachment for your hose or an in-ground irrigation system to ensure they are watered consistently.
Choose Plants Based on Soil Type
Last but not least, make sure to take your soil type into account when picking plants. The type of soil in your landscape will affect how well certain plants grow.
In our local area around Saratoga County, the majority of the soil is classified as a fine sandy loam. While this type of soil provides great drainage and discourages the development of bacterial and fungal plant diseases, it does not offer as many nutrients as others. However, this can often be compensated for with the help of a landscaping professional during your regular lawn treatment services and by using nutritious plant health supplements in your gardening practices.
Get Help for Your Gardening Project in Saratoga County
At Grasshopper Garden, we provide a variety of landscape design and maintenance services, including tree and plant installation. If you are looking to create a beautiful garden that is designed to thrive this summer, we are here to help. Contact us today to learn more.