We are frequently asked the question – “what can I plant here?”, which usually translates into “I’ve got this certain plant in mind (or I’ve already purchased), and I want/need to find a place for it”. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s ok, you’re in good company. The important step is to consider all aspects of the site/location and the plant before you start digging.
As gardeners, we often learn the most by seeing mistakes – both our own and those of fellow homeowners. In this case, it’s the planting location mistakes made by impulsive or uninformed homeowners who don’t take such considerations as sun/shade, eventual size/shape, soil preference and maintenance needs into account before installation.
Sun plants that are planted in the shade will often grow, albeit spindly and fail to bloom, while shade plants in the sun usually develop leaf scorch, with the leaves developing bleached or browned edges. The same is true for plants that grow best in moist, wet or dry soils.
Plants that are designed by Mother Nature to be large often end up in small spaces, planted by folks that either don’t believe that the tree/shrub/perennial will actually grow to that size, or intend to be living at their current home for only a few years, and after they move to another house, it will become someone else’s problem. An all-too-common problem that develops in these situations is an attempt to remove the growth that exceeds the space, which leads to bare and stunted portions of the foliage.
Reading the plant care tag that is attached to the pot is helpful, as they almost always indicate sun/shade preference and an expected size range, however, these indications are best considered with the proverbial “take it with a grain of salt”. Asking the information desk clerks at your favorite garden center will help fine tune the information a bit as well as consulting references such as the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum/Plant Nebraska, McCrory Gardens, the Morton Arboretum and the Missouri Botanic Garden.
