How to Find the Best Plants for Your Yard
Before you start planting, spend some time researching, taking a walk or speaking with a professional
It’s nearly spring, which means it’s time to think about new plants for the garden. But where do you start? And how can you determine which plants will thrive in your landscape? There are a number of sources that can help you determine which plants will work best in your garden, depending on your preferences and available resources. Once you have your site information and design goals in hand, you are ready to find the right plants for your garden. Let’s get started.
Look at what’s nearby. An excellent way to find planting ideas for your yard is to look around your neighborhood and see what is already growing — or take a walk in a nearby natural area, if you’re looking to grow native plants. Friends and neighbors are growing in the same, or similar, conditions as you are, and they can tell you which plants, or combinations of plants, do well in their yards.
With resources like Houzz, you can also see which plants do well in your area by looking online. Filter landscape photos by region to see which plants grow in your area. If you can’t readily get a plant ID from the designer, tap an online forum or network, or bring photos of what you like to a nursery with knowledgeable staff. They may be able to help you identify those plantings.
Here is a collection of landscape plants suitable for New England in a display garden at the Arnold Arboretum in Boston. Look closely and you can see the copper colored tag on the inkberry shrub (Ilex glabra) in the foreground on the right. This tag indicates the name of the shrub, its species and when it was planted.
Check out local botanic gardens and arboretums. Taking a walk through a local botanical garden or arboretum can be a great source for ideas. You can see plants that are adapted to your climate in their full glory and, for the most part, there are labels or maps identifying the plants’ names.
Additionally, some botanical gardens and arboretums have extensive online plant databases, including the Missouri Botanical Garden near St. Louis, the Chicago Botanic Garden, and the Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden in the Pacific Northwest, so you can continue your research once you get home.
Check out local botanic gardens and arboretums. Taking a walk through a local botanical garden or arboretum can be a great source for ideas. You can see plants that are adapted to your climate in their full glory and, for the most part, there are labels or maps identifying the plants’ names.
Additionally, some botanical gardens and arboretums have extensive online plant databases, including the Missouri Botanical Garden near St. Louis, the Chicago Botanic Garden, and the Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden in the Pacific Northwest, so you can continue your research once you get home.
Talk to a professional. You can turn to an experienced local landscape design professional for a plant consultation — even if you aren’t looking for other landscape design recommendations. Additionally, experienced staff at a nursery in your area can help with plant selection.
What a Landscape Architect Wants You to Know About What They Do
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Tap an expert volunteer network. Certified master gardeners are an excellent source for plant information. These experts are trained by the state Cooperative Extension System to garden successfully in their region and are available to answer your gardening questions online, over the phone or in person. Additionally, many master gardener websites list recommended regional landscaping plants or provide searchable databases that allow you to find plants that fit your site conditions. The American Horticultural Society lists master gardener programs by state.
Use social networks. Social networks and online forums can be a great way to speak with like-minded gardeners. Here on Houzz, the Garden Forum is a great plant and garden resource, with gardeners around the country and world sharing photos, answering questions and collaborating on all things garden. (You should always confirm any recommendations before making a major investment of time or money, as some suggestions will be opinions and anecdotal.) Closer to home, you could meet with a local garden club. These people will be familiar with what does or doesn’t work in your community.
Search online databases. There are a number of plant databases available online that can help you identify suitable plants for your garden, including university websites, botanical gardens and conservation organizations.
By using databases that are regionally focused, you can improve the quality of the generated plant lists, since those plants have a track record of surviving in your region. You can find such databases on the internet simply by searching terms like “plant database” + “your area.” For sites that allow you to input detailed plant information, try not to make your initial search too narrow, as you may eliminate suitable candidates.
By using databases that are regionally focused, you can improve the quality of the generated plant lists, since those plants have a track record of surviving in your region. You can find such databases on the internet simply by searching terms like “plant database” + “your area.” For sites that allow you to input detailed plant information, try not to make your initial search too narrow, as you may eliminate suitable candidates.
Hit the books. Books can also be useful when making plant selections, especially if they are organized by plant types or growing requirements. You can see an overall view of the many plant possibilities for your yard, all on a page or two.
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How to Find the Right Native Plants for Your Yard
Get a Head Start on Planning Your Garden, Even if It’s Snowing
Find a landscape professional on Houzz