05 Tips to Choose Plants For Healthy Landscape

Tips to Choose Plants For Healthy Landscape

To create and maintain a healthy landscape, choose plants that are suited to the conditions in your yard. Plants placed in a location that meets their requirements usually thrive without requiring a lot of attention. Plants in a location that does not suit them will be stressed, vulnerable to attack from pests and diseases, and may require more care. For example, rhododendrons are popular landscape plants because they are evergreen and offer a spectacular display of flowers in the spring.

Most rhododendrons require good soil drainage, some shade, and acid soil conditions. If planted in a poorly drained area, they are likely to develop root rot diseases. In full sun, they often become infested with lace bugs and other insects. If they are planted in alkaline soil, they are likely to weaken and die. If the conditions in your yard are not right for rhododendrons, you should consider choosing another plant. Follow the steps below in selecting new plants for your yard. When you have gathered the information described in these steps, you also will be able to evaluate the problems of existing plants in your landscape.

1. Know the Conditions in your Landscape

How cold does it get during the coldest winters? How hot does it get in the summer? What is the average rainfall in your area? Observe how many hours of sunlight each particular site receives and the direction of the prevailing winds. Determine your soil’s texture and drainage, and have the soil tested through your local garden center or extension office. The soil test will determine your soil’s nutrient level and pH, a measure of acidity or alkalinity.