Landscape Plant Materials

Planting Considerations

• In addition to the plant hardiness zone, you need to assess your site and soil before planting. Determine what type of soil you have -- whether it's sand, clay or loam. Look at the elements the plants will be exposed to, including wind, heat, sun, rain and humidity. Track the sun patterns on the north, south, east and west sides of the space. Many plants aren't particularly fussy about the soil they grow in while others need a certain pH or soil amendments. Pick the correct plants for your site using all this information.

Garden Design

• Landscape designers create a beautiful space by including small ground cover, low and medium-size plants, large and wide shrubs, tall shrubs, trees and vines. Each of these plants brings a layer to the garden that draws the eye and provides interest.

Special Features

• Choose plants that are disease and insect resistant. If you live in an area where deer or other wildlife invade your garden, pick plants that are deer resistant. If you want to attract bees, butterflies and birds, you have hundreds of plants from which to choose. Privacy issues can be addressed with landscape hedges and trees. Group plants with similar needs together. Determine whether you want a drought-tolerant garden with low-maintenance plants or a tropical garden that requires heavy water and humidity.

Color and Fragrance

• Many gardeners coordinate plant palettes when designing a landscape. One popular combination is a salvia or lavender plant, with its gray-green leaves and purple flowers, combined with white roses. Other gardeners prefer landscapes with mass plantings of one color, such as red geraniums. Many landscape designers incorporate fragrance into the garden with plants or shrubs such as roses, lilacs or mock orange. The landscape design can incorporate annual flowers that bring color for one summer season, or perennial plants that live for more than two years.