How to Identify Landscape Plants

Identifying Landscape Plants

• 1

  Determine what type of plant is growing. Landscape plants could be bush, vine, grass, individual plant or ground cover. Examples of each may be specific to the region according to weather and moisture in the soil. Bushes may be combined to create a hedge. Some types of landscape plants come in multiple varieties, such as lilacs or peonies.

• 2

  Review where the plant is growing to determine the amount of sunlight and moisture available and average temperature. Plants have preferences for full sun, partial sun or shade. Some plants require a lot of water while others are drought resistant. Familiarity with the local weather is helpful to determine temperature variations as well. Perennials in a southern climate will not be able to survive the harsh winters of a northern zone.

• 3

  Study the leaf of the plant. The shape of the leaf can narrow the choices. A narrow thin leaf may indicate a type of evergreen. English ivy is an evergreen vine with dark leathery leaves. Wide leaves may indicate a deciduous plant. Dogwood bushes have green leaves that change colors with the seasons. Grass leaves may grow in clumps or spread out over an area.

• 4

  Determine what type of soil the plant is growing in. Blueberry bushes prefer acidic soil while northern sea oats need moist soil. Most plants do not do well with salt in the soil so coastal regions may contain only native plants.

• 5

  Take a photo of your plant and bring it to a local nursery. Experts will be able to assist you with identifying plants.