Looks can be deceiving, even at nurseries and garden centers. When it comes to plant buying, some of the best looking can be just the ones you don't want to take home. True, it's hard to walk away from those plants in full bloom or the biggest shrub of the lot. But over the years, I've learned some important buying tips that help me resist the urge. The result has been a much healthier and more productive garden.
Allow me to let you in on a little industry secret. Plant growers and retailers know most of us cannot overcome the compelling urge to buy plants in full bloom. In defense of the industry, though, it's very hard to sell a nonblooming flowering plant to most retail consumers. However, plants already in flower require a lot of energy to sustain those blooms, robbing valuable resources needed to look their best in your garden. Yes, the nursery wants plants at their peak of color. So do you, but not until they're planted and well established in your garden. By the time that happens, the blooms that sold you at the nursery are long gone.
BUYING TIPS FROM THE PROS
Over the years, much of my fortune, or lack of it, has gone to plant buying. I've bought countless plants to feed my personal obsession as well as for clients through my design and consulting practice. Fortunately, I've had many years and mentors to sharpen my plant buying saw. Here are some of the most important considerations to make sure you get the best results.
• Don't buy plants with the most blooms. Buy the plants that have flower buds but the fewest blooms. Taking this approach allows you time to get the plants in the ground and settled in first. If you're really brave, pinch off the flower blooms completely before you plant them. They'll grow back soon enough and you'll have a more established plant that has the staying power to look even better.
• Check the roots. Don't be afraid to pull plants from their container while at the nursery. Sure, you'll get some funny looks from some, but knowledgeable employees will know exactly what you are doing. This is especially important for woody ornamentals, trees and shrubs. Healthy plants typically have roots that are light in color. Stay clear of plants that have dark roots or ones that have roots that have formed a tight spiral around the inside of the container. These plants are pot-bound and often have a difficult time establishing in the landscape. A noticeable odor coming from the roots is a sign of root rot. These conditions can't be detected without removing the plant from its container.
m Inspect each plant for signs of pests. Many pests first make their way into your garden hitchhiking on the plants you take home from the nursery. Pests usually hide on the undersides of leaves. Before you buy, look closely. Clues to their presence include leaf stippling, small black flecks or sticky residue on leaves, especially on the underside.
• Avoid buying plants that appear to be leggy or stretched. Your goal for great looking plants that will thrive in your garden is to buy those that don't exhibit any apparent signs of stress. Plants that are leggy or appear stretched have been growing in light that was insufficient for their needs. Although they may recover, their growing conditions have been less than ideal. Look for full, compact alternatives.
HomeStyle on 06/28/2014