Plant Selection: Top 6 Things to Consider for Your Garden

Hendrik Van Leeuwen May 2016

Factors That Affect Your Gardening

Plants offer a number of benefits to homes. In addition to their environmental function of providing oxygen, they also help improve the aesthetics of your home’s outdoor areas. However, you can’t grow just any plant in your garden. Choosing the right plants for your garden is important to maximise their use and ensure healthy growth all year long.

If you’re planning to do some garden renovations in Melbourne and looking for plants to grow, take the time to select the best plants for your yard. Below are some of the top things to consider when selecting plants.

1. Environment

The environment is one of the most important elements to consider when planning your garden. Before heading to the nearest nursery it would be a good idea to do some research on what plants are most suitable for your environment. Soil type, along with climate, are factors to consider when ascertaining which plants would grow best in your garden.

2. Plant size

All plants grow into varying shapes and sizes. Before choosing your plants, and more particularly if those plants you choose happen to be trees, you need to find out how big these will grow when fully mature.  You have to be mindful of them outgrowing the area you have planted them in.  Additionally roots can spread extensively and therefore potentially damage your home's foundations.

3. Amount of shade

Living in warm climates makes it important to consider shade in your garden so your plants are not subject to heat stress. Trees when fully grown are very helpful in these situations, as they provide shelter, shade and filtered light to shade-loving plants planted directly underneath them or planted close by. During the warmer months shade from a large tree is an enjoyable place to sit, relax and cool down to escape the heat of the sun. Consider these factors when choosing the plants you wish to have in your garden and capitalise on the benefits shade provides.

4. Flowering time

There is nothing more aesthetically pleasing than flowers in full bloom showing off their bright colours, adding a delightful picture to your garden. To have beautiful flowers throughout the year it is a good idea to create a plant calendar. This will help you plan which plants will flower at their best in which season. Flowers that bloom in summer for example, won’t do very well in other seasons.  If you prefer plants that thrive all year round and like green foliage then evergreens are ideal.

5. Maintenance

Established plants need maintenance.  How much water or sun will they need?  Some have specific growing requirements and some may need to be pruned occasionally to keep them in shape and stop them from overtaking your garden.  With these things in mind, you need to decide whether you are prepared to spend the time required to keep your garden in order, or whether to choose low maintenance plants which give you less work.

6. Resistance to disease and parasites

Plants are lovely to have, but the reality is they can be prone to diseases that can severely damage their health and require treatment. Insects can also be a problem. However, some plant species are more resistant to such threats. To avoid dealing with these problems in the future, take some time to check which plants may have a higher resistance to parasites and diseases.

 

There are a huge range of plant options available. For advice or professional help, get in touch with the team here at Van Leeuwen Green.