June is planting month for gardeners in colder climates; a visit to your local garden center will attest to the planting frenzy that happens at that time of year. So after you’ve dragged all your pots, planters and baskets out of the garage, basement or shed, it’s finally time to go plant shopping!
Snapdragons are fun container plants.
Photo Credit: Felder Rushing
Annuals offer instant color to a garden.
Photo Credit: Grandiflora™
The good news: It’s never too late to add annual flowers (aka, bedding plants) to your landscape beds, borders and containers. Although for some, it may still be a bit early for tender annuals to be planted. (Good gardeners know to follow weather reports for any warnings of late frosts.)
It’s helpful to stay focused when it comes to buying annuals. If you’re like me, you want everything you see. I have a tendency to overbuy, but somehow I find a home for all those “extra plants” that make their way into my shopping cart!
A few helpful hints: Buy plants that match your growing conditions – for example, shady areas need shade-loving plants. And consider the growth habits of the plants – will they be tall or low, cascading, etc. Let’s not forget that plant tags can be a good source of cultural and care information for your intended purchases! When in doubt, ask the professional staff at your garden center or nursery – they can usually offer good ideas and suggestions for plants (and plant combinations) to try.
It goes without saying – always buy quality plants. Why start the growing season with problems? (Many times, problems find the garden on their own.) If in doubt about a plant’s quality, it’s probably better to not buy that plant and find a healthy suitable substitute.
Every year, thanks to the talents of plant breeders all over the world, new plants make their way into our gardens. Some gardeners will stick with the tried and true; others will try those new plants. And when you find something that you like and does well, make note of it for future gardening seasons. After all, if you don’t like this year’s garden, there’s always next year!
