Analyzing Your Site

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Susan Mason

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Keep the mature size of trees in mind when planning small-space gardens, and choose deep-rooted plants for areas near paving.

When it comes to your garden, the rule of thumb should always be the right plant, the right place. So before you get out the shovel, make sure that whatever tree or shrub you want to put into the ground will work where you want it. That means in addition to working with your site’s USDA hardiness zone, the desired plant needs to work with the planting spot’s sun and wind exposure, soil type and moisture level.

If you have a magnetic compass, you can easily note north, south, east and west. Otherwise, carefully note where the sun rises and sets. Keep in mind that in the Northern Hemisphere, the summer sun rises in the northeast, traverses a high arc and sets to the northwest, whereas the winter sun rises in the southeast, crosses low across the southern sky and sets in the southwest. (Southern Hemisphere gardens reverse these seasonal patterns.) When it comes time to plant, you can put this type of directional knowledge to good use. For example, certain plants flourish in sunny exposures, while others prefer cooler temperatures and shadier spots.

If you note the sun angles over a period of time, you’ll see how summer and winter shadows differ. Winter shadows are longer and change more quickly. For instance, a fence that’s 8 feet tall might cast a 4-foot shadow in summer but a 12-foot shadow in midwinter – a factor you’ll want to keep in mind when planting trees and shrubs.

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Most trees and shrubs grow best in sites with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. Partially shaded areas should be reserved for plants that prefer low-light conditions, while plantings in hot and arid climates may need partial shade in the middle of the day.

While you’re outside, also evaluate the sun exposure your site receives and determine what type of light you’ll be gardening in. For example, “full sun” is usually defined as a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, while “full shade” means an area that gets less than 2 hours of direct sun per day. An area that receives 2-5 hours of direct sun is said to be either “part shade” or “part sun.”

Moving down to ground level, inspect your soil. Dig down in several areas of your site and examine your soil type to determine if it’s clay, sand or loam, then collect a soil sample to determine fertility and acidity.

Finally, note the moisture levels in the soil by digging down several inches and feeling for dampness. Repeat this over a period of time. Even if you live in an especially arid region or one that’s known for rain, this is a worthwhile exercise. Moisture levels in soil differ because of variations in soil type, sun exposure, drainage issues and other factors, so there will probably be some variation within your site, regardless of its size or location.

Once you’ve determined the right plant for the right spot, let the planting begin!

Facts

Deep-rooted trees are good choices for street and roadway plantings.
Young trees need to be staked properly so they can build trunk strength and withstand strong winds.

Tips

Try the following trees and shrubs for wet sites. Trees: bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides), river birch (Betula nigra), black tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) and willow (Salix sp.). Shrubs: leucothoe (Leucothoe fontanesiana), sweetpepperbush (Clethra alnifolia), sweetshrub (Calycanthus sp.), Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica) and witchhazel (Hamamelis sp.)
Try the following trees and shrubs for dry sites. Trees: ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), juniper (Juniperus sp.), mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), oak (Quercus sp.) and redbud (Cercis canadensis). Shrubs: barberry (Berberis sp.), bottlebrush (Callistemon sp.), broom (Cytisus sp.), cinquefoil (Potentilla sp.), firethorn (Pyracantha sp.), manzanita (Arctostaphylos sp.), oleander (Nerium sp.) and rockrose (Cistus sp.).

Come to The Garden Party and share your tree and shrub stories with the rest of our Learn2Grow community! Post some pictures of your woody ornamentals, create a blog or learn from our experts and other home gardeners some more ways to add beauty and texture to your yard with gorgeous trees and shrubs.

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