Placing plants like a pro

Someone with admirable insight had planted a wide swath of periwinkle (vinca minor) between a cement retaining wall at the end of their lawn and the dirt road in front of their property.

The area could have been sown with grass, which would have required regular mowing, or left to grow up in weeds, but that would have looked unkempt.

The periwinkle will never require maintenance, provides year-round, glossy-leaved coverage, and has pretty blue flowers in May. Even though dust from the road in high summer might temporarily detract from its attractiveness, rainfall restores it. The selection of this plant for that purpose is a great example of proper placement.

As the gardening season starts to gain momentum, do-it-yourself landscapers should let this factor govern their purchases. They should ask themselves, “Why are you buying that specific plant and where are you going to put it?”

Growers are doing their best to ship plants to garden centres and nurseries in your neighourhood in peak condition and it’s going to take every ounce of willpower to resist those lovely items. You know the ones I’m talking about. Those plants you don’t really need, but find so tempting you’re sure you can find a place for.

One of the most common examples of impulse buying is the purchase of a shrub in bloom that’s brought home and plunked with the same forethought as a cow pattie in the front lawn.

Whoever has to mow around the thing(s) in the years to come would be much more grateful to have them placed in beds located next to the house or along the perimeter of the property.

Another mistake is to buy a new shrub without researching its ultimate height and spread.

Something I’m always telling novice gardeners is to drive around the neighbourhood to examine the mature landscapes that appeal to them. These provide a good idea of the growth characteristics of individual plants. Stop in and talk to the owners of gardens you admire.

There are very few that won’t want to talk about their grounds.

Also take advantage of garden tours in your area. Check your local paper for listings of these upcoming events. They are very popular in the summer and are an excellent introduction to a wide variety of plants and their best placement.