Soil type determines your choice
Your soil type determines which plants thrive:
- Clay — retains moisture. Good for roses, hydrangeas, hostas.
- Sandy — dries quickly. Choose lavender, grasses, succulents.
- Peat — acidic and moist. Ideal for rhododendrons, heather.
- Loam — ideal garden soil. Almost everything grows well.
Sun exposure
Observe your garden at different times. Full sun: lavender, roses, grasses. Partial shade: hydrangeas, astilbe. Full shade: hostas, ferns, ivy.
Seasonal interest
Choose plants with different bloom times for year-round appeal. Combine spring bulbs, summer perennials, autumn asters and evergreen shrubs.