As recent snowfall melts away and spring progresses, thoughts turn to yard work and potentially adding new plants this season. Rather than just walking into local garden centers or nurseries and picking out plants that look nice, do some investigating first. How plants look attracts our attention, but both cultural and aesthetic characteristics are key to selecting plants.
Winter hardinessis one critical cultural factor. Trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses, and groundcovers need to be hardy for the USDA zone they are planted in. The higher the hardiness zone number, the less cold tolerant the plant is. Wisconsin hardiness zones vary from Zone 6 along Lake Michigan to scattered (although few) pockets of Zone 3 in extreme Northwest Wisconsin. In general, much of northern Wisconsin is Zone 4, whereas much of southern Wisconsin is Zone 5. Ideally choose nursery stock grown in the northern part of the country, especially with plants marginally hardy for your location.
In addition to choosing hardy plants, do not “fight the site,” or try to grow a plant under unsuitable conditions. One key site factor is the amount of sun or shade plants will receive.Plants that full sun will struggle in a shady area, just as most shade-tolerant plants will suffer in full sun. Soil and moisture conditionsare also important to consider. Certain plants may have extremely specific soil related needs; others will tolerate a wide variety of soil conditions.
Another cultural factor to research before buying plants is maintenance needs. Tree and shrub species vary in pruning requirements, susceptibility to insect pest or disease problems, irrigation needs, and degree of dropping twigs or litter. These factors add to the amount of attention needed. Investigate first to avoid potentially adding plants that become ongoing exceedingly high maintenance concerns.
Aesthetic considerations also play key roles in plant selection. Start with plant size, including both expected height and spread. How large the plant will be at maturity needs to be considered to ensure it fits into both the landscape plan and constraints of the planting area. Overgrown plants may ruin landscape plans, hide the house, and disturb surrounding plantings.
Plant texture and color also can be principal factors in deciding to use a plant in your landscape.As seasons change, colors and even texture can also change. Remember when choosing flowering trees and shrubs that their period in bloom is short, so also consider summer foliage and winter twig and bark appearance, as that is what contributes to landscapes much of the year. Finally, most showy flowers usually lead to fruit development, which may not be welcome when they drop over sidewalks, decks, and driveways.
Bruce Spangenberg is a Horticulture Outreach Specialist with UW-Madison Division of Extension. Get answers to your lawn, landscape, and garden questions anytime at www.go.wisc.edu/GardenQuestions
By Bruce Spangenberg, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Division of Extension.
