Home And Grounds

At the nursery, the profusion of colors and scents, varietals, and blooms can sometimes make even the most enthusiastic gardener a shrinking violet. But there is an easier strategy for making a visit to the local nursery a successful shopping experience. Just as you would when shopping for almost anything you need to make a written list of what you hope to accomplish and buy when venturing to the nursery.

You need to be as specific as possible, taking into account such factors as sun vs. shade and container vs. ground plantings. The more specific you can be about the cultivars you want, the easier it will be for the staff to expedite the order and fill you in on availability (if you’re really ambitious, have an alternate list of plants in mind, in case what you want is not in stock).

Consider bringing along pictures of the space you are going to plant. To build a color palette, clip images from catalogues and magazines, or use swatches of your favorite colors from paint chips, ribbon, or fabric. Make this color code your reference for comparing plants you think may fit the plan; trust your eye, for you’ll immediately be able to discern if the plants you choose coordinate.

When you arrive at the nursery the first thing you need to do is to request a complete plant list. Most independently operated nurseries maintain a catalogue or printout referencing the season’s current offerings. Before you begin your tour of the nursery, take a few minutes to orient yourself, review your list and the nursery’s stock, and make brief notes as you wander the aisles. Be realistic about the climatic and soil conditions of your garden for accommodating unfamiliar plants.

Gather your initial selections on nursery wagons. When you isolate plants from massed displays, their colors, shapes, and textures come into sharper focus. Look closely at the foliage. The leaves and stems of plants reveal their ultimate health. Make comparisons to the neighboring plants. Brown edges or loss of leaves can be an indication of low moisture and stress. Such plants’ growth may be set back by several weeks, and they will likely have some root damage.

Supporting the plant with one hand, turn it upside-down and carefully remove the pot. You want to be sure the roots have reached the base of the pot, indicating the plant is ready to take home. If you see very few roots and the soil begins to fall apart, the plant should stay at the nursery, for it needs more time to mature.

Healthy plants are a reflection of the nursery’s attention to detail. If your selections are not yet in bloom, don’t despair. Just be sure that the plants you have chosen feature verdant foliage and a fully developed root system to guarantee a healthy start in your garden.

As you make your way through the nursery, let your senses take over, note the variety of flower shapes, colors, and arrangements and follow your nose to seek out flower scents. Like an antiquing expedition, part of the thrill of choosing plants is finding the unexpected and unanticipated. During your wanderings you might come across something as alluring as a rare Indian milkweed (Calotropis procera), defined by its balloonlike flower buds and purple petals and a subtle, sweet scent.

If your plant selections are to be viewed up close at home, examine the nuances of flowers, their texture, profile, and scale. Ask yourself if the colors are ones you want to live with. Try, also, choosing some plants specifically for their foliage to add heightened interest to a garden composition.