Selecting plants which are well suited to specific landscape locations will perform better and require minimal assistance from gardeners. Plants will establish themselves quickly, build healthier root systems, and flourish (courtesy: agrilifeextension.tamu.edu).
By: John Green, Texas Certified Expert Gardener, Bridge City, TX
We have all been there…gardening can sometimes seem overwhelming, often challenging because plants have specific requirements which must be satisfied, not to simply grow but to flourish. Plants face many challenges presented by gardeners such as too much or too little sunlight, water, ever-present vector load (pathogens, insects and disease), or too big or small for the location it occupies. It’s time to make gardening life simpler by selecting plants suited for each garden location. Selecting plants which are well suited to specific landscape locations will perform better and require minimal assistance from gardeners. Plants will establish themselves quickly, build healthier root systems, and flourish. They are better equipped to withstand environmental pressure and are less likely to be adversely affected by insects and pathogens.
Considerations gardeners need to understand before selecting plants:
- Environmental factors- our area is extremely hot during summer months with elevated humidity levels. These conditions can often switch to drought conditions with insignificant rainfall and low humidity levels for extended periods.
- Zone requirements- USDA Zone 8b or 9a (for most SETX area readers)
- Native & Texas SuperStar®- my recommendation will always include native and Texas SuperStar® plants which aid butterflies and other pollinators while thriving in our area, supplemented with other annuals and perennials to ensure continuous blooming throughout the spring & summer seasons.
- Water requirements- limited water, such as during droughts, or excess in spring.
- Light requirements- full sun (8 hours or more), partial sun (less than 4 to 8 hours), shade (2 to 4 hours of sunlight), dapple shade (sunlight filtered beneath a trees canopy), total shade (less than 3 hours sunlight- beneath a tree with dense canopy without direct sunlight), morning sun (sunrise until midday), afternoon sun (midday until sunset).
- Radiant temperature- heat from surrounding structures made of stone, concrete, and walls dramatically elevating surrounding temperature, increases water evaporation, and intensifies humidity levels with standing water.
- Soil pH- for most plants the optimal soil pH is somewhere between 6.0 to 7.5, since most soil nutrients are available in this pH range. The soil pH is important since it affects the nutrient availability required by plants: nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and phosphorus (P). These three macronutrients are needed in large quantities to sustain plant growth.
- Location- each landscape and garden will have numerous ‘microclimates’ which are areas with varying general conditions. All gardens will have several microclimates which change with the seasons. Some determining microclimate characteristics are below:
- Slopes- are often drier than other areas of the landscape
- Structures- typically provide more warmth to surrounding areas
- Trees- can reduce the amount of sunlight beneath the canopy
- Water retention- low areas within the landscape & lawn which hold water will have cooler surrounding temperatures and increased humidity levels
- Windbreaks- offer protection and shelter but can increase temperature by decreasing air circulation
Learning each of the microclimates within the landscape will assist gardeners in identifying plants that will perform well and are best suited for areas within the garden. Who knows, there might even be locations (microclimates) which allow you to grow a few plants (that aren’t typically winter hardy) allowing them to become perennial.
Now, let’s put things into perspective by evaluating flower bed and vegetable garden characteristics in order to satisfy plant growth requirements and by documenting the answers to the following questions (it is my experience that it is important to write down the answers- each location or otherwise the specific details will be lost):
- Exactly how much sunlight does the area receive daily? (Note- this will require several observations over a few days for the most accurate assessment).
- Read Plant tags- select plants that are suited to the amount of sun they will receive based upon your assessments. This is the initial step in keeping plants healthy.
- How much moisture does the soil retain? Does the soil hold water, or does it tend to be dry?
- Clay soil is typical in most SETX areas and there are many plants which thrive in moist conditions, select plant varieties which appreciate moisture rather than plants which require good drainage. (Note- trees and large shrubs have extensive root systems and uptake large quantities of water). Smaller plants (annual & perennials) will have to compete for resources and will have less water available without supplementation.
- Severely clay soil tends to retain moisture (free water) over several days. When clay soils dry completely, it tends to form cracks and deep fissures during extreme or prolonged drought.
- Clay soil can be amended to allow increased plant selection and varieites.
- Resource availability? Is there a water source located near the planting area?
- Site selection is important, meaning plants that need frequent watering should not be planted in an out-of-the way area of the garden…unless dragging garden hoses, sprinklers, or watering cans is enjoyable to you during the height of summer (again speaking from experience, for me…not so much). My preference is to work smarter, rather than harder! For the out-of-the-way locations, plantings should include low-water consumption plants.
- Bed placement ‘high traffic area’ or otherwise? Is it close by a walkway utilized daily?
- This will aid in determining where to plant ‘high maintenance’ plants such as those which requires pinching off ‘dead heading’ spent blooms for the plant to continue blooming. Otherwise, if located in the far corner, the likelihood is that you will ignore it for weeks at a time (again, speaking from experience).
- Placing ‘high maintenance’ plants in easily accessible locations prompts gardeners to act each time they walk by making them more likely to keep up with routine maintenance such as pruning, deadheading, fertilizing, pest and disease treatments.
- Is there a structure nearby which could affect the bed?
- Flower beds placed against a structure which receive full sun will be intensely hotter (20 to 40 degrees) than beds which are not. Beds surrounded by rocks, asphalt or concrete also tend to be much hotter.
- Other factors to consider, such as is the bed near the kids play area or will pets have access to the area?
- Select plants which are robust and can take some abuse without succumbing pressure.
Next week, we will extend todays topic adding companion plant selections, so until next time fellow gardeners, let’s go out ‘select’ ourselves a greener and more sustainable world, one plant at a time! Please continue sending gardening questions to: jongreene57@gmail.com.
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