When a plant is happy it shows in the color and texture of its leaves and bark, the size and number of flowers, its overall size and shape.

Plants are a lot like us. They need to be grounded with proper nourishment, air, room to grow, friends and protection.

When a plant is happy, it shows in the color and texture of its leaves and bark, the size and number of flowers, its overall size and shape. You can almost see it smile. No, I’m not crazy, or maybe I am, and maybe some of you are, too.

I want to share some ideas to consider when selecting a plant for your garden and then keeping it happily growing; often referred to as “the right plant for the right place.” As the summer begins to wind down, now is a good time to look at this year’s plants, make decisions on their location and plan for next year’s acquisitions.

Let’s start with the USDA hardiness zone map. This map will tell you what zone we are in so you can match which plants are likely to survive our winters. The map is based on a 30-year look back at average, annual and extreme minimum temperatures.

Our zone in Beaver County is 6A/6B. The map doesn’t account for rare weather occurrences such as a polar vortex, prevailing winds and unusually warm temperatures in winter. Also, microclimates such as heat islands (concrete, blacktop) and cool spots (small hills, valleys) are not included in the map. Environmental factors, other than zone, can affect plant survival. These include high winds, floods, drought, pollution, snow and winter sunshine. Most plant catalogues and tags on plants you buy will tell you the hardiness zone for each plant.

Most plants live in soil. Soils are basically mineral (aka, rock of different sizes). Soils also are made up of water, air, living organisms (worms, fungi, insects) and organic matter (previously living, now decomposing). It’s important to protect and improve your soil for your plants to be healthy and happy.

To improve our location’s predominantly clay soil, add organic matter. Compost, manures, leaf litter, well-rotted sawdust or straw should be worked in or top dressed on a regular basis. Use mulch; it retains moisture, discourages weeds and gradually breaks down to improve soil health. Use cover crops in veggie gardens, living mulch in flower beds, and plant close together to discourage weeds and retain moisture.

Consider a soil test, especially if soil has never been tested. An in-depth article was recently published on the value and interpretation of soil testing. And try not to walk on your soil when it is wet. Your body weight will cause compaction. When compacted, the soil structure or pore space breaks down, roots are damaged and cannot make their way through the compacted ground to reach water and nutrients. So the plant struggles and may die.

Without sunlight, the plant will die. Light is needed for photosynthesis so that plants can manufacture their own food. There are clues or indicators that a plant is getting too much or not enough sun.

During a walk through your garden, observe how well the plants are growing. Is there a lack of flower/fruit production, or are stems weak and spindly and “reaching” for the sun? That plant is telling you it needs more sunlight. Crispy, dry, bleached leaves and wilting can mean the plant needs some shade. Even the presence of insects and disease can indicate an incorrect amount of light, such as when you see lace bug on azalea and pieris.

Plant tags, reference books and scientific internet sources designate not only the hardiness zone but the amount of light or shade needed for the plant to thrive. A general, simplified guide is: Full sun plants need a minimum 6 hours direct sun; part sun/part shade, 3 to 6 hours direct sun with afternoon shade; and, full shade, less than 3 hours direct sun or dappled sun. Observation and experience are the best guide.

Drainage issues are part of choosing the right place to plant. Cultivation guidelines for most plants include the words “good drainage” as a requirement for a healthy plant. Actually, too much or too little water holding in soil is undesirable. Too much leads to root rot whereby the necessary soil organisms die from lack of oxygen and fungus or bacteria destroy the plant. On the flip side, too little water will cause wilt, dying root hairs and inactive soil organisms. Combat drainage problems by detecting and correcting the cause and incorporating compost/organic matter into soil. An alternative is to choose a plant that will thrive in soggy, wet, even clay soil or rocky, dry sandy areas. There are plants suitable to all conditions.

It’s important to plan ahead, so consider the mature size of plants compared with space available, existing trees/plants, utility lines, gutters, downspouts, compressors, objects that interfere with light, rain and plant maintenance. And how far away is water? Most plants need watering the first one to two years until established.

Doing some research, reading plant tags and carefully selecting the right plant for the right place will reward you with healthy plants and a beautiful, lush garden. In addition, healthy plants are better able to resist insects and disease without chemicals. You’ll do less pruning, less replacing dead plants and have more time to enjoy your garden.

If you now realize that you have an unhappy plant, consider moving it to the “right place” this fall. Focus on meeting the cultural needs of the plants you currently live with and the ones you acquire, then one day soon, when you walk through your garden and look closely, you’ll see them smile.


Laura Murphy is a Master Gardener with Penn State Extension — Beaver County.