The 10 Essentials: Read This Before Buying New Plants
Follow these 10 plant-selection tips to avoid buyer’s remorse and find healthy plants for your outdoor areas
Noelle Johnson
31 August 2022
Spring and autumn are the best planting times, but it’s all too easy to end up with an empty wallet and a garden filled with struggling, diseased or even dead plants. Thankfully, visits to the nursery can be enjoyable – and successful – as long as you arm yourself with the knowledge to ensure you come home with beautiful, healthy plants. Here are your 10 must-know essentials.
1. Plan before buying
Before you head out to the nursery, it’s important to study the area in your garden where you plan to add your new plant or plants. Here is what you will need to know about the proposed planting location:
Not a natural green thumb? Find expert landscape architects and designers near you for advice on which plants will thrive on your site
Before you head out to the nursery, it’s important to study the area in your garden where you plan to add your new plant or plants. Here is what you will need to know about the proposed planting location:
- Exposure: Does it get full sun, filtered sun or shade? Which direction does the planting location point towards? For example, western borders or areas in the garden often get hot full sun in the late afternoon, while southern exposures tend to be shady. Eastern planting sites receive morning sun and afternoon shade, and northern exposures usually enjoy an even amount of sun all day.
- Space: How much room is there for a plant to grow? If it is a large area, you may need several smaller plants or a single large-growing plant.
- Soil: What type of soil do you have? There are three main types of soil – clay, loam and sandy – and often plants have a preference for a specific type.
Not a natural green thumb? Find expert landscape architects and designers near you for advice on which plants will thrive on your site
2. Avoid impulse buys
It can be easy to fall in love with the vibrant blooming plant prominently displayed at the nursery and then buy it without knowing where it will go in the garden or even if it will do well in your climate. This can result in a plant that has a decreased chance of survival.
Sadly, it isn’t uncommon for some large chain stores to sell plants that are ill-suited to the particular climate they are located in. Your best bet is to walk on by that pretty plant, unless you have time to do a little research. Before you buy, work with a landscape designer who has local plant knowledge or contact local horticultural groups that can provide you with helpful information.
It can be easy to fall in love with the vibrant blooming plant prominently displayed at the nursery and then buy it without knowing where it will go in the garden or even if it will do well in your climate. This can result in a plant that has a decreased chance of survival.
Sadly, it isn’t uncommon for some large chain stores to sell plants that are ill-suited to the particular climate they are located in. Your best bet is to walk on by that pretty plant, unless you have time to do a little research. Before you buy, work with a landscape designer who has local plant knowledge or contact local horticultural groups that can provide you with helpful information.
3. Read the label
Most plants come with their own instruction manual in the form of a plant tag. Types of information that you can find on the tag include the name of the plant, how big it will grow, if and when it will bloom, what exposure it needs, its suitability for a container garden, and its water requirements. Not all the plant’s information will be listed on its tag, but with the name, you can do a little online research of your own.
Most plants come with their own instruction manual in the form of a plant tag. Types of information that you can find on the tag include the name of the plant, how big it will grow, if and when it will bloom, what exposure it needs, its suitability for a container garden, and its water requirements. Not all the plant’s information will be listed on its tag, but with the name, you can do a little online research of your own.
4. Know the signs of unhealthy plants
Unfortunately, there can be some unhealthy plants present at any nursery. Here are some warning signs to look out for so you can make sure you won’t take home an ailing plant.
Unfortunately, there can be some unhealthy plants present at any nursery. Here are some warning signs to look out for so you can make sure you won’t take home an ailing plant.
- Yellowing leaves: This can be an indicator of nutrient deficiency, overwatering or both.
- Root-bound plants: When plants have been growing in their nursery container too long, their roots begin to grow in circles, making it hard for them to absorb water or nutrients. A sign of a root-bound plant includes its roots growing through its container’s drainage holes. You can ask the nursery professional to carefully pull the plant from the pot so you can see the root system. Root-bound plants will have a thick mat of roots at the bottom and around the sides of the plant, as shown in the above photo.
- Pests or disease: Plants at the nursery can be harbouring harmful insect pests or diseases that can infect nearby plants in your garden. Check the leaves for spots or speckling, which can be a sign of damage. Insects tend to hide underneath leaves or on stems.
- Weeds: Look closely at the top of a plant’s root-ball to be sure there aren’t any weeds lurking, trying to hitchhike their way to your home. You can simply pull the weeds out before planting.
- Wilting leaves: It’s obvious that a plant hasn’t been watered enough at the nursery when its leaves begin to wilt. Sometimes all plants need is a good deep watering to recover.
5. Choose buds over blooms
Let’s face it, the flowering plants are what draw our attention as we stroll down the nursery aisles. As tempting as shrubs in full bloom are, it’s wiser to buy a plant that hasn’t flowered yet.
Imagine if you came home with a hydrangea plant that was covered with colourful flowers, and you planted it. You would expect to enjoy its flowers for a long time. A good portion of its flowering occurred while it sat at the nursery, however, so the amount of time that the flowers will remain open at your home is limited.
In addition, transplanting is stressful for new plants and can cause them to drop flowers. If you had bought the hydrangea that had unopened blooms, its flowers would have opened shortly after planting and you would have enjoyed a longer bloom season.
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Let’s face it, the flowering plants are what draw our attention as we stroll down the nursery aisles. As tempting as shrubs in full bloom are, it’s wiser to buy a plant that hasn’t flowered yet.
Imagine if you came home with a hydrangea plant that was covered with colourful flowers, and you planted it. You would expect to enjoy its flowers for a long time. A good portion of its flowering occurred while it sat at the nursery, however, so the amount of time that the flowers will remain open at your home is limited.
In addition, transplanting is stressful for new plants and can cause them to drop flowers. If you had bought the hydrangea that had unopened blooms, its flowers would have opened shortly after planting and you would have enjoyed a longer bloom season.
Browse more stunning garden designs with natural stone pavers
6. Don’t be afraid of small plants
We may be tempted to buy a larger, more mature plant, as opposed to a smaller one, but you may be wasting your money. For example, a smaller perennial or shrub is younger and better able to handle the stresses of planting than a larger, older plant. In addition, smaller plants initially grow more quickly than larger ones do. They also cost less money and save you time when planting.
There are times, however, when a larger plant is a better choice. If you are looking for an instant impact or have chosen a slow-growing plant, then the bigger size may be the best choice.
We may be tempted to buy a larger, more mature plant, as opposed to a smaller one, but you may be wasting your money. For example, a smaller perennial or shrub is younger and better able to handle the stresses of planting than a larger, older plant. In addition, smaller plants initially grow more quickly than larger ones do. They also cost less money and save you time when planting.
There are times, however, when a larger plant is a better choice. If you are looking for an instant impact or have chosen a slow-growing plant, then the bigger size may be the best choice.
7. Buy local plants whenever possible
Plants have a much higher chance of survival if they’re planted close to where they were grown, where the climates are similar. Plants that have been brought in from a different climate may not have had the chance to acclimate to new weather conditions.
For example, plants grown in Sydney often enjoy a mild, Mediterranean climate. A shipment of plants from there to the hot, dry desert or cold, mountainous regions can suffer and even die if the plants haven’t had a chance to ‘harden off’ – that is, to gradually get used to a change in temperatures, humidity and climate.
Whenever possible, ask your nursery professional for plants that come from local growers.
See the rest of this native coastal garden in Victoria
Plants have a much higher chance of survival if they’re planted close to where they were grown, where the climates are similar. Plants that have been brought in from a different climate may not have had the chance to acclimate to new weather conditions.
For example, plants grown in Sydney often enjoy a mild, Mediterranean climate. A shipment of plants from there to the hot, dry desert or cold, mountainous regions can suffer and even die if the plants haven’t had a chance to ‘harden off’ – that is, to gradually get used to a change in temperatures, humidity and climate.
Whenever possible, ask your nursery professional for plants that come from local growers.
See the rest of this native coastal garden in Victoria
8. Check for a warranty
Does the nursery where you shop offer a warranty? There are some nurseries – usually larger ones – that offer warranties in case plants die within a few months after planting.
Many smaller, local nurseries don’t. The reason for this is that they cannot control how the customer waters or cares for the plant, which may result in its death.
If you are choosing a plant that isn’t easy to grow, you may want to find a nursery that will offer a warranty for that plant. Or you can always buy a plant that is easy to grow in your area, so a warranty will most likely not be needed.
Does the nursery where you shop offer a warranty? There are some nurseries – usually larger ones – that offer warranties in case plants die within a few months after planting.
Many smaller, local nurseries don’t. The reason for this is that they cannot control how the customer waters or cares for the plant, which may result in its death.
If you are choosing a plant that isn’t easy to grow, you may want to find a nursery that will offer a warranty for that plant. Or you can always buy a plant that is easy to grow in your area, so a warranty will most likely not be needed.
9. Ask a certified nursery professional
If you have questions about a particular plant or need help selecting the right type of plant for your landscape, work with a landscape designer in your area or ask the certified professional or horticulturist at the nursery where you are shopping. They have completed lengthy training and can be an invaluable resource.
It’s important to note that not everyone who works at a nursery knows a lot about plants, so don’t be afraid to ask to speak with the certified nursery professional on-staff about your questions.
If you have questions about a particular plant or need help selecting the right type of plant for your landscape, work with a landscape designer in your area or ask the certified professional or horticulturist at the nursery where you are shopping. They have completed lengthy training and can be an invaluable resource.
It’s important to note that not everyone who works at a nursery knows a lot about plants, so don’t be afraid to ask to speak with the certified nursery professional on-staff about your questions.
10. Choose the nursery that suits your needs
There are several types of places where you can go to buy plants:
There are several types of places where you can go to buy plants:
- Local nursery: These nurseries are usually locally owned, with one to several locations scattered throughout a city or region. They tend to be the best resource for a wide variety of plants that are locally grown and are adapted to your region. The staff is also generally very knowledgeable about the gardening challenges that are unique to your area and how to deal with them.
- Large-chain nursery: Because of their size and buying power, they tend to offer the cheapest prices, and new plants are delivered frequently. Warranties are also more likely to be offered at these types of nurseries.
- Botanical garden-plant sale: This is a great resource for both common and hard-to-find plants that are well-adapted to your climate. These sales are typically offered in spring and sometimes also in autumn. Some gardens have a year-round nursery where visitors can buy plants.
Your turn
What fail-safe tips do you swear by when purchasing plants? Spill your green-thumb secrets in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
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Need some expert help with selecting the right plants? Read up on How Do I… Choose Plants That Are Easy to Grow?
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Many a time I’ve planned, made lists, sternly told myself not to do… what I end up doing every time - getting seduced by beautiful plants at the plant place, then wandering around my yard trying to figure out where to put them.
Plant only natives
Trying my hand at growing from seeds this spring. So far, so good. They are germinating. If they continue to do well I'll have enough flowers for my 3 window boxes. Maybe even enough for a hanging basket or two.