The most important decision you can make when planning your landscape is where you ask your plants to live. This decision can make the difference between a peaceful coexistence and a life of confrontation with plant choices.

In the past, we looked at plant selection and placement in the following order: AESTHETICS > SIZE > MAINTENANCE > ENVIRONMENT.

This method of planting prioritizes our needs and desires without regard for the plant's genetic requirements. In other words, we often change our planting environment to match plant choice, when in reality the opposite should occur… Try to choose plant species as dictated by the environment in which they must grow. It would look something like this: ENVIRONMENT > SIZE > MAINTENANCE > AESTHETICS.

Make sense??? To clarify we'll look at our four categories closely. Trial and error has proven this method reduces plant loss, poor health and leads to the myriad blessings we share with an adult garden.

To this date I have not found the "maintenance free garden" within the urban forest. Plants need to be tended, some less than others. Space is an issue as are property laws and human courtesies. Plants do not respect boundaries but will react to site situations. We again have a say in whether those reactions are positive or negative… which brings us to the all important issue of…

MAINTENANCE

How transplantable is you plant?

Are there seasonal requirements for planting and maintenance?

Site preparation?

How difficult will it be to mow the surrounding area? Should I use grass, ground cover or mulch? What is best for the plant, and what is easiest for me?

Pest management? By installing plants better suited for the site fewer insect and disease issues may arise.

How often will this plant have to be pruned or forced into position?

Is water available?

Is your plant messy; is the fruit offensive, i.e. female ginkgo?

Will your tree fall apart? Should we chat about Bradford pears?

To this date I have not found the "maintenance free garden" within the urban forest. Plants need to be tended, some less than others. Space is an issue as are property laws and human courtesies. Plants do not respect boundaries but will react to site situations. We again have a say in whether those reactions are positive or negative… which brings us to the all important issue of…

ASETHETICS.

Of course, I must leave this one completely up to you. Only you can make the right choice for yourself which makes that beautiful garden genuinely your creation. Gardeners are a direct manifestation of their plants as are the plants, their creator. Gardens are, in my opinion, priceless. They are an example of one's right and privilege to choose, which is one of our greatest gifts. Gardens are a place to visit and to live. (When you think about it, try to count the number of living organisms that take up housekeeping within the confines of your gardens). They are a place in which we rest and refuel, where we grow and repair. Gardens are exquisitely ethereal and with them come our natural connections with birds, insects and the places we consider wild and free. We are alone and with everything in our gardens. I need only to think of my garden in order to smile or cry and when I go for a visit it welcomes me with gates open wide. I am always welcome, and it evokes my fondest memories of treasured gardens and those with whom I have shared them.

From a physiological sense we need to think about the well being of plants and their placement. It is important as we place them now and for the future and watch them grow into adulthood. We need plants and we need our gardens. By making excellent choices for ourselves and our plants we can be assured our quality of life will be there for many years to come.

HAPPY PLANTING!

Peter Deahl,
Fine Pruning.
www.thepruningschool.com

Thanks to Dr. Bonnie Appleton, State Extension Nursery Specialist in Virginia Beach for supplying this information. It was taken from her class I attended on Landscape Tree Selection.