Thinking 3-dimensional (although tough for many people) is better than just making choices based on the space the plant requires as drawn on a flat piece of paper. - For the do it yourself people, or for general interest, one of the best things to do is use some of the books out there that will give you all the particulars of the plant you are interested in. Also there are some good garden encyclopedias available on CD-ROM for your computers that will also help find companion plants to the ones you've chosen, and tell you how to pronounce the Latin names.
There are a lot of fellow gardeners in our local areas or in various locations on the Internet that are willing to share a lot of advice. - A landscape architect or designer can be very helpful in pulling together your planting plan and will usually charge a fee for this service. - A local nursery will usually be able to help you with your various plant selection needs, and normally do not charge a fee for this service unless they go to your site.
Here are a few things to consider. Remember to expand as necessary to fit your garden.
Is there anyone with allergies?
Are there kids, pets, or people that may get into plants that are poisonous?
Annuals for seasonal color
Perennial borders
Bulbs & bulb like plants
Herbs for cooking, crafts or medicinal purposes
Fresh vegetable plants for cooking, or canning
Edible berries, fruits, and nuts
Fragrant plants
Colorful berries & fruit
Plants with colored foliage
Flowers for cutting, bouquets & crafts
Edible flowers
Autumn foliage color
Native plants
| Plants for erosion control
Groundcovers & lawn substitutes
Low maintenance
Plants that attract butterflies & hummingbirds
Plants that attract birds
Like type cultural requirements
Climate
Light requirements
Watering needs
Soil needs
Foliage textures
Bloom succession
Vines & climbers
Plants for hedges and screens
|
Trees
Remember that although a plant may be listed in a book, to plant it in your garden it must be available for purchase, trade or by some other method.
The subject of plant selection has been written about in many books, and covers very specific topics such as a single genus, or single color schemes. Suggestion: pick from some of the following titles to help you out.
| 
