<ol>
<li>Understand your region. Buy plants that are hardy in your region, ideally ones you’ve seen thrive in your immediate area.</li>
<li>Avoid invasive species. A lot of plants sold don’t play well with others.</li>
<li>Understand your sun and shade, not only in the morning but as the day goes by and as the growing season changes. Really advanced planners do sun studies. Some plants that say part sun will do well if they get morning sun while ones that say full sun are often happy if they get afternoon sun.</li>
<li>Plant native species. These are the ones the birds and other things can eat because they’ve evolved together.</li>
<li>Don’t crowd plants together. Look at how big they actually get and leave them some room to grow. </li>
<li>Don’t be afraid to yank out ones that don’t do well or that you decide you don’t like.</li>
</ol>
<p>it is also OK to have filler plants- to hold the place till your slower growing ones take over
Natives and conifers are often slower growing than we would hope
doesn’t mean you should plant them too close together- but fill in with some decidious shrubs/perennials or even annuals, so it doesn’t look so bare.
Its OK to rip out the sun loving shrub when it looks pathetic cause your tree is finally throwing some shade
;)</p>
<p>also don’t overly amend the soil in the immediate area of the plant.
Improve your soil overall sure- but if you have a loose rich mix in the planting hole of say 2-3ft diameter- the roots will have no reason to venture farther.</p>
<p>Also- check out books from your public libary. There may be an ag (agriculture) extension service in your area. See what is available at local nurseries. Know your soil type- clay/sandy, wet/dry and sun/shade (before and after planting). Consider the critter factor- we are limited by deer and rabbits. Know your hardiness zone- eg 4, 5 or 6. Pay attention to the growth details- leave enough space around plants, away from lot lines/buildings- plan on the diameter not impinging on a wall or neighbor’s lot. Do plan on some temporary plants until things fill in. Exposure- N, S, E, W- does matter for dryness on a slope. Do the hardscape first. Remember odd numbers of plants look better than evens, and consider a staggered instead of straight line.</p>
<p>Last, but not least- invite me over to have fun helping you with the design! We plan to sell next spring (college grad/retirement) so I’m becoming a frustrated gardener (unwilling to spend a lot more here).</p>
<p>EK4: bravo for mentioning filler plants. I am always annoyed by the idea that plants have to be permanent. You can move them around, tear them out and give them away, or just throw them out because they’re not happy.</p>
<p>My approach in several gardens has been to place the trees first–then plant lots of plants–things like daylilies and herbs–and see what does well where. Three or four years later, when things are getting crowded, I take out the stuff I don’t like or that’s not doing well, but it doesn’t look sparse in the meantime.</p>