May 10, 2021
Spring is a great time
to get things done around the home, and this includes revamping your
landscaping. Maybe you’ve always wanted to add flowers and other plants but
have never had the time, or you just want to expand on what’s already growing
around your home. Regardless of why you’re shopping for new plants, knowing
what to look for to find the best new plants will save you a lot of frustration
and wasted effort in the long run. Here are some things to keep in mind the
next time you hit the nursery.
Check the Leaves, Stems, and Roots
A lot of people buy plants based on the early appearance of
flowers and buds, but that can be misleading. If you want a better idea of how
healthy a plant is, there are much better places to look. Some of the biggest
indicators come in the form of the leaves and stems. You want to pick plants
with undamaged leaves that have vivid colors that are even across the plant,
with no signs of wilting, yellowing, or drooping. Stems should have smooth
surfaces, as opposed to cracks or rough patches which can be signs of insect
damage or other problems.
Another way to check the health of a plant before buying it is
to examine the container it’s growing in for signs that the plant may be
rootbound. While you won’t always be able to tell, there are a few signs that
could indicate a problem. Plants with root tendrils growing out of drainage
holes in the container or obvious root growth across the surface of the soil
have clearly been in containers that are too small for too long. It can take a
long time for rootbound plants to recover fully, and some never will so avoid
plants that show signs of this problem.
Look for Signs of Trouble
It was mentioned that
you should look for signs of insect damage when looking at leaves and stems,
but holes in the leaves or marks on the stem aren’t the only indicators that a
plant might have been damaged by insects. Spots on the top or bottom of leaves,
signs of webbing, or oddly shaped leaves and buds can also signal that insects
have been on the plant. Feel the leaves and stems as well to see if they feel
sticky or excessively soft, both of which could indicate small insects have
infested the plant itself. Also, take a look at the soil for signs of insect
activity, especially if it looks like something has burrowed down into it.
You should also
compare the plant you’re considering to others of its type. Look for signs of
disease, such as the plant being generally paler than others, or spots or
discolorations on its stems and leaves that are either darker or lighter than
the rest of the plant. Color patterns or patterns on leaves or stems that
appear on one plant and aren’t present on the others can also be a sign of
disease that you don’t want to spread to other plants around your home.
One other potential
sign of trouble that you should keep an eye out for is grass, weeds, or other
types of unexpected plants growing in the same container as the plant you’re
buying. While these often won’t directly attack your plant and can be easily
removed, they are still competing with the plant for the same water and
nutrients in the container. This can weaken the plant and lead to growth and
development problems down the road.
Getting a Second Opinion
If you aren’t sure
about which plants are best, don’t be afraid to ask the nursery workers about
the various plants you’re considering. They can give you additional insight
into the health of these plants and how well they’ll do in different lighting
conditions in your yard. They’re there to help, so be sure to make use of that
resource.
Of course, if the prospect of finding the perfect plants among all the nursery’s options seem
overwhelming, you can also consider calling a local landscaper to help you
choose the perfect options for your property.
As always, if you any
questions or are considering buying or selling a rural property, please feel
free to give the Rural KC Team-Keller Williams Partners a call at 913-837-0760
or 913-837-0411. Have a great day!
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