A healthy garden starts with healthy plants.

At English Gardens, we pride ourselves on partnering with quality growers who follow good horticultural practices. We always select the best plants and leave the rest.

Here are a few tips to ensure you’ll always pick the best plants for your garden.

• Roots. Check the root system by pulling the plant out of its pot. The roots should be white, not brown. Brown roots mean the plant is not getting enough oxygen.
• Buds vs Blooms. If you’re selecting a flowering plant, look for one with more buds than blooms. You’ll enjoy the show for a longer period of time. For annuals, the plant will continue to blossom throughout the season.
• Size. The biggest or tallest plant isn’t always better. Look for a well-formed plant with lots of branching. As it grows, the plant will be fuller.

Knowing which plant to pick is one thing. Know which VARIETY of plants is another. The right plant in the right location is important if you want your garden to thrive. It’s best to know WHERE you’re going to put the plant before you make a purchase.

To decide on the right plant, answer these questions:

• How much sunlight does the area receive? Map out the sunlight in your yard. Plants that like full sun (most varieties) will need 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day.
• Second, know your wind exposure and what direction the plant will face: North, East, West or South. This is particularly important for winter winds, and those plants that need protection from Michigan’s harsh winter winds.
• Third, know your soil type: Clay, Sandy, Loamy. Most plants do best in well-drained soil, but many absolutely hate wet feet. Clay soil holds water and should be amended with soil conditioner, pine bark fines to help break it up and allow water to flow freer. Sandy soil drains fast and doesn’t hold water. Amend with peat moss to help retain water.

The goal is to a rich loamy soil that’s a healthy mix of both clay and sandy for proper drainage.

Get a soil test to identify pH (acidity and alkalinity) as well as how much organic matter exists. That way you’ll know exactly what to use to fertilize and amend the soil.

If you need guidance and selecting plants for your garden, visit the experts at English Gardens. We’re here every day to help make your life more beautiful!