The Most Common Gardening Mistakes

 SOLUTION: "I often tell my customers that every flowering plant is beautiful at its prime — full of lush, abundant blooms," says Flora. "But then I'll ask, 'How does it look for the rest of the year?'" Before you buy, consider the plant's leaves and structure. Include specimens with spectacular foliage, like the annual coleus, the shrub cotinus, or decorative grasses to help keep beds interesting when flowers are not at peak. 

SOLUTION: "Taking home only one or two pots of a particular specimen is a surefire way to make your garden look hodgepodge," says Flora. Depending on the size of the pot and the type of plant, she suggests buying at least three containers (though six or more of a species is preferred) for a unified, well-designed look.

 

SOLUTION: Leaves can tell you a lot about the health of the plant. Avoid picking specimens with brown, yellow, or wilted leaves, which could signify poor health (left) or neglect. Also inspect the foliage for insect damage like aphids (little green bugs), scale (translucent bumps or blisters), and spider mites (webs). You don't want to spread pests throughout your garden. Instead, go for plants with lush, perky, vibrant-looking foliage.

SOLUTION: "Don't be seduced by pots with abundant flowers," says Flora. Instead, look for healthy foliage and plump buds. Let the plants peak in the ground at your home, rather than in pots at the nursery.

SOLUTION: Steer clear of anything that is root-bound (you'll notice a mass of roots coming out of the bottom of the container), because tangled roots can suffocate and rob the plant of its nutrients. Also leave those with underdeveloped roots (ask a nursery employee to check) to mature longer at the nursery.

"All colors can be beautiful, but not all colors can be beautiful together," notes Flora. When you're shopping for plants, don't think of each one separately; instead, consider the plant as part of an ensemble cast. "Gardens look best with a specified color scheme. Pick one you like and stick to it!" recommends Flora. "If you love cool colors like blues and purples, but also want a hot palette of oranges and yellows, put them in different beds."

SOLUTION: Flora recommends bringing a photograph of the bed you are shopping for and the measurements of the space to the nursery, so that employees can help you buy the right number of plants, choose the correct size, and find colors that go well together.

SOLUTION: Try to place plants in the ground as soon as you bring them home. To help you figure out where they should go, set the pots out in the beds where you'd like to see them positioned, and then move them around to suit your design. If you have to delay planting, keep them in a shady or partly shady area where they won't dry out and put them in the ground as soon as you can. Don't leave pots in the hot sun where they'll dry out.

SOLUTION: "Ask a lot of questions of nursery staffers. Don't go it alone," advises Flora. She recommends seeking out a local nursery with a knowledgeable crew who is passionate about plants. These establishments are often more adept at knowing what grows best in your region than the big-box stores.