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Garden - Choose the Right Plants

The garden is an area of the home that can be used for both entertaining and relaxation, so it’s important that you choose plants that not only suit your lifestyle but also look good and are functional. We’ve spoken to David Lee from Urbanscapes Design to find out how you can choose the perfect plants for you.

Considerations

There are some factors that you will have to take into consideration when selecting your plants. Lee recommends that you consider the size that your plants will grow to. Your nursery can help you with this.

“Water restrictions in your area also need to be thought about as there are drought hardy plants available in all different kinds of plants,” says Lee.

“Think about the style of garden that you are creating, whether it is modern, contemporary, cottage garden, etc. Also think about the direction in which your yard faces.

“If it faces north, you will get the full sun in the afternoon and it is important not to plant a plant that needs shade in a full sun position for example,” Lee advises.

When selecting plants, Lee recommends looking out for the following characteristics: drought tolerance; evergreen or deciduous; flowers and leaf textures, and growth habits.

Creating a Theme

Lee has some tips for creating a theme within your garden. “Look at other gardens and decide on what you like and don’t like. There are many open gardens that can also help to give you ideas.

“The botanic gardens are also a wealth of ideas and you just need to scale these ideas back. Your local library will have a range of garden design books available for you to borrow.”

Water Conservation

Water is also an important consideration. “Most gardens really take water conservation into account. Your local council can supply a huge amount of information in regards to water tanks, planting and many other forms of water conservation.

“You need to consider things such as the amount of lawn you have versus paving. Many people are opting for less lawn and more paving to conserve water and save on maintenance,” says Lee.

The Professionals

If you need professional advice, why not check out our directory to find a gardening or landscaping professional near you?

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