"Right Plant, Right Place" - A Plant Selection Guide for Managed Landscapes (2024)

Choosing the "right plant for the right place" is an important consideration for all types of landscaping. Ignoring this guideline may lead to increased maintenance, a failure of plants to thrive, and sometimes the death of installed plant material. Careful planning and site evaluation are the first steps in applying this concept. Trees and shrubs vary considerably in their ability to tolerate different site conditions and it is critical to select plants to match the existing growing conditions of the site in addition to their ornamental value. Even the best planting practices will not help a plant to thrive if it is poorly suited for a particular site. It is also important to know the mature height and width of selected plants so that they will not outgrow the space allotted to them.

Some site conditions to keep in mind when selecting landscape plants include:

light availability, intensity and duration (full sun to deep shade)
water availability, both quantity and quality
exposure to wind and temperature extremes
soil type, drainage, compaction
hardiness zone
competition from existing vegetation
below ground conditions in urban sites
above ground wires or obstructions

A major factor to consider when selecting woody ornamentals is insect and disease resistance. If two plants have similar form, function, and aesthetic qualities but one has an insect or disease problem and the other has none, it makes sense to choose the resistant species. For example, European birch (Betula pendula) is often used as a landscape tree but the bronze birch borer significantly impacts it. River birch (Betula nigra) offers the same form and function but is resistant to this pest. The cultivar Heritage™ has the desired lighter colored, exfoliating bark and is the preferred species to use in the landscape.

Aesthetic considerations for plant selection include:

growth habit, i.e. pyramidal, columnar, spreading, etc.
season and color of bloom
foliage color, texture, and shape
winter interest of bark, fruit, or structure
benefits to wildlife
fall color
longevity

Low-maintenance landscaping does not mean that no maintenance will be required, as all plants will require some routine care in order to succeed. In addition to plant selection, proper planting practices and the grouping of trees and shrubs according to their needs for water, fertilizer, and maintenance will go a long way to ensure good plant health. With good site evaluation and plant selection, woody ornamentals will thrive and enhance the landscape for many years. The following lists of plants have no significant disease or insect problems. Plants native to North America are indicated by an *.

Small shade trees (< 35')
Acer buergerianum – Trident maple Acer campestre – Hedge maple Acer ginnala – Amur maple Acer griseum – Paperbark maple Acer japonicum – Fullmoon maple Acer palmatum – Japanese maple Acer tartaricum – Tartarian maple Acer triflorum – Three-flower maple Acer truncatum – Shantung maple	Asimina trilobum * – Paw Paw Betula nigra 'Little King' * – Fox Valley™ River birch Carpinus caroliniana * – American hornbeam Cotinus obovatus * – American Smoke tree Ostrya virginiana * – Hophornbeam Parrotia persica – Persian Parrotia

Medium shade trees (35' – 45')
Acer x freemanii – Freeman hybrid maple cultivars Acer rubrum * – Red maple cultivars Aesculus carnea – Red horsechestnut Carpinus betulus – European hornbeam Cercidiphyllum japonicum f. pendula – Weeping katsura	Corylus colurna – Turkish filbert Sassafrass albidum * - Sassafrass Sorbus alnifolia – Korean mountain ash Ulmus parvifolia 'Athena' – Athena™ lacebark elm

Large shade trees for landscapes and public grounds (> 45')
Acer saccharum * – Sugar maple cultivars Betula nigra * 'Cully' - Heritage™ River birch Betula nigra * 'BNMTF" - Dura-heat™ River birch Cercidiphyllum japonicum – Katsura Cercidiphyllum japonicum 'Morioka Weeping – Weeping katsura Ginkgo biloba - Ginkgo Liquidambar styraciflua * – Sweet gum Liriodendron tulipifera * – Tulip tree	Nyssa sylvatica * – Black gum Platinus x acerifolia – London planetree Quercus bicolor* – Swamp white oak Quercus palustris* – Pin oak Quercus phellos – Willow oak Quercus robar – English oak Ulmus americana * 'New Harmony' Ulmus parvifolia – Lacebark elm cultivars Zelkova serrata - Zelkova

Small flowering trees (> 25')
Amelanchier arborea * – Juneberry Amelanchier laevis * – Allegheny serviceberry Amelanchier x grandiflora * – Apple serviceberry Cercis canadensis * – Redbud Cornus alternifolia * – Pagoda dogwood Cornus florida* 'Appalachian Spring' – Flowering dogwood (anthracnose resistant) Cornus kousa – Kousa dogwood	Cornus mas – Corneliancherry dogwood Magnolia x loebneri 'Leonard Messel' Magnolia stellata – Star magnolia Malus cultivars – Crabapple (disease resistant) Styrax japonica – Japanese snowbell Syringa reticulata – Tree lilac Viburnum sieboldii- Siebold viburnum

Medium flowering trees (25' – 35')
Cladrastis kentuckea * – Yellowwood Evodia daniellii – Korean evodia Halesia tetraptera * – Silverbells Koelreuteria paniculata – Goldenrain tree Magnolia virginiana * – Sweetbay magnolia	Oxydendrum arboretum * – Sourwood, Sorreltree Stewartia monodelpha – Tall stewartia Stewartia pseudocamellia – Japanese stewartia

Large flowering trees (< 35')
Magnolia acuminata * – Cucumber magnolia Prunus sargentii – Sargent cherry	Styphnolobium japonicum – Japanese pagoda tree (formerly Sophora japonica)

Trees/shrubs tolerant of moist/wet soils
Acer rubrum * – Red maple Amelanchier spp. * – Shadbush, Juneberry Betula nigra * – River birch Calycanthus florida * – Carolina allspice Cephalanthus occidentalis * - Buttonbush Chamaecyparis thyoides * – Atlantic white cedar Cornus alba – Tatarian dogwood Clethra alnifolia * – Sweet pepperbush Cornus sericea * – Redosier dogwood Cornus amomum * – Silky dogwood Ilex glabra * - Inkberry Ilex verticillata * - Winterberry Itea virginica * – Virginia sweetspire Lindera benzoin * - Spicebush Liquidambar styraciflua * - Sweetgum Magnolia virginiana * – Sweetbay magnolia	Metasequoia glyptostroboides – Dawn redwood Nyssa sylvatica * - Tupelo Quercus bicolor * – Swamp white oak Rhododendron vaseyi * – Pinkshell azalea Rhododendron viscosum * – Swamp azalea Sambucus canadensis * - Elderberry Taxodium distichum * – Bald cypress Thuja occidentalis* – Eastern arborvitae Thuja plicata * - Western arborvitae Vaccinium angustifolium* - Blueberry Viburnum cassinoides * – Witherod viburnum

Trees/shrubs tolerant of moist/wet soils

Acer rubrum * – Red maple
Amelanchier spp. * – Shadbush, Juneberry
Betula nigra * – River birch
Calycanthus florida * – Carolina allspice
Cephalanthus occidentalis * - Buttonbush
Chamaecyparis thyoides * – Atlantic white cedar
Cornus alba – Tatarian dogwood
Clethra alnifolia * – Sweet pepperbush
Cornus sericea * – Redosier dogwood
Cornus amomum * – Silky dogwood
Ilex glabra * - Inkberry
Ilex verticillata * - Winterberry
Itea virginica * – Virginia sweetspire
Lindera benzoin * - Spicebush
Liquidambar styraciflua * - Sweetgum
Magnolia virginiana * – Sweetbay magnolia

Metasequoia glyptostroboides – Dawn redwood
Nyssa sylvatica * - Tupelo
Quercus bicolor * – Swamp white oak
Rhododendron vaseyi * – Pinkshell azalea
Rhododendron viscosum * – Swamp azalea
Sambucus canadensis * - Elderberry
Taxodium distichum * – Bald cypress
Thuja occidentalis* – Eastern arborvitae
Thuja plicata * - Western arborvitae
Vaccinium angustifolium* - Blueberry
Viburnum cassinoides * – Witherod viburnum

Dry soil

The plants listed below will tolerate dry soils and short periods of drought. They may perform better when planted in more moisture retentive soils. However, any plant, regardless of how drought tolerant it may be, will requiresupplemental watering during its period of establishment in the landscape.

Deciduous trees:

Acer griseum - Paperbark maple
Carpinus caroliniana * - American hornbeam
Cornus kousa - Kousa dogwood
Cotinus obovatus * - American smoke tree
Ginkgo biloba – Ginkgo
Halesia tetraptera * - Silverbells
Koelreuteria paniculata – Goldenrain tree
Liquidambar styraciflua * - American sweetgum
Magnolia x loebneri - Loebner hybrid magnolia
Malus spp. - Crabapple
Platanus x acerifolia - London planetree
Quercus spp. * - Oak, many species
Styphnolobium japonica - Japanese pagoda tree (formerly Sophora japonica)
Syringa reticulata - Japanese tree lilac
Ulmus parvifolia - Lacebark elm
Zelkova serrata - Japanese zelkova

Shrubs:

Aesculus parvifolia * - Bottlebrush buckey
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi* - Bearberry
Aronia spp *. - Chokeberry
Calluna spp. - Heather
Chaenomeles x superba - Japanese flowering quince
Clethra alnifolia * - Sweet pepperbush
Comptonia peregrina* – Sweetfern
Cornus mas - Corneliancherry dogwood

Physocarpus opulifolius * - Ninebark
Potentilla fruticosa - Bush cinquefoil
Rhus aromatica * - Fragrant sumac
Rhus copallina * - Flameleaf sumac
Rhus typhina * - Staghorn Sumac
Rosa rugosa - Saltspray rose
Rosa virginiana * - Virginia rose
Spirea spp. - Spirea, many species
Syringa spp. - Lilac
Vaccinium angustifolium * - Lowbush blueberry
Viburnum dentatum * – Arrowwood

Needled Evergreens:

Abies concolor * - White fir
Cedrus atlantica - Atlas cedar
Cephalotaxus harringtonia - Japanese plum yew
Chamaecyparis pisifera - Sawara false cypress
Juniperus spp. - Junipers, most species
Picea spp. - Spruce, most species
Pinus spp. - Pine, most species
Taxus spp. - Yew, most species
Thuja occidentalis * - Eastern arborvitae

Broadleaf Evergreens:

Ilex crenata - Japanese holly
Ilex glabra * - Inkberry
Ilex x meserveae - Meserve holly
Ilex opaca * - American holly

Trees/shrubs for partial shade
Abelia grandiflora – Glossy abelia Acer buergerianum – Trident maple Acer campestre – Hedge maple Acer ginnala – Amur maple Acer griseum – Paperbark maple Acer japonicum – Fullmoon maple Acer palmatum – Japanese maple Acer triflorum – Three-flower maple Aesculus pavia – Red buckeye Amelanchier spp . – Juneberry, shadbush Carpinus caroliniana* * – American hornbeam Cercis canadensis * - Redbud Chionanthus retusus – Chinese fringetree Chionanthus virginiana * - Fringetree Cornus alba – Tartarian dogwood Cornus alternifolia * – Alternate leaf dogwood Cornus florida * – Flowering dogwood Cornus mas – Corneliancherry dogwood C. sericea * – Red twig dogwood	Corylopsis paucifolia – Buttercup winterhazel Corylopsis spicata – Spike winterhazel Clethra alnifolia * – Sweet pepperbush Fothergilla gardenii – Dwarf fothergilla Fothergilla major* * - Fothergilla Hamamelis spp. - Witchhazel Hydrangea spp. - Hydrangeas Ilex opaca * – American holly Kalmia latifolia * – Mountain laurel Pieris floribunda * – Mountain pieris Rhododendron spp. - Rhododendron Sambucus spp. - Elderberry Stewartia spp. - Stewartia Taxus spp. – Taxus Thuja occidentalis* – Eastern arborvitae Thuja plicata – Western arborvitae Vaccinium* spp. * - Blueberry Viburnum spp. - Viburnum

Trees/shrubs for partial shade

Abelia grandiflora – Glossy abelia
Acer buergerianum – Trident maple
Acer campestre – Hedge maple
Acer ginnala – Amur maple
Acer griseum – Paperbark maple
Acer japonicum – Fullmoon maple
Acer palmatum – Japanese maple
Acer triflorum – Three-flower maple
Aesculus pavia – Red buckeye
Amelanchier spp *. – Juneberry, shadbush
Carpinus caroliniana * – American hornbeam
Cercis canadensis * - Redbud
Chionanthus retusus – Chinese fringetree
Chionanthus virginiana * - Fringetree
Cornus alba – Tartarian dogwood
Cornus alternifolia * – Alternate leaf dogwood
Cornus florida * – Flowering dogwood
Cornus mas – Corneliancherry dogwood
C. sericea * – Red twig dogwood

Corylopsis paucifolia – Buttercup winterhazel
Corylopsis spicata – Spike winterhazel
Clethra alnifolia * – Sweet pepperbush
Fothergilla gardenii *– Dwarf fothergilla
Fothergilla major * - Fothergilla
Hamamelis spp. - Witchhazel
Hydrangea spp. - Hydrangeas
Ilex opaca * – American holly
Kalmia latifolia * – Mountain laurel
Pieris floribunda * – Mountain pieris
Rhododendron spp. - Rhododendron
Sambucus spp. - Elderberry
Stewartia spp. - Stewartia
Taxus spp. – Taxus
Thuja occidentalis* – Eastern arborvitae
Thuja plicata *– Western arborvitae
Vaccinium spp. * - Blueberry
Viburnum spp. - Viburnum

Trees/shrubs for narrow areas/ vertical interest (fastigiate)
Acer x freemanii 'Armstrong' Acer saccharum 'Newton Sentry' * Carpinus betula 'Columnaris' Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Fastigiata' fagus sylvatica* 'Dawyck' fagus sylvatica* 'Dawyck Purple' Ginkgo biloba 'Princeton Sentry' Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil' Juniperus scopulorum 'Sky Rocket' *	Liquidambar styraciflua 'Slender Silhouette'* Pinus strobus 'Fastigiata'* Quercus palustris 'Green Pillar' * Quercus robar 'Fastigiata' Taxus baccata 'Fastigiata' Xanthocyparis nootkatensis 'Green Arrow'* (formerly Chamaecyparis nootkatensis)

Trees/shrubs for hedges and screening
Abies spp. - Fir Acer campestre – Hedge maple Acer ginnala – Amur maple Carpinus betula – European hornbeam Hibiscus syriacus – Rose of Sharon Ilex x meserveae – Meserve hybrid holly Ilex opaca * – American holly Metasequoia glyptostroboides – Dawn redwood	Picea spp. – Spruce Rhododendron spp. - Rhododendron Taxus spp. – Yew Thuja occidentalis * – Eastern arborvitae Thuja plicata * – Western arborvitae Cupressocyparis leylandii – Leyland cypress

Trees/shrubs with interesting bark/stem color (winter interest)
Acer griseum – Paperbark maple Acer triflorum – Three flower maple Acer triflorum – Three flower maple Cornus kousa – Kousa dogwood Cornus sericea , C. alba* – Red twig dogwood Kerria japonica - Kerria	Heptacodium miconioides – Seven-son flower Salix alba 'Flame' – red twig willow Stewartia monodelpha – Tall stewartia Stewartia pseudocamellia – Japanese stewartia

Woody shrubs for ground cover
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi* - Bearberry Comptonia perigrina * – Sweet fern Deutzia gracilis 'Nikko' – 'Nikko' Deutzia Hypericum spp. – St. John's wort Itea virginica 'Little Henry' * – 'Little Henry' sweetispire Juniperus conferta – Shore juniper Juniperus horizontalis * - Creeping juniper Juniperus procumbens – Japanese garden juniper	Microbiota decussata – Russian arborvitae Rhus aromatica 'Gro-low' * – 'Gro-low' fragrant sumaci Spirea spp. - Spirea Stephanandra incisa 'Crispa' – Cut leaf Stephanandra Weigela florida 'Midnight Wine' – 'Midnight Wine' weigela Xanthorhiza simplicissama * - Yellowroot

Flowering shrubs
Spring:
Calycanthus florida – Carolina allspice Chionanthus virginicus* * – Fringetree Corylopsis paucifolia – Buttercup winterhazel Deutzia gracilis 'Nikko' – 'Nikko' Deutzia Enkianthus campanulatus – Redveined enkianthus Exochorda racemosa – Pearlbush Forsythia suspensa – Forsythia Fothergilla gardenii * – Dwarf fothergilla Fothergilla major – Fothergilla Hydrangea arborescens* * – Smooth hydrangea Pieris floribunda – Mountain pieris Rhododendron atlanticum* * – Coast azalea Rhododendron calendulaceum – Flame azalea Rhododendron schlippenbachii – Royal azalea	Rhododendron vaseyi * – Pinkshell azalea Rhododendron spp. - Rhododendron Syringa meyeri – Meyer lilac Syringa microphylla – Little leaf lilac Syringa patula 'Miss Kim' – 'Miss Kim' Korean lilac Syringa vulgaris – Common lilac Viburnum x burkwoodii – Burkwood viburnum Viburnum carlesii – Koreanspice viburnum Viburnum dentatum * - Arrowwood Viburnum sargentii – Sargent viburnum Viburnum sargentii – Sargent viburnum Viburnum trilobum * – American cranberrybush Weigela florida – Weigela
Summer:
Aesculus parviflora * – Bottlebrush buckeye Caryopteris x clandonensis – Bluemist shrub Clethra alnifolia * – Sweet pepperbush Cotinus coggygria – Smokebush Hibiscus syriacus – Rose of Sharon Hydrangea macrophylla – Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea paniculata – Panicle hydrangea Hydrangea quercifolia * – Oakleaf hydrangea Physocarpus opulifolius * – Ninebark	Rhus coppalina * – Flameleaf (Shining) sumac Rhus typhina * – Staghorn sumac Rosa spp. – Landscape roses Sambucus spp. - Elderberry Spirea spp. – Spirea Viburnum cassinoides * – Witherod viburnum Viburnum cassinoides * – Witherod viburnum Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum – Doublefile viburnum
Fall:
Abelia grandiflora – Glossy abelia Heptacodium miconioides – Seven-son flower Hamamelis virginiana * - Witchhazel
Winter:
Hamamelis vernalis * – Vernal witchhazel Hamamelis x intermedia – Hybrid witchhazel Lonicera fragrantissima – Winter honeysuckle

Fruiting trees/shrubs for winter interest/wildlife
Amelanchier arborea * - Juneberry Amelanchier canadensis * - Shadbush Arctostaphylos uva-ursi - Bearberry Aronia arbutifolia* * – Red Chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa * – Black Chokeberry Betula nigra * cultivars – River birch Cornus alternifolia * – Alternate leaf dogwood Cornus amomum * – Silky dogwood Cornus florida * – Flowering dogwood Cornus kousa – Kousa dogwood Cornus mas – Corneliancherry dogwood Cornus sericea * – Red twig dogwood Cornus racemosa * – Grey dogwood Ilex glabra * – Inkberry Ilex x meserveae – Meserve hybrid holly Ilex opaca * – American holly Ilex verticillata * – Winterberry holly Juniperus virginiana * – Eastern red cedar Lindera benzoin * - Spicebush Liquidambar styraciflua * – Sweet gum Malus spp. – Crabapple (disease resistant)	Morella pensylvanica * - Bayberry (formerly Myrica) Nyssa sylvatica * - Tupelo Picea glauca * – White spruce Pinus strobus * – White pine Quercus spp. – Oak species Sassafrass albidum * – Sassafrass Symphoricarpos orbiculatus – Coralberry Rhus aromatica * – Fragrant sumac Rhus coppalina * – Flameleaf (Shining) sumac Rhus glabra * – Smooth sumac Rhus typhina * – Staghorn sumac Vaccinium spp. * - Blueberry species Viburnum dentatum * – Arrowwood Viburnum dilatatum – Linden viburnum Viburnum lentago * - Nannyberry Viburnum triflorum * – American cranberrybush Viburnum setigerum – Tea viburnum

Fruiting trees/shrubs for winter interest/wildlife

Amelanchier arborea * - Juneberry
Amelanchier canadensis * - Shadbush
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi *- Bearberry
Aronia arbutifolia * – Red Chokeberry
Aronia melanocarpa * – Black Chokeberry
Betula nigra * cultivars – River birch
Cornus alternifolia * – Alternate leaf dogwood
Cornus amomum * – Silky dogwood
Cornus florida * – Flowering dogwood
Cornus kousa – Kousa dogwood
Cornus mas – Corneliancherry dogwood
Cornus sericea * – Red twig dogwood
Cornus racemosa * – Grey dogwood
Ilex glabra * – Inkberry
Ilex x meserveae – Meserve hybrid holly
Ilex opaca * – American holly
Ilex verticillata * – Winterberry holly
Juniperus virginiana * – Eastern red cedar
Lindera benzoin * - Spicebush
Liquidambar styraciflua * – Sweet gum
Malus spp. – Crabapple (disease resistant)

Morella pensylvanica * - Bayberry (formerly Myrica)
Nyssa sylvatica * - Tupelo
Picea glauca * – White spruce
Pinus strobus * – White pine
Quercus spp. – Oak species
Sassafrass albidum * – Sassafrass
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus – Coralberry
Rhus aromatica * – Fragrant sumac
Rhus coppalina * – Flameleaf (Shining) sumac
Rhus glabra * – Smooth sumac
Rhus typhina * – Staghorn sumac
Vaccinium spp. * - Blueberry species
Viburnum dentatum * – Arrowwood
Viburnum dilatatum – Linden viburnum
Viburnum lentago * - Nannyberry
Viburnum triflorum * – American cranberrybush
Viburnum setigerum – Tea viburnum

Needled evergreens:
Small:
Cephalotaxus harringtonia – Japanese plum yew Juniperus conferta – Shore juniper Juniperus horizontalis * – Creeping juniper	Juniperus procumbens – Japanese garden juniper Microbiota decussata – Russian arborvitae Various dwarf conifers
Medium:
Chamaecyparis obtusa cultivars – Hinoki falsecypress Juniperus virginiana * – Eastern red cedar Pinus cembra – Swiss stone pine	Pinus parvifolia – Japanese white pine Taxus baccata – English yew Taxus cuspidata – Japanese yew Taxus media – Anglojap yew
Large:
Abies concolor * – White/Concolor fir Abies koreana – Korean fir Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca' – Blue Atlas cedar Chamaecyparis pisifera – Sawara falsecypress Chamaecyparis thyoides * – Atlantic whitecedar Cupressocyparis leylandii – Leyland cypress Larix spp. – Larch Metasequoia glyptostroboides – Dawn redwood Picea spp. – Spruce	Pinus strobus * – White pine Pseudolarix amabilis – Golden larch Pseudotsuga menziesii * – Douglas fir Sciadopitys verticillata – Japanese umbrella pine Taxodium distichum * – Bald cypress Thuja spp. * - Arborvitae Xanthocyparis nootkatensis 'Pendula' * – Alaskan falsecypress (formerly Chamaecyparis nootkatensis)

Broadleaf evergreens:
Small:
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi * - Bearberry Ilex crenata – Japanese holly Pieris floribunda * – Mountain pieris
Medium:
Ilex glabra * - Inkberry Ilex x meserveae – Meserve hybrid holly Ilex pedunculosa – Longstalk holly Kalmia latifolia * – Mountain laurel Rhododendron spp. - Rhododendron
Large:
Ilex opaca * – American holly

Vines
Aristolochia macrophylla * – Dutchman's pipe (formerly A. durior) Campsis radicans * – Trumpet vine Clematis montana – Anemone clematis Hydrangea anomela subsp. petiolaris – Climbing hydrangea	Lonicera sempervirens * – Trumpet honeysuckle Parthenocissus quinquefolia * – Virginia creeper Wisteria frutescens * – American wisteria

Alternatives to invasive plants
Invasive species:	Alternatives:
Acer platanoides – Norway maple	Acer x freemanii – Freeman maple cultivars Acer rubrum * – Red maple Acer saccharum * – Sugar maple Ginkgo biloba - Ginkgo Liriodendron tulipifera * – Tulip tree Oxydendrum arboreum * - Sourwood Styphnolobium japonicum – Japanese scholar tree (formerly Sophora japonica)
Berberis thunbergii – Japanese barberry	Weigela 'Midnight Wine' Fothergilla gardenii * – Dwarf fothergilla Itea virginica * – Virginia sweetspire Diervilla lonicera * – Dwarf bush honeysuckle
Euonymus alatus – Burning bush	Aronia melanocarpa * – Black chokeberry Fothergilla major * – Fothergilla Rhus aromatica * – Fragrant sumac Rhus copallina – Flameleaf sumac Vaccinium corymbosum – Blueberry
Elaeagnus umbellata – Autumn Olive	Baccharis halimifolia * – Groundsel Morella pensylvanica * - Bayberry (formerly Myrica)

Written by: Roberta Clark & Deborah Swanson
Revised: 08/2011

FAQs

How do I choose the right plant for the right place? ›

Some site conditions to keep in mind when selecting landscape plants include: light availability, intensity and duration (full sun to deep shade) water availability, both quantity and quality.

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What is the right plant right place concept? ›

"Right plant, right place" is a short phrase that embodies many art- and- science based concepts for landscapes. The fundamental concept is choosing plant species, varieties, cultivars, provenances, or genotypes that are adapted to the location and situation in which they are placed.

How do I know what to plant in my area? ›

The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which perennial plants are most likely to thrive at a location. The map is based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature, displayed as 10-degree F zones and 5-degree F half zones.

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Where not to place plants? ›

You shouldn't put plants—particularly tropical indoor plants—in the corners of a room. Corners are often dark, and such a space would likely be especially troublesome for plants. With about half of the plant facing the wall, it just won't get enough sunlight to thrive and may end up losing some leaves.

Where should plants be placed? ›

One of the first considerations for selecting and growing houseplants is how much light they'll receive where you want them to grow. Most houseplants need bright, but indirect light, like the kind found in an east-facing window.

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How do I choose a garden spot? ›

Preparing a Vegetable Garden Site

Choose a sunny spot. Most vegetables do best in full sun, over 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. ...
Avoid low-lying areas. Plant roots need oxygen, and vegetables are particularly sensitive to being submerged. ...
Avoid the perimeter of old houses. ...
Consider convenience.

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How do you find the right house plant? ›

The biggest factors to consider when picking out house plants are natural light, humidity levels, and aesthetic. A little bit of greenery can transform a space—and breathe new life into a room. But not all houseplants are created the same—and that means they all won't thrive in any old place.

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How to determine where to plant? ›

You'll be quick to notice thirsty plants, spot pest problems, and see ripe fruit.

Make a list of the areas of your yard that you see often. ...
Brainstorm kids' play area options. ...
Chart the sun. ...
Map the shade. ...
Purchase a tool to measure the sun. ...
Dig a hole that's 12” x 12” x 6” deep. ...
Count the worms. ...
Test the drainage.

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How do I know where to put my plants? ›

Most houseplants like to be by windows. Some thrive in sunny conditions, whilst others need more shade than direct sunlight. Most houseplants are happy with a window that is either west, or east facing.

"Right Plant, Right Place" - A Plant Selection Guide for Managed Landscapes (2024)

FAQs

How do I choose the right plant for the right place? ›

How do I know what to plant in my area? ›

References