Fort Worth Landscaping More Than Paint

It takes more than a nice paint job to make a house attractive. Landscaping is an essential part of any homemaking process. And picking the right landscaping shrubs is a vital step in attractive landscaping.

Fortunately, even for people who don't seem to be endowed with a green thumb, choosing and planting the right landscaping shrub doesn't have to be a hassle.

In choosing the right landscaping shrub, it's important to keep in mind 1) the growing conditions available in the area where you plan to plant your landscaping shrub, 2) the look you want for your landscape, and 3) the relation of the shrub to other plants around it. Let's start with the first one.

The growing conditions are the most important aspect of planting your landscaping shrub. A plant may look beautiful when you buy it from the garden center, but if it isn't planted in a place that works for it, it will go downhill quickly. It's far simpler to study your growing conditions and purchase a plant that will grow there than to change your conditions for your plant. To begin with, look at your area's light conditions. If it isn't possible to study an area for a full year, at least look at the area over a summer, as early autumn is the best time for planting landscaping shrubs.

See whether the area you plan to plant has heavy shade, moderate shade, light shade, partial sun, or full sun. Additionally, see when the area gets the sun. A spot that stays shady all morning but gets four to six hours of direct sun in the afternoon should be considered full sun. Likewise, an area that has direct sun on it in the morning, when the sun's rays are less intense, but moderate to heavy shade in the afternoon would be considered either moderate shade or partial sun. Plants that are labeled as "shade" plants may do quite well in an area that gets large amounts of sun, as long as the sun is morning sun. If a plant requires full sun, however, don't plant it someplace where it's going to get little or no afternoon sun. For sun-loving landscape shrubs, direct rays of afternoon sun are a vital part of life.

Second, look at the area's water conditions. Does it have a clay soil, which is going to trap moisture and potentially cause root rot in sensitive plants? Or does it have a loose, sandy loam which will allow excess water to drain off quickly (ideal for ninety percent of landscaping shrubs), but will need regular watering for plants who like it damp? Also--and this ties in directly with our third consideration--what other plants are nearby? If existing plants require large amounts of water, you don't want to add a plant that will drown in too-damp soil, and vice versa.

After you've examined the area, visit a nursery and look at the plants. Decide what kind of landscaping shrub will look best in your landscape. A tall one for a privacy screen, a brightly-colored one to add pop and pizazz to a planting? Ask the nursery owner about the growth habits of the landscaping shrubs that catch your fancy. Remember that the plants in pots are just babies; they may be only a couple of feet tall now, but like children, they may grow up before you realize it. Check their light and water requirements and make sure they fit with the growing conditions you've observed in your area. Your local nursery owner can be your best friend when it comes to selecting varieties that fit your needs exactly. And don't be afraid to take your time. You could be living with this same landscaping shrub for years to come; why rush into purchasing it?

We've already touched on the importance of existing landscaping shrubs in relation to water requirements; now let's look at another factor. Unless you're planning on tearing out everything that's there and starting fresh, or unless you've just built a home and there are no plants put in yet, it's very likely that you will have existing plants to think about. Consider their height, their diameter, their color, and the shape of their leaves--broad, thin, evergreen needles?--and think about what kind of plants will look good with them. Mix and match colors and textures and sizes for a look that suits your area. Feel free to experiment and be creative! And remember; in landscaping, nothing is permanent. You have the freedom to tear it all out and start again.