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Visiting your local nursery can be exciting—but overwhelming—when you’re planning a new garden. The many choices and considerations to keep in mind when shopping for plants can quickly turn plant shopping into a stressful endeavor. Choosing the right greenery involves more than just finding a plant that catches your eye. It’s also about knowing what fits your particular landscape and checking for key signs to ensure you bring home healthy plants.
From checking root systems to checking foliage for disease and unwanted pests, a little horticultural scouting can be the difference between a lush landscape and costly disappointment. Learn more to confidently navigate the plant rows at the nursery so you can choose the most resilient plants for your garden.
Know the condition of your landscape before you go.
Spending some time researching your landscape conditions and planning what you want to achieve can make the trip to the nursery more manageable. “Before you go to the nursery, you should know your sun exposure, what soil you’re going to use, and the USDA hardiness zones so that you Choose the right plantsays Jean Caballero, cofounder of Greenpal. It’s also helpful to consider the color scheme you choose and if you want to plant Annual, perennialShrubs or mixtures.
Assess the overall appearance of the plant.
Focus on purchasing healthy, robust plants that will establish more easily and are less likely to introduce pest or disease problems into your landscape. While in the nursery, Study the condition of the plant To get a real understanding of his health. “If it looks weak, dry or gross; if the branches break instead of bending; or if the leaves are pale, chlorotic or slightly wilted, leave it,” advises Maxim Kazakou, resident botanist. a plantAn app that helps identify plants and improve plant care. “These are signs of root damage or significant stress, which can make the plant difficult to establish in a new location.”
Check leaves for disease and pests.
Look carefully at the leaves, including the undersides, to check for pests and disease. When it comes to insects, you’ll probably see insects or their trailing marks, Kazakou says. “The most common pests in nurseries are scale insects and soft scales, as well as spider mites,” he explains. If you see spider webs on plants, you probably are Dealing with spider mite infestations. “Another sign of spider mites is definite chlorosis, which looks like marbled leaves with small disfigured dots. It’s also usually accompanied by dry leaves.”
Scale insects and soft scales Kazakau says it has a very different appearance, resembling frozen buds or small scales. Look for them on stems and leaves, especially along the main veins on the underside. “You can also find these insects—or AphidWhite flies, or mealybugs— by a sticky residue known as honeydew.”
You may also find fungal infections in the form of yellow, black or brown spots of various shapes and sizes on the leaves. “If you see a plant with lots of leaf spots, don’t buy it,” Kazakou says. Finally, Powdery mildew Another type of fungal infection that appears as a white, powdery coating. “Be especially careful when observing roses, hostas and peonies,” says Kazakou.
Inspect the root system.
Take the time to thoroughly examine the root system as well. To do this, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences suggests holding the plant gently on its side and sliding it out of the pot to see the roots and soil mix. If the plant doesn’t slide out of the pot and the soil oozes out, or if the plant feels too small in its pot and is surrounded by soil, it probably isn’t rooted enough. “Healthy roots are white and firm and not brown and slimy,” notes Caballero. Also, the root should not grow in circles around the root ball or hang over the bottom of the container.
Check the soil.
Another way to check plant condition is to check the soil. The soil around the roots should be moist to the touch but drain well. If the soil is too dry or too wet, it often indicates Poor plant care At the nursery. You want to avoid bringing those plants home. Also, watch for weed growth in the soil. Leave any plants with excessive weeds, as they can become a problem once planted in your yard.
Ask about guarantees and warranties.
Many nurseries offered a limited guarantee, but not all, Caballero says. He always asks if they have any offers Landscaping Warranty or guarantees before you buy. Serving as an insurance policy for your landscaping, a guarantee or warranty on your plant purchase also builds trust, because you know the nursery stands behind its products and wants to keep you happy. Keep in mind that there are often limitations and exclusions when buying plants locally or from there Online shopsSo read the fine print.
If you find you have purchased an unhealthy plant, act quickly.
What if you unfortunately bring a bad plant home and start seeing problems? “I would make sure to isolate it, then cut out the damaged areas and treat it early,” says Caballero. Treatment depends on the specific pest or disease. If possible, he also recommends trying to return it to the nursery. Bring your receipt and ask the staff to replace it Healthy plants or to issue a refund.
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