Catalogs, catalogs, CATALOGS!! Have you been enjoying the garden greats?! It’s that time of year again, actually a bit past that time of year, when the images of garden flowers, veggies, and plants have my head swimming in the possibilities for this years assortment.  As I peruse the catalogs for the latest and greatest, I have to reign myself a tad. I love plants, and can get ahead of myself a bit. What do I mean?

The newest and most vibrant may be the most eye catching, but many caveats should be noted in the margins beside those pretty pictures! You see, those eye candy photos can be a bit deceiving. Oh course they are all taken by a professional photographer, at the height of their beauty, with the perfect lighting… totally not fair for a plant geek like me. I want one of each! So I have to temper my enthusiasm, do a little digging (haha!) and really consider each selection on the basis on a few reality checks:

• How will it grow and perform in my area?
• Will it behave in the garden… is it invasive? Does it drop seeds that germinate with abandon?
• Is it disease or insect prone? I have made it a policy to strictly limit the use of chemicals in the garden. If the plant is prone to problems, they could spread to otherwise healthy plants, and ultimately cause a much bigger issue!
• Those new cultivars, especially shrubs- with they be available at my garden center when I go looking?
• If it is a new cultivar, at maturity, will it actually be the size it was rated to be, thus being appropriately located in the garden on it’s first siting?

So, you see, the quandary of plant selection is multifaceted! It only means that I need to spend a little more time immersed in my favorite topic. What a pity! If you want to learn more,  visit you’re local nursery, ask questions, discuss with fellow gardening friends, etc. Your local extension office and master gardeners are also a great resource. I read, read, read! Gardening books and magazines make fantastic bedtime stories!

Happy hunting!