Issue link: https://nest.uberflip.com/i/827046
Ah, spring! Gardeners await its arrival each year after what can feel like an interminable winter. With the temperature rising, the ground thawing, and buds bursting into bloom, it's easy to get caught up enjoying nature's changes—but this is no time to simply sit back and smell the flowers. The season marks one of the busiest in the gardening calendar. And a trip to the nursery to buy plants ranks high on the list. However, this excursion can quickly become overwhelming as you gaze upon the many rows of enticing specimens. And problems, like not buying enough plants or ignoring the labels, can often result. So avoid these common pitfalls by following our preemptive strategies for garden-center mistakes. Let the planting begin! Mistake: Shopping for just flowers, not foliage Solution: Every plant is beautiful at its prime - full of lush abundant blooms a waterfall of color. But, you should also understand how it looks for the rest of the year. Before you buy consider the plant's leaves and structure. Include specimens with spectacular foliage, such as annual coleus, the shrub cotinus or decorative grasses to help keep beds interesting when flowers are not at their peak. Mistake: Buying insufficient amount of a single variety Solution: Taking home only one or two pots of a particular specimen is a surefire way to make your garden look hodgepodge. Depending on the size of the pot and the type of the plant, buy at least three containers (though six or more of a species is preferred) for a unified, well-designed look.