Gardening enthusiasts are always looking for a new variety of their favorite flower and other types of plants. They may also be searching for exotic plants that are not native to their area.

Shopping for plants requires research into not only the growing requirements and features of non-native plants and hybrids, but also into the suppliers themselves.

Choosing the appropriate plants for your garden

Climate

The most important factor in determining if a plant can survive and thrive in your area is the climate. You must choose plants by their assigned planting zone number, which is based on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

This map will allow you to determine which plants can be added to your garden using the average minimum winter temperature for your area. You can add any plant that is zoned for your area.

Even when choosing plants that can thrive in your area, you must differentiate among species of plants according to planting schedules. For example, some plants, such as pansies, prefer the cooler temperatures of early spring or autumn, while others may thrive in the heat of summer.

Shading

Next to climate, the amount of sun and shade in your garden is an important factor in determining which plants to buy and where to plant them. Plant retailers will often have sun and shade requirements listed with descriptions of their plants, but only you can observe the amount of sunlight that different areas of your garden receive each day. 

Safety

Many plants are poisonous or produce allergic reactions in both humans and pets, so carefully choose plants according to the special risks of specific family members.

Retailers may not include toxicity or allergen-specific information in their plant descriptions, so you must be vigilant in researching plants before adding them to your garden.

Online plant retailers

Before ordering from an online nursery or a private seller, you must first check their refund policies. Plants can often arrive in poor condition because of shipping difficulties or improper handling.

Some retailers offer refunds on a limited basis, while many offer substitutions for plants that arrive in bad shape. Repeat business is important to retailers, so most plant dealers will try their best to rectify any issues.

When shopping for plants, it is important to remember that planting season is the busiest time for retailers. Try to place your orders as early as possible to avoid backlogs, as retailers work as quickly as possible to ensure that everyone can receive their orders during planting time.

Try shopping for plants at a place like Tri-County Mall; if you can't find anything there, seek out a plant nursery in your area.