Growing plants is easy but you have to grasp a few basics if you want to be successful.
1. A certain level of commitment is required. Plants are less work than a puppy but they still need your attention.
2. It’s all about water, light and good soil or fertilizer.
- Water - Most black thumbs severely over or under water. Which one are you? Get the right plants for your “style” of watering.
- Light – Choose the right plants for your light conditions
- Soil/Fertilizer – Improve your soil with compost such as Sea Soil. Inpots use a slow release fertilizer.
3. Have fun and grow plants that you find interesting, beautiful or tasty. But also grow plants that suit your knowledge level.
4. Remember that gardening is a process of gradual learning. Don’t get down if you kill something. Try to figure out what went wrong so you can grow it better next time.
5. Take classes such as the free Gardening 101 series at Phoenix Perennials.
Easy-Care Plants for the Sunny Garden or Containers
- Erysimum – Wallflower
- Euonymus ‘Paloma Blanca’ - Euonymus
- Gaura - Butterfly Gaura
- Geranium ‘Rozanne’ – Cranesbill
- Helleborus – Hellebore (Gold Collection/Stemmed Hybrids)
- Heuchera – Coralbells
- Lavandula – Lavender
- Salvia ‘Caradonna’ – Ornamental Sage
- Sedum - Stonecrop
- Sempervivum – Hen and Chicks
- Easy-Care Plants for the Shady Garden or Containers
- Acorus ‘Ogon’ – Sweet Flag
- Beesia – Beesia
- Brunnera – Siberian Bugloss
- Dicentra – Bleeding Heart
- Epimedium – Fairy Wings
- Hakonechloa – Japanese Forest Grass
- Helleborus x hybridus – Hellebore
- Heucherella – Foamy Bells
- Hosta – Plantain Lily
- Hydrangea - Hydrangea
- Nandina – Heavenly Bamboo
- Phyllitis scolopendrium - Harts tongue fern
- Primula japonica – Candelabra Primrose
- Sarcoccoca - Sweet Box
- Vancouveria – Inside-Out Flower
Easy-Care Edibles for the Sunny Garden or Container
- Chives
- Oregano
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Thyme
- Easy-Care Edibles Tolerant of a Bit of Shade (though they grow a bit better in sun)
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Mint
- Wasabi