Getting Local Advice

It is helpful when planning your garden to find a local nursery and speak with the horticulturists on staff. They will be able to help you identify plants that could be appropriate for your garden. This is especially important when choosing native plants for your area. Making a list of your garden’s requirements (maximum mature size, type of soil present, available daily sunlight, etc.) helps the horticulturist to decide what plants would be likely to grow well. 

Local, state, or provincial agricultural or environmental agencies are another great source of information. These agencies typically have an abundance of knowledge about local plants, how to grow them, diseases, pests, etc. and how to manage these challenges.  You might also check to see if there is a local native plant society nearby. These folks are usually well-versed in topics like local soil types, plants that do well in your area, abundance of local native plant species, and invasive species known to grow in the area.