At Home: Plant happy Sunlight, soil play role in plant selection

If you want your garden to grow to its fullest potential, look up and dig deep before you head to the garden center.

'The more knowledge you bring, the more we can help your choose the right plant for the right area,” says Bob Burton, grower at Culver's Garden Center and Greenhouse in Marion.

The two most important factors you need to pay attention to are: sunlight and soil.

Here comes the sun

Watch how long the sun shines in different sections of your space. Some plants are OK with just two hours; others need at least eight hours.

Good plants for shady areas include ferns, hosta, wild ginger, columbine and native orchids like lady slippers.

Save the sunniest areas for vegetables. A vegetable garden needs at least half a day of direct, full sun, as well as good drainage (on a slight slant is good).

All about that soil

Soil can range from heavy clay to sandy. Dig up a clump of soil. If it's grainy and gritty and falls apart, it's sandy. If you can clump it together, it's more like clay. Both kinds of soil can be amended to create more desirable growing conditions.

Sandy soil and hot, dry areas of the yard will support succulents and sedums. Plants native to Iowa, such as echinacea or blanket flower, also will do well.

If you have moist soil, try growing begonias, astilbes and turtlehead flowers.

Mix it up

Once you know, your sun and soil situation, remember that a mix of annuals and perennials will keep your garden blooming throughout the season.

'Perennials typically have a short bloom time, but annuals bloom all season. By planting both, you'll get a better mix of color,” Burton says.

He also recommends mixing textures. Hostas growing together can be broken up with a lighter texture, such as ferns.

In the vegetable garden, try a mix of plants.

' Do you have a project you want to tackle? Send suggestions to Alison Gowans at (319) 398-8434; alison.gowans@thegazette.com