Sarah, my daughter, is considering attending University of Wisconsin-Madison this fall. She is spending 5 hours in a classroom on campus today taking placement tests. As I dropped her off, she asked what I was planning on doing during those 5 hours. Wanting to learn more about the campus, I talked about having breakfast at the Student Union, walking along the shoreline and then trying to find the library. I also mentioned that I wanted to write this column. The conversation went something like this:
“I really want to write about all the information that is on a plant tags but that seems so rudimentary that I think it might be insulting to the readers.”
Sarah’s response: “Well if it is so rudimentary, then perhaps no one would feel comfortable asking about it.”
We batted around a few other column ideas and settled on “The wealth of incredibly valuable information found on plant tags.” I hope you don’t mind.
No one would ever dream of purchasing an article of clothing without looking at the tag to see what size it is. We don’t go to a bookstore and purchase a book based on a pretty cover alone. We certainly would never dream of purchasing and ingesting medicine without reading the label. Why then, do pretty flowers so easily find their way into our trunks and ultimately planted in our gardens without us ever even glancing at the tags before we throw them in the garbage?
As spring descends around us, and plant buying season is in full swing, I encourage you to please read the plant tags before purchasing flowers, shrubs and trees. The plant tags contain incredibly valuable information. Here are some examples of information that you may want to look for.
Hardiness Zone: The United States is broken up into 12 hardiness zones. This is based on the average annual minimum winter temperature. Our area is in zone 5. Almost all plants should have a hardiness zone range listed on the plant tag. If you want the plants that you are purchasing to have the best chance of surviving the winter, purchase a plant whose hardiness zone range includes range 5. For example, if a plant’s hardiness range is 6-12, in this area that plant is considered an annual and most likely would not live through the winter. If a plant’s range is 3-8 it is considered hardy enough to live through our winters. If the range listed is 5-11, the plant may be considered marginally hardy. It should live through most winters, but if we have a winter that is particularly cold, it may not survive that cold temperature.
Sunlight: Before going shopping you may want to think about where you want to place new plants. Full sun is considered 6 or more hours of sun, though not necessarily continuous. A plant could get 4 hours in the morning and then 2 more hours in the evening, and that would be considered a full sun area. Partial Sun is considered 4-6 hours of sun and partial shade is 2-4 hours of sun. Full shade would be an area that receives less than 2 hours of sun. Typically, the east and north sides of a home receive less sun and the west and south sides of a home receive more sun. All plants tags should have a picture of the sun denoting how much sun the plant needs.
Soil: This is perhaps the most important piece of the puzzle but the least understood. For most of us the soil around our homes is less than ideal. Most plants prefer moist but well drained soil. I would recommend that you give consideration to shrubs and trees whose label or tag includes phrases like ‘drought tolerant’ and ‘adaptable to a variety of soils.’ Always consider adding nutrients to the soil when planting. Mushroom compost and peat moss are two great soil amendments.
Mature Height and Width Measurements: The mature height and width should be known entities prior to purchasing any plants. Read the labels and then talk to someone familiar with the plant. Yes, the label on a PJM Rhododendron says it will grow to about 6-8’ wide. Have I ever seen a PJM Rhododendron in Northern Illinois actual grow that wide? Unfortunately, no.
Features: There is often a section on the front or the back of the tag that lists distinguishing characteristics of the plant. Popular characteristics that homeowners are currently looking for include; rabbit resistant, attracts butterflies, attracts hummingbirds, low maintenance, and attracts pollinators.
Kathleen Carr is the owner of The Growing Scene, Inc., a garden center and landscaping company. She can be reached by calling 815-923-7322 or emailing her at kathleen@thegrowingscene.com Have a gardening question? Please contact her. She will address it in an upcoming column.
