One of the first things you should consider when choosing ornamental plants for your home or garden is whether they will survive in your area. You should keep in mind the climate, soil, water, and sun requirements of the ornamental plants you are considering. Also, some plants require more space than others, and they may not thrive in small areas. Finally, you should choose an ornamental plant that you will enjoy.
Your climate will often play a big part in what types of ornamental plants you should choose. Cold-weather varieties thrive in cold climates, but they won't do well in warm climates. Certain plants may also only be able to grow in certain areas. Check which types of climates are best for a particular plant before making it a permanent addition to your garden.
The soil in your garden or yard can also help determine which types of ornamental plants you should choose. If the soil in your garden is loose, an ornamental plant that thrives in compact soil will not usually be the best choice. You should also consider checking the pH of your soil before planting any type of plant. Test kits to test soil pH can be purchased in most gardening stores.
Many ornamental plants also have different water requirements. Some may prefer moist soil, while others thrive in dry soil. If you live in an area with very little precipitation, you should consider plants that prefer drier conditions, unless you want to water them everyday.
It is important to give plants as much sunlight as they need, or they may not grow to their potential. You should also consider the amount of sun a plant needs before choosing it. Many ornamental plants thrive in full sun, or at least several hours of direct sunlight each day. Others, however, may only require a few hours of sunlight.
Ornamental plants also come in a number of different sizes. Many of the small ones will survive just fine in a small garden or a window box. Larger ones, like ornamental trees or shrubs, typically need a large amount of room to thrive. If you live in a small space, such as an apartment, you should choose small plants that will have enough room to grow.
Some ornamental plants, like many flowering ornamentals, may be chosen for just their looks. Others, however, may have other positive qualities. Many herbs, for instance, are beautiful in addition to being fragrant and edible. Some ornamental pepper plants can also produce a small quantity of food each season.
