How to Choose the Right Plants for Your Garden: A Beginner’s Guide

Starting a new garden can feel overwhelming, can’t it? You’re standing in the garden centre, surrounded by hundreds of plant varieties, wondering which ones will actually thrive in your space.

The good news is that choosing the right plants doesn’t have to be a mystery. With a few key tips and some basic knowledge, you’ll soon be selecting plants like a seasoned gardener. This beginner’s guide to gardening will walk you through everything you need to know, from understanding your space to creating a thriving outdoor haven.

At Bonsai Landscapes, we’re here to help you navigate these early decisions and provide expert advice on garden design ideas that work beautifully in real gardens.

Know the Size of Your Space

Before you fall in love with that stunning specimen tree, take a step back and measure your available space. Understanding your garden’s dimensions is crucial for successfully choosing plants for your garden. After all, plants don’t stay the same size forever; that compact shrub might spread to three metres wide in five years’ time.

Start by measuring your garden beds and noting any height restrictions, such as overhead wires or neighbouring fences. Small gardens often benefit from compact shrubs, dwarf varieties, and container plants that maximise impact without overwhelming the space.

Larger gardens, on the other hand, can accommodate expansive borders, mature trees, and generous planting schemes. Getting the right plants for your garden means matching plant size to available space, ensuring each plant has room to flourish without crowding its neighbours.

Understand Your Soil Type

Now that you’ve measured your space, let’s dig into what lies beneath. Your soil type dramatically affects which plants will thrive and which will struggle, no matter how much care you give them.

Here are the three main garden soil types you’ll encounter:

• Sandy Soil Drains Quickly but Needs Regular Watering and Feeding
• Clay Soil Holds Moisture Well but Can Become Waterlogged and Compacted
• Loamy Soil Offers the Best Balance of Drainage and Nutrient Retention

Testing your soil is simpler than you might think. Grab a handful of moist soil and squeeze it. Sandy soil crumbles apart, clay soil holds its shape firmly, and loam falls somewhere in between. Many garden centres offer affordable soil testing kits for more detailed analysis.

If your soil needs improvement or you’re considering raised beds for better drainage and control, our horticulturally trained team can advise on soil improvement techniques and raised bed installation that transform challenging growing conditions. We also have a blog that discusses how to prepare soil for planting.

Where is Your Garden Facing?

Here’s where understanding your garden’s orientation becomes essential for plant selection success. The direction your garden faces determines how much sunlight it receives throughout the day, and this directly influences which plants will flourish.

South-facing gardens bask in sunshine for most of the day, making them perfect for sunny garden plants like lavender, rosemary, and Mediterranean herbs.

Conversely, north-facing gardens receive limited direct sunlight, so shady garden plants such as hostas, ferns, and astilbe work beautifully here.

East-facing gardens catch gentle morning sun, ideal for plants that appreciate light without intense afternoon heat.

Lastly, west-facing gardens experience strong afternoon sun, suitable for robust plants that can handle heat and potentially drying winds.

Understanding your garden’s orientation helps you implement garden design ideas that work with nature rather than against it, ensuring your plant choices suit their new home perfectly.

Your Location and Climate

The UK’s climate might seem predictable, but local microclimates can vary dramatically even within the same town. Your garden’s specific location influences which plants will succeed long-term.

Consider factors like frost pockets, where cold air settles and lingers longer than surrounding areas. Coastal gardens face salt-laden winds but benefit from milder temperatures, whilst inland gardens experience greater temperature extremes. Sheltered courtyards create warmer microclimates, allowing you to grow more tender plants successfully.

Always check plant hardiness ratings before purchasing. When it comes to planting advice, UK homeowners should look for plants rated for their specific climate zone and consider local weather patterns.

Our team understands the unique challenges of gardening in Bournemouth, Poole, and surrounding areas, helping you select plants that thrive in your specific location.

Visitors from Nature

Creating a garden that welcomes beneficial wildlife adds another layer of joy to gardening. The right plant choices can transform your space into a haven for pollinators and other welcome visitors.

Consider these wildlife-friendly options for your garden:

• Native Flowering Plants Provide Nectar for Bees and Butterflies Throughout the Growing Season
• Berry-Producing Shrubs Offer Food for Birds While Adding Seasonal Interest
• Aromatic Herbs Attract Beneficial Insects Whilst Providing Fresh Ingredients for Your Kitchen
• Dense Shrubs Create Nesting Sites and Shelter for Small Mammals and Birds

However, be aware that wildlife-friendly gardens might also attract less welcome visitors like deer or rabbits. Research which plants these animals tend to avoid if this is a concern in your area.

Our planting and plant bed packages can include wildlife-friendly species that create natural balance in your garden whilst providing year-round beauty and interest. A great read on the subject is our blog that discusses plants that attract dragonflies and repel mosquitoes.

Shade and Sunny Hotspots

Spend a day observing your garden at different times to understand its light patterns. This simple exercise reveals which areas receive full sun, partial shade, or deep shade throughout the day.

Full sun areas (six hours or more of direct sunlight) suit sunny garden plants like roses, ornamental grasses, and sun-loving perennials. Partial shade spots (three to six hours of sunlight) work well for many flowering shrubs and mixed borders. Deep shade areas (less than three hours of direct sun) call for shady garden plants such as woodland species and foliage plants.

Remember that light patterns change seasonally as deciduous trees leaf out and the sun’s angle shifts. What seems sunny in winter might become shaded once spring arrives. Match your plant selection to each area’s specific light conditions for the best results.

Create Your Perfect Garden with Bonsai Landscapes

Start small and grow your confidence alongside your garden knowledge. Our award-winning, family-run business offers expert planting and plant bed packages tailored to your specific needs. Our horticulturally trained team provides personal service, taking the guesswork out of plant selection.

Ready to transform your outdoor space? Call us on 07477 968735 or complete our contact form. We’d love to discuss your gardening journey and share garden design ideas suited to your goals and requirements.