Please click here to view Native shrubs and small trees as a pdf.

1. New gardener? Take the time to really look at your property and make a plan that pleases you. Don't expect to achieve your goals in one year.

2. Put in hardscape first: walks, driveway, patio, then trees and shrubs and lastly flowers.

3. Prepare planting beds well. This is your one chance to get it right. Remove all grass and weeds, dig the beds and amend the soil with composted manure or other nutrients, rake the surface smooth and level, and water well.

4. Site your plants to their best advantage. Sun-lovers will probably survive in shade, but will not bloom very well if at all.

5. Trees, shrubs, hostas and ferns make a pleasing display that requires little maintenance.

6. Buy a good gardening reference, or borrow one from the library; then read it, many times. You don't have to follow the advice to the letter, but you will learn a lot and save yourself from making too many costly mistakes.

7. Don't discard seeds. Some are viable for many years if kept in a dry glass jar and stored in a cool place such as the refrigerator. Portulaca seeds are known to be viable for 45 years!

8. Know your limitations. If a plant requires " rich, moist, well-drained soil in half-shade in a sheltered location", you might want to give it a miss unless you're very keen.

9. Plant native seeds, available from several sources. Use drought-tolerant types such as Rudbeckia, Echinacea, Monarda, Calendula, Aquilegia[ columbine]., Portulaca, Artemedsia, Sedum and so on.

10. Don't "sprinkle" planting beds. It is more beneficial to give the site 1 inch of water per week, delivered at ground level, to encoiurage deep-rooting.