HARDY PLANTS MAKE GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING EASIER.

When choosing a landscape design, many homeowners don't realize that their priority should be their plants' hardiness, not their exotic nature. The fact is, if you pick the right plants for your location, your entire garden has a better chance of thriving, even with little maintenance. To choose the appropriate plants, begin by determining the growing zone in which you are located. Also, check if you live in a microclimate, which can have a strong influence on plant life (e.g. altitude, prevailing winds, etc). Then, when purchasing plants, make sure you buy ones that can thrive in your zone. In general, the lower the hardiness zone number, the cooler the climate. Note that climate changes in some areas are causing them to be rezoned, making it possible for certain plants to have a better chance of surviving in some borderline zones. However, gardeners should make sure that there is local evidence that the plants can withstand potential weather extremes.