Spring is here and the garden is calling! Everywhere colorful palettes can be seen such as Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis), grape hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum), and red-flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum). Joining in the call of spring are nurseries brimming with showy blooms and foliage beckoning us to buy.

With so many kinds of plants, it’s easy to be overwhelmed about which ones to purchase and showcase in the garden. How does one go about choosing the right plants? Survey the yard and read nursery plant tags!

Before purchasing plants, walk around the yard to determine what is needed. Is the space large enough for when the plant reaches maturity? Determine the sun exposure around the yard. Does the space require plants that will grow well in full sun or in a shady space? Is the soil well-drained, moist, or is it dry?

Consider the kind of plant that would be suitable for that space, such as annuals, perennials or evergreens. Once an assessment has been made, it is time to take a trip to the nursery.

In choosing plants, read the plant tags that are included in each pot. These tags come in all sizes and many include all the information needed to make wise decisions regarding the plant. When choosing a plant, match its attributes to the desired garden site. Understanding the tag’s plant lingo will help in selecting the appropriate plant.

• Common/botanical name: All plants have a common and botanical name. There can be multiple common names for the same plant. For instance, goat’s beard is the common name used in the Pacific Northwest. In other parts of the country, the plant can be known as bride’s feathers or buck’s beard. However, botanical names are an international standard and always stay the same name. Botanical names are usually two words written in italics and refer to the genus and species of the plant. The botanical name for goat’ s beard is Aruncus dioicus. A cultivar is a variation of the species and is written in non-italics with single quotes, Aruncus dioicus var. ‘acuminatus’.

• Hardiness zones: To ensure the survival of plants from year-to-year, select plants that are best suited to the hardiness zone where one lives. Hardiness zones refer to the minimum cold temperature plants can survive. Since plants will not grow in all climates, the plant tag will indicate the hardiness zone it will grow best in.

According to the 2023 USDA Hardiness Zone Map, Clallam County is in zones 6b (-5°) to 10a (25°F). Growing zones are further divided into “a” and “b.” The “b” indicates the warmer part of the zone. All native plants, such as red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) and Lewis mock orange (Philadelphus lewisii) are well-adapted to Western Washington’s climate. Note that annual plants do not include a hardiness zone because they usually live for one season.

Annual/perennial/evergreen plants

Annuals are plants that live for only one or two seasons. However, there are annuals that will reseed themselves and provide blooms year after year. Bachelor Buttons (Centaurea cyanus), for instance, are reseeding annuals. Annuals are perfect for filling in bare spots in the garden and for planting in pots.

Perennials are plants that come back year after year. Their blooms usually last for one or more seasons. With proper care, perennials can live for many years. Cascade penstemon (Penstemon serrulatus) and common camas (Camassia quamash) are native perennials that provide blooms that attract pollinators.

Evergreen refers to plants that retain their foliage throughout the year. There are two categories: broadleaf, such as Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) and needle-like evergreens, such as western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla).

• Sun exposure: Knowing the amount of light exposure that a plant requires is essential for it to grow well.

Full sun means the plant needs six or more hours of direct sunlight per day. These plants are more heat tolerant and can be placed in south-facing gardens.

Part sun means four to six hours of sunlight daily. In order for the plant to produce flowers and new growth, sunlight can be several hours in the morning and the rest in late afternoon when sunlight is not intense. These plants will do well in east and west-facing gardens.

Part shade and full shade plants require four hours or less of indirect sunlight preferably before midday. Many shade-tolerant plants can thrive in north-facing gardens which get the least amount of sun exposure. Astilbe is an excellent choice for shady areas.

• Size/spacing: Size tells the estimated height and width of the plant at maturity. Spacing refers to the amount of inches or feet the plant needs between other plants. Plants grown too close together can hinder growth or overcrowd other plants.

• Water: Together with dimensions and light preferences, the water needs of the plant will tell how moist the soil should consistently be for it to thrive. Be sure watering of plants requiring “regular” or daily irrigation, occurs during the morning or evening hours. Many native plants are drought tolerant such as the hairy manzanita (Arctostaphylos Columbiana).

Plant tags may also provide planting instructions and the bloom season. With all the information these tags provide, gardeners will be more successful in choosing the right plants for their garden. Save the plant tags as a reference to the species and its proper care.

Loretta Ferguson is a certified WSU Master Gardener for Clallam County. She enjoys gardening at the Woodcock Demonstration Garden.