Start the Season Smart: Right Plant Right Place

START THE SEASON SMART: RIGHT PLANT-- RIGHT PLACE

Besides a solid design, the first commandment that Mother Nature demands is to plant the Right Plant Right Place. This means choosing plants that will survive—even thrive—in your specific garden micro-climate.

A micro-climate is the specific environmental conditions of a gardening spot. Sun exposure is biggest influencing factor. Western sun means hot afternoon sun, whereas east-side gardens benefit from less soft morning sun. Northern exposures are shadier and cooler, but can be pummeled by wind, while southern orientations mean sun and wind. Remember the reflected heat of the surrounding buildings and concrete & asphalt.

Trees, groupings of plant that shade another or walls and fences influence the climate as well as nearby buildings. More than one microclimate on a property is common.

Once you’ve zeroed in on microclimates(s) you are ready to purchase the best plants for your home. It is ok to bypass some of your favorite plants in order to suit your environment. Even though you’re narrowing your selection from the start, there are still a variety of plants to choose from.

Container gardening is popular with home and loft owners. The portability of pots is a definite advantage when it comes to “place.” If plants aren’t happy in one spot, simply move the pot to a different place and change the plant exposure to sun, shade and wind. Do make sure that plants you put in a container are environmentally compatible. If you partner a “water hog” with a xeric plant, one or the other will certainly be in the wrong “place.” Urban Roots, in the Golden Triangle at 10th & Acoma, provides horticultural solutions for small spaces. Serving Denver’s close-in neighborhoods and city gardeners, who have limited space but unlimited desire, the charming neighborhood shop stocks a carefully selected variety of annuals, perennials, vines, dwarf trees and shrubs, as well as hand tools and accessories well- suited for urban gardening.

Open Monday- Saturday 10am-6 pm Sundays 11-4 Urban Roots 1000 Acoma Street Denver, CO 80204 303.893.4064 fax 303.893.4061 www.urbanrootsdenver.com ###

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Stahl, Owner, 303.893.4064

Urban Roots 1000 Acoma Street Denver, CO 80204 303.893.4064 fax 303.893.4061 www.urbanrootsdenver.com