Do you stick out from SMS?Saturday Morning Syndrome is vulgar among gardener , but frequently goes undetected . The effects of SMS manifest as a garden filled with plants that seem to have been randomly catapulted from a speeding train , then smashed together into an undifferentiated deal of jumbled foliage and clashing colors .

Take this painless symptomatic mental test to get word if you are among the many gardeners who have from this embarrassing and expensive condition .

Do you find it impossible to resist the mysterious king that catch up with your guidance wheel as you get past a nursery ?

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Does your blood pressure flash up like a bottle rocket on the 4th of July as you approach the shiny newfangled plant cleverly set by the nursery ’s sorcerer , er , I mean merchandizing medical specialist ?

Have you find yourself wake up from a dreamlike state , ram home with dozens of unusual flora fondly strapped into the back seat of your railcar ?

Do you find yourself stumbling around your one thousand , arms extended zombie - like , a plant in each hand , mumbling “ Where can I put these ? ” as you search unsuccessfully for three square millimeters of bare place where you may squeeze in just one more plant ?

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If you answered ‘ yes ’ to any of these question , I advocate that you temporarily give up your platinum bill of fare to a trusted Quaker or family member , ask the nursery to put a spike slip across their driveway , range guard dogs at the entry , and succeed this five - step course of action of therapy .

footfall 1 : eff thine works : Read the small charge card tatter in the great deal . It contains significant information about the plant you ’re drooling on . Verify the data with a knowledgeable employee , since local conditions might affect how the plant behave in your garden . postulate to see a extension playscript or Google it from your overbold telephone set .

give attention to not only the genus ( first botanical name , likeAcer , orJuniperus , orMiscanthus ) , but also the species and perhaps the cultivar or miscellany of the plant ( likeAcer palmatum‘Bloodgood ’ orMiscanthus sinensis‘Cosmopolitan ’ ) .

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A rosebush might be a blush wine , might be a rose , but not all maple , juniper bush or maid grasses are created adequate . plant of the same genus - and even specie - can vary greatly in their mature size and ethnic needs . You ’ll want to be sure the plant you ’re taking base wo n’t just survive , but will expand ! [ Cliff mention variation : Do your homework ! ]

tone 2 : Pre - visualize : Before you shut down the deal , take a mental walk through your garden . Using the data you ’ve learned about your prospective purchase , picture where it can grow to maturity without run into its neighbour . It have no sense to ignore a works ’s genetical fate and then regain yourself in an adversarial human relationship for the rest of that plant life ’s lifespan . We ’re essay to produce a bit of natural beauty and Momma Nature has already figured out how to program her kids to look their proficient , and it does n’t involve power hedging trimmers .

stone’s throw 3 : What can it do for you ? Sure , you ’re buying it because it ’s drop - stagnant - gorgeous , but plants often serve functional theatrical role in the garden as well . What if a the right way selected plant casts welcome refinement over a favorite interpretation bench ; cover an unwanted view , like your neighbor ’s rust collection of old-hat bed springs ; reduces chilling malarkey by amuse their vitality ; or provide an eye - catching focal full stop in a extremely seeable bed ? As long as you ’re investing money and time , it make sense to get the most out of each plant life .

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Step 4 : Think 365 : Although it was probably the bloom that grabbed your attention , pretty posies do n’t last all year . The plant ’s computer architecture ( its sizing , shape , denseness , etc . ) is more lasting that the flowers . Consider how each works ’s non - floral equipment characteristic contribute to the garden dodge from season to season . make optical interest by exploiting foliage colors and plant shape , like combining bush that have small , creamy - variegate leaves with large , soft gray-haired foliage .

Step 5 : Group works in hydrozones : Do n’t look for this one in your Scrabble dictionary . Hydrozone is a fancied Word of God used in the green industry . It describe a purposeful group of plants with similar tearing pauperization to make irrigation more good . It ’s the opposite of coalesce forest fern with your golden cask cactus compendium , then putting little umbrellas over the desert plants , so you do n’t overwhelm them .

So breathe slowly . There ’s hope for sufferers of Saturday Morning Syndrome , and it does n’t involve check into the Betty Ford Clinic or electrical shock to the head-on lobe . give up yourself to this 5 - step program and you ’ll have a more beautiful , operative and sustainable garden .

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Miscanthus

Juniper

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Birches

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Osmanthus

Cactus

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