How to Select the Right Plant

Plants are sensitive to the amount of sun and water they receive, the temperature, and the type of soil. When selecting plants it is essential to know the microclimates and soils across your site and choose plants which like those conditions. Failure to do so can be costly, as poorly selected plants usually die or have weak growth and few flowers.

Step 1 - Assess site conditions
Draw a sketch of your site showing its microclimates, environments and soil types

• What is your local climate?

  Inland - hot summers Eg Mallee, Wimmera, North Country, Horsham, Mildura, Swan Hill, Echuca, Bendigo, Shepparton, Albury/Wodonga Highlands - frosty winters Eg Hamilton, Ararat, Ballarat, Kyneton, Kilmore, Mansfield, Bright, Wangaratta Coastal - temperate Eg Warrnambool, Geelong, Melbourne (most), LaTrobe Valley, Sale, East Gippsland What are the microclimates and environments across your site? NOTE: Microclimates and environments can change dramatically even across small suburban gardens (Eg Exposed north or west facing sites are generally hot and dry; a southerly aspect cool and moist; buildings can create windy spots or channel cold, frosty air in winter). Temperature: hot, normal, cold Frost: frost free, light (-2 to -3°C), moderate (-4 to -5°C), heavy (> -6°C) Light: full sun, part sun, full shade Environment: salt spray, windy, bushfire prone area Soil moisture: dry, normal, moist, waterlogged

  Example of a Site Sketch

• What soils do you have on your site?
  NOTE: Soils too can change dramatically across small sites. (Eg Clay sub soil might have been deposited on the top soil in a section of the site during building construction; limestone might occur in a location making the soil there alkaline)
  >>Information About Soils, >>Victorian Soil Types by Region and >>Map - Surface Soil pH across Victoria

  Type:

  Gravel, sand, sandy loam, loam, clay loam or clay

  pH:

  Alkaline (pH greater than 7.4), neutral (pH 6.6 - 7.3) acid (pH less than 6.5)