Since you’ve thought about your springtime projects throughout the winter, you’re buzzing and ready to go as soon as the snow is gone for good. Adopting new plants in a garden will add to the vibrancy and appeal of a landscape. When choosing new plants, we typically recommend using perennials and annuals that are native to Pennsylvania. Native plants tend to fare far better throughout the weather changes. You can find a variety of beautiful trees, shrubs, grasses, and flowers at our garden supply store for your York and Lancaster, PA area projects.

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Consider the Theme

Just like in real estate, choosing the right plants is about location, location, location. This is always the deciding factor in which plants will thrive. Consider the amount of shade and moisture as the two biggest factors: shady or sunny; dry or moist.

Why Choose Natives?

The plants native to Pennsylvania not only have a far better chance of thriving in the sometimes unpredictable climate, but they also feature a stunning beauty that shouldn’t be missed. Natives require far less maintenance than plants not suited for the environment. Natives have evolved to thrive here, over the course of millions of years.

Their natural beauty, low watering and fertilizing needs mean a sustainable addition to the environment. Local wildlife and pollinators will also appreciate plants that they themselves are perfectly adapted to.

Shade

Shady areas could be dry (south- and west-facing) or relatively moist (north- and east-facing).

Some of the best trees to begin growing in a shady and moist area are Red Maples or Dogwoods. They provide excellent shade for other plants to grow underneath or in their shadow. Shrubs you could consider can be the Wild Hydrangea, Mountain Laurel, or the Spicebush. Perennial flowers that do well in moist, shady areas are the Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Wild Ginger, and Black Cohosh.

Also consider including some ferns that can add a softness to the landscape that is nothing short of magical, but they are often overlooked in lieu of more visually striking flowers and shrubs.

Some of the best trees for a shady but dry area are the Sugar Maple and the Hop Hornbeam. You may consider the Witch Hazel and Mountain Laurel as they are hardy and adaptable to sharp weather changes. Popular perennial flowers include the Wild Columbine, Wild Ginger, and the White Wood Aster. Notice that some of those trees, shrubs, and flowers may overlap a little and that indicates that the definition between dry and moist is variable when shady and many plants can thrive in both situations.

Sunny Locations

As with shady parts of the landscape, there are varying degrees of moisture. Many people assume that a sunny location automatically means a dry location; however, a north-facing meadow won’t have shade, but the soil will hold moisture longer than a south-facing slope.

For some of the best trees for a sunny area there are the White Oak since they allow plenty of sunlight to filter through as necessary for the undergrowth. Shrubs that thrive in this situation are the Black Chokeberry, Summersweet, and Red-Osier Dogwood. Perennial flowers to consider include the Turtlehead, Wild Geranium, and Oxeye Sunflower. While ferns typically don’t enjoy sunny areas, one fern will do well in a sunny garden: the Cinnamon Fern.

Then, for some of the best trees to enjoy a sunny and dry garden, choices include the Eastern White Pine and the Black Gum as they can easily take some direct sun. Shrubs to consider include the Red Chokecherry, Lowbush Blueberry, and Blackshaw. Perennial flowers that thrive here are the Wild Columbine, Bee-Balm, and Sundrops.

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