If you've always wondered why some gardens look vibrant, healthy and alive and others weak, pest-infested and struggling, it probably comes down to putting the right plant in the right place.

Gardening is easy, and rewarding, when you choose plants, flowers and shrubs that will flourish in your area.

We are fortunate to have several industry experts contributing to our regional publications, such as this publication "Nature‟s Companion", "The Seed" from the NSA, and "Gardener" from the folks at The Great Plants for the Great Plains.

All identify three basic rules of environmentally conscious gardening to guide you in selecting the right plant for the right place.

1 - You can create a healthy, lush and vibrant lawn or garden simply by starting with the right stuff -- plants, trees, flowers and shrubs that grow well in your area.

While this may sound like a restriction, you‟ll be amazed at the diverse plants and flowers you‟ll be able to use, regardless of whether your location is usually described as hot, dry and dusty or cool, wet and shady.

Along with these regional publications introducing you to plants and practices for successful gardening, remember your local garden center.

Ask the experts at your favorite garden center for advice, and they can steer you towards big plants, dwarf shrubs, brilliantly colored flowers, eye-catching plants with unusual leaf patterns, highly fragrant flowers and shrubs and practically anything you could want in your garden.

2 - Putting the right plant in the right place also involves looking at the conditions in your individual lawn or garden.

If your garden is in partial shade for most of the day, it‟s not a good idea to select a sun-loving plant.

If you placer plants where they‟ll be happiest in your garden, you won't need to overwater or over-fertilize to get the result you desire.

3 - You can also get the most out of your garden by using common sense, such as planting a low water demand plant in higher elevated or dry areas than a plant needing more water.

When you water your garden, excess moisture will trickle down from the low water demand plant the thirstier plant nearby.

In general, selecting disease-resistant, drought-tolerant plants makes sense, no matter what the conditions in your garden.

By putting the right plant in the right place, you‟ll have hours of low maintenance enjoyment on your own beautiful plot of land