The secret to a well-maintained garden is the knowledge about plant needs. No matter how beautifully designed the garden is, if the plants look unhealthy and uncared for then the whole essence of gardening fails. It is easy to acquire plant information through the various plant guides that provide details of the needs of various types of plants.



Annual Plants - Some plants live for only a year. When new seeds are grown the parent plant dies. These plants are known as annual plants. Plant guides show that their life can be increased if the blooms are removed before the production of new seeds. They grow in reasonably rich and well-drained soils under good sunlight and do not need much maintenance. These plants re-seed themselves or the seeds of these plants can be collected and grown into new plants. Popular plants in this category include the Aster, Morning Glory, Coleus plant, Pansies among others.

Perennial Plants - These are non-woody plants that grow and live for many years until they are fully matured and lose their vigor. These can be properly maintained with the help of adequate plant guides. Their blooming period varies from a week or a month or longer and they produce one or more flower crops each year. They grow at the same place for more than a year so the soil is selected carefully to avoid the loss of essential nutrients. Perennials can be grown from seeds or from stem cuttings. Some examples of perennial plants are hibiscus, rosemary and butterfly lilies.

Bulbs, Corms, Rhizomes and Tubers - These types of plants are dug and divided in early springtime when the plants are dormant. They get their required energies from the nutrients absorbed by the leaves after the flowers are spent. Bulbs are the thickened underground storage organ of perennials like daffodils and tulips. Plants like dahlias, which grow from the stored energies and food in their flat underground stems, are known as tubers. Thick underground stems producing new roots, leaves and flowers during each growing season are known as corms. A Rhizome is a modified plant stem, which grows horizontally under the surface of the soil. New growth emerges from different parts of the rhizome. Irises and some lawn grasses are examples of such plants. Plant guides can provide the appropriate knowledge for a typical plant based on the garden idea or theme.

House Plants - Hybrids of tropical plants species growing in the wild in various places are generally used as houseplants. It is important to keep them healthy by making sure that they grow under the same circumstances as in their natural habitat and in this regard it is necessary that a relative humidity between 50-70% and warm temperatures prevail. Houseplants face some problems regarding pests, which can be controlled if precautions and safety measures are followed. Examples of such plants are the Aloe Vera, Orchids, Jade plants among others.

Trees and Shrubs - These are the backbone of any garden. They are used as screens, backgrounds and accents. Trees are used for shade, and for fruits. Flowering shrubs provide long lasting, beautiful blooms, which brighten even the gloomiest of days. Plant guides can determine the nutrient and climatic needs, the size, and the structure variety of the plants that match the garden theme.