Only the Best

DECIPHERING DESCRIPTIONS

Cleverly written plant labels and catalog descriptions can make any plant sound like a “must-have.” Deciding on which variety to buy can be challenging unless you learn how to read between the lines of creative copy.

Heavy feeders often can be translated to “fussy plants” due to frequent needs for fertilization. If the feeding regime isn’t kept up, an eye-catching plant can grow into an eyesore.

Drought-tolerant is relative to where the plant will be grown. What’s drought-tolerant in Michigan may be a water-thirsty plant in New Mexico. (This is where a good, regional plant guide comes in handy.) Still, being drought-tolerant doesn’t apply until after the plant has become established. All plants require routine watering during the first year.

Vigorous or aggressive almost always means invasive, either by means of readily self-seeding (as with the nigellas) or spreading by underground roots (as with mints). That doesn’t mean plants labeled as vigorous aren’t worth growing; just be prepared to pull them if they get out of hand.

Prefers and tolerates are terms with variable meanings that change depending on the plant and growing situation. For example, “prefers fertile soil” can mean the plant simply won’t flourish in anything less than fertile. It also can refer to an adaptable plant that may become somewhat of a nuisance when grown in fertile soil. Likewise for the term “tolerates,” which can translate into “tolerates heat like Swedes tolerate Death Valley.”