Proper Plant Site Selection is Key for Successful Plantings

Whitney Laritson | February 14, 2026

Nature Hills fields a lot of calls from our customers who are looking for something to grow in a specific spot in their yard...and with the huge palate of plants offered, there is really no better place to call than Nature Hills Nursery to find something that will work for you.

Use the Nature Hills Plant Facts listed on every product page to help you determine if a plant will tolerate the conditions of the spot you have in mind. During this post, you’ll get an in-depth understanding of the most important factors to consider.

Use Nature Hills Plant Facts to understand exactly what a specific plant can tolerate. The Plant Facts provide details about the specific conditions a plant needs to survive and thrive (which is what we want for your new plant!)

Study Your Landscape to Make the Best Plant Selection

As you research your Plant Facts, you’ll want to think about specific growing conditions in the exact spot you want to place your new plant. For instance, if you plan on planting an Oak Tree in your yard, you’ll study how much sunlight your yard gets during different parts of the day. Plants that list “Full Sun” in their Plant Facts won’t perform as well in areas of deep shade.

Let’s think about a few typical site considerations that will really influence your decision when selecting a compatible plant for your landscape:

Are there places in your yard that flood easily?
Do you have any areas in your landscape that always dry up quickly after a rainstorm?
Is your yard exposed to strong winter winds and drifting snow?
Is your home located in the city or urban environment?
Are you planting by a swimming pool?
Do you live near a highway that uses lots of road salt in the winter to melt the ice -- how will that affect your plants?

Critical Plant Site Selection Considerations

For your plants to grow and thrive, there are three things to pay close attention to: Plant Hardiness, Soil Type, and the amount of Sun or Shade the plant will receive.

1. Know your USDA Growing Zone

Each plant needs to be able to tolerate the temperatures (both high and low) where it will be planted. You’ll see the Growing Zone range listed on all the plants we offer for sale our website. This will really take the guesswork out for you. Some varieties may be more cold-hardy than others, so you can also search for plants by a Growing Zone, if you prefer.

Find out your USDA Growing Zone on any product page right about the Plant Highlights. Just enter your Zip Code and tap "Find" to see your Growing Zone.

2. Know Your Soil Type

The type of soil you are growing in will dictate how much food and water you will need to add to your plant. Get to know your soil type to be able to best select plants that will grow at your home.

When it rains, does the water drain away? Or does the water sit for a while before it soaks into the ground? Generally, many plants will prefer “well drained soil”.

For instance, heavy clay soils stay saturated after rains. This really affects plants and how they grow, as it reduces the amount of oxygen in the soil and could cause the roots to rot. Planting into clay soils will change the frequency of watering (less frequent in clay soils) as the soil will stay saturated.

Choose plants to thrive in clay soils or can tolerate standing water. There are plants that can tolerate clay soils better than others.

Plants for Clay Soils

There are workarounds to improve drainage in heavy clay soil. In severe cases of heavy clay, it may be worthwhile to build up the area before planting. If you build raised areas (called “berms”) to plant on, you will give the plants enough drainage to grow and develop.

On the other hand, some homeowners have sandy soils. Establishing new plants in soil that is very sandy requires a very different approach than the soils that are heavy clay.

Planting into sandy soils will require more frequent watering, being careful that the plants don’t dry out, especially at the start. Plants in sandy soils can dry out daily. Eventually, newly planted plants will make new roots into that sandy soil and grow to find both food and water and become less dependent upon you for all of the water they need. But you need to get them to that point before you cut back on your watering.

When working with sandy soils, remember that when there has not been enough rainfall, additional moisture for some plants may be needed. Selecting plants that need less water after they are established is the way to go. Most of the plants that we offer that tolerate drier conditions are called “xeriscape” plants. Be sure to look for those plants in the descriptions when making your selections.

3. Know the Amount of Sun and Shade.

It’s very important to amount of sunlight or shade a plant will need is very important to know when making plant selections. Look carefully where in your yard you want to plant and observe the amount of sunlight a plant will get in that spot.

Sometimes customers ask if we have a plant that gets “full sun” but that area of their yard may only get full sun for part of the day. Look to see the direction your home faces. Are there trees overhead that will affect the exposure to sunlight?

Roses for instance, will need full sun for the best flowering. If they get planted in an area that only receives a few hours of sunlight, the numbers of flowers is greatly reduced, the next round of flowers takes longer to develop, and the flowers are not as well developed. Instead of selecting a rose bush to plant in that spot, maybe there is an everblooming Hydrangea or one of the new reblooming Azaleas that might be a better option for that location.

Plants for Partial Sun

Plants in the Wrong Spot Get Stressed

Plants that do not receive the proper growing conditions can become stressed. Stressed plants will be susceptible to other problems too. Any plant that is planted in the correct growing conditions for that particular species will be vigorous and healthy and will be able to ward off disease or insect infestations easier. They can recover quicker and easier from problems should they arise. Healthy plants need less chemicals or sprays to correct disease or insects.

Plants that are planted at a site that they love will have better leaf color, flower best, set more fruit, have better form, and grow like they are supposed to.

As the saying goes… “Bloom where you are planted” … but if you plant me where I will do well, I will perform beautifully for you.

Previous Next

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I figure out which plants will thrive in a specific spot in my yard?

To find plants that will thrive in a specific spot, start by studying the growing conditions in that exact location, including how much sun it receives throughout the day, whether the area stays wet or dries out quickly after rain, and how exposed it is to wind and cold. Every plant on the Nature Hills website includes Plant Facts that detail the specific conditions a plant needs to survive and thrive, covering sun requirements, soil type, and USDA Hardiness Zone compatibility. Enter your zip code on any product page to instantly identify your growing zone, then use that information alongside the Plant Facts to confidently match the right plant to your site.

How do I choose the right plants for a shady, sunny, or partly shaded garden site?

Matching a plant to your light conditions is one of the most critical steps in site selection, since a full sun plant will struggle in deep shade and vice versa. Every plant page on naturehills.com includes Plant Facts that specify whether a variety thrives in full sun, part shade, or full shade, so always cross-reference that information with the actual light your site receives throughout the day. Walk your yard at morning, midday, and late afternoon to observe how many hours of direct sunlight the spot gets, keeping in mind that full sun generally means 6 or more hours of direct light daily. Use those observations alongside the Plant Facts on our product pages to filter your search and find varieties perfectly matched to your specific conditions.

How do I measure how much sunlight a planting area receives throughout the day?

To measure sunlight in a planting area, observe the spot every hour or two throughout the day and note whether it is in direct sun or shade. Full sun means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, part sun or part shade means 3 to 6 hours, and full shade means fewer than 3 hours. Keep in mind that sunlight patterns shift with the seasons, so a spot that gets full sun in summer may be partially shaded in spring or fall. Track your observations over a full day and compare them to the Sun or Shade requirements listed in the Plant Facts on each Nature Hills product page before making your selection.

How do I match plants to my yard's soil type and pH level?

Soil type and pH level are critical factors in plant selection, and every plant on naturehills.com includes Plant Facts that specify the soil conditions each variety needs to thrive. Most plants prefer a pH range between 6.0 and 7.0, though acid-loving plants like blueberries and azaleas perform best between 4.5 and 5.5. Before purchasing, test your soil with an inexpensive home kit or through your local cooperative extension service to get an accurate pH reading. Then use that number alongside the soil drainage conditions in your yard to filter plant choices on our site and find varieties perfectly matched to your growing conditions.

How do I evaluate a garden site before deciding what to plant there?

Start by observing the site throughout the day to determine how many hours of direct sunlight it receives, since this will determine whether you need a full sun, part sun, or shade-tolerant plant. Next, assess your soil drainage by watching how quickly water disappears after a rainstorm, and consider any environmental factors unique to your location such as road salt exposure, strong winter winds, or proximity to a pool. Look up your USDA Hardiness Zone using the zip code tool on any Nature Hills product page, then use those three factors together, zone, soil type, and light level, to filter your plant search and find varieties proven to thrive in your exact conditions.

How do I choose plants that will succeed in a spot with poor or compacted soil?

Start by checking the Soil Type listed in the Plant Facts on every Nature Hills product page, as this will tell you exactly what soil conditions a plant can tolerate, including poor, compacted, or clay-heavy ground. Some plants are naturally adapted to tough soil conditions and will thrive where others fail, so filtering your search by soil type can save you a lot of frustration. Visit naturehills.com, enter your zip code to confirm your growing zone, and then look for plants specifically noted to tolerate compacted or poor soils to ensure you are setting your new planting up for long-term success.

Why do plants fail when placed in the wrong location, and how can I avoid that mistake?

Plants fail in the wrong location because their core needs for temperature tolerance, soil conditions, and light exposure are not being met, causing stress that leads to poor growth or death. A full sun perennial planted in deep shade, or a Zone 6 shrub planted in a Zone 4 garden, simply cannot perform as nature intended. Before purchasing any plant, study the Plant Facts listed on every Nature Hills product page, enter your zip code to confirm your USDA Growing Zone, and honestly assess how much sun your planting site receives throughout the day, how well the soil drains after rain, and any environmental factors like road salt or wind exposure.

How do I select plants that suit both my climate and the specific conditions of my yard?

Start by entering your zip code on any Nature Hills product page to find your USDA Growing Zone, which ensures the plants you choose can handle your local temperature extremes. From there, study the Plant Facts listed on each product page to match a plant's specific requirements to the exact conditions of your planting site, including sun exposure, soil type, and moisture levels. Walk your yard at different times of day to note which areas stay wet after rain, dry out quickly, or receive full sun versus deep shade, since these details matter as much as your hardiness zone. Use those observations alongside the Plant Facts to narrow your selection, or call Nature Hills directly for personalized guidance on finding the right plant for your specific spot.

Should I change my planting site conditions or choose plants that already match them?

Generally, it is far easier and more successful to choose plants that already match your existing site conditions than to try to alter your landscape to suit a particular plant. Factors like your USDA Hardiness Zone, natural drainage patterns, and sun exposure are difficult or costly to change in any meaningful way. Use the Plant Facts listed on every Nature Hills product page to match plants to your exact conditions, including soil type, sunlight, and cold hardiness. Search naturehills.com by your Growing Zone or specific site conditions to find plants that will thrive where you want to plant them.

How do I use sun exposure, soil quality, and drainage together to make better plant placement decisions?

Start by observing your planting site at multiple points throughout the day to accurately assess whether it receives full sun (6 or more hours), part sun, or full shade, since this single factor eliminates many plant choices right away. Next, evaluate your soil by noting how quickly water drains after a rainstorm, as soggy areas that stay wet for hours require moisture-tolerant species while fast-draining sandy spots demand drought-tolerant varieties. Cross-reference these conditions with the Plant Facts listed on every Nature Hills product page, which detail the exact sun, soil, and moisture requirements each plant needs to survive and thrive. Use your zip code to confirm your USDA Growing Zone on any product page, then filter your plant choices to only those that meet all three criteria for your specific site before making a final selection.