Master Gardeners Offer Tips for Choosing the Right Plants

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The UC Master Gardeners of Butte County are providing guidance on how to choose the right plants for your garden based on factors like the function you want the plant to serve, the environment of the planting site, and the characteristics of the desired plant. They recommend considering elements like sun exposure, soil type, water needs, and eventual plant size to ensure your new additions thrive.

Why it matters

Choosing the right plants for your garden can be challenging, but taking the time to research and plan can help ensure your new additions survive and flourish. The Master Gardeners are offering their expertise to help local gardeners make informed choices and avoid common pitfalls when adding new plants.

The details

The Master Gardeners advise first considering the purpose you want the plant to serve, such as providing shade, acting as a windbreak, or adding colorful flowers. Then, carefully evaluate the planting site's conditions, including sun exposure, soil drainage, and existing irrigation. It's also important to think about how the new plant will fit in with its surroundings in terms of size, color, and texture. The Master Gardeners recommend selecting native or drought-tolerant plants when possible, as they are well-suited to the local climate.

• The Master Gardeners are hosting a Plant Selection and Planting Techniques workshop on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

What’s next

The Master Gardeners encourage gardeners to visit their Demonstration Garden at Patrick Ranch to see examples of plants that thrive in local conditions, and to reach out to the Master Gardener hotline or email with any gardening questions.