Recently, while wandering around the garden center at a local big box retailer, I couldn't help but notice how expensive gardening and landscaping has become. In a time when most people are scratching their heads, worried about how they are going to pay their basic bills, it led me to thinking about how important it is to make the right choices when purchasing plants.

Clearly, the woman in the check out line in front of me, was on a "making pretty" mission She had that glazed-over, flowery look in her eyes. Her cart was loaded down with just the perfect color coordinated combination of fully blooming plants.

Now, I know that dreamy look. I've seen it a few times in my own reflection -- it's the competitive gleam that says,

"My garden and yard is going to be bigger, and better than yours (and this is going to happen almost instantly)."

Trailing behind her was a second over-laden shopping cart, manned by a resigned and already weary husband. Apparently, the garden would be replete of all joy sans the latest and most expensive garden toys. He steadied the water fountain feature and bird bath, among the special purple gazing balls and plastic butterflies, as we exchanged all knowing looks.

Now, in defense of all of woman-kind, and for those husbands who might be reading this -- many of us probably can't help it. Momentary female insanity lapses, in making instant pretty, all probably goes back to our female nesting instincts. Or, perhaps it's a forewarning that we are in dire need of change in our lives.

Witnessing the woman's plight in front of me, It troubled me. I knew then and there, that however ill conceived her garden and landscaping plan was -- the beauty of it all would be short lived. Many of her plants would not survive and the glory of that high dollar "all" would be a hollow victory -- simply because she had made poor choices in which plants to plant.

So, for those who are going to still buy plants, trees, and shrubs despite the current economy -- perhaps, now more than ever, we need to consider the important topics of knowing how to select and buy plants, shrubs, and trees. This way we'll get the maximum for our hard earned dollars, and the added bonus of great gardens, instead of short-lived instant beautification.

Happily, there are many ways to save money when buying plants for the garden and for the landscape. The most important of them, is knowing how to select a healthy plant specimen to begin with. Not all plants for sale, fall into that critical category, even and especially when they are in full bloom.

It comes down to common sense, just like any other purchase, you need to know what to look for when you purchase plants, shrubs, or trees. Take the trouble to know what to look for and what to buy and not buy. You'll find that will save you money in your garden and your landscaping.

Treesare sold in a variety of ways, such as container grown, containerized bare-root, balled, and balled and burlapped.

Basically, you want to remember the facts that:

• Younger trees are decidedly cheaper.
• Younger trees are a lot quicker to establish than more mature ones.
• You need to choose trees with crowns that are well balanced.
• You need to choose trees that are not spindly or damaged.
• You need to choose trees that don't have a lot of cross-branching.
• Never choose a tree that shows evidence of a lot of pruning (that is an indicator of an unhealthy tree or dieback disease).
• Bare root trees should have firm, evenly spaced, fibrous growth in their roots.
• Balled and burlapped trees tend to grow better than bare root trees.
• Choose the tree with the largest root ball.
• Don't buy burlapped trees or any tree for that matter, whose soil around the root and the roots seem dry.
• Don't buy burlapped trees with damaged or torn burlap.

Also look for:

• A soil mix in the pot that is absent of weeds, liverworts, and algae.
• Always seek healthy looking foliage.
• Firm, healthy roots, reaching into the edge of the soil mix, but NOT filling the pot.

Mostly shrubs are sold as container grown, although you'll sometimes find bare-root, or balled and burlapped.

Look for:

• Well-developed root systems (Tip: Poorly developed root systems are most evident in that the soil will fall away easily as you removed the shrub from the pot to inspect it.
• Roots that are firm, healthy, and have white tips.
• Healthy, vigorous and evenly spaced stems and plenty of leaves.
• Don't purchase shrubs that are root bound, or have roots growing out-of-the-pot.
• The top soil mixture that is free of algae or liverworts (green flattish growth that develops when a shrub has been in a pot too long).
• A shrub that does not have weeds in it's pot.

The first thing anyone who is seeking to grow roses should know about in the selection of roses, is to have a firm idea of what kind of rose bush you want to plant.

These can be:

• Bush - Recommended for flower beds and borders
• Climbing - Recommended for growing up arches, walls, fences, and even buildings
• Ground Cover - Recommended for when you want roses that spread over the ground or falling over the side of walls or fences
• Patio - Should be selected as short, compact bushes
• Shrub - For dramatic garden dividers and walk ways.

Additionally, when purchasing rose bushes, it is absolutely vital that you understand that you need to choose rose varieties that are suitable for your climate. Just because the local garden center sells it, doesn't mean it will thrive in your location.

More tips for choosing a rose bushes, always purchase:

• Bare-root roses
• Rose bushes whose graft union is firm
• Be certain of a well-developed root system
• Seek plum and supple buds
• Evenly spaced branches in the overall framework of the rose plant
• Rose bushes whose roots have NOT been severely cut back

The best time to buy perennials is in the spring when you'll have the largest selection. In most locations perennials are available all year round.

Look for:

• Healthy, green top-growth
• Soil mix in the pot that is just moist
• No weed growth should be visible on soil mix surface
• Sturdy, new roots
• Roots that are visible around the root ball, but not congested (Yes, I'm saying lift that plant out of the pot to inspect them before you buy them).
• Perennials with new growth at the crown
• Watch for evidence of dying back
• Look for firm and undamaged crowns
• Buy only if soil is moist
• Don't buy if top growth is thin, sparse, or weak
• Don't buy if foliage is discolored

Some perennials are non-woody and die down at the end of a season. They usually lie dormant in the winter and reappear with new growth the next spring.

Some annuals are also non-woody. They germinate, flower, set seeds, and die all in the time frame of one year.

Some biennials are additionally non-woody plants. They have leafy growth the first year, then flower, set seed, and die the next year.

These tips apply to bulbs, corms, rhizomes, and tubers even though they are different:

• Don't buy them, if not stored in a cool and well ventilated place
• They should feel firm to touch
• The exteriors should be free from blemishes
• The exteriors should be free from insect attack
• Growth points should look healthy, but not actively growing
• No fresh root development
• Look for larger, not undersized specimens
• Look for undamaged noses
• Look for a tunic (outer layer) that is intact

Annuals, regardless of how pretty they are always are short lived. Repeat! Annuals, regardless of how pretty they are always are short lived.

Think of them as that sweet bouquet of flowers you buy for your table. Beauty for the soul, sweet, fleeting, and so important if you can afford it.

Since they have a nature imposed "shelf life" -- why not get the most for your money and save money by:

• Choosing the healthiest looking ones without rotting leaves or mildew
• Not buying ones that are pot bound
• Not buying annuals that are discolored
• Choose annuals with no signs of die back or rot
• Choose annuals with moist soil
• Choose annuals that do not have algae on the soil
• Choose the ones that have the most buds with the sturdiest of stems
• Choose annuals that have no yellow leaves

Enjoy them while they last!

When buying seeds remember:

• Only buy seeds that are displayed in a cool and dry environment. Don't buy seeds if they are displayed in an out-doors garden center (especially if you live in a warm climate).
• Always check the "sell by date" to make sure that you are not buying old seed stock. Or, buy them anyway (if on a clearance sale and greatly reduced), knowing before-hand that your germination rate will be less than with fresher seed stock.
• F1 hybrids, even though more expensive, will yield larger and more consistent crops.
• Buy heirloom seeds whenever available -- that's my personal motto and opinion.
• Remember pelleted seed is more expensive than other seeds (coated seeds).
• Consider non-traditional sources for seeds if you live in a suburban environment, such as online, seed catalog, discounters like Big Lots, grocery stores, and local feed and pet stores vs. home and garden variety stores.