Every year while walking through garden centers and nurseries consumers make plant selections mostly on the floral display.

Here are a few selection tips before making those perennial plant selections.

Start by looking at a climate map which shows gardeners the plant zone for their growing area. For Southern Illinois that would be Zone 6 where plants must be able to tolerate -10°F to survive. The map was developed by the (USDA) and goes from Zone 1 of below -50°F to Zone 11 which records temperature above 40°F. Selecting plants that grow in Zone 6 will insure survival so those perennials can keep coming back.

Next look at the whole plant; leaves, roots and flowers. Leaves should be uniform, unblemished and exhibit good nutrition. Avoid those plants with brown leaf edges which are signs of poor health and improper watering. Roots should be firm and fill the pot. One can gently slide the plant partially out of the pot to check the roots. If the plant's roots fill the pot, the plant had time to root well. Flowers should be healthy and free from disease. Showy floral displays give color and floral dimensions but make sure there are other blooms which have not opened yet. Buying plants that are blooming allows the customer to be sure they like the color exhibited.

Finally don't always buy the largest plant available. Smaller perennial plants will often double in size that first year because they can establish roots more quickly. If a slow-growing plant is on the list then one should consider a larger one. These focal point plants are well worth the extra cost of the larger container.

So plant zone, vigor and health are the real concerns when making that plant selection. Using these selection priorities will insure plants that do well in your garden.