Bargain hunting tips

It is that time of year when some of the garden centers begin to offer sales on plants. It is easy to get overwhelmed by all the "deals". Here are a couple of tips and hints for shopping those sales:

• Buy in quantities of two, three or five. Don't buy just one unless you will be using it as an accent or focal point.
• Remember to keep the full size in mind. It may be tiny now, but overgrow its space in a couple of years.
• Keep your yard in mind - if it is full sun, don't buy plants that need shade.
• Ask questions! Some of the other shoppers may have experience with the plant you are considering if the staff doesn't know.
• Think about planting perennials in containers for the rest of the season - add some annuals and fillers - then plant them in the ground in the fall.