Purchasing a plant in a one-gallon container is the start of a long journey in the life of the plant and its impact on the environment as regard size and spread of its top growth, size and extent of its root zone and visual impact in its location in tandem with neighbouring plantings or as a stand-alone specimen.

When purchasing a plant, consider its value in the proposed location, potential size, flowering times and growth habit. Plants of a ‘tender’ nature are not advisable as subjects in areas exposed to high winds and salt spray.

Plant association is important as a garden ‘matures’ and each plant makes its own statement without interference from or to its neighbour.

For interest, select plants which bloom several times throughout the year and at different times from neighbouring plants, thus extending the visual interest level.

When plants are too close to each other the need to prune impacts the potential flowering by removing the initiation of new bud and flower growth.

By opening the spatial effect of plantings, the need for constant pruning is removed, which then allows the underplanting of ground cover plantings to assist in arresting weed control.

Planting too close to each other or too close to footpaths and boundaries by necessity requires unnecessary pruning, which is time consuming and costly; it can also hinder the free movement of pedestrian traffic when along public footpaths and highways.

As a rule of thumb, the top growth of a plant is equal to its root spread which is the anchoring component of the plant.

It is therefore important to consider the location of larger species as root spread could cause a problem as the plant matures; keep such species well away from areas of soft rock, footpaths and utility pipes.

With the knowledge that roots will chase water, be mindful of planting close to structures.

Planting initially in a large hole will encourage roots to chase water in a downward direction, whereas, in shallow depths of soil, roots will grow more on the available soil with the result plants could suffer in times of drought and in heavy winds such root systems could be lifted and blown over.

Location is an important aspect of successful gardening with the plant species selection being the measure of success or failure.

Plants with a soft foliage are not receptive to wind and salt spray and should be located in a protected area of the garden.

The use of hardy plants to act as a screen to protect the former enhances the visual impact of the property in general, whilst extending the floriferous nature of the more tender plantings.

Lawns are often the “forgotten” area of the garden, with the “well, it’s green, it must be growing well” being the accepted practice. Allowing weed growth to become established in lawns will in the long term become a major problem in both appearance and maintenance.

Weeds invariably grow faster than the lawn grass and once established, take moisture and nutrients from the lawn grasses.

Shady areas should also be avoided as this can inhibit lawn grass growth whilst allowing weeds that like shade to take over the area; this is also the case with trees planted in a lawn or overhanging branches reducing the light to the lawn area.

Where lawns are located at the base of a rock cut which is continually “weeping”, consider planting a self-clinging vine at base of cut to reduce the amount of “weeping”, as well as the possibility of having the mower blades blunted by the fallen rock debris.

Weed control is paramount in the maintenance schedule, as many weeds are ephemerals with a fast life cycle and thus if allowed to become established will self-seed on a regular basis, distributing seed to not only your garden ― but also the neighbours.

• Malcolm D. Griffiths is a trained horticulturalist and fellow of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture in Britain. He is also past president of the Bermuda Horticultural Society, the Bermuda Orchid Society and the Bermuda Botanical Society