Reading plant tags can feel a bit overwhelming, however, the information on a plant tag is important. It’s the key to helping you successfully select plants for your home gardens and containers.
Let’s see if we can ‘unravel the mystery’ of plant tag lingo
I’m sorry to say this, but not all plant tags are created equal. Most tags offer very based, generic, bare-bones information about the plants they are attached too. Annual flower tags can be the worst to try and sort out as their information can be written in foreign language. Not so much help there! And with the size of a plant tag, there is only so much room for plant information.
Reading a plant tag
There have been vast improvements in the last 20 years on plant tag information. If you’re looking to purchase plants, particularly perennial plants, you can expect to find the following plant information on the tag.
Our example Plant Tag – Salvia ‘Pretty in Pink’
On the front of the tag
- The common and latin name of the plant–latin names are specific to each plant.
- The amount of light required for the best growing results, usually shown with a sun symbol.
- A picture of the plant’s best features. For this example, the ‘pretty pink flower stocks’.
On the back of the tag
- The height of the plant at maturity. Remember perennials require about 3-4 years of growth to mature. Annuals mature in one growing season. Shrubs require about 4-5 growing seasons to mature. Trees much longer.
- The space required ‘between each plant‘ at the time of planting to allow for enough room to mature without smothering each other out.
- The best light conditions for optimum growth. The amount of direct sunlight the plant needs to receive each day.
- The growing zone or zones for best growing results. Here in Simcoe County, we are a zone 4-5 depending on your location. Selecting plants that grow in your zone will result in flourishing gardens.
- The approximate time of year to expect flower blooms. Please note, if you’re great at deadheading, some perennials will re-bloom through the growing season like our example, Salvia ‘Pretty in Pink’. A bonus! But you have to deadhead.
- Plants that grow well or ‘pair well’ together in a garden setting.
- Any special features. “Vibrant lavender pink flowers held on darker pin calyxes (that’s the part the holds the flower on the stem) and blooms for weeks with cutting back (deadheading, there it is again!).
- Easy care once established! Let talk about this word ‘established’. In the plant world, established means plants that have been in the ground for at least 2-3 growing seasons, or have overwintered for at least 2 years; you have provided water at least twice per week for the first growing season; and you have watered these plants really well during times of drought. If you haven’t received rain in five or more consecutive days, then it is considered ‘drought conditions’ for a garden. Don’t forget, you can have drought conditions in the Spring and Fall as well. Basically, if we don’t have snow on the ground, you need to be prepared to water.
Plant information you won’t find on the tag however you will find online
- Grows best in loam and/or sandy soil. Clay soil conditions are not great for this plant.
- Grows to a medium height of 18-20” tall and 18-20” wide at maturity.
- Great for planting on slopes or banks, which means Salvia ‘Pretty in Pink’ has a strong, deep root system.
- Beneficial plant for pollinators with nectar-rich flowers attracting honeybees and native bees.
- The flower shape is perfect for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds.
- Great as cut flowers.
- The foliage of Salvia is aromatic having its very own unique smell which is not so appealing to deer and rabbits.
- Can be divided every three to five years in the early spring for additional plants.
- May flop over if grown in very rich a soil or excessive shade. This plant needs a full sun location and can be placed in so great soil, just on in clay.
- Blooms more profusely with regular watering. So, you need to water if you want blooms or re-blooming.
- Dislikes being located where it is damp over the winter or in standing water.
Salvia is an excellent, easy-to-grow plant for a summer show of intense colour. Salvia performs best in full sun. A real heat lover; it responds well to shearing after it blooms to prompt fresh foliage and blooms.
Here is my suggestion
Because of the size of a plant tag, there is only so much information that can fit on it. By doing a bit of online research at home, you can create your own personalized plant list, perfect for an outing to the nursery. A plant list is a great way to stay on-track because I know even I can get off-track when faced with tons of plant options and so many pretty colours.
We all appreciate a good plant tag
The information on a plant tag is important for selecting plants that will grow and thrive in your gardens and containers. Just remember, there not all plant information on a tag so you need to do your homework. One trick I’ve learned is to take a quick cell phone picture of any new plant tags I find in the nursery so I can check them out once I’m back in the office.
I hope I’ve been able to take a bit of the mystery out of reading plant tags and their lingo.
Have fun shopping!
Lexi Dearborn
The Gabby Gardener
April 2022