‘In The Garden’ — Identifying Plants In An Existing Landscape
By AMANDA ZAMBRANO
Master Gardener Intern
Often times when we move into a new home, we inherit the landscape of the previous owner. Those of us who are new to the gardening world can be at a bit of a loss as to what we’ve inherited and how to care for it.
By the third year I was in my house I was tired of identifying my plants by “the ugly overgrown one” and “the one with the white flowers.” It wasn’t very useful when I was asking for advice on fertilizer or pruning – I couldn’t even tell what I had!
So how have I gone about identifying the plants in my yard? I’ve gathered bits and pieces of information from here and there. I talk to experienced gardeners. I wander through nurseries. I flip through catalogs. I’ve taken cuttings to landscaping friends and visited the Purdue Extension office to look through their plant books. I’ve spent hours on Google.
If you’re looking to identify a plant, here are some easy steps to take to find out what you’re growing.
Examine the characteristics of the plant. Note the shape and growing pattern of the leaves and the size of the plant. Note the shape of the stems or branches. What does the foliage do in the changing seasons? Watch for when it flowers – spring, summer or fall. Does it produce berries or other fruits? What do the seeds look like?
I often start with a Google search based on these characteristics. If you’d like to make a quicker identification, start by taking a clipping of your plant. Include more than one leaf, and a flower. If you have pictures of the plant in different seasons, that is very helpful.
With your clipping in hand, make a call or visit to your county extension office. They are familiar with many of the native and common plants in the area and have plenty of resources to help. Visiting a knowledgeable nursery is also a good option.
If you have more time on your hands, a Google search can be enlightening, as can a trip to the library. The library will have botanical books to help you identify your plant based on the characteristics you’ve observed.
If you’re more technologically savvy, there are some great resources for your smartphone or tablet. If you’re an iPhone user, check out LeafSnap (sadly there is no Android app available at this time). LeafSnap is a free app that allows you to take a photo of your plant and will identify the plant by its photo.
FlowerChecker is an option for Android users, although it is not free – it is a $0.99 download, and a $1 fee every time you identify a plant.
If you’re particularly interested in putting a name to your weeds, check out IDWeeds from the University of Missouri. It is available for both Apple and Android platforms.
Good luck!
Amanda Zambrano is the director of advancement at Grace Village Retirement Community. She is a master gardener intern, just learning the ins and outs of successful gardening.
Along with her master gardener volunteering, Amanda serves on the board of directors for the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts, the Symphony of the Lakes committee and a Kosciusko County Community Foundation scholarship committee. She plays flute for the Symphony of the Lakes and enjoys hand-quilting, baking and reading. She is also an occasional blogger. Amanda lives in Warsaw with her husband Dan and her son Alexander.