27 great tips for novice gardeners

Are you looking for the best plants, materials and techniques to use in your landscape? If you are an avid gardener, you may want to deviate from the list below, but for most of us, this is the list that works year after year. Here are my simple, proven and reliable tips.

▪ Use zinnia. It’s tough, easy to grow, colorful and attracts butterflies. Needs full sun.

▪ Use pine straw, black mulch or mini pine bark nuggets. Install 2 or 3 inches deep.

▪ Use landscape fabric.

▪ Use arborvitae “Green Giant” instead of Leyland cypress.

▪ Use cherry “Okame” instead of Bradford pear.

▪ Use lorepetalum instead of privet or barberry.

▪ Use hollies instead of mahonia.

▪ Use rose “Knockout” or “Oso Easy” instead of hybrid teas.

▪ Use metal edging installed 1 ½ inches above grade around all beds that touch the lawn. Brick works well, too, but it’s expensive.

▪ Use wire hanging baskets with coconut liners. Bigger is better, and add black plastic to the inside of the liner to hold in the water.

▪ Use tough annuals that behave like perennials — like Mexican heather.

▪ Use a nice bird bath, armillary, sundial or statue as a focal point. Less is better.

▪ Use the non spreading variegated liriope.

▪ You just can’t go wrong with any of the new varieties of abelia.

▪ Use dwarf purple fountain grass, or muhly grass, instead of pampas grass.

▪ Use plants in groups of five, seven or more for the best impact.

▪ Use tamer vines like mandevilla, crossvine “Tangerine,” clematis or rose “Zephrine Drouhin.”

▪ Use your county extension agency to get a soil test for your lawn.

▪ Use bright, sunny colors on seat cushions and umbrellas.

▪ Use bluebird houses. Bluebirds eat lots of bugs.

▪ Use quality outdoor furniture. Aluminum frames are the only way to go, because they never rust.

▪ Use plants that are as large as you can afford.

▪ Use large 22-inch or 24-inch or larger terra cotta containers with saucers.

▪ Use high-quality potting soil, fertilizer and soil amendments.

▪ Use shovels, rakes, hoes and hoses with lifetime warranties.

▪ In-ground irrigation will save you lots of time and money in the long term.

▪ Use a professional landscape designer. Although it will cost a little up front, these professionals can make your dreams a reality while working within your budget!

This story was originally published August 10, 2016 at 9:00 PM with the headline "27 great tips for novice gardeners."