What grows where?

In nature, plant growth can be found on the heaviest soils just as much as on extremely light soils, although the situation is apparently different there, somewhat sparser. Consider sand dunes by the sea. These are often very light soils that can barely retain rain. The plants that thrive there have to make do with occasional rainfall or morning dew, while salt and wind exacerbate drought stress. They can only meet their nutrient needs with very wide and deep root systems. Individual plants are often very far apart. Another, extreme location is the ground-level herb layer in an old deciduous forest, where only in winter and early spring does enough light reach the ground for a few spring-flowering plants to thrive. These then disappear in summer, and on the ground, apart from mosses, only a few grasses, sedges, and a few ferns grow.

Living areas in the garden

If you compare a garden with nature, you'll notice that parallels can always be found and situations from nature can be transferred to the garden. A plant that grows in a similar location in nature will also thrive in a similar location in the garden. Natural plant communities can therefore serve as a model for garden design. Gardeners refer to this type of nature-inspired garden and bed planning as site-appropriate plant use. Any deviation from this method should always be carefully considered, because a plant that is not in the right place will not thrive as well or as permanently, will be less vital, and will require significantly more work and care than necessary. Conversely, for our difficult garden locations, this means that we should not try to make a plant native to a completely different habitat than its natural habitat. Unless, of course, it is a generalist. Habitats are particularly important for extreme garden locations. In saturated medium areas, where – as practice shows – almost anything can grow, this can be handled more loosely. We roughly differentiate between habitats according to woodland, woodland edges and open spaces, according to stone structures in various forms, and according to water areas with the adjacent locations of water edge and swamp.

Open space and flowerbed

We refer to sunny locations on normal, average garden soils with a high dose of sunlight as open spaces. The soil can be dry, moist, or "fresh"—anything in between. Very good growing conditions usually prevail here, and the most wonderful plantings are easily achieved. Potential stress factors for garden plants here include competition between plants or—less pleasant, but unfortunately very typical—unwanted weeds that harass our cultivated plants. The classic flowerbed or the famous English "mixed borders," with their strong focus on opulent blooms, have no real equivalent in nature, even if the location resembles a fresh to moist open space, usually with higher nutrient levels. These highly artificial compositions on the best soils are granted a higher demand for care and maintenance anyway, and thus are not the focus of this book. Growth restrictions or weeds are not discussed here; they are discreetly removed.

Steppe heath and stone structures

If the soils are shallower, stony, and nutrient-poor, the open space transitions into more extreme habitats. So-called steppe heaths are already so poor that the growth only reaches knee height at most and appears sparse at first glance. Adapted wild perennials, grasses, or shrubs are far superior to traditional garden varieties here. Rocky steppes are even more stressful. Here, there is virtually no humus left in the soil, only rock, gravel, and crushed stone. Accordingly, slow growth prevails, with stunted growth forms, subshrubs, and cushions dominating. Why do we put ourselves through such a thing? Isn't dark, fragrant humus much better for garden plants? The answer is "yes and no," because the most interesting plants actually come from such natural habitats, are more durable on poor soil, and require surprisingly little maintenance in such locations. Anyone who enjoys collecting miniature plants needs an alpine garden. These precious dwarfs are best cultivated in stone joints and gravel areas, and only there. Of more interest to us here are the extremely dry locations, which don't require a meticulous distinction between steppe heath and rocky steppe to be planted appropriately. Gravel beds and many "modern" front gardens called "rock gardens" also fall into these categories.

Dry, alternating soils

Soils that are normally fresh to moist but lose water after prolonged periods of drought pose a particular challenge, especially when the dreaded winter waterlogging occurs. Such intermittently moist locations place special demands on plants because they must tolerate both a lack of air in the soil and periods of drought. If the problem cannot be remedied through structural measures, plantings from the ranks of generalists that thrive almost everywhere are recommended. The best way to find inspiration here is to adopt attractive species from floodplain meadows and spring-wet tall herbaceous plants for these special locations, creating a sensible and appealing planting.