One thing that many people get hood winked when it comes to buying plants, is that some garden centers offer plants to customers at the wrong time of year.
This upsets me when I see this as I know that the plants will not thrive and will eventually die causing a great deal of disappointment to the customer - even making them to be discouraged with gardening in general.
To give you an example, when certain plants have come to the end of their season, many garden centers still display them as they want to get rid of them before the new season's crops arrive.
A new gardener does not know this and will buy these plants.
The same applies to selling plants that are not suitable for the area - again, new gardeners do not know this and buy them only to have them die once planted in their gardens.
Retailers in the nursery industry know that colour sells and often bring in colourful plants from other areas in order to get customers to buy them.
Before you buy plants, know your climate and seasons as well as the soil in your garden and the wind conditions.
Talk to other gardeners in your area - or join a garden club - gardeners love to share advice and will often give you cuttings of plants that will do well in your area.
Gardening is a wonderful hobby as well as good exercise - it can be a bit daunting when one first starts out but other gardeners will gladly help you on your journey.