Eric Stallknecht, Virginia Cooperative Extension greenhouse specialist and assistant professor in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, shared tips on April 20 for gardeners looking to choose healthy plants during the busy spring season.
The advice comes as many people visit garden centers to select new additions for their gardens. Stallknecht said there are simple steps gardeners can take to ensure they pick plants that will thrive at home.
Stallknecht recommends checking a plant’s roots before purchasing. “It’s OK to gently pull a plant out of its pot and look at its root system,” Stallknecht said. “When you buy a plant, you’re not just buying the foliage you see above ground — you’re also buying the roots. You should evaluate those as well.” He added that white roots visible around the outside of the root ball are a good sign, while loose soil or poorly developed roots may indicate an unhealthy plant. For woody plants like shrubs or trees, he suggests watching out for girdling roots that grow in circles and can restrict growth.
Discounted plants can still be good choices if properly cared for, according to Stallknecht. “Don’t be afraid of discount plants,” he said. “Garden centers at big-box stores are often supplied and maintained by local growers with the retailer simply selling the product.” He noted that discounted stock may still be viable even if it shows minor damage: “Even plants with minor damage can recover. Plants are resilient and will grow out of damage if properly cared for.”
Stallknecht advised gardeners to consider mature size when choosing perennials, trees, or shrubs: “Ask yourself whether the space you have is compatible with the plant’s eventual size and shape,” he said. He also explained how light requirements listed on tags correspond with different sides of a house.
For further assistance with gardening decisions—from soil testing to insect identification—local Virginia Cooperative Extension offices offer support across 107 locations statewide as part of broader efforts by over 350 scientists in research centers and educational facilities according to the official website. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences serves as Virginia Tech’s land-grant college according to its official website, working both locally through research facilities such as Shenandoah Valley Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Alson H. Smith Jr., and Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research Centers according to its official website, as well as globally through community development initiatives according to its official website.
“It’s great to support local, independent garden centers,” Stallknecht said. “But even if you’re shopping at a big-box store, there’s a good chance the plant was grown in Virginia. Your purchase is still supporting local nursery businesses.”
