Mother Nature tried to delay spring this year. With warmer weather on its way, the rush is on. Gardeners are frantically planting and rushing out to make last-minute purchases. Some will look for the best deals while others shop for best quality. A deal is not a deal if the plant does not live.

The passion to find the best quality and the most unique varieties of annual and perennials gets every gardener out for the challenge. There are dozens of local greenhouses that grow good quality plants at good, competitive prices. Shopping around is what makes it so exciting.

The key to buying healthy plants is to look for ones that do not appear overly stressed or weakened. Choose plants that are compact and with bushy growth. Look for one that has many short stems rather than one with a few taller stems. Tall spindly growth is an indication that it did not get enough light, it was improperly pruned or is possibly rootbound.

It is best to pick annuals that are not in bloom yet. The transplant shock will be less when the plant is not in bloom. Choose plants that are just beginning to form buds. Spring-blooming perennials will be in bloom in their pots right now. This cannot be avoided as it is their natural blooming time. Do not despair, they will survive the transplant and will have all summer to establish.

Look for plants that have been watered properly. The soil should be slightly moist. Young plants in their small containers need regular watering to stay healthy until they get planted in the garden. Stay away from plants with yellowed or discoloured leaves. It could be a sign of poor watering practices and even worse, insects or diseases. This of course does not include plants that naturally have yellow foliage.

Pick plants with good root growth. Long root hairs hanging out the bottom of drainage holes is not always a good sign. This indicates that the roots are overcrowded and that the plant is rootbound. For annuals a few visible root hairs is important as one knows that the plant has established roots and that it will handle the transplant well. Ideally the plant should pull out of the pot easily when tipped on its side.

One should see established roots at least two thirds through the soil of the pot. On the other hand, overcrowded roots in a perennial plant pot or in trees and shrubs may be more of a detriment as they can weaken the plant. It is very important to break up the roots of rootbound plants at planting time.  Healthy, strong plants that are not overly stressed have a much higher chance of survival in the garden.