You've chosen your plants by following our simple shopping tips, and now you're ready to get them in the ground or in a container. If you haven't shopped yet, check out that section for help on selection and quantities. If you prefer that we do the thinking for you, go to our theme gardens. Each collection will fill a 12-18 inch container, or two 10-12 inch containers.

On your pot stake, you'll notice that there's an L, M, or T next the height. They signify:

• L = Low for plants 8 inches or less in height
• M = Medium for plants between 9-24 inches high
• T = Tall for plants over 2 feet high

Below are recommendations for placement of those plants. Although they are designed for containers, you can take the same concepts to similarly-shaped garden plots. Simply place the plants in the same spot, but spread them out according to what's recommended on the pot stake.

Another idea: you don't have to view your garden plot symmetrically! Draw out different shapes in the dirt to create interesting patterns.

Generally, you want to put the low growing plants at the front or border. Place the tallest in the back, or in the center if the area is round. Fill in the remaining sections with the rest of plants of varying heights. Play with the colors and textures of the flowers and foliage.

If you're planting into a container, shake off as much soil as you can without damaging the roots. If it's going into the ground, lightly separate roots and dig a hole the same depth of the container and 1-2 inches wider. If there's a pad of coiled roots at the bottom, cut or pull it off.

Remember to check plant care to know if fertilizer is required (we made printer-friendly versions of plant information for you to keep and reference). If you're busy, you should consider applying a time-release fertilizer when you do your plantings. Reference our shopping tips for direction on application. You'll also get advice about the benefits of worm castings, predatory insects and mulch to keep your plants healthy and free from disease and pests.