Make a Decision!

Show tunes aren’t in the repertoire of many young people. So when American Idol contestants, young singers vying for a multi-million dollar recording contract, had to sing Broadway tunes Tuesday night, they gave widely varying reasons for choosing the songs they sang. They didn’t have long to deliberate—they had one week to learn the song and perform it on live national television. In contrast to their quick decision making, I’ve seen customers at nurseries take an hour or more to choose the perfect rose. I believe in planning, but there is a point where it turns into paralysis by analysis. Let’s take some inspiration from the singers, make our decisions and get on with our lives.

"I closed my eyes, put my finger on the paper, and the song I was pointing to was the one I chose." –Bo Bice

This is the adventurous approach. Since nurseries have lists of plants they stock, you can ask to see a copy and try this method for yourself.

"I was already familiar with the song."—Constantine Maurulis

If you already have a plant you like, try planting a few more elsewhere in your yard to convey a rhythm. Consider professional landscapes. They don’t have collections of plants, they have groups of plants. The groups are repeated, like a chorus in a song.

"My mother suggested the song."—Scott Savol

If your mother or grandmother doesn’t have any suggestions—and what are the odds of that?—just ask a good gardener in your neighborhood.

"The song conveyed a feeling I had had once in my life."—Nadia Turner

A few other singers also said that they chose songs that struck a chord with them. Likewise, gardeners sometimes see a plant that captures their imagination. If this happens to you, take the plant home, learn about it, and grow it. However, if you love plants as much as American Idol judge Paula Abdul loves singers, you may end up buying more plants than you can fit into your car.