Thinking about renovating the garden? Then you’re probably struggling with the question of what to save. Should you pull out all those peonies or design the garden around them? What about the daylilies that have grown all over the sidewalk?

This is a very personal decision, but there are some guidelines:

·          Get rid of anything that does not blend with your style or tastes. Give them to a friend or neighbor, if possible

·          Think about whether you would buy that plant on your own

·          Are any of the plants overgrown? If so, they may be choking out other plants and should be thinned out or removed.

·          Find out how to care for the plants. Which ones are high maintenance?

While you may be tempted to pull out large sections of the yard, think about your timing for replacing them. Unless the landscaping is overgrown and unsightly, it would be better to leave some plantings until you can replace them.

The plants have had years to adapt to those soil conditions and likely will have strong, healthy root systems to dig out. Think carefully before replacing them.

Also, consider asking a professional landscaper to examine the plants for disease.