When we bought our house four years ago, I didn't know jackshit about plants and gardening. I still don't know much, but I have learned a few things, like how important it is to pick the right spot for a plant.
I planted three rosemary plants on the same day a couple of months after we moved in. Rosemary is very well adapted to the soil and climate of Central Texas; it loves the heat and the sun and, once established, can withstand both prolonged drought and freezing temperatures.
I don't remember what size they were when I planted them, but let's say they were the little quart ones because we had just spent all our money on buying a house and couldn't afford anything bigger. Anyway, same plant, same size, same day.
Now look where they're at three and a half years later, using the dog for scale:
This poor, pale thing is wedged behind the deck, where it gets maybe two hours of sun a day and some backsplash off the patio when it rains. It also frequently gets pelted with bottle caps since it's under the opener we mounted on the side of the deck. I only planted it there because it's close to the back door and we can easily snip off a few sprigs when we need some. I always feel a pang of guilt when I see it, but it's hanging in there in its own pathetic way.
This dude is doing just fine. It gets good light once the sun makes it over the fence in late morning and gets dappled sun in mid-afternoon. The sprinkler usually doesn't make it this far down the hill, but the rain it gets seems to be adequate. Although it's in clay soil, it gets decent drainage from its location on the slope.
And this is our super-duper queen supreme rosemary bush. Even if the dog tries to make herself look small, she cannot hide that it's four times as big as the medium one. Because it's up high and out in the open, this gorgeous dark-green guy enjoys full sun from first thing in the morning until mid-afternoon, when it gets plenty of dappled light through the trees. It has excellent drainage because of its location on the retaining wall, and it's close enough to the vegetable garden that it gets the occasional deep soaking from the sprinkler. It has lovely little light purple blooms and consequently hums with bees all spring. I really love this plant.
By watching these three grow over time, I've learned to be a lot more careful about what plants I put where. But even though garden planning is extremely important, it's best not to overthink things either. Because then you run the risk of getting daunted, and being daunted is the enemy of experimentation. If you notice a plant isn't doing well in one spot, you can always move it to another. And another. Or just dig it up and give it to a friend with a more suitable space.
For good measure, and because I think she's cute, please enjoy this close-up of our model. Thanks for your help today, Willa. You are the super-duper queen supreme rosemary bush of dogs in my book.