When I talk to someone who plans to purchase a plant of any kind, I tell them, “Remember, just because they sell it, that doesn’t mean it is the right plant for you.”

One of the best things we can do when planting, even more than proper soil preparation, is to make sure the plant we choose has the potential to thrive where we plant it.

One consideration is how much sun the plant will get, and the strength of that sunshine. My home faces east, so plants in the front yard get a half-day of sun. The plants in the backyard (those that are close to the house) get a half-day of sun, too, but it is the afternoon sun. Coupled with the white walls, that equals enough sun for plants that require full sun but too sun much for those that require part shade.

Various areas of all yards get differing amounts of sun, not only because of shadows from buildings but also due to shade from trees and fences.

When choosing a plant, you should also consider the size the plant will attain when it matures. If you are planting under power lines, a tall tree is not a good choice. A shrub that will grow 6 feet wide can crowd out nearby plants.

Another factor is water. A portion of my yard is on an automatic sprinkler system, yet there are the (seemingly unavoidable) wetter areas.

Also, consider the soil in your yard. In my yard, some areas have had more amendment; therefore, the soil drains better than the unaltered clay areas. Avoid placing plants with different water needs near one another.

Temperature sensitivity is another big consideration when choosing a plant for your yard. Plants that are successful in our area need to be able to withstand our summer heat as well as our winter cold snaps.

I recommend browsing what is for sale while making a list of the plants you think you might want, and then doing a little research. Use the University of California, Davis, Arboretum’s All-Star 100 database, check in Sunset’s Western Garden Book or use whatever source you prefer to make sure that the plant you eventually take home has the best chance of success.

• UC Certified Master Gardeners are available to answer your gardening questions from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 953-6112. Questions about this column for Heather Hamilton can be submitted to ucmastergardener@gmail.com.