How to Pick Healthy Plants for your Garden
The first consideration in picking a plant for your garden is to look at whether the plant is an annual or a perennial. Perennials cost more but will have a long life since they will come up again for many seasons. Annuals bloom for just one season. Also consider the bloom season if it is a flowering plant.
Next, consider the light conditions on the tag of the plant. Many plants like full sun and it is important to know where the plant will be put in the garden and the amount of light that location will likely receive. The tag on the plant will specify its light needs, often with sun/part sun/, part shade/shade icons.
Once a type of plant has been selected, consider its overall health. First, start with the leaves. A nice true color of leaves is a sign of health. If the leaves are yellowed or brownish, have holes, or some leaves have obviously dropped from the plant, then look for another plant. Next, consider the flower (if flowers are part of that plant) and look to see if the buds are plentiful and firm. It is fine to select a plant that has some flowers open, but it will be less shock to a plant when it is planted if it is not in full flower. Last, make sure that the 
soil has no bugs hiding it or worse, lodged in the leaves of plant. Earthworms are the happy exception to this rule.
Happy Gardening!
