HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- I'm sure you have heard the old saying about going to the grocery store on a full stomach. They say you are so hungry that you tend to buy more food than you really need. Well, the same goes for selecting shrubs and trees for your landscape.

Never go to the nursery or lawn and garden center without having something in mind as to what you want in your landscape. How many times have you cruised your neighborhood only to find several homes with a jungle collection of shrubs and trees. I bet you are thinking of one as I speak.

If you have a desire to improve the looks of your landscape with new plants, think about these ideas first before you purchase. First and foremost, think about what the shrub or tree will look like say 20-25 years down the road. Too many times homeowners will need to severely prune a shrub and tree because it starts to grow out of its bounds and after that the plant loses its characteristics you wanted in it in the first place. Know where you want to place the plant specimen and select the one that fits that area.

Then there is the whole idea of immediate gratification in landscape design. By that I mean that its human nature to want your anticipated landscape to look great a lot earlier than it's practical. Homeowners tend to plant close together to fill in a space or location and in no time the jungle look takes over.

There is a lot of literature out there, several sites on the web as well as, with knowledge gleaned from local professionals at your favorite lawn and garden centers. Do your homework as I mentioned before you buy and you will appreciate the patience and resulting great look in your landscape.