Selecting the right location is one of the most fun yet challenging aspects of a friendship garden. Since you don’t know the specific kinds of plants you will receive over the years, a spot that offers various levels of sunlight is ideal. For example, if a friend is sharing beautiful variegated hosta plants, you’ll need a shady spot for them to thrive. Someone else may gift you some Asiatic lily bulbs, which need full sun to produce vibrant blooms. An area of your yard with a small tree in the center is ideal. Dwarf versions of ornamental cherry or crabapple trees make a beautiful focal point, as do smaller native trees like redbuds or serviceberry. Since very few plants tolerate soggy soil, select a spot with good drainage.
With your location chosen, you will need to prepare the space. Start small your first year. Remember that a friendship garden will grow slowly, so make room for what you expect to receive in the first few years. Then, you can expand your space as you get more plants. Select edging that will be easy to move as your garden grows. Loosen the soil, remove all grass and weeds, and work about an inch of compost into the top layer to give your plants an environment where they can thrive.