"Bring Me a Shrubbery!"

Who'd have thought the dreaded Knight Who Says 'Ni" had something to teach about plant selection?

In the 1975 movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail, King Arthur and his band are blocked by the dreaded Knight Who Says “Ni!” in an enchanted forest.

“Bring me a shrubbery,” demands the giant Knight, adding, “One that looks nice...And not too expensive.”

King Arthur delivers a "shrubbery" after a short (hilarious) quest, but the Knight demands another. He specifies it must be “only slightly higher, so we get the two-level effect with a little path running down the middle.” 

King Arthur eventually gallops away unharmed, but what about the shrubs? The forest may be enchanted, but this gnarly knight failed to research which plants were right for the place.

Yes, research is required. 

Luckily, much help is available. For a long list of resources that help find the right plant for the place, see "Reduce Maintenance in the Enchanted Landscape" at Zip06/TheDay. 

On the right, the homeowner planted a shade-loving rhododendron on the sunniest side of the house. The results speak for themselves.