Select flowers that will thrive in your growing zone, taking into account color and shape preferences when placing them in a flower bed.
Focal flowers such as roses can be balanced out by including airy blooms such as feverfew and foliage textures like sword-like gladiolus. A garden path adds interest and brings vitality into any flower bed.
Digging
Flower gardens add color and beauty to your landscape while providing bees and other pollinators with a welcoming habitat. When starting from scratch or updating an existing garden, it’s essential that you decide where and what types of flowers will grow best as well as how best to arrange them visually.
Establishing a new flower garden requires selecting an ideal site. Plants need direct sunlight and rich, well-draining soil; make sure the chosen area fits these criteria as well as proximity to a water source or hose which makes watering simpler.
To prepare the site, start by clearing away grass with a shovel and taking down sod. It is best to do this when conditions are dry as wet soil compacts easily and becomes difficult to work with. Use a garden hose to outline your bed shape before digging; this flower garden features gentle curves to give a natural aesthetic.
Leveling
Flower gardens provide the perfect opportunity to hone your gardening skills while adding vibrant hues to your backyard. Before beginning to dig, however, it’s crucial that the area be adequately levelled – this will ensure the beds you create can grow successfully.
Consider how much sunlight your yard receives to determine which flowers can thrive there. Most flower types require at least six hours of direct sun each day in order to thrive; however, you can still plant beds in shadier areas by selecting only certain varieties.
When selecting plants for your flower garden, pay special attention to color, size and shape. Varying heights and colors add visual interest while repeating plant shapes provides continuity. Shrubs and small trees add four-season appeal while vines such as sweet peas or climbing nasturtiums can add fragrance as well as visual interest.
Holes
Be it creating a brand-new garden from scratch or rejuvenating an existing one, the first step should always involve clearing away weeds and debris. A hand trowel should do the trick for short weeds while using a garden rake can loosen deeper roots to prevent further spread.
If you’re redesigning an existing garden, take care to identify any perennial plants that have outgrown their space and remove any that have outlived their intended use. Some can be saved by dividing and giving away or planting elsewhere; other must be discarded altogether.
As you clear out an area for new flowers, consider turning any straight edges into curved ones – these appear more natural and make mowing easier than sharp corners. Furthermore, as world-renowned Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf states in his book on garden design: “Shape is an important element of garden design”. Taller plants should be placed nearer the back and center, followed by medium height ones before short ones so as to form an appealing and full flower bed over time.
Planting
Flowers add color and attract pollinators to any landscape, adding beauty while drawing pollinators buzzes to your gardens. However, before you plant any, there are a few considerations you need to keep in mind before getting started.
Your first step should be selecting an area and prepping its soil accordingly. Make sure your garden receives ample sunlight and can easily receive watering; start small and expand as you gain more experience!
Your flower garden’s type should also dictate its location and soil selection; for instance, a cutting garden requires full sunlight while low maintenance flower beds work better in shade with drought tolerant plants. Also be mindful of blooming times; layering provides a fuller display as more perennials bloom at different times throughout the year and is great at hiding unsightly objects like HVAC units and trash cans from view.