No matter whether you are growing flowers from seeds or purchasing them ready-planted, select plants that complement the landscape in which you live. Make sure there is sufficient sunlight at your site, and understand your USDA growing zone to avoid planting flowers that won’t thrive.
Make your garden truly four-season vibrant by incorporating perennials and annuals alongside shrubs for four-season color. Don’t forget the foliage – its vibrant hue can provide colour even after flowers have faded!
Location
Flower gardening can bring joy to any yard, but for optimal blooms to bloom properly it is key that the location and planting plan be selected wisely. Choose an area that drains well while receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight per day for best results.
Arrange your flowers according to height and structure, placing tall plants at the back or center, followed by medium-height and shorter plants at front or edges for added depth and ensure each one receives adequate sunlight. This approach helps create depth while guaranteeing every plant receives enough sun.
Mix colors and forms for an eye-catching flower garden. Be on the lookout for vibrant hues that pop as well as soft hues (blues, lavenders, mauves and subdued pinks) as well as faded yellow hues that fade to a softer shade of yellow. Include fragrant herbs that offer both fragrance and edible foliage as well as perennials and shrubs that offer four-season interest.
Get creative with your flower garden by adding features like trellises for vines or surrounding the base of a tree or mailbox with flowers. In addition, use flowers as an effective means of covering up unsightly features like air conditioners, trash cans, pool equipment or sheds in the backyard.
Soil
Nothing beats the delight of seeing gorgeous flowers bloom, lifting our spirits and adding vibrant splashes of colour to any garden. However, to maximize their potential in your own flowerbeds you must ensure the soil quality is optimal for growing vibrant blooms.
Preparing the soil before starting on any project involving flowers is absolutely necessary for its success. Dig a hole as deep as a spade blade’s width and remove all grass and weeds as thoroughly as possible from this space.
Consider having your soil tested to understand its type, drainage capabilities and nutrient content so that you can select plants best suited to your garden and its soil type. A well-draining soil ensures flowers flourish successfully in any garden environment.
Water
Water is essential to healthy flower blooms: too little and they wilt; too much and they drown. While some flowers require frequent irrigation such as begonias or bleeding heart, others such as begonias may tolerate periods of drought better.
Annuals such as petunias, geraniums and pansies can quickly add color and vibrancy to any flower garden. Not only are these annuals relatively affordable but their blooming cycle offers instantaneous beauty!
Once all risk of frost has passed, plant your flower garden when all frost danger has subsided and add an all-purpose balanced fertilizer and layer of organic matter to the soil. Avoid working the soil when it’s overly wet as this damages its structure and becomes less accommodating for flower and shrub roots. Watering cool soil either in the evening or morning limits water evaporation while helping plants absorb it better; additionally, watering only the top 6-8 inches promotes root development while discouraging rot.
Pruning
Pruning techniques that promote healthy flower gardens include regularly removing weeds and cultivating the soil at least to a spade depth for improved drainage. Finally, add organic material like compost or well-rotted manure to help control weeds while supporting plant health.
As you select your flowers, keep the season of their blooming in mind when selecting perennials and annuals alike. Peonies and mums tend to bloom between late spring and early fall while annuals such as zinnias, impatiens and cleome may continue blooming through summer into fall. Furthermore, bulbs such as tulips or daffodils planted during fall tend to add some splash of color in spring before other flowers start their journey towards bloom.
Arrange your flower beds according to the height and growth habits of each plant, placing tall plants towards the back and gradually switching out medium-height and shorter varieties as you move forward. This gives your bed depth while making sure all plants receive enough sunlight.