First steps when starting or inheriting a flower garden should always include prepping the soil – conducting tests for nutrients and eliminating weeds as needed.
Benzakein suggests selecting perennial flowers, which return year after year, and including foliage as an accent color or texture element. He advises combining colors, sizes and heights of blooms for an undulating meadow-like effect.
Location
Location for a flower garden depends on what kind of blooms you plan on cultivating, since different kinds of plants thrive in different climate zones. When selecting an ideal spot in your yard for this endeavor, look for one with at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.
Designing a flower garden may not be simple, but it can be highly enjoyable and rewarding. Consider color combinations and different planting heights to add depth, movement and interest; additionally, incorporate foliage for texture and color when blooms have faded.
Plan to include perennials (peonies and lilies) with specific bloom times (peonies and lilies) and annuals with year-round color (zinnias, impatiens and cosmos) along with shrubs that provide structure and four-season interest while helping control weeds and insects. A low fence can often prevent animals from accessing your flower bed!
Soil
Flowers flourish when planted in soil that meets their individual needs, with most preferring sunny positions and loose, well-draining soil rich with organic matter. Assess your garden site for sun exposure before conducting a soil test to assess pH level and nutrient content.
Create an organic look by mixing plant heights, colors and textures. Consider including some low maintenance shrubs such as roses to provide structure and four-season interest.
Petunias and geraniums are great choices for fast and simple flowering; these annuals establish quickly with little upkeep required once in the ground, providing quick bursts of bright color whenever they’re needed. Select plants with interesting foliage textures like sword-like gladiolus or Iris Pallida Variegata for added dimension; combine different flower colors for variety.
Water
Flower gardens require plenty of water for proper development and blooming, and planting in shaded spots requires you to water more often than those planted in sunnier regions.
Most flower plants thrive when exposed to full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight each day), though a few varieties do well with part-sun conditions. When selecting your planting site, check its sun exposure and make sure your garden will get adequate lighting.
Professional flower garden designers know to include plants that provide four-season interest in their gardens. Shrubs and perennials that bloom frequently can bring spring flowers, summer color and autumn beauty. A few ornamental grasses or shrubs with twisty foliage add extra winter interest while creating an easy path through your flowerbed makes exploring all its delights easier.
Pruning
Pruning flowers regularly to maintain their shape and form is often necessary in order to keep the blooms looking their best. Pruning should ideally take place during late dormant season when there is less chance of disease, insect infestation or storm-induced damage to the plant.
Consider your plants’ height when designing your flower garden for multiple reasons, such as visual appeal and how the individual plants interact with one another. This step will create an impressive flower display and ensure optimal plant interaction among them all.
Use edging to define the area of your flower bed and keep it looking neat and tidy, as well as mulch to retain moisture and prevent weeds. With so many choices of edging materials available ranging from traditional plastic edgings to brick or decorative metal fencing options available.
Maintenance
Flower gardens bring joy and satisfaction on sunny summer days, but maintenance is key to keeping them at their best. Deadheading faded flowers and weeding must be regularly undertaken.
Mulching can help retain soil moisture, as well as add an attractive look to flower beds. When selecting mulches for this purpose, be mindful not to obscure their beauty – such as wood chips, leafy greens or natural stones.
An inviting pathway through your flower garden creates a seamless look, offering you a place to appreciate all your hard work. Strategic repetition of plants, colors and shapes brings calm and visual unification. Consider adding shrubs with colorful bark or twisty shapes as four-season interest and structural accents – they make excellent additions for flower gardens!