With proper care and preparation, your flower garden will become the centerpiece of beauty throughout the seasons. There are countless design options to consider that can range from formal styles to more natural settings – discover which suits you!
Before selecting a location with ample sunlight, select one that offers plenty of direct sun. Most flowers need plenty of direct sun in order to flourish properly.
Choose Your Location
Location is one of the key components to consider when starting a flower garden, as many plants need full sun for optimal bloom. You should choose an area in your yard which receives six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily as this will maximize flower production.
Find a site with optimal drainage – poor soil drainage is one of the primary causes of flower failure. If unsure of your soil type, conduct a soil test to identify its pH level and drain rate; additionally, avoid working the wet soil as this damages its structure and makes plant growth more challenging.
Mixed heights, colors, and shapes add visual interest to any garden. Consider repeating a few key shapes or colors throughout to create continuity; don’t forget foliage plants for year-round visual stimulation when your flowers aren’t blooming either!
Plan Your Plants
As you create your flower garden, select show-stopping flowers that fit both your style and environment. Take into account year-round interest, color combinations, bloom times and bonus attributes such as fragrance. Additionally, it may attract butterflies or hummingbirds.
Place particular care and consideration into selecting plants suited to the lighting requirements of your location, according to landscape designer Carol Bornstein. For sites receiving full sun, opt for plants that thrive there; otherwise if partial shaded choose shade-tolerant options. When matching mature height with positioning within the flower bed (Taller plants should go at the back while shorter ones get front and center placement), and be mindful to consider mature height when placing these in flowerbeds.
Plan out your layout and figure out what plants to include by studying a sample color chart or visiting local botanical gardens for ideas. Don’t forget to play around with foliage sizes and shapes for added interest when flowers aren’t blooming fully, such as mixing fine (such as marigolds) with coarser (canna lilies) foliage for more texture and visual weight than either choice alone.
Prepare the Bed
Before planting anything in a new bed or revamping an existing one, it’s essential that the area be properly prepared. This means turning over and loosening any large clods in the soil as well as adding compost for increased drainage and better soil enrichment.
As well as adding mulch, it may also be wise to cover your plants with organic material that decomposes quickly – this way they won’t require as much watering. When selecting this kind of material for mulching purposes, choose organic options for maximum effect.
Always bear in mind that a garden should provide bees, butterflies and hummingbirds with shelter. Native flowers rather than fancy hybrids may provide pollen and nectar needed by these beneficial insects.
Consider adding ground cover and shrubs for four-season color and interest, such as low groundcover or shrubs. A well-planned mixed garden featuring flowers and evergreens will not only beautify your landscape, but will require less upkeep than lawn.
Plant Your Flowers
Growing a successful flower garden requires matching each plant with its ideal spot. Read through any seeds or plants purchased to determine how much water, sunlight and soil type is necessary for its survival.
As a general guideline, most flowers thrive best in full sun; however, some varieties need shade or partial-sun environments. Aim for an area that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight each day – otherwise the blooms could quickly die or turn leggy.
Once your site has been prepared and prepared for planting, dig holes approximately the size and width of each container your plants come in. Only work wet soil when necessary as doing so harms its structure and makes it less accommodating for root systems.
Mixed heights and colors create more visual interest in a garden than rows of identical plants, while repetition in shape or color provides visual unity. Consider adding repeat-blooming shrubs for four-season interest while creating structure in your landscape.