Plants often do better when hardened off before being placed outside – this process is known as hardening off.
Start by carefully monitoring your chosen area over several days to make sure it receives adequate sunlight – most flowers require full sun to thrive!
Location
Selecting an optimal site for your flower garden depends on what types of blooms you intend to cultivate; lush hydrangeas thrive when given morning sun and afternoon shade, while drought-tolerant succulents prefer full sunlight all day. If your goal is pollinator gardening, make sure they can easily find and visit.
Consider using garden edging or rocks to clearly mark the borders of your flower bed, which will also prevent grass and weeds from invading it. If your soil is poor, amend it with well-rotted manure or garden compost before tilling into the ground as part of preparation for planting.
Experienced flower garden designers take into account seasonality by including both perennials and annuals in their designs, to provide blooms year round. Additionally, they take note of each plant’s maintenance requirements and staggered bloom times, grouping those that require similar water and sunlight conditions together (e.g. drought-tolerant flowers with other drought-tolerant flowers). In terms of color harmony, pink and purple complement each other nicely while red and yellow tend to clash when used together on the color wheel.
Soil
As soil quality impacts both the type and number of flowers you can grow, it is of vital importance that it be of high-grade quality. Make sure it drains freely while offering adequate levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium nutrients to sustain plant life.
When planning a bee, butterfly, and hummingbird-friendly garden, opt for native species over fancy hybrids that may only produce minimal pollen or nectar output. Native plants will produce greater pollen and nectar production which will make for happier pollinators species!
Use a shovel or spade to dig your new flower bed, adding compost or organic matter such as mulch to improve soil structure and ensure grass and weeds have been eradicated before starting planting.
Consider selecting plants for your flower garden that combine colors that complement each other on the color wheel, like pink and purple, as well as their foliage texture and visual interest post-blooms have passed; variegated leaves add visual interest while simultaneously adding green hues into your garden space and providing texture. Iris cultivars that boast these features may provide this effect too!
Sunlight
Just as location is essential to vegetable gardening, sunlight plays an equally essential role for flower gardens. A sunny site encourages lush, vigorous growth with plenty of vibrant blooms. Make sure that your flowerbed receives at least 8 to 10 hours of direct sunlight each day!
Flowers that thrive in your conditions will provide vibrant hues from spring through frost. Opt for plants that are easy to cultivate and maintain, such as perennials with staggered bloom times or hardy annuals; butterflies and hummingbirds make especially lovely additions.
To create a seamless landscape, consider how your flower beds will appear from various vantage points – both inside your house and private outdoor spaces. When placing plants, take their mature height into account when selecting the spot where to put it and its neighbors. Repeating certain colors, shapes and plants throughout your garden helps establish continuity while simultaneously adding visual interest – though this doesn’t limit your selection!
Water
A well-designed flower garden should feature a combination of heights, colors, shapes, textures and forms. Use the color wheel as a guide when selecting plantings – shades of the same hue such as pink and purple complement each other well, while colors opposite on the wheel such as blue and yellow also pair nicely. Shrubs provide structure as well as four-season interest; consider dwarf conifers, hedges or shrubs with colorful bark for winter interest in frosty areas.
Before planting a flower garden, make sure the site is free from grass and other weeds, then amend the soil with organic matter such as compost, shredded leaves or coconut coir. At planting time, apply all-purpose balanced fertilizer by working it into the top 6 to 8 inches of soil – never work the wet soil as this compromises its ability to absorb water; water regularly thereafter to ensure your flower garden remains properly hydrated.