An attractive flower garden can add vibrancy to any landscape, increase curb appeal and provide a relaxing space in which to spend time. But successfully managing such a space takes both work and knowledge.
Discover your USDA growing zone and which flowers will flourish there, then consider whether adding hardscape features will complete your plans.
Design
As Carol Bornstein from Horticulturist Carol Bornstein advises, the first step in designing a flower garden is understanding its flowers. “To understand how plants look and grow before beginning a design plan”, consult botanical gardens in your area or natural areas that simulate conditions found in nature. To do so.
Experts advise experimenting with plant heights, sizes, textures and color combinations to add interest in a flower bed year-round. Combining taller plants with perennials or ground cover adds depth while mixing colors provides an array of color and texture options for seasonal interest.
Add interest and visual distinction to your garden by including focal points like pergolas or bird baths as focal points – they will bring the flowers center stage while drawing visitors’ attention and helping attract pollinators like butterflies to your flowers.
Soil
Preparing your soil properly before planting a flower garden is of utmost importance. While flowers are generally adaptable, they flourish best in well-draining loamy soil that drains well and has excellent drainage properties. Before digging begins, amend existing soil with compost or organic matter in order to improve its fertility, drainage and pH level for best results.
Select plants with various bloom times to create an eye-catching garden throughout the year. Shrubs, perennials and annual flowering annuals all offer various hues that provide year-long color.
Be sure your garden bed is within easy reach of a garden hose for easy watering, taking care not to strike up its nozzle onto blooms as this could damage them. Mulching will also keep weeds at bay and reduce moisture loss while helping prevent frost damage of flowers.
Planting
Once your planting area is prepared, it’s time to plant! One of the greatest joys of gardening lies in this step.
Experts advise adding compost to the garden site before you begin so as to adjust to outdoor conditions and provide essential nutrients that promote flower growth.
Before beginning to plant, it’s also essential to carefully consider your garden layout. Some people prefer more formal arrangements with defined beds and pathways while others may opt for more natural-looking gardens that resemble cottage-style landscapes.
No matter the style of flower garden you create, it is crucial to include plants that provide an array of colors and textures throughout the season. This can be achieved by repeating certain flower shapes or choosing annuals and perennials with variable bloom times – all guaranteed to ensure that spring to autumn blooming colors fill your garden!
Care
Flower gardens are dynamic creations that evolve over time, so when planning your design it is essential to think long term. Choose flowers based on year-round interest, bloom time and show-stopping focal points, with added bonuses like fragrance or pollinator attraction being considerations as well.
Plan for seasonal color by repeating shapes, colors, and flowers throughout your garden. Wiley recommends selecting annuals and perennials to extend the period of seasonal interest and selecting native varieties over Fancy hybrids for bee, butterfly and hummingbird-friendly habitat with reduced maintenance needs.
Once the planting process is complete, add mulch to flower beds to keep soil temperatures down and moisture high. Water regularly without oversaturating soil. Fertilize according to recommended rates according to species; be sure to remove spent flower heads and cutback foliage to give a tidy appearance.