If possible, cover your future flower bed with several sheets of newspaper to decompose and add nutrients – this will help prevent weeds from taking hold while the area becomes established.
Create an understanding of your USDA growing zone to select plants that will thrive in your yard. Experienced flower garden designers create diverse collections with year-round interest and staggered bloom times for maximum effect.
Location
Flower gardens add beauty and color to your landscape, attract pollinators, and enhance curb appeal. However, curating the ideal combination of flowers for your garden may prove challenging for beginners.
Your flower garden should receive six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily, according to gardening expert Matt James. Doing this helps prevent weeds by blocking light from the soil through plants which in turn block sunlight entering it.
Flower gardens can be easily established on level ground; however, steep slopes may require some terracing in order to protect soil erosion and ensure easy hose access. You should also situate your garden close to an accessible water source so hose access will be easy; consider creating smaller flower gardens around ponds as focal points or opt for evergreens with twisty or colorful bark as focal points or consider shrubs with colorful berries in winter for four-season interest in your flowerbeds.
Soil
Your choice of soil for your flower garden can have a dramatic impact on its biodiversity and success. Certain flowers require full sunlight; shaded flowerbeds may not provide an appropriate environment for these blooms.
Floral gardening requires fertile, neutral-pH soil. Before creating your flower garden, amending it with organic material such as compost will replenish its vitality with essential nutrients that are vital for its success.
For easier watering, position your flower beds within reach of a garden hose, and install a drip irrigation system to deliver water directly to the roots of plants. To cut back on weeding work, plant layers of flowers with their colors and textures overlapping for an appealing landscape design; mixing plant heights, sizes and colors also helps prevent your garden from looking disorganized!
Plants
When creating a flower garden, it’s essential to choose flowers that can thrive in your local climate. Look for varieties with long vase lives after cutting; those easy to grow from seed or nursery purchases; as well as those that provide quick results after being cut off the stems.
Experienced flower garden designers advise mixing heights, colors and textures to keep their garden visually engaging all season long, even when plants have stopped flowering.
According to world-renowned garden designer Piet Oudolf, selecting flowers of various shapes can create an eye-catching display in any flower garden. Try pairing flowers such as spires and plumes with buttons and daisies, for instance. Additionally, adding shades of blue and purple flowers into your flower garden for a soothing effect will further create this dramatic aesthetic; their soothing colors evoking sky and waterscape designs. Additionally, adding hardscape elements like pergolas or trellises will further help bring together your flower garden design.
Water
Flower gardens can add color, texture, and fragrance to your yard while also drawing pollinators to pollinate it. However, designing and planting an effective flower bed may seem daunting to those new to gardening. Here’s some help on designing and planting successful beds.
Before planting flowers, prepare the flower bed by clearing away grass, weeds, and any debris. If this is a new area for planting flowers, add plenty of compost to increase soil quality and help retain moisture levels.
Consider which flowers you would like to plant in your flower garden. If you’re starting from scratch, choose easy-to-grow varieties with year-round interest and staggered bloom times, such as catmint, aster, zinnia impatiens and coneflower.
Some flowers require staking or netting in order to remain upright, and your flower beds should be watered regularly so they have sufficient moisture without falling on their leaves – this could cause them to wilt and potentially develop fungal disease.