If you are starting from scratch with your flower garden, first start by clearing away any existing grass or weeds, before adding a layer of compost which will enrich the soil for your plants.
Select flowers that thrive in your garden environment, taking into account bloom times, size and color combinations as well as additional characteristics such as fragrance or ability to attract pollinators. Arrange flower beds by height and structure for interest throughout the growing season.
Location
An ideal location for a flower garden is sunny with rich, well-drained soil that requires minimal preparation prior to planting a bed of flowers – loosening, amending and adding compost are essential steps that should take place prior to putting in plants. Furthermore, being within easy reach of a watering hose makes watering simpler.
Ideal flower gardens combine perennial bloom times and colorful annuals into one harmonious garden space. Spring-planted bulbs (tulips and daffodils) may be planted underneath perennials like peonies and lilacs that have completed their first season; or rose bushes with low-growing thyme and strawberries can provide additional accent colors.
Consider using trellises, arches and obelisks to add vertical interest to your flower garden. They’re particularly useful if you plan on cultivating climbing plants like sweet-smelling honeysuckle. Finally, don’t forget foliage and edible plants for texture and color; consider planting your flowers in containers like galvanized tubs/buckets/barrels/window boxes/terra cotta pots to maximize impact!
Soil
Good-quality garden soil that’s rich in nutrients is crucial to creating beautiful flower beds. After having your soil tested, make any necessary amendments, such as adding organic matter to increase nutrient content and drainage. Drip irrigation also can be very helpful since it delivers water directly to roots instead of compacting the soil by having to step on it repeatedly.
Choose a site for your garden that provides enough sunlight. Hydrangeas flourish best in areas that receive light from morning through midday and shade in late afternoon and evening, while pollinator flowers prefer full exposure throughout the day.
As part of your planning phase, consider plant color, structure and foliage texture as well as overall layout. A mix of low, medium and tall plants adds visual interest, while repeating key shapes and colors creates a harmonious design. This can be accomplished using perennials and annuals from either perennial-only gardens or monochromatic palettes featuring hues that complement each other for best results.
Planting
Flowers gardens can be a delight for gardeners, adding cheery pops of color and delight throughout the summer season. But prior to planting, accurate measurements and thoughtful layout are essential in order for flowers to flourish rather than being crushed underfoot or succumbing to drought conditions during an extended dry spell.
Before planting, start by clearing away any existing grass in the area. A standard shovel works well for cutting out chunks of sod, followed by using its blade to break it up even further and make removal simpler.
Alter the soil to meet the needs of your plants, as most flowers prefer loamy, well-draining soil that’s rich in organic matter. You might also add compost, sand or volcanic rock to improve drainage and decrease compaction.
Care
An essential factor in maintaining a beautiful flower garden is consistent care. From fertilizing and weeding, to deadheading and deadheading, below are tips that will ensure your beds look their best all year-round.
When selecting plants for your flower garden, take into account more than just color when selecting your selections. Consider height, texture, movement and fragrance too. Mixing plant heights creates visual interest while using repeated flowers and shapes helps form a more cohesive design.
To attract butterflies and other pollinators, choose plantings that provide both nectar and host plants for caterpillars of these pollinators. Also consider native species to support local bee populations, evergreen shrubs for year-round interest, native bee populations as well as evergreen shrubs as shade structures. You should monitor rainfall accordingly, making sure to water as needed so the soil remains moist but not saturated, to reduce fungal disease risk while encouraging healthy root systems.