No matter the size or scope of your garden, it is crucial that any plants which don’t thrive and meet your vision are ruthlessly removed – including those whose colors fade too quickly or require high levels of maintenance.
Before considering landscape issues, assess the soil quality, pH level and nutrient content of your soil. Also assess its quality for future maintenance needs.
Location
Flower gardens should be situated in environments which provide optimal conditions for their success, including soil condition, lighting levels and water availability. When considering where best to place a garden of blooming blooms, evaluate your garden space’s soil condition, lighting intensity and water availability before making your selection.
Site selection should consist of rich, loamy garden soil that drains well – not sandy or clay-based varieties which don’t hold enough moisture for adequate plant growth.
Pay attention to how much direct sunlight the area receives during each hour of daylight. Full sun is ideal, although some flowers require as little as six hours of direct sunlight in order to flourish fully.
Consider how much light there is and the first frost date in your growing zone so you know when and how to plant delicate blooms. Experienced garden designers know to mix showy blooms with hardy shrubs for year-round interest with staggered bloom times; this is particularly important in climates where gardens often lay dormant during the winter season, recurrent patterns or shapes being visually appealing as well.
Soil
Soil is the canvas on which your flower garden’s creations take form, so for optimal success it must contain high levels of organic matter and be adequately nutritous to support flower growth.
Cowan advises taking a soil test in order to assess pH levels, nutrient content and other elements that will have an impact on your flowers. She further suggests exploring natural areas near you to see which flowers thrive best within your climate.
Once you know the conditions in which your flowers can thrive, it is time to select which plants to include in your garden. Aim for an assortment of colors, shapes and sizes in order to add interest; select native species if you wish for your flowers to attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds for optimal wildlife habitat conditions. Group your blooming times together as this will ensure no area remains without color after one type has finished for the season.
Water
Flower gardens require water, but too much can be detrimental. To avoid overwatering, soil must be well-drained – adding layers of gravel, pebbles or crocks may help. Organic matter such as compost or shredded leaves also add beneficial organic matter that improves soil structure while providing nutrients while decreasing surface evaporation.
Color plays an essential role in flower garden design. By mixing various shades and hues together, a more dramatic design emerges. Height also plays an integral part: tall plants make a statement; however don’t overlook short or medium-height blooms when creating your plan.
Flowers not only add visual interest, but can also provide beautiful scents when in bloom. Walking through a flower garden when its scent of lilies or roses fills the air is truly enjoyable!
Sunlight
At least as important as location is sunlight when it comes to creating an effective flower garden. Before planting anything in your planting area, check how many hours of direct sun per day your planting spot receives – especially important in northern regions of the US.
Be sure to include perennials that bloom throughout the season as well as annuals like zinnias, impatiens, and cosmos for summer through fall color. Add fast-growing climbers like sweet peas, morning glories, cup and saucer vine for an eye-catching effect.
Repetition of colors, shapes and plant species throughout your garden will create visual unity and harmony without restricting diversity. Use purple flowers with yellow and red hues for an eye-pleasing color combination, group taller plants in the back while shorter ones front for the perfect floral display!