Flowers bring vibrant splashes of color into any garden space, perennials providing year-long beauty and annuals adding blooms right away.
Success when planting flowers lies in knowing how much sunlight your garden receives. Consult plant tags or instructions for an estimated amount of direct sunlight your flowers require.
Location
Locating your flower garden strategically will have a tremendous effect on its success. Find a sunny area with sufficient drainage; poor soil drainage is one of the leading causes of plant death, so make sure it drains properly by loosening up soil, adding compost or slow-release flower fertilizer and loosening its grip on it all.
An organized flower garden is essential to its maintenance. Tallest blooms should be placed at the back, medium-sized plants in the middle, and short-stature flowers in front. Annuals such as Zinnias and Sunflowers should be supported on trellises or stakes to facilitate growth.
If you want to create an environment friendly to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, choosing local flowers should be top of mind. Native varieties will thrive in their local climate with less care required than exotic varieties. Choose plants that bloom throughout the season so your three-season blooming garden is beautiful and rewarding project. Don’t forget to deadhead regularly so new growth occurs and to keep things tidy!
Soil
Flowers generally prefer loamy, well-draining soil in their gardens. If the native soil doesn’t measure up to your expectations, supplement it with compost and organic material for better drainage and nutrition. It is also important to test the soil to identify its contents – including how much of each nutrient and pH level – prior to planting any new seeds or seedlings.
Strive for six to eight hours of sunlight daily as this will allow most flowers to thrive in full. If this is impossible, consider planting shade-loving plants like acai or shiso alongside your blooms to provide additional support.
Plan for year-long color by mixing annuals (flowers that bloom only once) with perennials and shrubs that provide consistent hue throughout the growing season. To add drama, plant bulbs in fall alongside summer-blooming perennials like peonies or dahlias that bloom all summer. Be sure to read each plant label closely, paying particular attention to height and spacing requirements.
Sunlight
For maximum color, opt for plants that thrive in full sun. This could mean flowers that bloom from bulbs in springtime, annuals such as zinnias that can handle heat or perennials or shrubs that provide year-round blooming.
Read a plant tag or seed catalog description to determine the height and spacing requirements of a particular flower. When planning your garden, note how much sun each area of planting gets during an average day; also take note of its movement throughout your landscape as it moves with seasons.
If your flowers are tall-growing varieties such as sweet peas or climbing nasturtiums, consider installing a trellis to support their growth upright and preserve their shape. Regular watering will also be necessary – use a fine spray pattern on your hose attachment when watering to avoid splashing and disrupting blooms; early in the morning is ideal to reduce risk of fungus formation while encouraging healthy, vibrant growth.
Water
Some flowers thrive in full sun while others require partial shade – particularly annuals. Referring to the plant tag or description will help determine its optimal environment in your garden. When planting perennials, be sure to space out their blooming times so you have vibrant color throughout the season!
Watering your flower garden depends on the soil type, but usually one-half inch should suffice each week. Deep watering is preferable over frequently sprinkler watering because it helps prevent shallow root development. Early morning and late evening watering sessions work well because less evaporates than during hot daytime soil temperatures.
Water gently to avoid damaging seedlings and young plants. If watering flowers in containers, consider using a soaker hose or drip irrigation system for maximum efficiency; alternatively, consider not watering when it rains!