Create an all-season garden filled with color by mixing perennials and annuals together. Be mindful of bloom times as well as longevity of foliage.
Select a location for the flower garden that receives full sun throughout the day, keeping an eye on how sunlight moves throughout the space and whether or not nearby plants shade it from full exposure.
Location
When selecting the ideal location for your flower garden, sunlight plays a pivotal role. Different flowers require differing amounts of sun for their growth to flourish.
Drainage is another key consideration. If the soil remains too wet for too long, plants could develop root rot. By adding elements such as mulch, compost, sand and volcanic rock to your soil mix you can help avoid this happening.
Experienced flower garden designers choose an assortment of annuals, perennials and shrubs for year-round interest in their garden designs. Staggered bloom times ensure no gap occurs while shrubs provide structure and winter color. Also incorporating fragrant scents with foliage that adds texture is an effective way to add visual interest and visual impact.
Soil
Flowers thrive best in loose, well-drained soil that contains plenty of organic matter. According to Cowan, it is recommended that soil tests be completed prior to starting a garden so you know its needs. If your yard contains sandy or clay-based soil, amendment with compost or other organic materials may improve drainage and fertility.
Flowers typically thrive in full to partial sun, so pick an area with direct sunlight for your flower garden. Avoid having people walk or play through your beds so as not to crush the blooms underfoot and be sure that your garden hose can easily be reached so as to water without risking damaging stems or roots. Most gardens use both perennials and annuals for four-season color, placing tall plants like peonies, hydrangeas, dahlias in the back while shorter annuals such as zinnias, impatiens and cosmos in front.
Water
When creating a flower garden, keep blooming times in mind. Certain blooming times – for instance peonies in spring and mums in fall – require specific planning when growing and blooming, whereas others (e.g. agastache, cleome, impatiens and cosmos) bloom throughout the season.
Make sure that the plants you want in full bloom are close together, so that bees can collect nectar from various plants on their foraging trips.
If planting from seeds, follow the directions on the seed packet or tag to determine how deep and far apart to sow them. After planting, use a hose attachment that won’t knock over your flowers to water thoroughly afterward. Also remove any unsightly weeds to protect the nutrients needed by your plants.
Fertilizer
Utilizing fertilizers to promote flower growth is vital, particularly when starting from seed or planting an entirely new garden bed. Granular blends may work better at planting time or early spring, while liquid formulations may provide longer-lasting support during the warmer seasons.
An effective way to start your flower garden is with a diverse mix of perennials, annuals and bulbs that bloom at various times throughout the summer season. Shrubs add structure as well as four-season interest.
Before applying any type of fertilizer, always check that the soil is moist. Fertilizers can burn plants if applied when they are stressed; to prevent this, water the flowers before applying any granular fertilizers at planting time or in early spring.
Pruning
Maintaining your flower garden should always include keeping its area free from unsightly weeds that drain nutrients from the soil needed for their success. Remove them immediately when you notice them and add compost regularly to enrich its soil bed.
Choose flowers suited to the environment in your region. “Fancy hybrids may look appealing but may not produce enough pollen and nectar for local bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to survive,” states Cowan.
Install flowering shrubs to give your flower garden height, and to reduce pruning work, install rectangles of flagstone around bed edges for ease in pruning. Also keep paths between flower beds wide so as not to trample flowers when walking through your garden.