Prepare the flower garden space by clearing away weeds and grass, creating wide enough paths so you can walk amongst the flowers without treading on any of them, advises retired garden designer Donna Hackman.
Consider flowers that provide year-round interest and staggered bloom times, such as perennial plants such as peonies and tulips which often bloom first in spring while dahlias and zinnias provide summer and fall color.
Location
Locating your flower garden properly is of utmost importance. Certain species like full sun while others require shade; others, like hydrangeas and succulents, require access to water sources nearby. When growing flowers for pollinators purposes, select a sunny area offering an assortment of bloom colors and shapes that attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Consider foliage color when planning your garden design; this provides year-round interest when flowers have withered away. According to internationally acclaimed Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf, designing with shape in mind can add cohesion and coherence to a flowerbed. Repetition of shapes such as spires or plumes gives an overall coherence that unifies an otherwise disjointed space.
If you are creating a new bed, ensure the soil is free from grass and other debris before digging a hole at least as deep and wide as the container from which your plant came.
Soil
One of the key components in any flower garden is good soil. Not only does it serve to support your blooms’ roots, but it’s also packed with essential nutrients like nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus which promote their development.
Most flowering plants prefer well-draining soil that’s rich in organic matter for optimal performance, as this helps improve soil structure and nutrients while warding off waterlogging and weeds.
Choose a site that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day, if possible. Perennial flowers do best when planted in full sun while annuals and bulbs flourish in more protected locations. Check your seed packet or farmers’ almanac to learn about when is ideal to plant each species of flower.
Seeds
Flower gardens require considerable work to keep looking their best, but with the appropriate plants it can become an inviting addition to any yard. Careful research of planting zones and growing conditions of each flower species should ensure they thrive in your climate; bloom time, flower size and color combinations create beautiful displays; perennials can last forever while annuals bring seasonal color without losing their luster.
If you’re starting seeds, select high-quality seed starting soil for maximum success. When watering the soil, keep it moist but not saturated; do not work wet soil as this can damage its structure and become less accommodating for flower roots. When ready, dig a hole about as deep and wide as the container used.
Cuttings
Flowers are one of the greatest joys of gardening, from planting them and harvesting them, to creating arrangements with them and taking advantage of all their possibilities in your landscape.
Start by choosing an ideal location for your garden. Flowering plants require rich, loamy soil for healthy development as well as ample sunlight; at least six hours daily would be optimal.
Be sure to know your USDA growing zone as some flowers don’t enjoy cold temperatures or intense heat in summertime. Consider building raised beds if there is the space.
For an elegant yet simple garden, plant rows of your favorite flower varieties in groups of three or five to create an organic appearance. Keep the blooms looking their best by regularly pruning off spent blooms throughout the season.
Planting
Be it from seed or purchasing potted garden plants, always double-check their label’s growing instructions to ensure their optimal conditions align with where you intend to put them. When planting seeds, follow their directions as to depth and spacing for planting each seed individually; when purchasing nursery-grown plants follow a similar procedure.
An ideal flower garden features both perennial and annual plants to ensure blooms all season long. Choose flowers with varied foliage textures like sword-like gladiolus or Iris pallida ‘Aureo-Variegata’ for added visual interest in your landscape design.
Before planting, work the soil to improve its structure and nutritional content. For best results, it is best to work dry soil as wetter conditions tend to create clumping that makes roots difficult to penetrate the ground.