An attractive flower garden requires careful planning. First, clear away grass and weeds from the area before planting your seeds.
Once again, observe how much sunlight your area receives; plants that prefer full sun require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily while shade-lovers require just 3-6 hours.
Carefully consider blooming times when selecting annuals and perennials to add color all through the season. Mixing blooming periods from annuals with perennials provides continuous color.
Soil
No matter if you’re planting flowers from seeds, bulbs, or in pots – soil should always be your top priority when planting anything from seeds to seedlings to transplants or flowers in containers. Before planting seedlings make sure they have been hardened off in a sheltered spot for several hours each day for several days prior to transplanting; otherwise consult the packet or label of each transplanted container to ascertain depth recommendations for planting it.
Next step in making your flower bed is choosing an area in your yard that receives at least six to eight hours of direct sun each day, free from shade or obstructions. Select flowers accordingly: tall shrubs, medium-sized perennials and annuals can create a multilayered garden that remains attractive throughout its season – repeating shapes and colors throughout gives continuity while several easily-repeating shrubs add four-season interest and structure.
Water
Flowers require water in order to thrive and should also be regularly weeded since weeds consume both nutrients from the soil and light, leaving little left for flowering plants to bloom.
Know your USDA Growing Zone and Frost Dates so you’ll know the optimal planting times and times. Check the tags of seedlings or instructions of seeds packs to confirm they will thrive in your location and conditions.
As you plant, consider what color scheme and purpose your flowers serve; such as cut blooms, dried arrangements or pollinators-attracting. When selecting native species to attract pollinators birds to your garden it is key that native flowers be chosen; these tend to be harder-wearing with reduced maintenance requirements than exotic hybrids and also look beautiful!
Sunlight
Most flowering plants require full sun to produce vibrant and abundant blooms. Aim for at least eight to 10 hours of daily sun in your garden beds.
Check your plant’s label for light requirements. Aim for conditions compatible with the type of flowers you are growing, like loamy soil that drains well. Also consider choosing native varieties if you wish to create an inviting habitat for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds; native flowers tend to produce large quantities of nectar and pollen that bees love feeding on.
Sketch out your planting area on your property to assess how much sun it receives during a typical day and ensure you don’t place tall flowers in shade or short plants in direct sunlight. Doing this will allow you to avoid placing tall blooms where their sunlight exposure could cause them to fade quickly or vice versa.
Introduce shrubs into your flower garden to add structure and four-season interest, such as roses with easy repeat blooming or evergreen shrubs with evergreen leaves. For an unforced, natural appearance, try using curved borders instead of straight rows; mix up heights, colors and textures to make the most of your space!
Pruning
Many flowering plants require nutritious soil in order to thrive, and may struggle if planted in dense or dry environments. Before selecting flowers for your yard, always research their USDA zone number first to ensure they will flourish as intended.
Once your flowers have been planted in the ground, keep an eye out for signs that they need pruning. Trimming back overgrown plants that cross each other will promote new growth while encouraging blooming of new blooms. Remove dead blossoms or faded foliage to maintain an orderly garden space.
Consider including flowering shrubs to your planting area to add structure and four-season interest. Flowering shrubs make an elegant complement to the vibrant blooms in your garden, or can act as stunning focal points that create harmony within it. Renowned designer Piet Oudolf recommends designing gardens around shapes; for example, grouping flowers that share similar shapes to create harmony in the garden.