Seed catalogs contain an astounding variety of flower varieties. A mix of perennials and annuals ensures flowers for bloom all season long.
Before digging, it is essential to establish the ideal conditions for your garden site. Take into account factors like USDA growing zone, sunlight exposure and drainage requirements as well as how you will move through it – are paths necessary?
Location
Location for your garden depends on what kind of flowers you plan on growing; some varieties, like lush hydrangeas, need morning sun with afternoon shade while others such as vibrant sunflowers require full direct sunlight.
Keep an eye on the area you have chosen for a few days to determine how much sunlight it receives. Most flowers require full sun, so find a site which receives at least six hours of sun per day.
Before planting, inspect and test the soil carefully. Most flowering plants prefer loamy soil with good drainage; considering having your soil tested to assess acidity levels and nutrients can provide insight.
Be mindful that your garden will require regular tending – trimming, watering and fertilization. Donna Hackman, an accomplished retired garden designer recommends creating paths between flower beds using large rectangles of flagstone to prevent trampling delicate blooms. In order to add structure and height she suggests planting shrubs as centerpieces in flower gardens.
Soil
Flower gardens are works of art, each plant acting like a brushstroke in creating the overall picture. Soil serves as an integral canvas; providing essential nutrients and moisture needed to give flowers their vibrant hues and fragrant fragrance.
Most flowers require rich, loamy soil that drains well. If your soil has heavy clay content, amending it with compost and organic matter can increase drainage and air circulation to promote better aeration and drainage. A pH level between 6.0 to 7.0 is ideal for most flower varieties.
Put organic material in the top 6-8 inches of your soil where most roots reside. For best results, work the soil when it’s slightly damp but not wet; over-wet soil damages its structure and limits airflow resulting in waterlogging and depleted nutrients.
Sunlight
Your flower garden requires at least six hours of sun each day in order to produce maximum blooms and colors. While certain plants, such as lush hydrangeas and impatiens, prefer shade, others such as drought-resistant succulents and vibrant sunflowers need full sunlight in order to thrive.
As you select a location for your flower garden, keep an eye out for how the sunlight hits it throughout the day. While early morning sun tends to be soft and gentle, afternoon sunlight often brings intense heat that could potentially scorch flowers you have planted there.
Combine perennials and annuals to ensure your flower garden blooms from spring through fall. Staggered bloom times of perennials like peonies and mums pair beautifully with vibrant annuals like zinnias and cosmos which flourish quickly and add more color during their season of growth. When planting, make sure that you water deeply to allow excess water to soak into the soil instead of runoff; mulch for a thriving, healthful garden!
Water
Flower gardens bring vibrancy and excitement to any landscape, providing consistent color throughout the seasons. Flower gardens may feature annuals or perennials or both – or a combination. Perennials such as peonies and roses typically need annual attention in order to bloom (zinnias and impatiens being great examples) while annual bloomers like zinnias can show up midsummer or fall (zinnias etc). A good mix of perennials and annuals will provide consistent hues year after year!
Once you’ve selected a location for your flower garden, clear away and remove any grass or weeds growing there. If possible, improve soil quality by mixing in organic matter and all-purpose balanced fertilizer into the mix.
Most flower plants thrive best in full sun conditions, so ensure that your planting site receives six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day. Also familiarize yourself with your USDA growing zone so you select plants suitable for your yard.