Flower gardens come in all shapes and sizes – from beds nestled beneath windows to rows lining walkways. Before getting started, research which flowers thrive in your growing climate zone, consulting local plant nurseries as needed for help.
Select an area in your yard that gets six hours or more of sunlight each day; this will allow your blooms to grow successfully.
Choose Your Plants
Selecting the appropriate flowers for your flower garden is a critical component of creating a lush and productive planting. When selecting blooms for your planting plan, take into consideration their anticipated size at maturity as well as any recommended spacing between plants. Also decide whether you will plant perennials that return year after year or annuals that bloom once and set seeds during one growing season before eventually dying off.
Expert garden designers recommend arranging flowers by color, shape and texture for maximum visual impact. A mix of colors such as monochromatic, harmonious, contrasting or complementary schemes adds interest. Also keep in mind that not all bloom at the same time – make sure there is variety among flower sizes, shapes and foliage colors such as solid, variegated or textured foliage to ensure an appealing display.
Befor you begin digging, prepare the area by mixing in organic matter and an all-purpose balanced fertilizer such as Pennington UltraGreen All Purpose Plant Food 10-10-10 into the top 6 to 8 inches of the soil (where most roots reside). Always work in damp conditions; working dry soil will compromise its structure and limit how many nutrients it can absorb.
Soil
Flowers thrive in soil that is both rich and well-drained. When starting from scratch, amend the soil as needed with compost or other organic material before planting your seeds. If working with an existing garden bed, make space by digging up any weeds or grass that might block their way – then plant those beautiful blooms!
Select a location with full sun. Flowers typically need up to six hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal bloom. Avoid planting your garden around trees that provide less sun; these areas receive less direct light and could hinder their success.
Consider including both annuals and perennials in your flower garden for maximum color! Annuals flower and produce seeds within a season while perennials live longer and flower annually in summertime. Perennials can be easily managed – just remove faded blooms on a regular basis to keep them tidy! Consider choosing Zinnias, Marigolds, Nasturtiums or Sweet Peas for added brightness in your yard!
Water
Flower gardens bring color, fragrance and beauty to any yard or garden space. Not only can they add visual interest but they’re a wonderful source of fresh cut blooms for indoor spaces or bouquets – and make excellent sources of cut flower arrangements! Whether starting from seeds or nursery plants, be sure to follow all instructions on seed packets or plant tags so you’re planting at an optimal depth and spacing according to your individual requirements.
Finding an area of your landscape that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight is a good place to start when choosing where to plant flowers. Keep in mind, however, that flowers needing full sun may burn in excessive light while those that prefer partial shade could succumb to overexposure if exposed too frequently.
Before beginning to dig, improve the soil by adding organic matter and an all-purpose balanced fertilizer such as Pennington UltraGreen All Purpose Fertilizer 10-10-10. Work this into the top six to eight inches of the garden bed as this is where most flower roots grow.
Pruning
Spotting bees drowsing over flowers to collect nectar on a warm summer afternoon is one of the ultimate feel-good gardening experiences. To encourage their flourishing, look for flowering plants that don’t produce pollen and provide plenty of nectar, like lavender and nigella.
Grow an assortment of annuals (flowers that last only one season) and perennials (plants that return each year), to ensure a diverse mix of colors in your garden. Keep in mind that certain hues tend to clash, so when selecting hues with intense color schemes use a color wheel as guidance for selections.
Assuring that your soil is suitable for growing flowers requires making any necessary amendments – adding compost, reducing compaction and conducting a soil test to determine pH. Also ensure your flowers receive enough water after planting as well as cutting back faded flowers in order to encourage future production and blooming.