Carefully consider where and how you plan to plant flowers before selecting their location, taking into account soil conditions, wind speed and watering options as well as USDA climate zones so you know which flowers will thrive year-round in your yard.
Think ahead to ensure that the garden contains perennial blooms as well as colorful annuals to bring four-season interest. Additionally, pay attention to each species’ maintenance requirements so you can determine what level of work you can manage.
Prepare the Soil
No matter if your goal is a colorful perennial garden or annual blooms that bloom quickly each summer, preparing the soil first is key to successfully planting flowers. Healthy plants, decreased water needs and optimal distribution of nutrients all depend on having good soil.
Initial steps should focus on determining how much sun or shade a site receives. While full sunlight is ideal, gardens that include some form of shade from nearby trees or structures still stand a good chance at success provided they receive enough daylight throughout the day.
Next, use a shovel or rake to loosen and break up large chunks in the soil, making planting easier while possibly helping prevent future weeds. It would also be wise to add well-rotted manure or compost at this stage for good measure – however if the ground is too wet to work with just yet then simply wait a few days.
Select Your Plants
As soon as the weather warms up, gardeners eagerly anticipate getting their hands dirty in the dirt. But before diving in to a flower bed, be sure to prepare the area by clearing away grass or weeds as well as adding compost to improve soil quality and prepare an area suitable for planting.
After selecting the ideal location for your flower garden, research the stunning blooms you wish to grow as well as their specific requirements and bloom times/color combinations/pollinator attraction.
When selecting flowers, keep the shape in mind as well. Renowned Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf suggests that pairing like-shaped perennial flowers together to create visual cohesion in the landscape; for instance spires and umbels look nice together, as do lilyturfs and daisies. You could also select plants with interesting foliage shapes that provide texture even after flowers have faded; selecting drought-tolerant or water-wise flowers helps simplify maintenance by eliminating additional watering needs.
Planting
Flowering plants add color and vibrance to any landscape. With an endless variety of colors, heights and bloom times available, flowering plants make an eye-catching statement in any landscape. From garden centers’ ready-made transplants or seed catalogs’ vast selections – growing flowers from seed yourself can save money and give the satisfaction of watching them go from tiny seedlings into brilliant displays!
At first, consider your climate and lighting conditions. Most flowers grow best in full sun; however, some varieties may do just as well under light shade conditions.
If you’re planting a bed outside your house, use its shape to arrange taller plants toward the center and shorter ones along the perimeter. Consider including perennials with differing bloom times so when earlier blooms fade away new colors emerge; or use annuals which provide color throughout the season by simply trimming off faded blooms regularly.
Care
No need for expert gardeners or green thumbs; all it takes to create an impressive flower garden is knowledge, planning and care! With these skills in your tool belt, you can stun friends, family and neighbors alike with lush lawns bursting with vibrant blooms!
When selecting plants, be mindful of their light needs. Some flowers require full sun while others prefer early morning light with afternoon shade. If your goal is to attract butterflies, include species which provide nectar or host foods as part of your selection process.
Color should also be taken into account; placing flowers of similar hue together will create a harmonious aesthetic. Also consider shape: internationally-acclaimed Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf recommends planting flowers of differing shapes to add texture and visual interest to a garden space.