Discover ways to create your dream garden
A well planned flower garden will bring great beauty and continuous fragrance, and turn your backyard into a paradise.
You can be rewarded quickly by means of planting annuals. These are species which sprout, grow to maturity, set seed and die within one season and include such favorites as marigolds, zinnias, alyssum and nasturtium.
Biennials complete their life cycle in two seasons; in the first 12 months they grow and establish then in the following 12 months they produce blooms and die. This group comprises of pansies, violas, foxgloves and forget-me-nots.
Perennials however live for three or more years and most are known as herbaceous plants which means that they die down each and every year but the roots live throughout the winter weather and send up new growth in spring. They are best divided every three-five years and include asters, chrysanthemums and daisies.
Bulbs are frequently discovered in the flower garden despite the fact that many desire cold climates. Many are spring flowering so will provide color even before annuals get planted out, and before perennials have started their new growth. Most bulbs can also be left in the ground to return the next year and examples include tulips, daffodils, crocus, gladioli, anemones and dahlias.
A small amount of forward planning will reward you with a flower garden that provides interest right through the entire year by using a mix of annuals, perennials, bulbs and small trees and shrubs, like rhododendrons and roses. Alternatively a bed with a mass planting of annuals can look striking, or how about a bed devoted to the ever popular gorgeous rose. There are lots of alternatives that make planning a flowerbed a very rewarding experience.
Making Plans
The flower garden must be positioned so that it will get quite a lot of sun and will not be in the shade of trees or buildings for best possible results. If you want a border then plan to have the bigger specimens at the back and the smaller ones to the front. If your flower garden is to be in the form of a bed which has access from all sides then the taller plants should be in the centre.
Garden Design
Some gardeners wouldn’t dream of planting anything without having a complete layout and planting plan for their entire yard; others don’t take into account “designing” their gardens until a number of years down the road. Others have no plan but just do their planting in the moment, poised with a shovel and a few homeless plants. Which method is best for you?
Color
It is worthwhile thinking about the color scheme you wish to achieve. Contrasting colors look very effective in the flower garden, for instance yellow and blue, or you might want to try just using one color which looks stunning offset by a show of green foliage. Don’t disregard the effects of foliage plants in the flower garden which is able to create great passion with color and texture.
Grouping
You are going to get a much more eye-catching effect if the plants in your flower garden are set out in groups of three, five or seven. The reason for this is that the use of an odd number creates a more natural and casual look. However, larger shrubs do make good stand alone specimens.
Conditions
The majority of species prefer sunny conditions but there are a few that thrive in shady spots. Supply a free draining soil enriched with compost and fertilize frequently throughout the growing season. Mulching between the plants will keep the weeds down and help preserve moisture in the soil.
Deadhead
You should at all times deadhead (cut off the spent blooms) to encourage more blossoms which will attract birds to the backyard which, apart from being enjoyable, help to keep the insect population under control. If you want to collect the seeds that will be produced for propagation purposes don’t cut the dead flowers off.
Vases of freshly cut blooms will bring the beauty of nature indoors. When choosing species for your flower garden it’s a good idea to select colors that will complement the interior of your home. Perfumed varieties also are an excellent choice.
A flower garden can provide a riot of color to your backyard if you choose however a single color will also be equally effective. All of it is determined by your choice however you should definitely make room in your backyard for a flower garden.
Hints and tips on growing common flowers
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