Flower gardening is a great way to improve the look of your home, especially if you live in an area that gets lots of sunshine. But before you start, you need to make sure you understand how to go about it. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Perennials
Perennials are wonderful for adding structure, color, and a sense of permanence to your garden. They are also low maintenance. Some perennials are drought-tolerant.
Many perennials are available in unique colors. Often you can find mail-order perennials. Also, there are thousands of varieties in garden centers and online. These easy-to-grow plants are perfect for beginners.
Most perennials will need some watering. Typically, they should be watered every week or so. In hot weather, you might need to water more frequently.
When choosing perennials, choose ones that are suited to your area. You will want to consider the weather and soil. For instance, astilbes are best for shady areas. If you live in an area that experiences hot and humid summers, you may need to plant more water-tolerant perennials.
Some popular perennials include lady’s mantle, coral bells, rudbeckia, and hard aster. All of these plants offer spring and early summer foliage.
Another great option for year-round color is Japanese anemones. Sedums, hostas, and Russian sage are also great. Yarrow is a long-blooming plant that attracts beneficial insects. Its leaves also keep water in after a rain.
The flowers are also frost-tolerant. They can bloom in shades of pink, white, yellow, and red.
Before planting perennials, check the tags to see what the blooming season is. This will help you select the right plants for your yard.
If you are unsure of which types of perennials are best for your home, you can always contact a local nursery. Many nurseries will also accept your used plastic pots.
The best time to water your perennials is in the morning. The ideal amount of water should be one inch per week. Watering should be deep enough to promote deep root growth.
Annuals
Annuals are great for beginner gardeners. They come in all different shapes, sizes and colors. Having a variety of annuals in your garden adds color and texture. You can also use them in conjunction with other plants to create a designer effect.
There are three main categories of annuals. These include annuals that grow from seed, annuals that produce seed, and tender perennials. Each category has its own needs.
To help keep your annuals healthy, you need to pay attention to their water needs and fertilizing habits. It is best to water them at the soil level. Some plants can be damaged by overhead watering. Watering can be done with a soaker hose or drip irrigation system.
The soil should be well-drained. You should also be sure to add a layer of organic matter to the soil. This will help hold moisture during hot, dry summers. Peat moss, straw, or cocoa bean shells can be placed on top of the soil to prevent weeds.
For annuals that are to be planted in containers, they need to be fertilized regularly. Slow release pellets can be used to ensure that your plants get the nutrition they need. In addition, you will need to deadhead spent blossoms.
For hardy annuals, you can direct-seed them in the fall. Alternatively, you can plant the seeds from last year’s flowers in the spring. Be sure to avoid planting the seeds in a warm, moist place. If you plant the seed too close to the ground, it may rot the plant.
When you are choosing annuals, choose those that offer your garden the greatest versatility. Look for those that suit your climate and your style.
Choosing the right location
For many beginners, choosing the right location for flower gardening can be a daunting task. The right location is essential for ensuring the health and longevity of your plants. While there are several factors that can influence the location of your flower garden, the best place to start is by determining your growing zone.
This will allow you to select plants that are suited for your local climate. Plants grown in your home’s growing zone will be tolerant of microclimates and are less likely to die off.
When looking for a spot for your flower garden, choose one that receives six to eight hours of sunlight daily. Most flowers love sun, but some will do better in filtered or partial light.
It is also a good idea to get to know your garden’s soil. Some flowers require specific conditions to grow and thrive, such as alkaline soil. You can improve the soil by amending it with organic matter. If you have an existing bed, you may want to add in some composted manure.
One of the simplest ways to increase the quality of your flower garden is to invest in a good irrigation system. It will make caring for your plants easier and will ensure that your flowers are getting the water they need.
The best way to find out what your yard is lacking is to do some soil testing. Your local gardening store can help you determine how well the soil in your yard can support your flowers.
Another good idea is to get some advice from a professional. There are many ways to control the environment in your flower bed, and a knowledgeable staff member can give you ideas that might be too difficult for you to achieve on your own.
Pruning
Pruning is a good way to keep plants healthy and to prevent damage from insect and disease problems. It can also help the plants to keep their shape and air flow.
Choosing the right time to prune can be a little intimidating for new gardeners. There are many types of plants, and each needs different pruning practices. Depending on the plant, you may want to prune it during spring, summer, or winter.
The most common reason to prune a plant is to increase its production of flowers. This can be done by pruning in the late fall or early spring, depending on the type of plant. You should know the shape and design of the plant before you prune it.
Another important thing to remember when pruning is that it should be done one piece at a time. A thorny plant can be difficult to handle, so you should wear gloves.
When pruning a plant, remember to remove dead, damaged, and diseased branches. If you do not, the branch can spread infections to other parts of the plant.
After pruning a plant, you should put the dead branches into a separate container. You should then disinfect your pruners with a 10% bleach solution in water.
For more information on pruning, consult a good gardening book. You should also seek advice from the extension office for your county.
Most plants purchased at the nursery have already been pruned, so it is not necessary to do this. However, there are some exceptions.
Some flowering perennials like camelias require more care when pruning. They need to be trimmed after they have bloomed, so that they can get new shoots to replace the ones you have removed. These new shoots will then flower next year.
Deadheading
Deadheading is a simple and easy process that can be done anytime throughout the growing season. The removal of spent flowers from plants can add color, improve the look of your garden, and encourage more growth.
Typically, deadheading is done when flower heads begin to fade. To do this, pinch off the stem of the dead flower below its base. If the stem is too thick or tough to pinch, you may want to use pruners. This will allow you to remove the entire flower instead of just the petals.
When removing spent flowers from your garden, be careful not to accidentally remove the seed pods. They can be difficult to find among the foliage. It is a good idea to throw them in a small bag or container for later disposal.
In addition to helping your plant look better, deadheading can also help you collect seeds for use in future plantings. Some gardeners like to use the seeds to start new plants. These are useful for wildlife, too.
Deadheading can also be a great way to increase the amount of time a plant will bloom. Regular deadheading can extend the blossoming period for many shrubs and perennials. For instance, a rose can bloom for a long time with regular deadheading.
Another benefit of deadheading is that it redirects your plant’s energy away from producing seed and toward producing new flowers. As a result, you will get more flowers from your plants, and your garden will look better overall.
There are plenty of different ways to deadhead your plants. The method you choose depends on the type of plant you have. Generally, pinching is best for single flowers on well-defined stems, while shearing is suitable for self-seeding plants on weak stems.