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A FLOWER GARDEN FOR GLORIOUS COLOR


Lake Carey Lily
Lake Carey Lily
A flower garden will bring great beauty and often fragrance to your little patch of paradise.
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You can achieve a quick effect by 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 year they grow and establish then in the following year they produce blooms and die. This group includes pansies, violas, foxgloves and forget-me-nots.

Shasta Daisy

Shasta Daisy

Shasta Daisy
Perennials on the other hand live for three or more years and most are referred to as herbaceous plants meaning that they die down each year but the roots live through the winter and send up new growth in spring. They are best divided every 3-5 years and include asters, chrysanthemums and daisies.
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Bulbs are often found in the flower garden though many prefer cold climates. Many are spring flowering so will provide color before the annuals are planted out and before the perennials have begun their new growth. Most bulbs can be left in the ground to return the following year and examples include tulips, daffodils, crocus, gladioli, anemones and dahlias.

A flower garden will often include a mixture of annuals, perennials, bulbs and small trees and shrubs, like rhododendrons and roses, to provide interest throughout the whole year. On the other hand a bed with a mass planting of annuals can look striking or how about a bed dedicated to the ever popular beautiful rose.

Planning

The flower garden should be situated so that it gets plenty of sun away from the shade of trees or buildings for best results. If you want a border then plan to have the larger 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 comprehensive design and planting plan for their entire yard. Others don’t think about “designing” their gardens until several years down the road. And still other gardeners never develop a long-range or a short-range plan. They do their planning in the moment, poised with a shovel and a couple of homeless plants. Which approach is right for you?

Learn how to Create Your Dream Garden
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Color

It is worthwhile thinking about the color scheme you want to achieve. Contrasting colors look very effective in the flower garden, for example yellow and blue, or you could try just using one color which looks stunning offset by a display of green foliage. Don’t overlook the effects of foliage plants in the flower garden which can create great interest with color and texture.

Grouping

You will get a much more pleasing effect if the plants in your flower garden are set out in groups of three, five or seven. Using an odd number creates a more natural and informal look though larger shrubs do make good stand alone specimens.

Conditions

Most species prefer sunny conditions, though there are some that thrive in shady spots. Provide a free draining soil enriched with compost and fertilize regularly throughout the growing season. Mulching between the plants will keep the weeds down and help retain moisture in the soil.

Gladioli

Deadhead

You should always deadhead (cut off the spent blooms) to encourage more blossoms unless you want to collect the seeds that will be produced for propagation purposes. This in turn will attract birds to the backyard which, apart from being entertaining, help to keep the insect population under control.

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 pick colors that will complement the interior of your home. Perfumed varieties are also a good choice.

A flower garden can provide a riot of color in your backyard if you choose but a single color can be equally effective. It all depends on your preference but be sure to make room in your backyard for a flower garden.

Click on the links below to find out more specific information on:

Dutch Gardens, Inc.