Whether large or small , every garden deserve some flowers to add color and cheer . And , with hundreds of varieties to prefer from , you are trusted to regain a few that will grow well in your climate .
How do I choose flowers for my climate?
Flowers should be take found on your USDA plant hardiness geographical zone . This geographical zone map assigns a number to each region of the United States base on data such as average first frost and average annual low temperature . When you buy heyday , look for those labeled for your hardiness zone .
Consider condition in your region , as well , when select flowers . The USDA zona map does n’t take into account variances in humidness or height , so a wet have it off plant , such as a hydrangea might acquire very well in humid Illinois , which is zone 5 , but would likely sputter in a dry clime like Colorado , which is also zone 5 .
Observe the flowers you see growing most often in your region . These plants are in all probability well - adapted to your neighborhood and require small care . Your local Cooperative Extension Service is also a great imagination for recommended varieties . For more entropy visit :
CC flickr photo of tulips courtesy of Mourner
PlantMaps.com – Interactive Plant Hardiness Zone Maps
USDA – regain Your Local Cooperative Extension Service
BloomIQ – Plant Finder
How do I design my flower beds ?
Do you desire exigent color in a attend basketball hoop or small bed ? Annuals live only one time of year , but grow quickly and are inexpensive to buy . Perennials , on the other hand , grow easy and be more ab initio , but last 20 age or more with proper care and are a good choice for lasting efflorescence bed .
Think about the style of your home and landscape painting . A multitude of wildflowers reckon charming next to a bungalow or farmhouse , while more subdued perennials , roses or shrubs work well in a more formal mise en scene .
Choose flowers that offer contrast in a flower bed . For instance , you ’ll require to admit a few tall varieties for the back of the bed and layer small plant in the front . Select between four and eight unlike kind of plants and use them repeatedly throughout the bed . Using more can make the bed look busy .
See the following for further version on flower garden design :
Cornell University – Flower Garden Design basic
Fine Gardening – Redesigning the Backyard
Better Homes & Gardens – Free Garden programme
Lewis Gardens – Garden contrive concluded with flower
How do I plant my flowers?
Most annuals , with the elision of pansy , are easily damaged by frost and are considerably planted in late natural spring or former summertime . Dormant , bare - root perennials , rose wine and vine are planted in early leap before new growth emerges , while pinnace perennials are constitute after the last frost . look into with your local nursery expert for steering on specific planting time .
To make a new flower bed , lie in 3 to 4 inches of compost or manure on the soil and dig it in to a profoundness of 12 column inch . This approaching may seem a bit drastic , but for perennial beds , especially , your initial efforts will pay off subsequently in healthy , vigorous plant . Annual flowers can get by with less soil preparation .
To institute bare - root flowers , hit the wrappings lightly and soak the roots in a bucket of water for several 60 minutes . compass a hole with child enough to lodge the roots . arrange the works in the hole and replete the hole one-half full with grease . Fill the hole with water and allow it to drain before adding the rest of the stain . Tamp the soil lightly with your hands to take any air pocket .
absent container industrial plant from the dope and gently squeeze the soil to loosen the roots . lay the plant life in a hole the same deepness , but slightly larger than the roots and fill up the pickle with soil as depict antecedently . See the following websites for more information on planting flowers :
Kansas State University – Growing peak in Pots [ PDF ]
Howdini.com – How to set a Perennial [ Video ]
Gardeners Supply – How to Plant Annuals from germ
How do I care for my flowers?
Newly planted flowers require frequent watering while they acquire strong roots and become show . Water them enough to keep the soil equally moist , but not quaggy . Containers also lose moisture quickly , peculiarly on red-hot days , and may demand daily lacrimation .
Mature plant motley wide in the amount of water they demand . Sun - loving plants , such as coreopsis , cone cell flower , Jupiter ’s beard , and catmint are quite drought tolerant , while tone - fuck plants , such as astilbe , azalea , hydrangeas and bleeding hearts prefer moist stain . pink wine also require frequent lachrymation . Check the tag or mail boat that come with your plant for specific data .
Fertilize perennials in the natural spring with a balanced 10 - 10 - 10 fertilizer , according to package direction . If you have good soil , perennial should n’t need extra fertilizer . Too much fertilizer can cause excessive foliage outgrowth at the expense of bloom . Do n’t inseminate in late summer , which can contribute to winter damage .
Annuals require more frequent fertilizing to abide their rapid increment . Feed annuals every two calendar week with a urine - soluble fertilizer .
Remove faded flower to keep annual and repeated blossom flower longer , but save major pruning tasks for later fall or winter when the works is dormant . Cut out dead or diseased stems and trim back the plant to control its growth . shoot the breeze the pursual for further information on flower care :
University of Illinois Extension – Watering Flower Gardens
Purdue University – Flower Garden pest
Howdini – Weeding , Dead Heading and Staking [ Video ]
About.com – care for Cut Flowers
felicitous horticulture !
