Growing the Best Flowers

Growing the Best Flowers

Every gardener wants to grow the most perfect, most beautiful flowers in town, but that goal is to be elusive.  Whether your goal is to win the best bloom award at the big flower show or just to enjoy a garden full of beautiful flowers, there are some steps you can take to make sure your garden is the best it can be.

Pay attention to chemistry

The chemistry of the soil is one of the most critical factors to the success, or lack of success, in the home garden.  If the soil in your area is poor, chances are you will be unable to grow those beautiful blooms until the soil has been amended to provide the nutrition the plants need.

One mistake many gardeners make is to assume that the soil chemistry will be the same all over their property.  It is important to have each part of your property you plan to use for flower growing tested, especially if the areas are far apart. This can be particularly important if part of your property lies on a downhill slope, or if it has been used for other purposes in the past.

It is also important to take into consideration such things as the slope of the land and the type of soil in your area.  A thorough soil analysis will give you a good baseline to go by and a great way to monitor the quality of the land as your garden grows.

Know what your plants require

Chances are you already have some plants in mind for your new garden, and if so it is important to understand what those plants need in order to thrive.  While most common varieties of annuals, perennials and bulbs will grow in a wide range of conditions, some other varieties can be a bit more demanding.

If you plan to grow roses in your garden, for instance, it is a good idea to know the pH level of your soil, and amend it if necessary.  Most roses are acid loving plants, and therefore they may not grow properly in soil that is very alkaline.  The good news is that alkaline soil can often be brought into balance by adding a good quality humus and working it through the soil.  If the humus alone is not sufficient, the addition of sulfur to the soil can often help turn the soil more acidic.

Watch the nutrition

The nutrients contained within the soil are also vital to the success of your garden.  For instance, if the levels of phosphorus, nitrogen and other organic matter is not high enough, your plants may not get the nutrition they need to grow and bloom.  Nutrients can be added to poor soil through the use of humus, or by using a good, high quality organic fertilizer.

You can see why soil chemistry is such an important first step toward growing the perfect garden.  Growing the best flowers in town is a worthy goal.  Be sure your soil is up to the task.

Popular types of bulb flowers

Bulbs are among the most attractive, and easiest to care for, flowers in the garden.  A bulb garden in full bloom can be a wonderful, attractive sight for any gardener.

Another great thing about bulbs is the sheer variety in which they come.  There are bulb plants to satisfy virtually any taste, and bulb plants come in a staggering variety of colors, sizes, shapes and textures.

Even within bulb families, there is quite a bit of variety.  The humble tulip, for instance, boasts a variety of different shaped blooms, from the traditional bell shaped to a number of more exotic varieties.  With all these varieties to choose from, finding just the right bulbs for your garden can be difficult.  We are, therefore, providing this guide to popular bulb flowers, including their optimum growing conditions.

Crocus

Bulb Type: Corm

Sunlight: Full sun or partial shade

Water: Regular watering during growth and bloom periods

Dahlia

Bulb Type: Tuberous Root

Sunlight: Full sun; partial shade in hot climates

Water: Regular watering during growth and bloom periods

Galanthus (Snowdrop)

Bulb Type: True Bulb

Sunlight: Full sun or partial shade

Water: Regular watering during growth and bloom periods

Gladiolus

Bulb Type: Corm

Sunlight: Full sun

Water: Regular watering during growth and bloom periods

Hererocallis (Daylily)

Bulb Type: Tuberous Root

Sunlight: Full sun or light shade

Water: Regular watering during growing season

Hyacinthus (Dutch Hyacinth)

Bulb Type: True Bulb

Sunlight: Full sun

Water: Regular watering during growth and bloom periods

Iris

Bulb Type: Rhizome

Sunlight: Full sun or light shade

Water: Regular watering during growing season

Lilium (Asiatic and Oriental Hybrid Lilies)

Bulb Type: True Bulb

Sunlight: Full sun or partial shade

Water: Regular watering is required.  The root zone must never be allowed to dry out.

Muscari (Grape Hyacinth)

Bulb Type: True Bulb

Sunlight: Full sun or light shade

Water: Regular watering during growth and bloom periods

Narcissus (Daffodil, Narcissus)

Bulb Type: True Bulb

Sunlight: Full sun

Water: Regular watering during growth and bloom periods

Tulipa (Tulip)

Bulb Type: True Bulb

Sunlight: Full sun

Water: Regular watering during growth and bloom periods

No matter what types of bulb flowers you choose to plant, if you follow the instructions carefully and give them the growing conditions they need to thrive, you will be rewarded with many seasons of beautiful blooms from these spectacular plants.

An Introduction to Bulb Flowers

Just about every flower gardener will work with bulb plants at one time or another.  Bulbs are loved by gardeners for the ease with which they grow, their hardiness and the fact that they can bloom again and again for many consecutive seasons without the need to replant.  With all these advantages, it is no wonder that bulb plants are so popular among both new and experienced gardeners.

Choosing the right bulbs, however, is one thing that many beginning gardeners have trouble with.  After you develop and eye and feel for finding the best bulbs, however, you will be able to spot them from across the garden center.

When choosing bulbs for your garden, it is important to choose the firmest and largest bulbs.  The size of the bulb is important, since large bulbs are more likely to provide many blooms.  The firmness of the bulb is a good indication of its health, and bulbs that are soft or mushy are unlikely to bloom.  Bulbs are particularly susceptible to water damage.  It is important to choose a bulb that is not to soft, but it is also important to look for cracks or scars.  Bulbs with cracks or scars may have become too dry to bloom.  Likewise, any bulbs that have begun to spout roots should be avoided, as they are unlikely to bloom properly once planted.

How bulbs are planted in the garden is important as well.  Most bulbs are best planted in the fall, most commonly in early to mid October.  The goal is to get the bulbs into the ground six weeks before the ground begins to freeze, so obviously the best time to plant will vary from location to location.

Bulbs should be planted in a well prepared soil, and the depth they should be planted will be determined by the type of bulb.  For example, crocus bulbs are generally planted four inches deep, daffodil and hyacinth bulbs six inches deep and tulip bulbs at a depth of eight inches.

A simple gardening tool called a bulb planter is great for achieving a more uniform look to the blooming garden.  Bulb planters can be used to easily prepare perfect looking rows of flowers.  Those gardeners who prefer a more wild and freewheeling look, on the other hand, often dig a single hole and plant several bulbs in it.  This approach can lead to spectacular, if somewhat unpredictable, patterns once the bulbs begin to bloom.

It is important to use a small amount of fertilizer at the bottom of each hole you dig when planting bulbs.  The fertilizer should then be topped with a thin layer of soil, and the bulb carefully placed on top of the soil.  It is important not to place the bulb directly on top of the fertilizer, as doing so could damage the bulb.  Bulbs are always planted with the pointed end stick up and the flat, rooted side lying on top of the layer of soil.  After the bulbs are in place, the rest of the hole should be filled with soil and the garden should be given a thorough watering.

Even though bulbs are among the hardiest of garden plants, there are a few important things to remember.  One important technique to become familiar with is deadheading.  The term deadheading should already be familiar to those gardeners who work with perennials.  Deadheading is simply removing spent blooms in order to encourage more blossoms to develop.  This process is important with bulb plants as well.  When working with bulbs, however, it is important not to remove the leaves from the plants until the leaves have begun turning brown.

Taking care of the bulbs over the winter is important as well.  In warmer climates, many bulbs can remain in the ground over winter.  It is important, however, to remove tender bulbs such as dahlias, even in warmer climates.  These bulbs should be stored over the winter in a cool, dry location.

Bulbs are wonderful plants for any gardener, from the newest to the most experienced.  Their combination of hardiness, color and beauty make them hard to beat for any flower enthusiast.

Creating a Beautiful Flower Garden

Flower gardening is a wonderful hobby however you should be aware that there is much more to creating a beautiful flower garden than simply digging a few holes and throwing in some seeds. There is much work that must go into a flower garden if it is to grow and thrive to a thing of great beauty. It is very important that you take this into consideration before attempting to create a flower garden. Be sure that you have both the time and energy that goes into such a project. This will ensure that you are able to create a flower garden that will make you proud and be the envy of your neighborhood.

Starting a flower garden does not have to be a frightening or frustrating experience. For many people it is actually quite the opposite. Gardening is a way to relax and enjoy nature as you work to create your very own colorful and aromatic paradise. This is an enjoyable and relaxing concept for a great many people which is one of the things that makes flower gardening such a great hobby. Creating a beautiful garden can be a great way to relieve stress and clear your mind of life’s little struggles as well by giving you something else to focus on.

Creating a beautiful flower garden is actually a quite simple thing to do if you take the time to learn how to do it right. With that being said it does not mean that it does not involve some work on your part. There are many different things to consider before you ever begin any actual planting of your flower garden. Taking the time to research each of these considerations is essential to creating the flower garden of your dreams.

The first and most important step to creating the best flower garden is to decide where to put it. The location of your flower garden is important because different flowers require different types of soil and sunlight. Although there are some flowers that do well in shaded areas most need a substantial amount of sunlight. The next thing that you should do is to decide what types of flowers you will plant in your garden. Different types of flowers require different types of soil and fertilizer so flower selection is an important process. Once you decide what flowers you will plant and what type of soil and fertilizer you will need you are ready to begin preparing your flower garden for planting.

There are few things greater than the satisfaction you will experience from knowing that you created a unique, beautiful and exotic flower garden all on your own. The hours of sweat and labor that you put into this endeavor will be well rewarded by a flower garden that everyone around you will love to look at and enjoy. The best will be knowing that you did it all yourself.

Old-Time Favorites: Plants for Your Garden …

Old-Time Favorites: Plants for Your Garden Worth

Remembering

Remember the almost magical feeling of your grandmother’s garden, bursting with loads of colorful, fragrant blooms and magnificent foliage? There was always something going on in the garden; and nearly every plant had a specific purpose, whether it was for the kitchen, treating ailments, or keeping up appearances.

Gardeners of the past created beautiful landscapes with many of the same plants commonly seen today. Heirloom plants are quite hardy, and many of these vintage flowers have managed to survive on their own throughout centuries, while others have been cultivated into more modern varieties. Nonetheless, these old-time favorites are worth remembering so why not rediscover the past by incorporating some old-fashioned beauties into your own garden.

One of my personal favorites has been around since about the 17th century. A spectacular showpiece during the spring, the Lilac has sweet-smelling lavender blossoms. Today, there are numerous cultivars available, including some with yellow or white flowers.

Another exceptional plant in its own right is the rose. The modern varieties are typically grown for their form and color; however, the old-garden varieties, such as Tea or Damask roses, are sought after for their intense aromas. While these traditional favorites tend to be more like shrubs and very thorny, they combine well with many perennials, bulbs, and ornamental grasses. Old-garden roses are always the perfect choice for country or cottage gardens.

There are many types of plants that are grown for their fragrances. Creeping Thyme is one of them. This beautiful groundcover creates a carpet of scented lavender-pink color and looks just as attractive spilling over stone walls or containers. Keep it near the house for use in the kitchen or making potpourri.

You can even grow Creeping Thyme alongside another fragrant old-timer-Lavender, my grandmother’s favorite. Varieties of lavender include unforgettable scents with spikes of lavender to dark purple flowers. Lavender also makes a great groundcover and commonly used in potpourri or massage oils.

Garden Heliotrope was once just as popular in the garden as geraniums. These plants, with white or purple vanilla-scented blooms, enjoy plenty of sun and make lovely cut flowers. Who can possibly ignore the sweet aromas on summer evenings radiating from a bed of Petunias? There are numerous colors and varieties, all providing the same charm of long ago.

The Sweet Pea has been a long-time favorite in many gardens. This flower is great for cutting and its strong scents will fill the area with pleasant aromas. Although sweet peas generally prefer cool summers and plenty of moisture, there are many varieties which are heat tolerant, allowing virtually anyone the ability to grow them.

Feverfew not only smells great, but did you know that its foliage can repel insects, making them a good plant to have around. The plant looks quite at home mixed with old-time roses and foxgloves.

I have always enjoyed the honey-scented blooms of Sweet Alyssum. It makes a perfect edging for beds and blends nicely with nearly any type of landscape.

Since many old-fashioned gardens were surrounded by fencing, flowering vines were often used to enhance its appearance. They were also used in other areas to help provide much needed shade. Dating back to the 1800s, Clematis has long since been known as a vigorous grower with abundant blooms. Don’t limit them to fences; however, they look stunning climbing along a trellis or pergola.

The Passion flower can be traced as far back as the 1600s and has religious significance, deriving its name from the crucifixion of Christ. This lovely flowering vine produces masses of scented blooms bearing luscious fruits, and many grow naturally in some areas.

The Balloon Vine (love-in-a-puff) was a commonly grown plant in the 1800s, delighting children with its light-green, inflated seed capsules (puffs) that appear after the vine’s white flowers have faded.

While some people may not appreciate its presence, due to its ability to climb anything within reach, the Morning Glory is another unforgettable plant. Morning glories are easy to grow and thrive in all types of soil conditions. Although they can be found growing in the wild, the cultivated varieties are less likely to take over the garden. These beautiful morning bloomers make quite a statement summer through fall-what a wonderful way to welcome each new day.

Numerous annuals and perennials were found growing throughout old-fashioned gardens. As far back as the 1800s, Ageratum has been a garden favorite. The long-lasting, fuzzy blue flowers are great for cutting. It’s also a self-sowing plant, popping up in some of the most unlikely of places. Plant them with Heliotrope and sweet alyssum; you won’t be disappointed.

Poppies are hardy, cool-weather annuals that are easy to grow. These old-time plants prefer fertile, well-drained soil and come in numerous shades and varieties.

Once grown for its edible properties, especially for salads, Nasturtiums are among the easiest annuals to grow. You can find them in a variety of colors which will bloom profusely for extended periods. Trailing varieties look great in containers or tumbling down slopes; the compact types are good for use as edging.

An old-time favorite loved for its brilliant foliage is Coleus. This plant is ideal for containers or as a colorful edging.

No garden is ever complete without Zinnias. These colorful showstoppers are excellent for cut-flower gardens.

The interesting flowers and foliage of Foxgloves earn these plants a welcome place in the garden; however, foxgloves are considered poisonous so keep young children away.

One look in grandma’s garden and you’re sure to find some old-fashioned Hollyhocks. These summer-blooming beauties have found popularity in informal country settings or growing alongside fences and other structures.

Violets have been around awhile and well loved for some time. They make a good groundcover or grow them in containers.

Columbine has been popular since about the 1600s and can be found in white, pink, or blue varieties. Use them as cut flowers or simply mix them in a natural setting with hosta, iris, foxglove, and lady’s mantle.

Another personal favorite of mine includes the mixed shades of Sweet William. This perennial flower goes well with many plants, such as foxgloves and peonies.

Some of the most beloved flower favorites come in the form of bulbs and many are ideal for cutting. Dahlias have lavish blooms during late summer and early fall and are available in a variety of colors.

Who doesn’t enjoy the lovely blooms and aromas of the Iris? There are numerous varieties to suit nearly any garden.

Another old-time favorite with a wide range of colors and growing conditions is the Lily. Lilies have a long history and have been grown for centuries.

Cannas have also been popular for their dazzling array of colors. Plant them in masses and enjoy waves of colorful blooms summer through fall.

Some of the best plants for your garden, big or small, can be taken from the old-fashioned gardens of the past. These plants have lasted through many generations; and if you want to capture the nostalgia of grandmother’s garden in your own, they will continue to do so for many more.

Author Bio

This article was written by Nikki Phipps and sponsored by Gardening Know How. Reproductions of this article are encouraged but must include a live link back to www.gardeningknowhow.com.

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Colorful Summer Flowers For Your Garden

If flowers are your thing or if you plan to include some flowers in your summer garden then you should take a moment to learn about those flowers or flowering plants that are best suited to summer months and what those plants like by way of sunlight and shade. Not all flowers are created equal when it comes to withstanding the heat of the summer sun and some require a little more care than others. Keep all of these things in mind when planning your summer garden and choose wisely according to the type of care you wish to provide.

This is a general guide to the various types of plants that are well suited for a summer garden and not necessarily those that are well suited to rest side by side. Study the flowers you decide you would like to include in your summer garden in order to insure you keep those that love water and dislike sun away from those that thrive with little water and copious amounts of sun. In other words you will need to conduct a more thorough study of the flowers you decide to include in your summer garden in order to determine the proper placement of these flowers for the most color, effect, and the best possible life for the flowers you choose.

The following are some fun sun loving flowers you may wish to include in your summer garden. Geraniums are bright little splashes of color that are ideally suited for a summer garden. They happen to work well for creating borders or simply providing a highlight of color in a bed of green and do quite well in pots on their own or mixed with other colorful summer flowers. The Hibiscus is a beautiful spot of color that will lend a tropical feel to your summer garden. A welcome addition to many gardens they may grow quite tall so keep them to the back of the summer garden to allow the full array of color from all summer plants to capture the eyes of visitors. Marigolds are another popular addition to most summer gardens. With a wide array of colors from which to choose it is no small wonder that these flowers remain a popular favorite for sunny patches within the summer garden.

Shade loving flowers also abound for summer gardens everywhere. Most gardeners find heavily shaded spots within their lawns or gardens to be a particular challenge. Perhaps some of these suggestions will alleviate that sense of challenge for you. Impatiens are widely popular choices for shady spaces and provide a wide range of bright colors perfect for creating fun and bright borders. The viola is another great brightly colored flower that is well suited for borders or potted arrangements, whichever suits your particular summer garden needs. Mimulus is another excellent choice for color in your summer garden and may tolerate partial sun quite well if you’re looking for a nice border plant. If you prefer more dramatic coloring in your summer garden you might be interested in including Lobelia or ageratum, which both have beautiful blue hues in your summer garden plans.

Of course this is only a small sampling of the many bright and beautiful summer flowers that can make a real splash in your summer garden. Be sure to check out the color offerings of each and specific care instructions to make sure that they are a genuine match not only for your personal tastes but also the landscape and terrain of your garden and the other plants that will be included in your summer garden. The planning stage is often the hardest work that many people put into their summer gardens but the pay off for all this proper planning is quite often rich and beautiful. Failing to plan properly can result in a great deal of wasted time and effort on your behalf and a less than stellar summer garden.

Tips For Perfect Peonies

The peony is just about the longest-living perennial plant you will ever see. There are two basic types of peonies – the herbaceous types and the tree peony.

It would be best to plant peonies at the back of flower borders as they are large plants. In the spring, the peonies have attractive ferny foliage and the beautiful blooms are usually produced in May.

Peonies best thrive in a place that receives at least half a day to a full day of sunshine. If the climate is very hot, then provide some afternoon shade for these plants.

The best time to plant the peony is the early fall but early spring plantings do well also. Make sure to prepare the site well. Dig an oversized hole and make sure that you fill some of it with compost.

The secret of having a successful peony is this: Make sure that the tuber is positioned so that the eyes which are located on the crown are covered with about two inches of soil.

Peonies are picky – they do not like to be planted very deeply. If your peonies have stopped producing flowers after a few years, then you should see if perhaps they have sunken too low in their bed. Perhaps they have had too much soil sitting on top of them.

If your peonies seem to flop over by mid-summer, then it would be a good idea to stake them. When you go to cut your flowers, clip them when the buds are just beginning to unfurl. Once they are put in water, the blooms will quickly open and will last for about a week indoors.

A Quick Look At Annual Flower Plants

A garden full of flower plants of different types is more beautiful to see. More so if the garden contains a mix of annual flower plants along with others. Annual flower plants are those which exist for only one complete season. This means their complete life cycle from germination from seeds to death occurs in a lifespan of only a few months. The positive thing about annual flower plants is that they give flowers generously during their blooming periods. And this blooming period also exists for a comparatively longer time than other flower plants.

Annual plants are divided into three types based on their hardiness. Hardiness is the measure of intensity of cold weather or frost that the plants can endure. Apart from staying alive, the plants grow and bloom during this period effectively. There are mainly three annual periods – warm weather annuals, cool weather annuals, and frost hardy annuals.

Annual flower plants must be planted specifically in the season during which they can complete their whole life cycle successfully. Plants that are capable of growing in one season will certainly die off if planted in some other season because the intensity of cold will vary from one region to another.

There are two main conditions to be met here. Firstly, the annuals must be capable of growing in the soil found in that particular area. Secondly, they must be grown only in that particular season in which they can thrive.

Warm weather annuals include zinnias, marigolds, and nasturtiums. These plants are incapable of tolerating any plants. Hence, these can be planted in any region containing the soil needed for these plants during the summer season.

Cool weather annuals are snapdragons, petunias, and calceolaria. These plants thrive during the end of summer and at the start of early frost.

Frost hardy annuals are pansy, stock, calendula, and larkspur. These annuals plants can take quite a lot of frost and still blossom during the season. These are usually planted at the end of mild winter and before the beginning of deep winter.

You can find out what annual plants the soil in your area would support from a number of websites on the internet. This information can also be found in a number of books relating to horticulture. Apart from all this, if you have a plant nursery close to your house, just visit it and find out which annuals will survive in which season in your area.