14 January 2021, by Barbara Pleasant
From summer through fall, the most captivating areas of my garden are the flower beds. Here, vibrant blooms constantly change, attracting bees and butterflies, and offering me the chance to experiment with annuals. If you’re new to gardening with flowers, it’s important to understand that flowers, like all plants, need a bit of guidance to thrive. Simply scattering seeds won’t yield a garden full of blooms—it requires some effort and planning. Below, I share tips based on my experiences to help you succeed in your first year.
1. Choose the Right Location
You don’t need a massive garden to grow flowers. In fact, I’ve found that smaller, manageable flower beds are easier to care for than one large plot. Select areas that are easy to access for planting, weeding, and watering. For example, I’ve turned my front yard and vegetable garden edges into pollinator-friendly spaces. However, I’ve learned from experience that rocky slopes are not ideal for flowers due to the difficulty of weed control.
2. Start with Hardy Annuals
You don’t need to overhaul your entire garden immediately. Begin by sowing hardy annuals like larkspur and poppies directly into the soil. These plants don’t transplant well, so sow them where they’ll grow. To speed up germination, cover the planted area with a row cover tunnel, which helps protect and warm the seedlings as they emerge.
3. Use Winter Sowing for Perennials
Certain perennial and biennial flowers can be started early with winter sowing. This method mimics the natural cold-stratification process, tricking seeds into thinking they’ve experienced a full winter. This technique works well for baptisia, echinacea, hollyhocks, and other hardy flowers.
4. Plan Your Garden Design
You have endless options when it comes to garden design. I recommend combining perennials with annuals. Deer-resistant perennials like coneflowers and catmint are perfect for the backdrop, leaving space for colorful annuals such as marigolds and zinnias. Don’t be afraid to change your design each year to experiment with different color schemes and forms.
5. Prepare for Perennials
As the weather warms and the soil dries, prepare spaces for your perennials. Consider using no-till methods, such as mulching with newspapers or cardboard, which minimizes soil disruption—ideal for native plants that thrive in minimally disturbed ground.
6. Share Plants with Others
Some perennials, like the Korean chrysanthemum in my garden, are so adaptable that they are easy to share with neighbors. Spring is the best time to divide clumping perennials and share them with fellow gardeners. Networking within your community is a great way to access hardy plants that will thrive in your area.
7. Pursue Blue Flowers
Blue flowers are always a beautiful addition to any garden. Cool-season annuals like blue bachelor buttons and Chinese forget-me-nots are worth starting indoors during the winter. Perennials such as agastache, catmint, and baptisia also produce stunning blue blooms that attract pollinators.
8. Observe Pollinator Preferences
Pollinators like bees and butterflies are always on the lookout for nectar-rich flowers. Pay attention to which flowers attract these beneficial insects and which ones they tend to ignore. Over time, you’ll gain insight into which plants are most effective at supporting pollinators.
9. Help Reseeders
Some flowers will reseed themselves, and you can aid in this process by digging up and transplanting seedlings. Flowers like calendula, marigolds, and zinnias often reappear on their own, giving you a continuous supply of blooms each year.
10. Keep Experimenting with New Varieties
One of the most exciting aspects of gardening is the opportunity to try new species. Each year, I try growing something new, and I’ve discovered hidden gems like scarlet flax, which is not only beautiful but also attracts pollinators. Gardening with flowers is an ongoing adventure, with each season bringing fresh surprises.
By following these tips and staying patient, you’ll soon find that flowers can transform your garden into a vibrant, lively space full of beauty and wildlife. Happy gardening!