Whether you live in the heart of the country or in a suburb, there are many ways to create a beautiful garden full of stunning flowers. But, you need to know what plants work best in your area, and you need to make sure you plant them correctly. For more tips for garden flowers and how to grow them, check out Seeds and Spades.
Delphiniums
Adding some tall perennials to your garden can be a great way to add height and colour to your landscape. Delphiniums are tall flowering plants, and can grow to a height of 6.5 feet. They prefer a light, moist soil, but can tolerate slightly acidic soil. Adding some organic matter to your garden’s soil will help increase drainage, which is important for these plants.
If you are considering growing Delphiniums in your garden, you may have a few questions about how to care for them. These tall flowering plants are known for their deep blue flowers, but they are actually part of the buttercup family.
Unlike larkspur, which are an annual, the flower spikes of Delphiniums are perennial. They are also perfect for pollinators. Bumblebees and other pollinators love the tall flower spikes of delphiniums. They are very easy to reseed, and they can be planted in almost any garden style.
When planting, remember to select a location that receives morning and afternoon sun. Delphiniums do not do well in prolonged periods of dry weather. They will benefit from a good watering at the base of the plant. This will help prevent fungal problems and keep the foliage from drying out.
For the best germination results, sow your Delphinium seeds in the fall. This will give the seeds a chance to naturally stratify over the winter. This will extend the blooming season for your plants.
When the plants begin to flower, feed them with a high potash fertilizer. This will extend the bloom period and help the plant’s growth.
In addition to fertilizing your plant, you can add mulch to the base of your Delphiniums to help protect the soil from shifting. This will also help protect the soil from extreme cold in the winter.
If you are planting Delphiniums in a pot, make sure the pot’s top is at least as high as the plants themselves. They will require about 1-2 inches of water per week. When the flowers die off, stop watering. When the young plants appear, you can resume watering.
As with any plant, the delphiniums are toxic to pets and small children. They are also toxic to livestock, so it is important to take precautions to protect your garden.
Hydrangeas
Adding hydrangeas to your garden is a great way to add beauty and color to your home. These beautiful shrubs are relatively easy to grow. They require minimal care and are very resilient.
Hydrangeas can grow up to five or six feet high. They are deciduous, meaning they shed their leaves annually. They are ideal for part shade gardens in areas of Zones 3-7. They are not well suited for full sun because they will need extra watering.
These shrubs can live up to 50 years, but they require pruning to maintain their health. They can spread, so it’s important to keep them in a good location. They are also susceptible to damage by insects and predators. They should be planted at least three feet away from obstacles, such as trees and fences.
The ideal soil for hydrangeas is rich and moist. The pH of the soil should be at least 5.5. If the pH of your soil is low, you can amend it with acidic or alkaline fertilizers. You may also want to apply some garden lime. This will raise the pH of the soil.
Hydrangeas can tolerate a variety of soil conditions. Some varieties are more tolerant of full sun than others. The type of soil you have will affect the color of the flowers. They can also be grown in pots. It’s best to plant them in a container with drainage holes.
To plant a hydrangea, you need to dig a hole that is twice the size of the plant. Then, place the plant in the hole. If the plant is in a pot, it will need to be placed on a bed of stones or gravel.
During the first growing season, you will need to water the hydrangea frequently. This is to ensure the root system is strong. You can also add a mulch around the base of the plant to help it retain moisture.
The best time to plant hydrangeas is in the fall. This will allow for a strong root system and a healthy foliage. During the winter, hydrangeas are susceptible to frost, which can kill the roots.
Perennials
Adding perennial flowers to your garden can provide years of beauty. These plants are long-lasting, require little maintenance and are easy to grow. They come back each year, providing you with fresh, blooming foliage all summer long.
Daylilies are one of the most common types of perennial flowers. These easy-to-grow plants are compact and come in a variety of colors. They will bloom for several months in the summer, making them perfect for edging or borders. They’re also easy to grow, so they can be planted almost anywhere.
Dianthus is a low-growing, full-sized perennial. Its pink or white blossoms are a great accent around your garden. These plants are best planted in partial or full sun. They’ll also need pruning to encourage more blooms. They’re a great filler plant that attracts pollinators and butterflies.
Bleeding hearts are a popular perennial flower. These heart-shaped blossoms appear in late spring or early summer. They have a distinctive seed pod that looks like dripping from a stem. They’re a part-shade-loving perennial that provides a unique contrast to larger, more dramatic plants.
Goldenrod is a wonderful perennial that can be used in a landscape or butterfly garden. It has an interesting look, contrasting its green foliage with yellow panicles. It grows in clusters and requires full sun or partial afternoon shade.
Hydrangeas are another type of perennial flower. These plants can be found in a variety of shapes and sizes. Their clusters of flowers range from pink to rose-violet. They’re low-maintenance and work well in dappled or partial shade. They’re a great addition to a butterfly garden or planting in a shady spot. They can be divided in the fall.
Hyssop is an aromatic perennial that attracts bees and butterflies. It forms clumps and self-seeds. It’s a nice filler plant, and its long-lasting blooms can be dried for potpouri.
Sea holly is a beautiful plant that blooms from June to August. It has sparse stems and a lovely display from the blossom to the seed head. They’re ideal for planting in partial or full shade, and they’re a good choice for a low-lying ground cover.
Attracting birds and butterflies
Adding a few flowers to your garden is a great way to attract birds and butterflies. These insects are very important in the flower-pollination process. However, you must provide them with a long-term food source.
Sunflowers are one of the best flowering plants to attract birds and butterflies. The high oil content of the seeds makes them an ideal bird food. They are also great for hummingbirds. Many varieties are grown to survive spring temperatures.
The buttonbush is another good plant to grow to attract birds and butterflies. The bush produces daisy-like flowers. This perennial plant grows up to six feet tall. It is also known as the butterfly bush and Coneflower.
These plants are great for providing a reliable source of nectar for butterflies. Their flowers come in a variety of colors. You can plant them in full sun or shade.
The buttonbush has been used as a dye and medicine. It is a native plant to wetland areas in the eastern United States and California. It is an excellent choice to attract birds and butterflies because of its colorful blooms and fruits.
Other plants to consider are the butterflyweed, buddleia, and asclepias. These plants have colorful blooms and produce pollen. They are also great for attracting bees.
The lantana is a flowering annual that grows in a variety of colors. It provides a reliable nectar source for hummingbirds and butterflies.
For additional color, a small birdhouse or fence line is a great addition to your backyard. You can add a shallow dish of water for them to drink. You can also make a small fountain to help them refresh.
The trumpet honeysuckle is a moisture-loving plant that attracts both hummingbirds and native birds. It has red tubular flowers. It grows in the northeast and the midwest. The Purple Finches love to eat the honeysuckle’s nectar.
The phlox is another excellent choice for attracting birds and butterflies. These plants are native to the northeast and the southeast. The phlox has beautiful flowers and comes in a variety of colors.
The fuchsia, heavenly bamboo, and bluebeard are other popular plants for hummingbirds and butterflies. These shrubs are a favorite of bees.
