If you want flowers that come back year after year, then you might consider growing perennials in your garden.  These plants can be readily found at your local nursery and, unlike annuals, they stay dormant in winter and then come back in spring.

Many people like perennials because you don’t have to buy them year after year, but they do have a short blooming period so will not add color to your garden all season.  One thing that is handy about them is that they will propagate so that you will have more and more plants over time.

Since perennials do grow in number, it is inevitable that you will need to divide and move them if you find them taking over an area of your garden.  When moving these thes plants you must be gentle as they can easily be damaged. Try to be as caring as possible when transferring from one place to another. After you have transplanted them, be sure to keep the soil around them moist for the first week.

When you transplant perennials, make sure you do it after they have bloomed.  If you find there are any shoots or blossoms on the plant, they need to be taken off the plant. If you leave these on the plants they will require food and the plant will have a difficult time establishing it’s root system in it’s  new home. You will allow the plant to grow properly if you do this small chore.

There are all kinds of perennials. Wildflowers are perennials as are most herbs.  Some flowers are perennials in warmer climates and annuals in colder climates.  This is because the warmer climates allow them to grow all year, but the frost in the north kills them off.

Some popular perennials include aster, bee balm, campanula, coreopsis, hollyhocks, peony, coneflower, lily of the valley and foxglove.  Perennials do not need much care and they aren’t as finicky as annuals.  If you buy perennials that are suited to your zone then you really don’t need to do any extra watering.  Using fertilizer is always a good idea, just make sure you get the appropriate kind for your plant.

Mulching perennials in the winter can be a very good idea. I have found that wood chips have a great insulating property. It keeps the ground from freezing when hard wintry winds can cause damage to the more delicate perennials. Of course, there are plants which are stronger than others but, some may need a bit of extra care over the winter.

Blue Orchids are part of the Vanda classification and are considered to be extremely rare. The plant can bloom about three times over the course of a year. The flowers are between two and four inches in length and give off a strong fragrance.

Once they bloom, the flowers live less than a month. Even though the flower is rare, you can easily grow this beauty at home – and even if you’re not an expert with plants, by following the care tips, you can enjoy this horticultural gem.

These flowers enjoy the heightened temperatures and can grow rapidly when properly potted and cared for. You’ll need to have a place in your room that gets a lot of sunlight, and if you have a wide enough windowsill that sits in the direct line of the sunny heat, this is perfect for these flowers.

To keep them from dehydrating and withering, you’ll need to water them every day and the flowers will need to be fed once every seven days. The best growing pot for Blue Orchids is a basket made out of wood.

By potting this flower in the wooden basket, you’ll help it to grow to its best and produce numerous flowers. When you’re ready to repot the plant, very gently lift the plant from the basket.

You can expect that not all of the plant roots will survive intact – this is common and not a mistake on your part – these roots tend to be more fragile than some flowering plants. But once you have it out of the basket, you’ll need to drench the roots with water.

You can do this by letting the roots sit in a bowl of room temperature water (you don’t want to shock the roots with water temperatures that are too cold or too hot). Once the roots are thoroughly moistened, you can repot the plant into a larger basket.

Make sure that you do not use a regular brand of soil to pot these plants in. These rare beauties need a soil that’s specifically designed for their growing health. The care needed for these flowers isn’t that much more involved than regular flowers – the grower just needs to be more vigilant about making sure the sunlight, watering and food specifications are followed.

Whereas most plants can bounce back with treatment if they are neglected, this rare orchid isn’t as hardy. Like many flowers, Blue Orchids like humidity, and in their natural environment, this helps them flourish.

The flowers live best at temperatures between 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. When the night temperatures drop, orchids need to be in temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, so if you have the plant on a windowsill, make sure you check the temperature around the window.

Designing your flower garden may seem like a scary prospect.  Once you’ve planted your flowers, it might be a bit hard for you to tear them up if you don’t like the layout, so it’s very important to get it right from the beginning. [Read more...]

The root is the secret to a beautiful Orchids flowering plant. Because so many plants grow their roots down deep into the soil, it’s a common mistake to believe that the root of the Orchid must be in the soil.

This gorgeous plant has somewhat willful roots that don’t always adhere to a common growth pattern. In many cases, the roots of this plant will grow up and outside of the pot. To try and force them to grow downward is destructive to the root, and in some cases, the plant won’t thrive.

If you don’t have a healthy root for your plant, eventually it will die. Don’t make the mistake of believing that all orchid roots can be treated with the same type of care. There are several care-taking tips that you have to take into consideration.

If you don’t factor in the plant’s environment, you can end up causing your plant to have root rot. Though the plant needs a lot of water, too much water is just as bad as not having enough. The environment is what decides how much or how little water you should give your flower.

Even if your plant is inside your home, you have to figure how much of a breeze your plant gets. Does it sit in front of an open window? If so, the air can dry out the soil and it can also change the temperature surrounding the plant.

Is the plant showing signs of new root growth? If the leaves on the flower look brittle or withered, that’s a clear indication it’s not getting enough water. How big or how small the pot your flower is planted in can make a difference in how well the water is used by the plant.

Some classes of orchids don’t need as much water as other classes, so you want to follow the watering guidelines exactly as instructed. If you are giving your plant too much water, you can tell by the condition of the roots.

Overly watered plants will have roots that are squishy and rotted. Many of the roots will have died from having too much water. It’s always better to underwater your plant than to over do it.

The roots of your Orchids flower need to be in a soil that’s right for it. If you buy regular potting soil, you can kill your plant. Instead, use a base – like fir bark chips, peat moss, etc.

You can find these at local gardening centers and most will be clearly labeled for use with Orchids. The reason that you don’t want to use regular potting soil is that Orchids need air circulation and regular potting soil doesn’t provide this – it often becomes hard and packed, especially when dry.

Growing wildflowers in your garden is one of the best and simplest ways to bring life to your home. It’s a great way to provide a fresh look for your garden all throughout the year. No longer will you have to worry about replanting every season because wildflowers are resilient to changing weather conditions and will always provide your garden with color and vibrancy.

There are many things that you have to consider while growing wildflowers in your garden. One is the various types of wild flowers and the characteristics of each type. Wild flowers are seasonal plants. They might look brilliant and stunning at their peak season but can also become progressively duller as the season ends.

There are three major types of wild flowers ‘ perennials, biennials and annuals. Perennials are those that bloom and are vibrant all throughout the year. Annuals, as the name suggests, bloom only for one season every year while biennials bloom one season every two years. Choosing the type of flowers to grow in your garden is important in order for you to get the most out of every peak season.

To give your garden a different look every season, it is best to intersperse the types of wildflowers to plan for every seed batch. Since perennials are present all throughout the year, make sure that this type of wildflowers represents a considerable portion for every batch of seeds you wish to plant. Perennials must be included in the set of plants for every season to ensure a garden that’s vibrant with blooming flowers all throughout the year.

There are many kinds of wildflowers that are annuals, or bloom in one season every year. Make sure that you include one type of annual wildflowers for each season so you will have a set of flowers blooming at a particular time of the year.

It is best that you include one flower special from all blooming seasons for every patch in your garden. With matching perennials and a different batch of wildflowers blooming for every season, you are guaranteed a garden that has a diverse vibrant look all throughout the year.

Make sure that you keep your perennials, or the flowers that will bloom all throughout the year, constantly watered. If possible, reseed the biennials and annuals in your garden to maintain excellent flowering all the time.

Keep your flowers healthy by protecting them against weeds. Weeds are always a constant problem in gardens and the best way to keep them from growing is to stop them from seeding. Before planting different seed batches of wildflowers in your garden, till the soil and eradicate weeds in your flowerbeds.

Growing wildflowers in your garden is one of the best gifts that you can give to your home. Not only will they provide a necessary color and liveliness to your place, wildflowers also attract butterflies, bees, hummingbirds. These animals and insects bring you closer to nature and give you a richer presence of the natural beauty that is inherent in this world.

Orchid is an umbrella name for this flower and they’re broken down into different classifications and names. You can grow many of these types of Orchids with great success – even if you don’t happen to have a green thumb.

Some of the names of these plants have exotic meanings, others are pretty self-explanatory. For example, the Butterfly Orchid looks like a butterfly and has an amazing flower.

This plant’s scientific name is Psychopsis Papilio. The flower blooms large at the base, has a narrow waist part with two upper pieces that look like a butterfly’s wings. Two growths at the top of the flower complete the idea of a butterfly by spreading upward and resembling antennae.

If you wanted to give a flower that has a special meaning to someone in your life, you could choose a special Orchid such as the Colmanara Wildcat. This is a hybrid Orchid that closely resembles the markings of a wildcat. The only care that it needs is to be watered and fed every seven days. This is another Orchid that’s highly sought after.

The Encyclia Cockleata is a botanical beauty that garners plenty of attention wherever it’s displayed. The reason this flower gets so much attention is for its unusual shape. The flower looks like an octopus and is sometimes referred to as the Octopus Orchid. This particular orchid is one that gives off a strong, pleasing scent.

There are even miniature Orchids like the beautiful white with burgundy stripes and spots. The name of this little one is called Sedirea Japonica and can be found in Japan. It adapts well to indoor living and likes temperatures comparable to those suited for humans.

Of course, no home grower should be without some flowers from the Brassavola Orchids and one of the most popular is called ‘Lady of the Night.’ You can find these in a lovely pure white flower and the plant is sturdy and will bloom repeatedly.

The Miltonia – the Pansy Orchid – is so called because it does look like the pansy flower. These Orchids have petals that look like a large, droopy lower lip. They have gorgeous markings stemming from the center of the flower and stretching to the end of the bloom.

There are so many types of Orchids that you’ll have a hard time choosing a favorite. But with the hardiness of some of these flowers, even kids can grow some of the ones that they like best.

A hit with kids are the Orchids that look like bumblebees. While it’s not known for fragrance, the flower is attractive and easy to care for. Some kids are fascinated by the Brassia – the Spider Orchid. The flowers are hardy and they are fragrant. They’re not the most popular of Orchids because their blooms are in the shape of a large spider.

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It’s no wonder that people fall in love with the beautiful flowers of the orchid family. They come in a variety of colors and are great for home growing. Unfortunately, caring for Orchids involves more than getting the plant, watering it and feeding it at regular intervals.

These plants are (especially the Blue Orchid) are very in-demand, and most growers create a booming business selling them. Whether you’re new or not to this flowering plant, you can benefit from knowing how to get the healthiest flowers from your efforts.

Step one – don’t start out behind. You want to make sure that the plant you select will give you beautiful blooms. Some people buy very small Orchid plants and then don’t understand why it doesn’t flower. It can take years for a new plant to flower, so what you want to select is one that already has flowers on it.

Step two – check out the health of the leaves. If the leaves are pale or look spotted, then the plant isn’t healthy. If you already have Orchids at home and the leaf color isn’t consistent, then something’s wrong with the plant.

Step three – give your plant the water amount that’s suitable for the type of orchid that you have. Give it plenty of water, especially in the hot summer months. But keep an eye on the roots to make sure you’re maintaining a healthy moisture level.

Step four – when it’s nice outside, let the plant spend some time outdoors, but not under the direct glare of the sun. Just like human skin, these plants can sustain a nasty sunburn. But remember not to leave them out once the temperatures begin to drop.

Step five – feed your plant on a regular schedule. You can use plant fertilizer for this, but be aware that the fertilizer can contain salts, which aren’t good for your plant if it has too much.

Step six – if you’re bringing home new Orchids, odds are that they’re in a pot that’s meant as a temporary home for it. Don’t make the mistake of leaving them in the pot for too long, but replant them with a mix that’s specifically made for your orchid.

Step seven – watch out for the little bugs. Pests love to devour plants, draining them of their beauty – and in the case of a serious infestation, killing the plant completely. There are special sprays that you can buy to treat your Orchid, killing any infestations and keeping new ones at bay.

Caring for Orchids can yield a crop of flowers that you can enjoy time and time again. Don’t let the thought of the kind of care they need overwhelm you. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be glad that this was the flower you chose to have in or around your home.

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Tulips are great flowers for any occasions and one of the first signs of spring. They come in various colors, which make them work perfectly for whatever event is at hand.

Historically, they play quite an important role in various early civilizations. In the modern times, one can also graze at miles and miles of lovely tulip flowers in bloom. As a matter of fact, tulips come in third as the most popular flower after rose and chrysanthemum. For those who are interested in gardening, tulips are a great bulb plant to include in your garden and one of the first bloomers you will see once the snow clears out.

Coming originally from the Central and Western Asia area, tulips have been around for about 500 years. The name tulip comes from the Turkish tulbend, which means turban. This is in reference either to the inverted look of the flower, which resembles a turban, or to the actual use of the flower being placed inside a turban.

So, how do we grow such lovely blooms?   Here are some tips for growing tulips in your garden:

Soil conditions

Tulips need good drainage. The best option is to go for sandy soil, which is airy and well-drained. Improper soil drainage can cause the tulip bulbs to rot. Adding compost to the soil is also a must like with any other kind of plants.

Planting

 Since tulips come in different sizes, the most logical way to plant the bulbs deep enough is to get the bulbs’ sizes and multiply them by three. The result is the depth of the hole where the bulb should be planted in.

When To Plant

 The best season to plant these flowering plants is during the fall.

Tulip Care

 In terms of sun, tulips need a fair share of it but they will grow in partially shaded areas. For water, regular rainfall is enough for their healthy existence. However, they need to be watered at least once a week in warmer places. Fertilizing tulip plants at least twice a year is another must. The most recommended time is during the early part of spring right before they start to bloom. One tablespoon of the regular fertilizer in granules does the trick well enough.

Tulips are perhaps the cheeriest and most recognized flower. Whether it is a red, yellow or white one in bloom, there is no denying the beauty of a tulip and since they are fairly easy to grow, everyone can enjoy tulips right in their own yard. 

Planting tulip bulbs carefully and safely inside containers isdiscussed in this free educational video series. Expert: Yolanda Vanveen Contact: www.vanveenbulbs.com Bio: Yolanda Vanveen is sustainable gardener who lives in Kalama, Wash. Filmmaker: Daron Stetner
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Here are a few tips for planting and caring for bulbs and tubers in your garden. These will help the new gardener or may offer a few new ideas for the more experienced gardener. Often we forget that there are many ways to do things and are set on one certain way. Gardening can be fun and help relieve stress. This is also a great activity to help keep active.

You will need to make sure you are planting at the correct time of year. Some bulbs and tubers need to be planted in the spring while others need to be planted in the summer or even in the fall. Time of year is very important for successful growth with a great number of plants. If you are uncertain then you should have this information before you begin.

They may not grow as well in your average soil. You may want to add a special bulb planting mix for best results. These are usually rich in calcium and special nutrients that bulbs and tubers need most. You can place this mixture in the hole before planting.

They also have special tools designed for planting bulbs. Each different type of bulb may require a different planting depth in your soil. Bulb planters allow you to gage the depth at which you are planting to get exact results. They also lift out the soil allowing you to add any need nutrients before planting and replacing the soil.

After the actual planting the care is much like that of any other flower in your garden. You weed and prune as necessary. Add mulch if need. Make sure they have adequate water especially during the dry seasons.

Once the blooms begin to die, you will want to let the die back naturally. The dead blooms have nutrients the bulbs need to bloom adequately the next blooming season. This may apply to tubers as well. You should always check any special instructions for any new flower you are planting. Watering needs often vary.

Really a tuber is much the same as a bulb. The main difference may be the shape. There is little difference in the care for them. The main differences may be the same as that in any other plant with moisture needs varying from species to species.

Gardening is very rewarding for all age groups and is something that can be passed on from generation to generation. If you have a love for gardening then share that love with a special someone in your life. The art of growing flowers and vegetables is very creative and fulfilling.

If you have questions about gardening then look up information on the internet or just ask around. The elderly lady who lives on your block and loves flowers will probably be glad to share her knowledge with anyone who asks. If you don’t have a garden then get started today and see for yourself all the rewards you can get from this.

What is butterfly gardening? Simply put butterfly gardening is the art of growing flowers and plants that will attract these colorful and dainty creatures to your garden. Delight your family and visitors with beautiful butterflies, but be sure to create a safe habitat for them. If you own cats rethink your plans, because it would be a shame to attract these lovely insects to their death.

The design your butterfly garden is a matter of personal preference. Typical points to consider are the size of your garden and the types of flowers and plants you want to grow. Pick a style of garden that appeals to you, but ensure it also contains the plants and flowers that appeal to the butterflies you wish to attract.

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It is important to find out which plants and flowers will attract the species of butterflies. that live in your area. This information can be found at the local library

To create the kind of environment that they find attractive, you will also need water of some kind. A birdbath will look attractive and keep the butterflies up off the ground, away from stray cats or mischievous puppies. A shallow dish on a post or hung in a tree will do just as well.

When planting your butterfly garden be careful how you coordinate the colors you choose for your flowerbeds. Although butterflies do not care about your choice of color, you don’t want your garden to be a hodgepodge of unrelated colors and textures. Butterflies are attracted to those flowers that have nectar rather than pollen, like honeysuckle, milkweed, summer lilac, Valerian, daisies, Purple Coneflower, Yellow Sage, day lilies and lavender.

Some people find it helpful to draw and color a layout of their butterfly gardening plan to see what the finished product would look like. Keep in mind that warm colors like red and orange are flashy and showy. These colors have a greater impact against a strong green background. Cool colors such as blue and purple are soothing and toned down and would work better with a white contrast to create the look of freshness and brightness.

Although the regular flower gardens are bound to never lose their charm, more and more options are being considered to create a unique landscape. After all, there is always that need to be different in a pleasing way. When it comes to flower gardens, ground covers can fill in those gaps and add interest to your landscape.

The term ground cover is in reference to any kind of plant that grows over a specific area of the ground. These plants grow low and are made use of for various purposes. Aside from the plants’ various benefits, their functions as ground covers are also very important. They add beauty to the whole area as they cover bare soil. More so, they are very effective in the prevention of soil erosion.

There are a number of ground cover plants that are highly attractive. They are perfect for aesthetic purposes. Adding some ground cover plants to your flower garden is definitely a good option for anybody. Here are some good points about it.

1. They make use of the soil. Making use of a land area for plants is a good way to maintain the healthy quality of the soil especially when ample care is taken by the gardener through regular fertilization and watering.

2. There is lesser possibility of soil erosion. Plants not only look good but they also play a great role in preventing soil erosion. The roots of plants hold soil together and keep if from washing away during rainy times.

3. Garden covers keep the soil healthy. They serve as insulating covers that keep the soil cool during the summer and also help to hold water in. More so, these plants are very useful in building the level of humus present in the soil. They serve as living mulch and are also perfect insects that are good for your garden to live in.

4. Weeds are kept off with the presence of ground cover plants. Since they grow in a way that ends up covering the entire area, there is no space left for the seed of the weeds to occupy and grow in. More so, they are the perfect alternative for growing turf grass.

5. They are perfect for steep slopes and areas near the sidewalks. This is because they do not need much irrigation and are perfect for keeping the soil in elevated areas in its place.

Just like anything else, there are some drawbacks to groundcovers. One of the more serious ones is the fact that they provide the perfect habitat for slugs, snakes and other garden pests. It is of course wise to avoid pest susceptible vegetation in areas where such pests abound.

Flowers are one of nature’s wonders.  They can help you relax, and lift your mood.  Having a flower garden is certainly a joy and a way to be close to the colorful wonders.

For those who are in love with being able to grow these lovely creations, it is essential to be knowledgeable enough to plant and care for them. Having ample knowledge about the difference between annual and perennial flowers, for instance, is a good foundation to start with when considering the types of flowers to deal with.

To get a good look at the difference between these two types of flowers, it is best to take each one and examine its specific characteristics.

Annual Flowers

The basic feature shared by different annual flowers is how they complete their whole life in a single growth cycle. They grow from seeds, bloom and give seeds in one growing season. After which, they wither and die.

Annual flowers grow based on the season they are planted. There are three types of annual flowers. They are grouped according to the type of weather they grow in and the types of soil that they need in order to grow well.

Hardy annual flowers have the capacity to bloom during the cold winter season. They have the unique capacity that enables them to survive the harsh weather. However, they cannot tolerate high heat which makes them inappropriate for hot, summer gardens. They should be planted during the spring or fall. Examples of this type are viola, stocks, cornflowers and pansy.

Half hardy annual flowers, on the other hand, can live with damp and mildly cold weather but unable to survive the coldest winter months. The most ideal time to plant them is during the late parts of spring. They don’t do so well in the scorching hot summer months but will perk up as summer starts to fade away. Baby’s breath, bells of Ireland and forget-me-nots are examples of this type of annual flowers.

For warmer weather, the best option is to go for tender annuals. They are best sown about three weeks after the last spring frost. During the last parts of spring and the early days of summer, these flowers are at their best. Petunias, morning glory and scarlet sage are tender annual flowers.

Perennial Flowers

Perennials have a lifetime of two to three years in average. They survive the whole year and bloom once a year at a specific time.  They are self propagating so it might seem like they live forever, but it is simply that new flowers are coming up when the old ones lifespan is over.

Perennial flowers come in three groups. They differ according to the amount of sunlight they need to grow most perfectly.

Full sun perennial flowers grow best in places where they are able to get about six to eight hours of direct sunlight on a daily basis. Examples of this type include chrysanthemum, iris and Japanese anemone.

Perennial plants that can do well without direct sunlight are referred to as part shade perennials. They can easily be traced under the trees where they are accessible to the sunlight through the foliage. Primrose, bleeding heart and foxglove are three examples of part shade perennials.

The third type is called full shade perennials. This is obviously because they need to be in areas where sunlight cannot get to them. The perfect location for these flowering plants is under evergreen and other similar trees with thick branches.

Gardens are wonderful but not everyone has a big yard to plant a big garden in. If you would love to have a garden but don’t have the yard for it, then consider container gardening.  With containers, everyone can have a garden even if they only have a few square feet of balcony, patio, deck or rooftop.

Plants change with the seasons and maintaining container flower gardens offer you a wide range of creative outlets in decorating a sunny part of your home. The first thing that you need remember when designing container flower gardens is to make sure your plants get enough sunlight.

If the open part of your home where you plan to build a container flower garden is not exposed to sufficient amount of sunlight, it is best that you settle for shade-tolerant plants. These plants do not need that much sunlight but still manage to develop a lush foliage and some even have flowers that bloom. Examples of shade-tolerant plants include hosta heuchera, coleus, ivy and licorice.

The basic and most important thing in having a container garden is that the containers must have enough holes that can provide adequate drainage. These holes allow for the water to drain out which keeps your plants from “drowning” in standing water.

It is also important to settle for the largest pots that you can use for the area. The scale of the outdoor garden demands bigger space for growth and in container flower gardening, you have to compensate with larger pots and containers. It is always better to purchase one big container instead of several small ones.

In designing your container flower garden, it is best to feature at least three plants with bright accents. The bright flowers of these plants will provide focal points and you can easily place filler plants around to create a wonderful garden design. For symmetry and easier arrangement, use odd numbers of containers.

Flowers in containers are not much different from those that you plant directly in the soil. They also need an ample amount of nutrition and frequent watering. Make sure that you provide them with sufficient nutrients with fertilizers. Slow release fertilizers that are high in phosphorus and potassium are best for flowers. These two macronutrients will aid root growth and provide nutrition that will help in bloom development.

Daily watering is very important in container flower gardens. This is even more vital during summer and on hot days in order to keep the plants from drying and dying. For easier and more convenient watering, make sure that you arrange your pots in groups. There are also irrigation systems for patios and balconies which you can install and have your plants watered automatically, even when you’re not around.

With the use of containers everyone can have a beautiful garden even if you live in a high rise apartment in the middle of the city!

Gardening requires patience and the proper care in order for you to have positive results. A healthy flower garden requires plenty of sunshine, moisture, and the properly blended soil. There are two approaches to providing proper assistance to the soil. The first approach is to use chemicals and fertilizers while the second approach involves organic methods that rely on natural substances to improve the condition of the soil.

Gardening consists of taking care of living things. All living things require proper nutrition and a balance of elements to maintain proper health. Soil is not any different than any other living thing; it needs proper nutrition and a delicate balance of the right elements to maintain good health. In nature this balance takes hundreds of years.

Healthy soil consists of an assortment of materials in the proper composition. There are some plants that can grow in less healthy or sandier soil than other plants but generally, the better the soil, the healthier the plant.

The proper mix of clay, sand, and silt in soil makes the best soil. This mix is the ideal combination for gardening, since it contains the correct balance of nutrients.

To find out if your soil has the proper mix you should pick-up a handful and test it in your hand. When you compress it in your hand it should crumble in chunks. If the soil feels gritty then it is a sign that it contains too much sand. If you can make a ball out of it then it has too much clay in it.

If your soil is not of the proper consistency, then don’t despair you can easily amend the soil to get it just right for growing flowers. A rejuvenation program could take a few years to perfect the soil, but there are things you can do right away to insure this years flowers get proper nutrients.

You will need to take a sample of the soil to determine what the current situation is and how to correct it. The rejuvenation process can start with tilling the soil and adding the necessary elements. You can also put down a layer of top soil. Even with a layer of top soil placed one year you will need to check the soil again the following year to see if it has retained its balance.

It is also a good idea to protect the soil by covering it with mulch. This layer of protection is used to help prevent the erosion process that may occur each year. The wind and rain will typically affect an area and this can cause you to lose your top layer of soil and consequently it should be protected.

As mentioned earlier the proper amount of moisture is also vital to the healthy development of a flower garden. While loamy soil is naturally good at retaining moisture you may still need to supplement that amount of water that the garden receives form rain. Of course this will vary depending on the weather conditions of your location.

The flowers you pick for your flower garden will be based largely on personal preference, but you should also consider the rest of the plants in your landscape.  Your garden flowers should blend in well with the surrounding plants.  Also, you should be aware of the different flower meanings and symbolisms of popular garden flowers. [Read more...]

Gardening with ornamental grasses offers an easy way to make your garden more interesting. They can be grouped in a dramatic cluster or worked in with other plants. With so many types offered, it is also easy to locate something you will like. But you must select the right plants for your space and needs. Some grow so large that they quickly exceed their boundaries, and others can invade areas where you do not want them.

Since most ornamental style grasses were originally wild, they are hardy plants. They seldom require feeding, resist diseases and pests well, and tolerate a lot of different conditions. Most prefer soil that has good drainage, however. Not all species will tolerate shade, but many will, and many will also tolerate full sun. Some also tolerate drought well and require minimal watering after becoming established.

Most ornamental grasses send out very deep roots, so when planting be sure to aerate the soil deeply enough, about twice the height of the root. Be sure you have adequate overhead clearance for the type you are planting, since some varieties can grow up to ten feet. Once the soil has been replaced, water the plant well, and continue to water until the plant has established roots.

Not all ornamental grasses will thrive in all conditions, so check that the variety you want is one that is suited to your location. Most can survive all except the harshest winters, but excessive heat can prove problematic. Some way wither, but often can be revived by providing temporary shelter from the sun and extra water.

Maiden grass is found in many home gardens. It often grows up to 8 feet in height, and is visually stunning. Burgundy blooms are offset against green and white foliage. It requires full sun and ample water, and needs to be trimmed to ground level in the early spring.

One of the easiest types to grow is feather reed grass. It does well in almost any soil, and can grow in full sun or shade. Stalks of flowers, often over five feet tall, are nestled among leaves that are dark green. The flowers bloom in the summer, while the foliage grows the most during cool weather, as in late winter or early spring.

Northern sea oats and blue oat grass are two nice selections for home lawns. They have quite different needs and properties. Northern sea oats grow in sun or shade, with a slight preference for shade, while blue oat grass must have full sun. Blue oat grass makes an effective ground cover, while Northern sea oats will clump. Both need soil that is adequately drained, and both grow tall, with Northern reaching 8 feet and blue oat achieving heights of 6 feet. Northern also needs far less water.

Some varieties of ornamental grasses are useful as ground covers. This means that steps must be taken to keep them under control, or you may find they have become invasive. One particularly invasive type is monkey grass. Many who sought to use it as a border found it quickly took over the flower bed and even moved into the lawn. Its small flowers, lilac or white in color, are often lost amid its dark leaves. It can reach 16 inches or more in height, and if used, take precautions.

With so many species from which to make a selection, homeowners who wish to try gardening with ornamental grasses can easily find an interesting addition for their lawn. They require little effort, are quite forgiving, and when selected properly, add a lot of charm.

A beautiful flower garden is the dream of most homeowners. To keep your blooms looking their best requires weeding, feeding, and proper watering. Most people can handle the first two chores fine, but often make mistakes when it comes to the third. To help, here are some tips for watering your flower garden.

Do not just spray your flowers with a hose. This puts moisture in all the wrong places. Plants need water at their roots, and excess water on blooms and leaves can encourage pests and mold. Also, using a hose can damage petals and the blossoms will not be as attractive.

Use a watering can, soaking hose, or use a wand on the end of the hose to disperse water gently. Try to get the water to the roots without disturbing the soil. Too much pressure can blow the dirt loose, exposing the roots and spraying dirt on the flowers. If you have no other choice than a hose, try placing it at one end of the row of flowers. Let the water flow, and when needed, move the hose to the other end.

Do not over water your flowers. Too much water can kill them, drowning the roots and causing them to rot. Know how much water the flowers in your garden need, monitor rainfall, and if in doubt, check the soil by sticking a finger into it. Soil should be damp but never muddy. If it is dry, you need to water.

Know what type of soil you have in your garden. A heavy soil, or one that is rich with clay, retains moisture better than a light one. Light soils mean that plants need to be watered more often, while plants in heavy soils can go longer between watering. And make sure that your soil is well drained. If roots are sitting in puddles after a rain, you may need to elevate the garden or take other steps to increase drainage.

Sprinklers are not the best way to water a flower garden. This is especially true of timed systems. These can deliver too much water to the roots. Water flowers only when they need it, and only in the amount needed. In most climates, this is a total of about an inch per week. If your area is receiving that much rain or more, you probably do not need to add any water unless your soil is very light.

If you live in a drought prone state where water rationing is common, set out a container to capture rain water to use on your garden. Remember to keep it emptied, though, because stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Do not water during the hottest part of the day or at night. Early morning and early evening are the best times to water. During the heat of the day, the water evaporates too quickly to properly nourish the roots. And at night, the water does not evaporate quickly enough, leading to excessive accumulation.

Mature plants need less water than young ones. When first planted, flowers expend a lot of energy to establish a healthy root system. During this period, their water requirements are higher than they will be as they grow. Depending on the particular flower, roots are usually well established within two weeks of planting.

If you find that your soil is drying out too quickly, consider adding a mulch such as pine bark. This will help retain moisture, and has the additional benefit of reducing weeds.

By following these tips for watering your flower garden, you should save time, save water, and still have lovely blooms.

One of the tips for growing flowers in a shade garden is to focus on plant selection and the over-all design of the shade garden.  You will be free from the anxiety of combating pesky weeds because weeds will not usually grow in the low levels of sunlight in a shade garden. With shade gardens, you are provided with a tidy space that needs to be maximized.

Selecting flowers that you wish to plant in your shade garden is important. This type of garden is obviously in the dark and flowers with deep colors will not stand out in the shade. Choose light-color flowers and foliage that will look vibrant and attractive even without sunlight. If you wish to add bright-colored wild flowers, do so sparingly and position them to act as accents in your shade garden.

Create contrast in your flowerbeds by combining deep-colored flowers and plants with light-colored foliage. Carefully choose the colors of the plants you wish to add in your garden in order to create contrast that is just enough to highlight the brightly-colored flowers that you wish to accentuate. Be reminded that the true essence of this type of garden is subtlety and colors that bright and are concentrated in one area of the shade garden might just distract from the over-all design.

Perennials or flowers that bloom all throughout the year are great choices for a shade garden. Shade perennials with bright accents include daylilies, astilbe in shades of white and silver, Lenten roses and flox. Other foliage that will add twist and variety to the garden include heuchera, ferns, varieties of hostas and clum bamboo.

You can also choose to plant shade annuals but be wary of the flower species you will choose since some annuals do not grow as well in shade as they do under the sun. Some of the shade annual flowers include coleus, begonia, elephant ears, impatiens, canna and calla lilies.

Make sure that your shade plants get plenty of water every day. It is best that you add several inches of topsoil and organic material before planting to ensure that your shade flowers and foliage get enough nutrition for them to bloom all year long. With proper care and creativity, you can easily create your own shady heaven right in your very own shade garden.

If you like variety in your garden or are looking for great border plants, consider growing annuals. They last for only one season but typically bloom all season long and come in lots of colors, sizes and shapes. By using annuals, you can have a different looking garden every year. You can find annuals already started in containers or seed packets.

You will want to know how much sun your flowers need before you choose your planting location. Before you plant your flowers, spend a few days paying attention to how much sunlight your yard gets and plant accordingly.

Try to make sure you plant your annuals after any danger of frost has passed. Very cold temperatures affect the plants so if there is a late frost coming, put a sheet or some kind of covering over your tender plants to keep them warm. When the temperature climbs, uncover your plant and they should be fine.

When buy already started annuals, you can easily transfer them from the cell pack or container right into a hole in your garden.  Just make a hole that you can place the plant in where the ground level will be at the same level that it is for your plant in the container.  Before placing in the hole, you will want to break up the root ball so the roots can spread out and grow.

If you have seeds to plant, check the directions on the pack to see depth and spacing requirements. Taking the time to follow planting directions rather than just putting the plant in the ground will give you the most benefit from your plant.

Keeping plants watered is important especially for annuals. Plants that get a lot of sun or wind will require more water than plants that get some shading. Your plants will get the most benefit from your watering if you can do it in the evening or during the night.

If at all possible, do not water in the morning or afternoon. Your flowers in pots will probably dry out faster than those in the garden so you will want to water them more often. For your garden plants, think about using a soaker hose for watering. You can just turn on the water and go do something else and the water goes directly to the base of the plant which will help decrease plant rot that can happen from water being splashed up onto the plant

Fertilizing your plants will help them stay healthy and pretty all season. The instructions to use the fertilizer will be found on the container. Fertilizing your plants as instructed and keeping faded blooms pinched from the plants will leave you with healthy, beautiful annuals that bloom all summer.

New and even experienced gardeners might find it helpful to keep a gardening journal. Keep track of the plants you used, the locations you planted in and the results you had. You can then make any changes next season as well as try out new plants that caught your eye after you already had your garden planted.