It’s the dream of many homeowners to have a lush garden that’s bursting with bouquets of colorful flowers. While planting a flower garden can be intimidating for many beginners, it’s surprisingly easy to create a decorative display – and keep it looking fresh all summer long.
Here are some simple tips to bring out the bloom in a May flower garden.
Pick a Sunny Spot
Most flowering plants like either full or at least partial sun, so you’ll want to pick a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. Wherever you choose, be sure to look for a pattern of where and when the sunlight hits. This will help you in choosing which plants will best thrive in the area you’ve chosen.
You’ll also want to pay attention to how well the soil in the spot drains. If the area is soggy for days after rain, that’s a sign it drains poorly and could drown the roots of any flowers you plant.
Good Soil is Everything
Perfect soil isn’t usually found but rather created. If you have poor soil, you may want to take a test sample to a garden center so they can give you advice on any precise fertilizers you may need. Organic matter and compost though are always a safe bet though, and will greatly improve poor soil.
If you’re going to be using pots or planter boxes for your flower garden, then be sure to buy high-quality potting soil.
Choose Your Flowers Wisely
You may love Japanese orchids, but the climate of Central Texas does not. Thankfully, there’s an incredible array of flowers that thrive in this area. The Austin area is in Zone 8b, so you’ll need to choose flowers that have Zone 8 in their ranges.
Texas annuals (these flowers complete their life cycle in a year):
- Sunflowers
- Zinnias
- Impatiens
- Pentas
Texas perennials (these flowers come back year after year):
- Tulips
- Blackfoot daisy
- Lantana
- Larkspur
- Marigolds
Be sure to read the directions on the recommended spacing and soil depth for each flower variety.
Start Small
While you may envision a huge garden that is just waiting for a glossy magazine cover shoot, it’s best to start small.
Aim for 5 to 8 different types of flowing plants of various heights. This will not only keep things manageable but will help you get a good idea of what you like and what you don’t like.
Water Right
Flower gardens in this area need a lot of water, so thorough and regular watering is essential. A drip irrigation hose is ideal for flower gardens because it offers slow and steady watering that plant roots can soak up.
If you don’t have an irrigation hose, then water your flowers towards the base in either the morning or dusk. Avoid watering them directly on the blooms or leaves, as this can create fungus or lead to the petals burning once the sun comes out.
Planting a flower garden either in planter pots or in the yard can be one of the best ways to add natural beauty to your home. If you’re looking for the perfect home and would like to learn more about the Crosswinds community, contact us today.