Flower Beds

Learning how to plant a garden, choosing the correct garden design, and what flowers to plant all require lots of knowledge and direction. Where the garden is located at will more than help decide on the types of flower chosen—dry and arid locations will require flowers that enjoy lots of sun and little water, while more humid areas will have flowers and plants that enjoy lots of lush mixed sun and lots of water. There are ten zones that have different flowers to plant, with different flowers having different personalities—plants such as sweet pea or sea holly, yarrow, columbine, or lilacs will attract butterflies. If hummingbirds are something enjoyable that is in the garden planning—remember that willows and eucalyptus trees offer nesting material for these little birds, and lots of nectar in the garden flowers. They will need to eat 3-5 times a day, with lots of water available. Hummingbird feeders are for when the flowers are not blooming and the nectar is not available for feeding—hang them about 30 feet apart throughout the garden in bright red colors, in order to attract these little birds from far away.

There are many books or online sources that show the different gardening zones, and which plants are best for that area. Planting native flowers to that particular zone can almost guarantees the success of the flower garden, with the use of the US EPA site. Educate yourself in whichever ways work with your schedule, your enjoyment, and how you can learn the best possible way. Local classes can be taken at USDA offices, or through community schools. Maybe flower shops can offer some quick classes or words of advice.

Once the type of flower is chosen, the type of flower bed can be just as varied. An annual flower bed is something that can fluctuate every year, or a perennial flower bed is something that will come up steadily year after year. Rose plants, flowers that have bulbs planted in the fall or spring, division by propagation, seedlings, cuttings, or potted flowers—whatever works!!