Using roses in the landscape

Roses have many uses in the home garden, both as standalone bushes and climbers and as part of an overall landscape of plants and flowers.  The newest thinking in landscape gardening is to combine roses with other types of native plants and flowers, and roses certainly lend themselves to a striking place in the garden.

Roses are also wonderful when used to enhance and highlight areas of the home or surrounding landscape.  For instance, climbing roses can be trained to grow up and over a trellis or to highlight and enhance a bare wall or garden shed.  In addition, a spray of yellow roses growing against a brick or stone home can be a beautiful addition to the landscape.

Landscaping with roses is one of the best ways to add beauty to the home, and even to enhance its value.  Before you can landscape effectively with roses, however, it is important to determine just where roses will fit in your landscape, and how best to use them.  Landscaping with roses is not difficult, but it is important to plan properly before the first rosebush goes into the ground.

Planning for next spring’s garden should begin the winter before the garden is to be planted.  Planning early allows you to determine the best location for the roses in the garden, and to research the varieties that are most likely to thrive in your climate.

It is also important to ask yourself what you want to get out of your roses.  Roses can be used for many different reasons, from providing an attractive ground cover to providing a dramatic backdrop for a beautiful home. 

Planning is also important in order to prevent rose specific problems. There are, for instance, a number of pests and diseases that are specific to roses, and it is important to take steps to prevent those problems before planting your roses.  It is also important to ask yourself how much time you have to devote to growing roses, since some varieties are harder to grow than others.  If your time is limited, it may be best to stick to hardier, easier to grow varieties.

It is also important to choose roses in colors that will best highlight your home and exterior landscape.  For instance, a spray of white roses can be quite striking against a dark colored home, just as red roses can beautifully compliment a white exterior.

It is also important to examine your landscape and determine which roses will work best where.  For example, hybrid musk roses grow well even in less than full sun, so they are often used in shady areas.  It is important to note, however, that hybrid musk roses do not do as well in colder climates.   It is important to take your own climate into account, as well as sun and shade considerations, when planning your rose landscape.

Using popular rose varieties in your garden

When many people think of gardening, their thoughts turn first to roses, and there is no wonder.  Roses are among the most popular, and certainly most beautiful, types of flowers there are.  In addition, roses are a huge part of both the gardening hobby and the professional flower business.  There are even rose and flowers shows were master gardeners proudly show off their lovely creations to an awestruck crowd.

Whether your ultimate goal is to take the big prize at the next rose show or just enjoy a few roses in your garden, it is important to get a feel for the many varieties of roses on the market.  Roses are among the most varied flowers on the market; they come in virtually every color of the rainbow and in blooms ranging in size from a fraction of an inch to almost a foot in width.  This article focuses on a few of the most commonly seen rose varieties.

Pimpinellifolia Roses

Pimpinellifolia roses are renowned for their hardiness, and their attractive foliage and lovely blooms make them a great choice for the beginning rose enthusiast or the experienced gardener.  These roses come in pink, red, yellow and white blossoms, and they grow on attractive and very compact bushes.

Boursault Roses

Boursault roses are of the climbing variety, and they are said to be the result of a cross between an early variety of China rose and the R. Pendulina rose.  This cross is thought to have occurred during the reign of Napoleon, who was a well known rose enthusiast.  The blossoms of this rose are somewhat large, and they grow in either small or large clusters depending on the variety.  The blooms come in various shades of pink and red.  Many varieties can reblossom later in the season.

Sempervirens Roses

The Sempevirens is similar to the Boursault, in that it is also a climbing rose.  The Sempervirens originated in the Mediterranean region of the world, and it has large leaves accented by small white flowers which grow in large clusters.  This variety of rose was studied extensively by rose enthusiasts as far back as 1820, and it continues to be one of the most popular varieties of climbing rose on the market today.  This variety of rose is seen in various shades of pink and white.

Setigera Roses

The Setigera variety of rose, known to the scientific community as R. setigera, has a reputation for being a hardy and tough plant.  That hardiness may be due to the fact that R. setigera comes from the prairie region of the United States, a difficult environment to say the least.  The setigera rose has been used in breeding programs to create many very hardy varieties of climbing roses, most notably the crosses with the Noisettes and Gallicas varieties. 

Wichuraiana Roses

The Wichuraiana rose, also known as R. wichuraiana, is a frequently seen wide spreading cluster rose.  It is used both as a climbing rose and as an attractive ground cover.

Growing the best flowers in town

Every gardener wants to grow the most perfect, most beautiful flowers in town, but that goal is to be elusive.  Whether your goal is to win the best bloom award at the big flower show or just to enjoy a garden full of beautiful flowers, there are some steps you can take to make sure your garden is the best it can be.

Pay attention to chemistry

The chemistry of the soil is one of the most critical factors to the success, or lack of success, in the home garden.  If the soil in your area is poor, chances are you will be unable to grow those beautiful blooms until the soil has been amended to provide the nutrition the plants need.

One mistake many gardeners make is to assume that the soil chemistry will be the same all over their property.  It is important to have each part of your property you plan to use for flower growing tested, especially if the areas are far apart. This can be particularly important if part of your property lies on a downhill slope, or if it has been used for other purposes in the past.

It is also important to take into consideration such things as the slope of the land and the type of soil in your area.  A thorough soil analysis will give you a good baseline to go by and a great way to monitor the quality of the land as your garden grows.

Know what your plants require

Chances are you already have some plants in mind for your new garden, and if so it is important to understand what those plants need in order to thrive.  While most common varieties of annuals, perennials and bulbs will grow in a wide range of conditions, some other varieties can be a bit more demanding. 

If you plan to grow roses in your garden, for instance, it is a good idea to know the pH level of your soil, and amend it if necessary.  Most roses are acid loving plants, and therefore they may not grow properly in soil that is very alkaline.  The good news is that alkaline soil can often be brought into balance by adding a good quality humus and working it through the soil.  If the humus alone is not sufficient, the addition of sulfur to the soil can often help turn the soil more acidic.

Watch the nutrition

The nutrients contained within the soil are also vital to the success of your garden.  For instance, if the levels of phosphorus, nitrogen and other organic matter is not high enough, your plants may not get the nutrition they need to grow and bloom.  Nutrients can be added to poor soil through the use of humus, or by using a good, high quality organic fertilizer.

You can see why soil chemistry is such an important first step toward growing the perfect garden.  Growing the best flowers in town is a worthy goal.  Be sure your soil is up to the task.

Using annuals in your garden

Annuals are among the most beautiful, vibrant and colorful of all flowers, and they are very popular with both new and experienced gardeners.  The sheer variety of annuals, their awesome range of color and their hardiness makes annuals hard to beat.

It is important to know exactly what makes an annual an annual.  In order to be a true annual, a plant must complete its whole life cycle in a single year.   This means the seeds sprout, the flowers bloom, the plant sets seed and the plant dies, all within the same year. 

Some plants which are used as annuals are not true annuals. Some tender perennials are treated as annuals and replanted each year, especially in colder climates.  While these plants could regenerate in warmer climates, in colder areas they are unable to regenerate and are therefore used as annuals instead.

The other side of that coin is annuals that act like perennials.  Some annuals drop so much seed in the autumn that those seeds remain active over the winter and bloom the next year.  That does not mean that they are perennials, simply that the seeds they set have taken root and bloomed the next year.  Some of the most common perennial mimicking annuals are snapdragons, petunias and amaranth.

There are a number of ways to start annuals, including starting them directly from seed, buying seedlings, and buying older plants ready to transplant.  Some annuals can be purchased in what are called cell packs, either in flats or as individual pots.  Any time you buy plants to transplant, it is important to plant them as quickly as possible.  If it is not possible to plant them immediately, they should be stored in a shaded area and watered when necessary.  It is also important to water the bedding area in order to moisten the soil well before planting the transplants.

When working with annuals it is important not to plant them too early.  Most types of annuals like the soil to be warm and the temperatures to be stable before planting.  To prepare the plant properly, the seedlings should be lifted gently from their packs by pushing on the bottom of the container.  It is important that the seedling and surrounding soil come out in one piece.

If the roots of the plant appear to be compacted, they can be loosened up by gently breaking the root ball apart or cutting the sides with a knife.  Loosening the soil in this manner will encourage better and deeper rooting after the seedlings have been planted.

Annuals should be planted in the garden to the same depth they were in the cell packs.  After they have been set in place, the soil should be gently tamped down around the seedling and the area should be watered deeply.  This should be followed by an application of a high quality fertilizer that is high in phosphorus content.  The fertilizer can be applied at a concentration of two tablespoons of fertilizer per gallon of water.

All these steps will help get your annual garden off to the best possible start.  Then, in no time at all you will find yourself enjoying a stunning garden of annuals.

Caring for perennials in the garden

Perennials have long been one of the most popular classifications of flowering plant, and this is likely to continue for some time.  There are many advantages to using perennials in the garden, not the least of which is their ability to regenerate year after year.  The ability to plant once, and enjoy season after season of beautiful flowers, is one of the things that make perennials so popular with beginning and experienced gardeners alike.

Another great thing about perennials is that they are usually very easy plants to care for and to work with.  Most perennials have needs that are quite undemanding, requiring little more than good soil, sufficient water and adequate sunlight.  Even so, perennials also have their own issues, and one of the biggest issues is that perennials, due to their nature, are more prone to insect infestation and disease infection than are annuals, which have a much shorter life span.  The very fact that perennials remain in the ground season after season means that infection can gain a foothold, even in the off season.

The best way to combat infection is to stop it from starting in the first place, and one of the best ways to accomplish that goal is to buy only the healthiest most vibrant plants.  It is important to pay careful attention to the plants you buy at your local nursery, and to reject any that show signs of damage, disease or insect infestation.  That is because healthy plants are better able to withstand any pathogens that may exist in the soil.  A healthy plant will be able to withstand and fight off an infection that would kill a weaker one.

In addition, many perennials have been bred to be resistant to common diseases and pest infestations, so if these disease resistant varieties are available it is a good idea to seek them out.  Perennial growers have spent many years using selective breeding to choose those plants that are best able to withstand commonly seen garden problems.

After the plants are in the ground, it is a good idea to check them often for any signs of problems.  The best time to examine your plants is often when you are weeding the plants or watering them.  This is a great time to look at the plants for any problems.  Note any plants with wilted leaves, holes in the leaves, spots on the leaves or flowers, wounds on the stems or other possible problems.  If you notice any problems, be sure to diagnose it accurately, using either a guide book or the eye of a more experienced gardener.  Diagnosing the problem accurately is the first step toward curing it.

How you water perennials can have a big impact on their health.  Overhead watering encourages water spots to remain on leaves, and these wet spots can be conduits that allow infection to spread from one plant to another.  It is best to water deeply, using either drip irrigation or a soaker hose.  Not only will this avoid standing water on the flowers and leaves, but it will also allow much needed water to reach the roots.

Of course, proper care for perennials does not end when the growing season is over.  It is important to care for these plants the right way after they have finished blooming.  It is important to trim and prune is variety of perennial according to the recommendations for the species.  Some perennials need to be radically trimmed back, while other varieties should be trimmed only lightly or not at all.  It is important to pay attention to the needs of each variety in your garden.

The importance of soil chemistry to the perennial garden

The chemistry of the soil is one of the most critical considerations for any gardener, but it can be particularly vital when it comes to gardening with perennials.  That is because, whereas annuals provide a fresh start year after year, gardening with perennials means that the plants stay in the ground, and the chemistry of the soil can greatly affect all types of perennials.

It is difficult to overestimate how important proper soil chemistry is, since the soil provides all the nutrients the plants need to grow and thrive.

Most types of perennials are quite hardy, but it is very important to prepare the flower bed properly.  A properly prepared bed is the first step to enjoying a healthy garden full of perennials.  As with all plants, it is important for all varieties of perennials to have plenty of healthy soil, enough water and the right amount of sunlight.

One of the most common problems with perennials is that of an uneven growth pattern.  There are many types of perennials, and they all have different growth rates.  It is normal for different types of perennials to grow faster or more slowly, but if identical varieties of perennials show very different growth patterns within different parts of the garden, soil chemistry may be to blame.  Many gardeners assume that the same garden plot will have the same chemistry everywhere, but this is not always the case.  Soil chemistry can vary even on the same properly, sometimes even within the same garden plot.

If you suspect that soil chemistry may be to blame for uneven growth patterns, it is important to have a thorough soil analysis done to either confirm your suspicions or rule them out.  A good testing lab can quickly point out problems like an uneven pH level, insufficient organic materials in the soil, or insufficient nutrients.  The analysis will also give you a good baseline to go from as you improve the soil with various additives.

The pH level of the soil is an important consideration for the perennial garden.  Most varieties of perennials will grow quite well in soils with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0, but some perennials have different requirements.  If you do not know which plants will grow best in your soil, be sure to check with your nursery or garden center.

If the pH level is excessively alkaline or excessively acidic, it can be brought back into balance by adding humus.  You can easily make your own humus by using a compost bin to break down organic material, or humus can be purchased directly from a garden center or nursery.  If the humus is unsuccessful, limestone can be added to make the soil more alkaline, while adding sulfur will help make it more acidic.

After the baseline soil chemistry is known, it will be easier to monitor the quality of the soil going forward.  A bed of perennials should be checked for soil chemistry quality anytime a significant change in the quality or number of blooms is noticed.  Keeping on top of the quality of your soil, and making changes as needed, is the best way to keep your perennials blooming season after season.

Pest control for perennials

Perennials are a great choice for any garden, with their great variety of colors, shapes and sizes.  Perennials also have another important advantage over other types of flowers.  That is, unlike annuals, which must be replanted year after year, perennials, by their very nature, are able to regenerate from year to year.  This means you are free to plant once and enjoy many seasons of beautiful blooms.

 

While the actual longevity of perennials varies from variety to variety, some types, such as peonies, have been known to last for decades once planted. 

 

This longevity, however, can come at a price, and one of those disadvantages is that perennials need more care when it comes to maintenance, weeding and pest control.  Unlike the annual garden, which is dug up and restarted each year, perennials remain in the ground over the winter, and this can make them more prone to common garden pests than other types of plants.

 

One of the best defenses against pests in the perennial garden is a healthy and vigorous selection of plants.  The healthier the plants in the garden the better they will be at fighting off common pests and garden infections.  Plants that are well cared for and vigorous will be much less susceptible to damage by insects and other pests.

 

The vigilance of the gardener is another great tool in preventing pest infestations from getting out of control.  A good gardener is constantly on the lookout for early signs of problems, such as holes in the leaves, marks or wounds on the stems, and other signs of pest problems.

 

Having a good guide to common garden pests and diseases is a good idea as well, since it can sometimes be difficult for the untrained eye to tell exactly what the problem is.  Diagnosing the problem is the best way to cure it quickly, before it can spread.

 

Gardeners have a choice when it comes to pest control in their gardens.  There are of course a great many chemical pesticides on the market, but there are a number of natural methods as well. Many experienced gardeners prefer to start out with the natural approach first, and move onto chemical methods only when natural attempts have failed.

 

One great natural pest control approach is to use beneficial insects to control harmful pests.  Many garden supply stores sell these beneficial insects, and it is usually easy to seed a garden with these insects and get them to stay and remove harmful pests.

 

In addition, aphids can often be controlled simply by spraying plants with a very dilute mixture of soapy water, followed by a rinse of clean water.  This method often works just as well, and is considerably less expensive, than chemical methods, and it has proven effective even on serious aphid infestations.

 

Another great way to control pests is to buy pest and disease resistant varieties of plants.  Many perennials have been selectively bred to be resistant to common pests and diseases.  If these varieties are available it is a good idea to seek them out.  Even if they are more costly up front, the money you save on pesticides and other chemicals can make them quite cost effective.

Gardening with bulbs

Bulbs have been among the most popular types of flowers for many, many years.  Tulip bulbs were once so popular in Holland that a single bulb was worth more than an entire herd of cows, and Tulip mania as it was popularly called, is widely seen to be the first example of a market bubble.

 

Even if bulbs are not quite so popular these days, bulbs are still among the most popular, beautiful and useful of all plants for the home gardener.  Bulbs are renowned for their hardiness and for their ability to rebloom season after season.  In addition, most bulb flowers are very easy to grow and very inexpensive to buy.  With all these advantages, it is easy to see why bulbs are so popular with all kinds of gardeners.

 

Another advantage of bulbs is that it is usually easy to choose the healthiest bulbs.  The best way to choose healthy bulbs is to choose the firmest, largest bulbs you can find.  Firm bulbs are generally very healthy bulbs, and large bulbs typically produce the largest and best blooming flowers.

 

Unhealthy bulbs are generally very easy to spot as well.  Bulbs that are very light, cracked or soft should be avoided.  Many bulbs are susceptible to rot, and a soft bulb may be showing signs of rot.  In addition, a lightweight or shriveled looking bulb may be unable to bloom.  A good, healthy bulb will be surprisingly heavy for its size, so it is important to handle the bulbs to choose the best ones.

 

Most types of bulbs should be planted in the fall of the year, but it is important to get planting instructions when you buy your bulbs.  Some bulbs bloom in the fall of the year, and they are usually planted in the springtime instead. 

 

When planting bulbs in the fall, they should be planted around early to mid October.  The goal is to have the bulbs in the ground around six weeks prior to the time the ground starts to freeze.  This means that the optimum time for planting bulbs will vary according to your own location.

 

It is important to plant bulbs in a soil that has been properly prepared.  The depth the bulbs should be planted will vary from variety to variety, so again it is important to get planting instructions if you are unfamiliar with the needs of the bulb.  For instance, crocus bulbs should be planted four inches deep, while daffodils and hyacinths need to be planted to a depth of six inches.  Tulips should be planted even deeper, to a depth of about eight inches.

 

One great tool to have on hand when working with bulbs is the bulb planter.  A bulb planter is a great way to dig consistent size holes when planting a row of bulbs, and a bulb planter is also a great way to keep your rows uniform.

 

Gardeners who want a more wild and natural look to their bulb garden often prefer to dig a trench to the appropriate depth and simply lay the bulbs in.  This approach can provide a unique, if somewhat unpredictable, look when the bulbs begin to emerge.

 

When you plant your bulbs, it is a good idea to lay a small amount of fertilizer in the bottom of each hole, then cover that fertilizer with a layer of soil.  The fertilizer provides much needed nutrients for the bulb to start its growth, but it is important that the bulb not make direct contact with the fertilizer, since this could potentially cause the bulb to be burned. 

 

Bulbs should always be planted with the pointed end sticking up and the flat side pointing down, directly on top of the layer of soil covering the fertilizer.  After the bulbs have been planted, they should be covered with more soil and provided with a good, thorough watering

Picking the best flowers for your home garden

Choosing the right flowers is one of the most critical decisions when planning a new garden, and combining colors and textures can make any garden a showplace.  The many different colors and varieties of flowers for the garden makes finding the colors you like best very easy.

Of course plants should be chosen for their health and hardiness in addition to their beauty.  When choosing seedlings for transplantation, it is important to choose only the healthiest, best looking seedlings, and to reject those that show any signs of disease or insect infestation.  Choosing only the healthiest plants will make sure your new garden gets off to the right start.

Some problems with seedlings will be apparent even to the beginning gardener.  For instance, it is easy to see things like spots on the leaves, holes in the leaves, or wounds in the stems.  Other problems, however, are more subtle, and they may easy to miss for the beginning gardener.  If you are planning your first garden, you may want to take along a more experienced gardener, or solicit the advice of the nursery staff, to find the best seedlings for your needs.

As you browse around the garden center, be sure to carefully examine the flowers, the leaves, and the foliage of the plants you are considering.  Look especially for white and black spots on the flowers, leaves and foliage, as these spots are often signs of a bacterial or fungal infection. 

It is also important to be on the lookout for wilted leaves and waterlogged roots, as these can mean the plants will fail to thrive after they are planted.  Plants with cut stems or other types of wounds should also be avoided.

Of course, finding the healthiest plants is only part of the battle.  The other part is transplanting those seedlings properly, and caring for them once they are in the ground.  It is always important to get the transplants into the garden as quickly as possible.  When planting seedlings or young plants, the hole you dig should be slightly larger than the root ball of the plant.  Making the hole larger will ensure that the plant can be placed into the ground without disturbing the delicate root structure.  After the plant is in place, the earth should be gently tamped down, and the plant should be given plenty of water and fertilizer.

When starting a new garden, it is also a good idea to have a good soil analysis done before buying your first plants.  A soil analysis will tell you if your soil is of sufficient quality, and help you be sure that it contains the nutrients your plants will need.  A soil analysis will also spot common problems, such as soil that is too acidic, too alkaline, too sandy, contains to much clay, etc.  There are ways to fix all these problems, but it is important to have a soil analysis done so you know how to correct any problems found.

In addition, understanding the type of soil you have can help you to choose the plants that will do best in that soil.  Tailoring the plants you select to the soil you have is a great way to reduce the use of pesticides and other chemicals while still enjoying a healthy and robust garden.Choosing the right flowers is one of the most critical decisions when planning a new garden, and combining colors and textures can make any garden a showplace.  The many different colors and varieties of flowers for the garden makes finding the colors you like best very easy.

Of course plants should be chosen for their health and hardiness in addition to their beauty.  When choosing seedlings for transplantation, it is important to choose only the healthiest, best looking seedlings, and to reject those that show any signs of disease or insect infestation.  Choosing only the healthiest plants will make sure your new garden gets off to the right start.

Some problems with seedlings will be apparent even to the beginning gardener.  For instance, it is easy to see things like spots on the leaves, holes in the leaves, or wounds in the stems.  Other problems, however, are more subtle, and they may easy to miss for the beginning gardener.  If you are planning your first garden, you may want to take along a more experienced gardener, or solicit the advice of the nursery staff, to find the best seedlings for your needs.

As you browse around the garden center, be sure to carefully examine the flowers, the leaves, and the foliage of the plants you are considering.  Look especially for white and black spots on the flowers, leaves and foliage, as these spots are often signs of a bacterial or fungal infection. 

It is also important to be on the lookout for wilted leaves and waterlogged roots, as these can mean the plants will fail to thrive after they are planted.  Plants with cut stems or other types of wounds should also be avoided.

Of course, finding the healthiest plants is only part of the battle.  The other part is transplanting those seedlings properly, and caring for them once they are in the ground.  It is always important to get the transplants into the garden as quickly as possible.  When planting seedlings or young plants, the hole you dig should be slightly larger than the root ball of the plant.  Making the hole larger will ensure that the plant can be placed into the ground without disturbing the delicate root structure.  After the plant is in place, the earth should be gently tamped down, and the plant should be given plenty of water and fertilizer.

When starting a new garden, it is also a good idea to have a good soil analysis done before buying your first plants.  A soil analysis will tell you if your soil is of sufficient quality, and help you be sure that it contains the nutrients your plants will need.  A soil analysis will also spot common problems, such as soil that is too acidic, too alkaline, too sandy, contains to much clay, etc.  There are ways to fix all these problems, but it is important to have a soil analysis done so you know how to correct any problems found.

In addition, understanding the type of soil you have can help you to choose the plants that will do best in that soil.  Tailoring the plants you select to the soil you have is a great way to reduce the use of pesticides and other chemicals while still enjoying a healthy and robust garden.

Choosing a colorful mix of perennials for the garden

-Perennials have always been a favorite among beginning and experienced gardeners alike.  The idea of planting once and enjoying season after season of beautiful blooms is certainly appealing, and the sheer variety of colors, shapes, sizes and textures makes perennials difficult to beat.

 

So whether you already have a green thumb, or you are just getting started, you owe it to yourself to check out the many perennials that can provide vibrant color and long lasting beauty season after season.

 

Since perennials come in so many different colors, however, it is important to plan your flower be carefully to take advantage of those color combinations.  With the right mixture of perennials, you can have a vibrant, colorful garden from the earliest days of spring right through the latest days of fall.

 

The main goal of a bed of perennials is to provide long lasting color, and a variety of different shapes and textures, year after year and season after season.  That is because unlike annuals, perennials do not have to be replanted every year.

 

Even though perennials have the ability to come back year after year, their actual blooming season is often relatively short, and for that reason it is best to plant a variety of perennials, which bloom at different times.  This is the best way to provide a season full of beautiful blooms.  The right combination of perennial plants will ensure that something in your garden will always be blooming, and combining colors carefully will help ensure that those blooms will be stunning and beautiful.

 

Some gardeners prefer to use spring flowering bulbs such as crocus, hyacinth, daffodils and tulips to start the growing season off right.  In addition, other plants that bloom at the same time, like rock cress, bluebells, and bleeding hearts can provide a striking contrast in the garden bed.

 

For late spring color, many people like to add some false indigo, columbine, candytuft, leopard’s bane, bellflower, peonies and oriental poppies.  These flowers provide some gorgeous blooms in the late spring, and they often last into the summer months as well.

 

For mid to late summer blooms, try some mountain bluet, yarrow, snow-in-summer, garden lilies, violet sage and stonecrop.  These flowers are great replacements for the faded spring and early summer flowers.

 

The late summer and fall seasons bring perennials like aster, boltonia, blue leadwort, mums, purple coneflower and plantain lily.  Other great fall perennials include black eyed susans and goldenrod.

 

As you can see by the above list, it is possible to use a clever combination of perennials to provide striking color and contrast throughout the entire growing season.  There is no wonder that perennials remain so popular with all kinds of gardeners.

Popular varieties of annuals for the home garden

Annuals are among the most popular types of plants, and they are attractive to all levels of gardeners, from the first time gardener to the most experienced.  Annuals certainly have much to recommend them, including beautiful blooms, bright vibrant colors, low cost and hardiness.

What sets annuals apart from other types of flowers is that they complete their entire life cycle in a single growing season.  That means they grow from seed, bloom, set seed and die all within a single season.  This of course means that annuals must be planted anew every year, but the gardener is rewarded for his or her hard work by a garden full of beautiful blossoms.

This article focuses on some of the most popular varieties of annuals for the home garden.

Pansies

Pansies do their best when they are planted in an area that receives full sunlight.  Pansies should also be planted in tight masses, and they are often used as border or bedding plants.  Pansies prefer a rich and well drained soil, and it is a good idea for the gardener to cultivate the area around the plants.

Primroses

Primroses are not true annuals, but they are treated as such by gardeners.  Primroses are actually perennials, but most gardeners grow them as annuals and replant them every year.  Primroses do their best in a well drained soil.  Some types of primroses prefer full sunlight, while others prefer to have partial shade.  The staff at your local garden center can advise you on which varieties do best in full sun and which ones prefer the shade.

Impatiens

Impatiens are one of the most popular varieties of annuals, and their tolerance for shade makes them a perfect choice for almost any area of the garden.  Impatiens do best in either shade or filtered sunlight, and they like a quick draining soil containing plenty of organic material.  If you are planting impatiens from nursery packs, it is important to loosen the root ball carefully and to place each plant in a rich potting soil, being sure not to cover the crown of the plant.

Impatiens should be watered well after they are planted.  After that initial watering, however, the gardener should wait until the first two inches of the soil has dried out before rewatering.  In addition, no fertilizer should be given until the plants have begun to grow.

Marigolds

Marigolds are one of the most popular of the sun loving annuals.  These plants are easy to care for, and they provide dependable blooms when provided with good care.  Marigolds need a well drained soil in order to do well. 

The color varieties of marigolds is one of their best known features.  The colors of marigolds range from white, yellow, orange and red, in addition to all possible combinations of the four.  The height of marigolds varies as well, from a few inches to a few feet.

In addition to their beauty, many gardeners believe that marigolds are able to repel common garden pests, and they are often planted new vegetable gardens for this reason.

Verbenas

Verbenas are also annuals that love the sun.  In addition, verbenas need hot weather in order to thrive, so they should be planted in the warmest parts of the garden, and the ones that get the most sunlight.

The Madagascar periwinkle

Madagascar periwinkles look somewhat like impatiens, and they are often used as fillers in very sunny parts of a bed of impatiens.  These periwinkles bloom through the summer and into the fall season, and they come in a variety of pink and white shades.

Enhance your garden with sunflowers

Sunflowers are certainly stars of the gardening world.  It is hard to miss the beauty of sunflowers standing tall, either on their own or edging a bed of more traditional flowers.  Few who have seen these stunning beauties can deny their stunning beauty and attractiveness.

The family of sunflowers, known scientifically as genus Helianthus, includes both annual and perennial varieties of sunflowers.  As their name implies, sunflowers generally prefer full sunlight, so it is important for gardeners to choose the sunniest part of their garden when planting these stunning plants.

It is also important to take the adult size of these plants into account when planting them, and to space them accordingly. Most varieties of sunflowers are quite large, so it is important to space them widely so they will not crowd each other out and compete for nutrients.

Since sunflowers are so large and sturdy, many gardeners like to use them to border vegetable gardens, and a vegetable garden bordered by sunflowers is certainly a beautiful sight.

The blooming period of sunflowers typically extends from late summer to early fall, and the growing requirements for these plants are generally easy to meet.  Most varieties of sunflowers require only a well drained, modestly fertile soil in order to thrive. It is generally a good idea to amend the soil with either aged manure or a good quality commercial fertilizer.  It is best to sow the sunflower seeds directly where they are intended to grow, since they set seed quickly and start to sprout very fast.

While sunflowers may be easy to grow, their seeds are popular with many unwanted garden visitors, particularly rabbits, squirrels and insects.  Due to this popularly with common garden pests, it is best to sow three times as many seeds as are needed.  Planting extra seeds will allow the four legged visitors to your garden to eat their fill while still providing a beautiful garden full of sunflowers.

Sunflower seeds are best planted about a foot apart.  Sowing the seeds this far apart will allow the adult plants to grow the largest heads.  If you plant sunflowers closer together they will develop smaller blooms and may never reach their full potential.  If you are growing sunflowers for those monstrous blossoms, it is important to give them plenty of space to grow.

When working with annual varieties of sunflowers, it is important to rotate the planting area.  This will keep the soil its healthiest and allow the sunflowers to achieve their best blooms.

There are many places to buy quality sunflower seeds, including the internet, mail order houses and local garden centers.  As with any flower seeds, it is important to follow the planting instructions carefully to achieve the best results from these spectacular plants.

Working with dahlias

Dahlias are among the most beautiful and most exotic residents of any garden.  The large blooms of the dahlia are impossible to ignore, and they stand out in any garden in which they are planted.  The sturdy, large blooms of the dahlia are available in a variety of colors, and in sizes ranging from as small as an inch to as large as a foot.  In addition, the flowers themselves come in a variety of shapes.  Some dahlia blooms are shaped like baseballs, while others curve back on themselves to where they nearly touch their stems.

Dahlias are known as sun loving plants, and they definitely do better with sufficient sunlight.  Gardeners recommend providing dahlias with at least a half day of sunlight every day.  In addition, dahlias need enough water to thrive, and most varieties require from one to two inches of rain, from either rainfall or artificial watering, every week. 

In addition, dahlias need a good rich soil with plenty of organic material, a regular pruning schedule, a good insecticide to protect them from beetles and grasshoppers and possibly staking as the plants grow ever taller.  In addition, dahlias should be fed with a quality low nitrogen fertilizer as needed.

Dahlias are actually grown from a tuber, a bulb like structure, and dahlias are actually classified as bulb plants.  It is best to plant dahlias near the beginning of June, and those dahlias will usually bloom around October.  Dahlias can be planted earlier in the season as well, and those dahlias will provide late summer blossoms.  Dahlias should be dug up after the first frost of the year.  After being dug up, the dahlias should be divided and stored for the winter.  Doing so will allow the gardener to replant the dahlia tuber the following year.

Dahlias come in a great many varieties, but one of the most popular varieties is the David George.  The David George variety of dahlia features a bloom of deep red color and medium size.  Other popular dahlia varieties include the Bonaventure, featuring large bronze colored flowers, and the Allie Yellow, with features a tiny yellow bloom.

In addition to staples like orchids and roses, dahlias are often seen at flower shows, and many gardeners grow dahlias purely for these competitions.  A prize dahlia can certainly be the star of any flower show, due to their striking beauty and large size.

Starting your annuals the right way

Annuals are among the most popular of all flowering plants, loved by gardeners around the world for their color, hardiness, variety and beauty.  Since annuals must be planted afresh every year, however, it is important to start them properly in order to have a fresh vibrant garden.

What sets annuals apart from other varieties of plants like perennials and bulbs is that annuals complete their entire life cycle within a single season.  That means they sprout from seed, grow, bloom, then die to ground all within one growing season.

Most types of annuals can be successfully started from seeds, and many experienced gardeners prefer to grow their plants from seed.  Growing from seed provides a greater degree of control, and a lower costs as well.  Most types of annuals can be successfully seeded directly in prepared seed beds.  That approach allows the annuals to be started indoors and then transplanted outdoors at a later date. 

For those who prefer not to grow their annuals directly from seed, they can also be purchased as ready to plant transplants.  This approach allows the gardener to see the results of his or her efforts more quickly, and it can also allow the gardener to choose the healthiest, most robust plants.

Most annual varieties, whether they are purchased on the internet or directly from a garden center, will include some sort of instruction sheet detailing the recommended care, the best time to plant, the best planting depth and the recommended plant spacing.  If this information is not provided, it is important to ask about these things.

Some annuals that are recommended for planting in late winter or early spring can be planted instead in late fall where the weather is warmer.  In addition, most annuals planted outdoors should be thinned out to their recommended spacing once they have developed their first true leaves.

If annual seeds are to be started indoors for transplantation at a later date, it is important that the seedlings have access to a light source for at least 16 hours every day.  Seedlings that do not get sufficient light will be spindly and weak, and they may be unable to survive the rigors of the great outdoors.

Most summer annuals should be seeded indoors from six to eight weeks before the first frost.  When planting seeds, it is important to carefully follow the directions on the label.  Seeds should always be started in a sterile seed starting mixture, and the seeding flats you use should provide proper drainage.

It is important to wait until all risk of frost has passed before planting tender varieties of annuals.  The reason for this is that even if tender annuals are able to survive the lower temperatures, they will not grow well until the soil is warm.

Winter annuals, on the other hand, should be planted a minimum of six weeks prior to the date the first frost usually occurs.  This time is needed to give the roots sufficient time to develop before winter sets in.

The best annuals for hot climates

One of the most critical considerations for a successful garden is choosing the types of plants that will grow the best in your particular environment.  Matching the plants to the climate in which they will be grown is the best way to ensure your garden will thrive.

Those who live in hot, dry climates often think that they will be unable to enjoy a lush garden without constant watering and attention.  Fortunately, however, there are a great many annuals that love just such a climate.  The list below is a sample of annuals that can take the heat.

Annuals best suited for hot and dry climates

While all types of annuals and other plants require regular watering and close attention as they become established, the annuals listed below are much more able to tolerate consistently dry conditions once they have established their root system.

• African Daisy (Dimorphotheca)
• Annual Vinca (Cataranthus roseus)
• Calliopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria)
• Cosmos (Cosmos species)
• Creeping Zinnia (Sanvitalia procumbens)
• Dusty Miller (Senecio cineraria)
• Gaillardia (Gaillardia pulchella)
• Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena globosa)
• Gloriosa Daisy (Rudbeckia hirta)
• Gold Medallion (Melampoddium paludosum)
• Moss Rose (Portulaca grandiflora)
• Snow-on-the-Mountain (Euphorbia marginata)
• Spider Flower (Cleome hasslerana)
• Verbena (Verbena species)
• Zinnia (Zinnia species)

Heat seeking varieties of annuals

The annuals is the list below are generally able to tolerate very hot conditions, but they do usually require additional moisture.

• Blue Daze (Evolvulus glomerata)
• Castor Bean (Ricinus communis)
• Cockscomb (Celosia argentea)
• Cypress Vine (Ipomoea quamoclit)
• Dahlia (Dahlia species and hybrids)
• Fan Flower (Scaevola aemula)
• Flowering Tobacco (Nicotiana species)
• Four o’clock (Mirabilis jalapa)
• Hyacinth Bean Vine (Dolichos lablab)
• Joseph’s Coat (Amaranthustricolor)
• Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha)
• Mexican Heather (Cuphea hyssopifolia)
• Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia)
• Moon Vine (Ipomoea alba)
• Morning Glory (Ipomoea species)
• Salvia (Salvia species)
• Silk Flower (Abelmoschus manihot)
• Starflower (Pentas lanceolata)
• Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

A combination of the varieties of annuals listed above can be great choices for those people living in hot, dry climates.  These heat and drought tolerant annuals provide a wide variety of colors, sizes, shapes and textures, enough to meet the needs of any gardener.

Gardening in a hot, dry climate can provide a great many challenges, particularly when water use restrictions make providing supplemental moisture impossible.  Matching the types of flowers you plant to the climate in which they will be growing is one of the best ways to ensure a healthy garden and a healthy environment.