SELECTING THE RIGHT FLOWER

For many gardeners, designing flower gardens and deciding which flowers to buy can be the most difficult part of creating flower gardens.  There are so many different types of flowers, varieties, sizes, colors, uses and benefits to choose from.  Below are some garden tips in the form of questions and answers that we think may be helpful when choosing flower bulbs and perennials.  We feel that the following questions must be considered for a well planned flower garden.

Will the flower bulbs or perennial flowers be planted in a tended flower garden? 

Select a location for the garden.

Is it in a sunny or shady location?  

Some flower bulbs and perennials like full sun and others prefer a lot of shade.  Many flower bulbs will do just as good in mostly shade as they do in full sun.  Select plants that fit the sun requirements for the garden's location.  The amount of sun that a plant needs is important for the best blooming results.

Is the drainage good?  

Flower bulbs can mold and rot when the drainage is poor.

What kind of soil does the planting area have?  

If the soil is to sandy mix in some top soil.  If the soil is mostly clay add some sand.  For some of the bigger or taller plants such as gladiolas or dahlias the soil must be dense enough to keep the bulbs in the ground and the flower standing.  There also must be enough good soil to feed the bulbs to keep them healthy and multiplying.  Caution:  Do not put fertilizer on the bulbs.  Bonemeal can be added the soil for nutrition.

Is the soil moist or dry? 

Some plants need moist soil.  Other plants need soil that dries between watering.

How much water is needed for the plants to survive? 

Select plants that have simular watering requirements.

What time of year do I want the flower bulbs to bloom?

In early spring, mid spring, late spring, early summer, mid summer, late summer, or fall.  Spring blooming flower bulbs are planted in the fall.  Fall blooming flower bulbs are planted in the spring.  Summer blooming flower bulbs are also planted in the spring.  We know this is going to sound contradicting, but many bulbs can actually be planted any time of the year as long as they get water, and don't have to be lifted in the fall.

How big of an area do I want the flowers to cover?

Of course the bigger the area the more plants are needed.  Some types of flower bulbs and perennial flowers will take up a two-foot square area.  Others may only need a six-inch square area.

Do I want cut flowers? 

Many flower bulbs make beautiful flower arrangements and a cut flower garden can easily be created for this purpose.  For more information on cut flowers, click here.

How tall or short do I want the flowers?

Some flower bulbs only grow a few inches tall, where others can grow four feet tall.

What colors do you want to display?

There are many flower bulbs that come in a wide range of colors.

What do I need to know about planting flower bulbs?  

Flower Bulbs are about the easiest flowers there is to grow.  They are planted with the pointed side up, the roots down, or if you cannot tell put them in the hole sideways.  The flower bulb will still grow.  Flower Bulbs can also be planted in groups. To do this, use a shovel to dig an area to the depth needed, place bulbs where desired then cover the area up.  Another option is to plant more than one type of flower bulb in the same area by layering them on top of one another with dirt between each of the layers.  If you do not have a planting guide, plant the bulbs to a depth at least twice as deep as the height of the bulb.

Answering these questions will definitely help you narrow down the multiple of choices suitable for the effect you desire.

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