How to Arrange a Perennial Flower Bed
Perennial flowers come in a variety of shades, sizes and shapes. Arrange a perennial flower bed in formal rows, or a more informal circular design or with an irregular border. Before you begin arranging the flower bed, plan the shape, width and plant arrangements to scale on a piece of graph paper. Design the perennial flower bed so that it's accessible from at least two sides. Make it no wider than you can reach without stepping in the bed, to ensure ease of maintenance. With a little planning, you can turn your yard into a colorful haven. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Arrange the perennial flowers according to the amount of sun and shade the plants need. A flower bed in full sun should contain only sun-loving plants. For shaded beds, choose perennials that grow well in shade or partial shade. Plant flower beds that get both sun and shade with sun and shade plants in the appropriate area.
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Plant based on the water needs of the different flowers. Plant perennials that are drought-resistant higher on a slope, and flowers that love water at the bottom where runoff collects.
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Vary the color and texture of the perennials in the flower bed. Colors and textures should complement each other to look pleasing, but not uniform. Choose two or three of the same variety of flowers to repeat in the flower bed.
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Select what plant shapes you will use for your flower bed, such as tall, upright flowers or rounded, slender or oval-shaped plants.
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Arrange the perennials according to size. Place tall flowers in the back if the perennial bed is in front of a fence or building, medium-sized plants in the middle and alternate medium flowers with the shortest flowers in front. For island flower beds, place tall plants in the middle, and surround them with medium-sized flowers with the shortest plants in front.
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Choose perennials that bloom in the spring and early summer, and mix with flowers that will bloom in mid- to late-summer. Add evergreens with bright-colored berries for color during the winter.
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Tips & Warnings
Place the perennials in the flower bed still in their pots. You'll be able to see the effect of certain arrangements before committing to their placement in the flower bed.
Space perennials based on flower type. Most should be planted 18 inches apart. Varieties that grow in large clumps need more space, while smaller varieties will need less.
Make sure the soil is well-drained and amendments such as compost and fertilizer have been added to the soil before you plant your flowers.
