What Should I Use in My Flower Bed?

Marigolds are a colorful annual flower for any flower bed.

Flowering plants add interest, color and beauty to any garden or yard. A flower bed needn't be large to make an impact. A simple border bed in front of your house, along the side of your driveway or perhaps encircling a large tree can make an effective statement. Start seeds if you're in no hurry, or purchase bedding plants at your local garden supply store to add instant color.

Soil Amendments

Like all plants, flowering plants benefit from good soil and drainage. If you're not certain what type of soil you have, no worries--by digging in compost, leaf litter, wood chips, peat moss or other organic, plant-based materials, you will improve the texture, drainage and fertility of your planting area. Combine about one part organic matter into every four parts of native soil by digging it into your flower bed before you plant those posies.

Fast Growing Annuals

Annual flowers include many types of plants, such as marigolds, petunias, poppies, pansies, zinnias, snapdragons, impatiens and primroses. Get a head start on the spring growing season by planting seeds of some annuals indoors in late winter. Some are easy to grow from seed and grow quickly. A large selection of flowering annuals is sold at nurseries: go on a shopping spree and start your flower bed after your final spring frost.

Permanent Perennials

Perennial flowering plants will survive the winter in many regions and provide color and greenery year after year. Some perennial flowers include penstemon, asters, chrysanthemums, honeysuckle and salvias. Many shrubs are also good choices to plant as flowering perennials: consider camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons for locations against a fence, your house or at the rear of a flower bed containing smaller plants along its front edge.

Mulching and Watering

To prevent weeds, and to keep your soil moist and warm, spread a 3 to 4 inch layer of mulch, such as compost, on the soil surrounding your plants. Mulch looks nice and also provides nutrients to the soil every time you water or rain occurs. To save time watering, set up a simple drip irrigation system. Use a kit or purchase soaker hoses, which slowly deliver water to the root zone of your plants.

References

• Montana State University: Growing Annual Flowers
• Clemson University: Growing Perennials