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A garden without flowers is similar to a painting without color. The fact that flowers do much more than just lend color to your landscape adds to the appeal factor. However, choosing the right kinds of flowering plants can be quite a difficult decision because of the sheer variety available.
These few tips outlined below will help you hone in on the flowers you want to beautify your garden.
Perennial versus Annual
Perennial flowers are usually more popular because they bloom year after year, giving your garden a fresh look with each blooming season. Annuals only last for a season, but they usually flower right from spring all the way through autumn. Depending on what type of flowers you prefer, you can choose daisies or daylilies (perennials), or go with flowers like marigold and petunias, which are annuals. You can even have a mix of both so your garden has some color throughout the year no matter what season. Annuals are more convenient in containers because you will be re-planting them every year.
Native versus Exotic
The reason you see many gardens in a particular area having the same theme of flowers is that they’re probably native to that climate. The obvious advantage with natives is that you know they will be able to survive your local weather conditions. Exotic flowering plants are certainly more sought-after, but they may need more care than natives, and may not survive at all, depending on how traumatic the climate difference is between their native region and your area. Nevertheless, many people are willing to risk the trouble to protect and nurture their exotic plants because they are so visually appealing.
Color Themes versus Random Color
Finding different flowering plants of a particular color is not challenging, but if you want some variety, then mix and match the colors you think you will like best. Contrasting colors can go beautifully together, especially if you choose flowers that bloom at the same time. There’s also a color wheel you can use to select contrasting or analogous hues for your garden color theme. For example, blue, pink and purple are analogous to each other, as are yellow, orange and red. The final effect is what you’re going for, so try to imagine your garden with those colors and see if you like it.
Plant Size
This is an important factor affecting your decision; the flowering plants need to be arranged in a way that all of them are visible from every angle. If it’s a central piece, then the tallest plants go in the middle, with the shorter ones on the periphery. On the other hand, if they’re up against a wall, the tall ones go behind the shorter ones. This type of arrangement ensures maximum visibility for all your plants.
Choosing the right types of flowering plants can be fun when you’re putting in a landscape garden for the first time. It’s certainly a lot of work, but the final look will be more than worth the effort and money you spend on the project.
