We would all love to own properties, surrounded by delectable beds, displaying row after row of beautiful flowers. But the reality is that for most of us, a concrete driveway with a few scrawny weeds growing through the cracks is about the best we can hope for. How did things get so bad? And why is it so hard for the average person to create flower beds that look like they do in the magazine?
A lot of it comes down to knowledge. Flowers will pretty much grow anywhere around your home, so long as conditions are right. All you need is a bit of know-how for what works and what doesnât, and youâre sorted. The problem is that the majority of homeowners never take the time to consider their flower beds. They imagine they âjust happen,â but they donât. Coaxing nature to do what you want takes exceptional skill. Do your flower beds look nothing like they do in the magazines? Hereâs what to do.
Research Your Flowers
You canât just dump a bunch of bulbs into the soil and expect everything to come out flowering beautifully. Just like people, plants are very different from each other. Species have their own environmental and watering requirements. Anyone planning on creating a lush flower bed, therefore, must consider the specific needs of bulbs they plant first. Some species are hardy and robust and can survive pretty much anything, including a nuclear winter. Others require a little more care and can perish at the drop of a hat.
Sort Out Your Landscaping
Have you ever noticed that the best flower gardens also have excellent landscaping? Itâs no accident. It turns out that the lie of the land is vital in constructing ideal beds that drain correctly. If you havenât already, you may need to hire a landscaping company. Experts can arrange your garden optimally for flowers, preventing encroachment or competition from trees. They can also construct things like raised beds, which are ideal or some species.
Choose Showstopper Plants
We all know how we feel when we see a genuinely impressive flower garden. It takes your breath away. But you wonât achieve this effect with any old flowers, though. You need large flowers that create an immediate visual impact, preferably for long sections of the year.
Add Focal Points
A pure flower garden is a rare thing. Usually, garden designers combine them with various focal points that act as magnets for the eyes. âAnchoring,â as it is called, can help to bring out the colors and textures in your flowers, creating an even greater visual impact. Modern gardeners tend to prefer outdoor pieces of art. But you can stick with things like arbors or fountains if thatâs more your style.
Select Complementary Flowers
Complementary flowers are two or more species that work together in a single bed. Some flowers actually thrive more when placed next to species that attract pollination. Other beds can benefit from rotating blooms, as one species yields to another, providing color year-round.