Check the USDAPlant Hardiness Zone Mapto see which perennial plants are likely to do well in your area.
Your local extension office or public garden is a good starting place.
For example, a contemporary-leaning garden might take a minimalist approach and clearly defineflower bedswith hard lines.
Credit: Jamie Hadley
Consider creating aperennial cutting gardenif you enjoy bringing flowers indoors.
Walk around the bed and look at the proposed garden from every viewpoint.
Test if you’ll be able to access plants in the middle or ifa walking pathshould be included.
Credit: Laurie Black
Also, consider bonus attributes such as fragrance and whether theflowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators.
When selecting flowering plants, match their light needs to the conditions in your garden.
Plants won’t bloom as prolifically if they don’t get their required daily sunlight.
Credit: Ed Gohlich
Evaluate Plant Size
Consider a plant’s full height when making your selections.
Conversely, the tallest plants inan island flower gardenshould be planted in the center.
You don’t want to create a garden full of colorful blooms in summer but flowerless in autumn.
Credit: Ed Gohlich
Combining different types of plants makes it easier to cover all the seasons.
Select Complementary Colors
Creating the best color combinations in your flower garden design can be tricky.
A good place to start is thecolor wheel.
Credit: Carson Downing
Colors across from each other, like purple and yellow, look good when paired too.
Foliage provides a structural background of much-needed texture and color when blooms are wilted away.
It’s avisual design trickthat creates cohesiveness, avoiding the appearance of a hodge-podge collection of plants.
Credit: Rick Taylor
It also feels more dynamic than a symmetrical look with even plant numbers.
you could also add an excitingpiece of garden artto stand out against its organic accompaniments.
Hardscape pieces also work as focal points.
Credit: Lynn Karlin
If it’s a new, empty bed, addplenty of compostto boost the soil quality for your flowers.
You may also want to addedging, such as pavers, large rocks, or other materials.
Plant, Water, Mulch, and Enjoy
Now it’s time to buy your plants!
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
This helps to see if you have enough plants to fill the space or need to adjust the arrangement.
Once you’re satisfied with the layout, start digging holes and placing the plants into their new homes.
All newly planted flowers should be well-watered.
Lastly, add 1 to 2 inches of mulch over the whole bed.
Monitor your rainfall and water as needed, ensuring your plants receive about an inch of water each week.
Also, look into plants native to your area to support your specific pollinator population.
Credit: Laurie Black
At a minimum, you must regularly water your flowers, remove weeds, and deadhead spent blooms.
Perennial flowers should be cut back at the end of the growing season.
The national 811 phone number will help you get started with your request.
Credit: D. Randolph Foulds
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Ready to start digging?
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Credit: Marty Baldwin
