3 Easy Care Flower bed ideas

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Flower Bed Ideas: Soil and Drainage Tips

Nothing caps off a beautiful yard like an exquisite flower bed, but don’t be tempted to jump in and try on flower bed ideas without considering the basics. Professional landscape architects always start with soil and drainage considerations in order to guarantee the best results when they bring their flower bed ideas to life. If you fail to take this step, you could end up with a swampy mess after the first rain or a barren mound of dirt where nothing will grow despite your best gardening efforts.

Flower bed ideas: soil considerations

When evaluating the soil conditions of a flower bed there are two major considerations to keep in mind: how porous the soil is, and the PH level.

When evaluating the porosity of soil the two most common types of soil you will run into are clay and sandy loam. Although there are many different variations based on combinations of these two soils, most often you will find that your flower bed soil will fall into one of these categories.

The best way to test what type of soil you have is to press together a handful of moist soil from your flower bed. If it sticks together and clumps, it has a high clay content which is not the most favorable environment to nurture a flower bed. If it breaks apart and crumbles this is a good sign and an indication that the clay content is low.

Clay soil is denser and doesn’t absorb water like sandy loam. As a result, if your soil has high clay content it is best not to leave sprinklers on as long when watering because the water will simply run off and not be absorbed. The best practice for watering a flower bed with a high clay content is to break up the watering into 2 equal segments which are each half as long. For example, if you were going to water for 20 minutes, break this up into two – 10 minute segments at different times of the day to maximize absorption into clay soil.

Sandy loam is a soil type that is most common in California. One of the ways you can tell if you have sandy loam is after a 15 minute rain you will see that the water has absorbed into the flower bed. On the other hand, if the clay content is high, you would have run off.

Next you will want to check the PH level of your flower bed. Get a good PH test kit from your local nursery or you can find a wide selection of PH test kits on Amazon.com.

If it turns out that the soil in your flower bed is acidic you have two choices: work with the soil, or neutralize it with gypsum. If you decide to work with the soil you will want to look for plants that like acidic PH such as, azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons, and hydrangeas. See below for instructions on neutralizing with gypsum if you decide to go that route.

If you have highly alkaline soil your options are limited as to what will grow in your flower bed. Pine trees and mountainous trees will thrive in alkaline soil but most plants and flowers will not take in water or fertilizer in this environment. What you want to do is neutralize the soil with gypsum.

Neutralizing flowerbed soil with gypsum and other nutrients: the landscapers secret for a beautiful flower bed

Gypsum is a mineral that plays a variety of important roles in your garden soil. First, it can help to loosen up clay soils to help improve air and water penetration. Next it can aid in minimizing salt damage to plants. It can also promote root growth by repelling the small insects that feed on fragile plant roots and maximize the beneficial effects of fertilizer. You can click here for excellent organic garden gypsum to try.

You will also want to include mycorrhizal inoculums to your flower bed along with organic gypsum. The addition of these beneficial bacteria will make roots grow twice as long for healthier plants and longer lasting blooms. Here is an excellent mycorrhizal inoculums mixture to try.

One last way to loosen soil with a high clay content is to add organic matter to your soil. Of course plants need nutrients to grow, but what is not as well known is that for a long-lasting growth cycle and healthy flowers you will want to have two different types of fertilizer in your soil.

Steer manure is an excellent source of nutrients and it is picked up very quickly by the plants because it is already broken down by the digestive process of the steer. Unfortunately since it is already broken down, it will only last three to four months before it’s nutrient value is dissipated. For longer lasting nutrient value your fertilizer should include organic matter in addition to steer manure. Organic matter breaks down slower and will provide highly beneficial nutrients to your flowers for years.

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Flower bed ideas: drainage considerations

Most plants need good drainage to thrive and when you are planning your flower bed ideas, here are a few pointers to follow.

Start by noticing where your flower bed will be located. Will it be at the bottom of your property? Is your entire property at the bottom of a hill? If so, consider incorporating French drains into your flower bed ideas in order to channel excess water away from the flower bed. A French drain is simply a trench dug around the flower bed that can be filled to ground level with fragments of brick, or rocks. Ideally this drain will lead away from the house and away from the flower bed to keep water from pooling in either area.

Another rule of thumb that professional landscape architects employ is the 5% drainage rule. This rule simply implies that you should have a 5% grade leading away from the house and or flower bed to avoid pooling water. In general, you should never plant in standing water unless you are growing rice or swamp foliage. What this looks like in practice is for every 100 feet in distance, the level of the soil should fall by 5 feet. This will produce a 5% grade and provide adequate drainage for your flower bed.

So always remember to start any new flower bed project by reviewing the soil and drainage guidelines in this post. If you follow these guidelines you will ensure that your flower bed ideas turn out just as beautiful in real life as you had planned them on paper.

Christmas Cactus Plant Care

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Christmas Cactus (Zygocactus truncatus)

Forest Cacti - Christmas Cactus and Easter Cactus: Plant Care Requirements

Schlumbergera bridgessi flowers indoors during winter. Hence, the common name Christmas Cactus. It is a very popular cactus, as is the Easter Cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri). These two cactus plants are Forest Cacti which require different care from the spine- covered Desert Cacti. To get the Forest Cacti to bloom each year, you have to follow specific rules similar to other Christmas plants; such as:

Providing a cool and dry - resting period.
Providing about 6 to 8 weeks of 12-hour total darkness starting about September 1st.
Not moving the plant once the buds start appearing.

Placing the plant outdoors during summer to allow the stems to harden.

Forest cacti have leaf-like stems and grow in a trailing pattern which makes them a favorite for hanging baskets.

The leaf-like stem of the Christmas Cactus is composed of flattened segments that bear pointed projections (tooth-edged segments) which are the key to identifying this cactus.

General Care Requirements for Forest Cacti
Specific pointers for taking care of the Christmas Cactus and Easter Cactus are given below.

Christmas Cactus Plant Care

Light:

Place your Forest Cacti in a well-lit area which is shaded from direct sunlight.

Temperature and Humidity:

Keep these cacti in the temperature range of 55 - 70 degrees F. (13 - 22 degrees C.) during the active growing period of spring and summer. During the resting period of February to March, keep them at a temperature of 55 degrees F. (13 degrees C.) Return them to the warm area when the flower buds appear. Mist the leaves frequently.

Water:

Water regularly during the active growing period, but allow the compost to get dry between waterings. Water infrequently during the rest period.

Soil:

Grow your Forest Cacti in a loose peaty soil.

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Fertilizer:

Use a liquid fertilizer at one-half its stated strength every 5 to 6 weeks during spring and summer. Add a small amount of potash feed during summer to help with flowering. Do not fertilize during the rest period of fall and winter.

Pests and Diseases:

Normally they are pest-free, but may be attacked by aphids, mealy bugs or scale.

Propagation:

Use stem cuttings.
Take a terminal leaf pad or stem tip cutting in the summer.
Allow the cutting to dry for a few days and then place it in a loose peaty soil mix.

Kalanchoe Plant Care

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Kalanchoe - Christmas Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe Blossfeildiana)

Kalanchoe Plant Care

The Christmas Kalanchoe is very popular. It can be induced to flower at any time during the year, though spring season is its natural flowering time. Hybrids produce lilac, orange, pink, red, white or yellow blooms. Plantlets grow from the center of the green scolloped leaves and so it is also called the Miracle Leaf Plant. You can also remove and grow these plantlets.

It used to be chiefly a winter-flowering plant. Therefore, the common name Christmas Kalanchoe. But now hybrids are made to flower all year round.

To force these Christmas plant to bloom lessen the amount of light it gets, so that it has long, dark nights. (You trick it into feeling that it's winter.) Christmas plants like Poinsettia and Kalanchoe, need the same treatment to make them bloom during Christmas, so check in Poinsettia website - "How To Make Your Poinsettia Bloom Next Christmas!"

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Another beautiful one is THE KALANCHOE TOMENTOSA (Panda Plant), a succulent with soft fleshy, spoon-shaped leaves which feel and look like white velvet.

Christmas Pepper Plant Care

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Christmas Pepper (Capsicum annuum)

These Pepper plants produce very colorful and decorative fruits which give the plant its real beauty. These oval or pointed fruits appear in summer or winter after the plant produces small white flowers. First the fruits are green, then they turn to shades of yellow, orange and then red. Take good care of these Christmas plants and you will enjoy the beauty of their fruits for 8 to 12 weeks.

Place a few Christmas Pepper plants on a table and you will create a very beautiful and decorative display. Many of these Christmas plants are sold during December to add the traditional Christmas color to the holiday season.

The Christmas Pepper originated from Chilli and Cayenne peppers, so keep them away from children because the fruits though edible can irritate the skin and cause serious itching.

Christmas Pepper Plant Care

Light:

Keep these Pepper plants in an area with direct sunlight.

Temperature and Humidity:

The Christmas Pepper requires cool to average warmth with a minimum of 55 degrees F (13 C). Mist the leaves frequently. Stand the pot on pebble trays with water to maintain an adequate level of humidity. Increase the humidity if the fruits shrivel and drop off; the flowers drop off or the leaf tips turn brown.

Soil:

Grow Pepper plants in an all-purpose soil mix .

Water:

Water your pepper plants only after the top inch of soil is dry.

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Fertilizer:

Use a commercial liquid fertilizer twice per month during the fruiting season. Do not fertilize the Pepper seedlings during the first two months, if you had used a commercial soil mix.

Pests and Diseases:

These Christmas plants are susceptible to being attacked by aphids, spider mites and whiteflies. To treat use lukewarm soppy water with nicotine. Check Poinsettia - Pests and Diseases!

Propagation

Sow these Pepper seeds in a 50/50 mixture of vermiculite and an all-purpose soil mix in early spring. It's not always successful. These Christmas plants are annuals, discard after the colorful fruits have fallen off. If you want to keep the plant, cut back the stems to half their length and repot in fresh soil. Then place in an area with high humidity.

African Violets Plant Care

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African violets plant care  (Saintpaulia eonantha)

African Violets are the most popular house plants which bloom. Their leaves are small, thick, hairy and of different shapes. They form a green color around the blue, purple, white and pink flowers. They will bloom all year round if given the proper care and a favorable environment.
African Violets (Saintpaulia eonantha) Plant Care Requirements

Light

Keep your African violets in an area with bright indirect light, but never in direct sunlight.

Temperature and Humidity

African violets require warm temperature and high humidity. Place plant on marbles or pebbles in a water tray, but do not allow the bottom of the pot to touch the water. Mist your African Violets with tepid water to keep the leaves from spotting.

Soil

Use a commercial highly organic African Violet soil mix and keep it well drained.

Water

Keep soil moderately moist at all times. Use room temperature water and water from the edge of the pot to prevent breaking the stems and causing stem rot. Do not wet the leaves.

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Fertilizer

Feed fully established plants every month with an African Violet plant food. Do not fertilize repotted plants during the first two months. Do not feed during the dormant period of November and December. Keep your African violets moderately root-bound and, if necessary, repot them in late spring.

Pests and Diseases

African violets are affected by aphids, root rot, crown or stem rot, leaf spot, mildew and botrytis.

Propagation

To propagate your African violets use leaf cuttings or sow seeds in spring.

Adenium arabicum

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Adenium arabicum Balf. f. suchas : Arab giant , Saudi giant, Arizona giant. They normally found in the Southern and western margin of the Arabian peninsula.

Adenium arabicum

This species has quite big stems with very soft leaves, they usually bloom lots along the stem and arms. The colour is bright pink, always fading to near white toward throat, which has generally one nectar guide per petal. The follicle are usually in dark red and much bigger than those of A. Obesum, the seeds are rapidly large. The short stem has 1 meter wide for the base, branches widely and lots.

This particular species imported both seeds and scions from Middle East 20 years ago. So many of them are growing very well and faster than original species in Thailand. It might be the reason of the big caudex. Now they called the name of Adeniums by imported area such as; The Arab (Singburi) , Lobburi , Ayuttaya , Oungkharak and Korat.

The colour would tell the species as much as can tell by stems and branches with the big follicle straight vertically standing, flowers around stems and arms.

Be able to grow by seed-grown in Thailand so that hybrids are spreadily popular. They fertilized widely, made The colour of flowers varied from pink to white and red which is now becoming the symbol of great species in Thailand. Some importer brought Adeniums that have big caudex from America but still not well-known. After that, some imported from Holland and got more famous; Half-breed of “ Holland ” they named it. The colour is white to deep red.0

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For the original species or half breed Holland that gave unsatisfied colour but the caudex is big and roots well healthy then, it can be used for repotting to a better sub-species.

Adeniums that are found in Thailand are likely covered with all the species with various types and unique beautiful bodies. Because of the water, soil, weather are suitable to breed the plants. The cultivation in Thailand is rapidly developed and adapted the families of Adeniums made such a great result to the need. And now foreigners are coming to study and doing business here in Thailand.

The variety of Adeniums are still maintaining with the hope that the plants will breed across over the species so that will be more hybrid or sub-species. The small stem or scions can be graft on the others that, would make such a wonderful result. The flowers are classed by the popularity of colour favour ; bright colour, dark colour or fresh light colour and unusual colour, flower’s shapes or how long the blooming would last or how much the blooming goes.

Adenium obesum

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Adenium obesum was found in the South of Zaire, Tanzania, Zimbubwe and around the coastal shores of Kenya. These species can be recognized by thickened stems. The basal connected to swollen basal caudex which is where the food and water stored along with a big root. The leaves are steadily flat without hair, brightly light-green colour. The main leaves are normally light and visibility.

Adenium obesem

The flowers of Adenium obesum are usually pink to pale orange on the petal margins on the inside throat. There is small tubular toward the nectar guide underneath the flower. And there are 5 yellow stamens are inside flower basal. The Adenium obesum flowers normally bloom year round. Later, the plant has developed rapidly and selected species in Thailand and other countries.
The results from seed-grown came out varieties; the caudex extended, bigger root, the flowers bloomed at the edge of arms. The flowers became colourful from white to deep red. Some species are becoming even more popular for the last 10 years in Thailand.

A. somalense var. somalense Balf. f. has been found in Somalia, Tanzania, north western of Kenya.

These giant Adenium has very wide-based, distinctly conical caudex and tall which is different from Obesum ones. The root is not extended enough to suit the stems. It has been found in Africa, reported that it is 3 times bigger than human’s standing and The basal is equal to 200 liter water tank. The flowered branches are very thin, spreading to pendent bright green and clearly with white veins.

In winter, the plant will be leafing out. The colour are pink to pale red, the colour faded toward the throat and the size is not very big. The flower tube has 15-25 stamen and well breeding. These species has imported from plant’s nursing in Taxus, America.

Recently, there are some Adenium imported from mentioned area 3 meter tall, gently beautiful. The development has made the plant goes very tall and flowered but mostly empasis on remaining giant species.

A. socotranum Vier h. is mostly found at the island of Socotra, Yemen : In the Indian Ocean south of the Arabian peninsula.
These spicies can called as the real giant ones, When the stem gets too old, the skin itself would wrinkle like elphant’s skin. The structure is huge, straight tall follicle and stem vertically.

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It is found upto 6 meter tall, caudex likely 2.5 meter wide. In the first period, small plant for seeding , ealisy notice the difference, hardly branches, caudex stand upper the root where food store, vertical stem. And the root some how come at upper soil, with curve sharp, made it look even more beautiful.

Even though, the stem may not be so big, same like Bon-Sai which is the most incberible Adenium, It flower since 2 year old, fading leaves period would give pink flowers, small, and goes pink all over the stems. Same spicies give 2 time flowering. The leaves are long, narrow and wide at the edge and thick with dark green colour.

When they imported into Thailand for some time, the spicies were amphimictic naturally. With the allogamy, the plants became were varieties with new names such as : Golden Crown, Golden Diamond,S1 (Phet banna) , Bang Kha Giant, Because these spicies are hardly attach the legume so that the origin plants are not enough for the demands and rare to find then the collector are likely looking for them with fine condition and high rewards.

Daylily Care

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Handsomely sculptured, flaring, golden trumpets, held high above fountaining clumps of coarse, narrow foliage… yes, daylilies are striking in any flower garden. But they have, also, two other virtues: their adaptability to all kinds of soil, climate and exposure and their ability to take care of themselves. Plant a daylily and it will live and flower year after year, needing only to be divided and given a little fertilizer. Here are some time tested daylily gardening tips.

PLACE IN THE LANDSCAPE

Day lilies, or hemerocallis (as they are known botanically), grow almost any place; in fact only very dense shade or very poorly drained soil deter them. But for the most effective display plant them in the bays of a shrub border: in informal masses by a pool or stream; in the herbaceous border, with stately delphinium, feathery astilbe or dainty babys-breath; or on a sunny, steep slope, where the roots of the vigorous clumps will hold the soil.

BUYING GUIDE

Throughout the United States there are specialists who have a good selection of day lily plants and seeds for sale. Their peak shipping seasons are spring and late summer, when the day lily is best planted.

Before you buy scan the pages of a specialist’s catalog and discover the great range of modern daylilies: in the flowers, from 2 inches to 8 inches across, patterned or in solid colors from palest yellow, to the vibrant blue and purple, to the deepest red, with petals smooth, crimped or curled: in length of bloom, some lasting but a day (though the plant is colorful for weeks, as one by one the buds open) and some staying open well into evening; in height, from 11/2 to 4 feet, in foliage, some being evergreen and some deciduous.

Then make your selection of plants or bulbs, choosing a combination that will provide color from early summer until fall. A few outstanding varieties are:

Early-blooming: BROCADE, COSETTE, PARTY GOWN
Mid-season: EVELYN CLAAR, HIGH NOON, PRIMA DONNA;
Late-blooming: BAGGETTE, SUSAN TREADWELL, AUGUST ORANGE.
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PLANTING

Plant singly 2 feet apart, or group three of a kind, spacing them 1 foot apart. Prepare the soil deeply and add fertilizer. Place the plant, spreading out the fibrous roots, and cover the crown with I inch of soil. Water thoroughly.

LATER DAYLILY CARE

To make the clumps thrive rather than merely exist, water daylily gardens frequently and fertilize in spring and fall. If thrips should attack the flowers, kill them speedily. If flowering becomes sparse, divide, replant and fertilize the clumps.

FASCINATING SIDELIGHTS

Join in the fun and excitement of breeding daylilies. Perhaps a "good white" or a "good green," two long-awaited colors in day lilies, will be produced in your garden!

Bayberry

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Bayberry Shrub – A Bird Magnet

The Myrtle Warbler, or the western counterpart, Audubon’s warbler, is the most abundant warbler and wanders farther north than any other. It breeds throughout northern coniferous woodlands, showing preference for the more open stands and borders of clearings. In migration, myrtles occur everywhere and are especially abundant in brushy areas, hedgerows, field borders, gardens and weedy tangles.

Although most of these warblers spend their winter in the southern part of the United States and range as far as northern South America, a large number come to rest in our northern states and remain there for the cold weather.

The myrtle warbler is one of the few warblers that can subsist for long periods upon berries and seeds, though undoubtedly it prefers insects when it can get them. Along the shores of large bodies of water during the winter, many flies rise from the seaweed in sheltered spots on mild days, even in January. There are also eggs of plant lice and some hibernating insects to be found on trees and shrubs.

Bayberry ShrubBut the principal food of the myrtle warbler during the inclement season is the bayberry bush. So delighted by these berries their travels seem to be largely dependent by the failure or success of the bayberry crop. The "wax" of this fruit is chemically a true fat, hence digestible and heat-productive.

Unfortunately, now that thousands of European starlings remain on our sea-coasts for the winter, the bayberries are devoured earlier in the season than would be the case were the berries left to the native birds alone. We may expect the wintering myrtles gradually to disappear from our coastal regions if the starlings continue to increase at their present rate. Therefore, any planting of bayberry shrubs by home owners and gardeners not only enhances esthetic values but also aids in conservation.

The bayberry, sometimes called wax-myrtle or candleberry, Myrica pensylcanica, is a fine ornamental noted for its aromatic semi-evergreen foliage and attractive fruit. It grows well in sandy and poor soils and tolerates salt spray.
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Souther BayberryThe northern variety grows to a height of about 9 feet, while the southern form, Myrica cerifera, becomes a small tree. The latter prefers moist and peaty soils. In both varieties, the sexes are separate so that pistillate and staminate flowering plants must be grown, in close proximity to insure production of the very ornamental, grayish white berries. They remain on the plant for several seasons.

If the berries are boiled, the wax will melt from the fruit and come to the surface. This can then be cooled and skimmed over to be used for making bayberry candles, which give off a pleasant odor as they burn. In early American homes the boiled roots produced a tea for headaches; while the bark was used for poultices and for jaundice. The Scottish people use the leaves for brewing in place of hops.

Bayberries make handsome shrubs for our gardens, are excellent material for interior decorating and arrangements, and serve as food for over 90 species of birds.

Washington Thorn Trees

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Of the several hundred species of hawthorns native over the entire United States, one stands out prominently as an excellent ornamental tree. It is Crataegus phaenopyrum, the Washington Thorn which does well all across the country.

Seldom is this tree found growing more than 30 feet high. In fact, the largest tree on record, according to the American Forestry Association, is at Laurel, Maryland. It measures 2 feet, 9 inches, in trunk circumference and 25 feet in height and has a 23-foot branch span.

The single white flowers, about 1/2 inch in diameter but borne in many-flowered clusters, appear in mid-June. One of the last hawthorns to bloom, the Washington hawthorne flowers at a time when few other ornamental trees bloom.

Just as important as its flowers are the clusters of bright red fruits. The berries are about 1/4 inch in diameter, and begin to color brightly in early fall.

One of the first things one notices about this tree is its habit. Not definitely fastigiate (erect and columnar), it is nevertheless upright in habit of growth. And with a very small amount of trimming, it can quickly be made to appear fastigiate.

This is a big asset, for the tree is frequently used in highway planting… often in the narrow strip between divided highways, where it helps cut down the headline glare at night.

Like all hawthorns, it seems to withstand poor soil and drought, two reasons why it is so successful in city gardens. It is not superior to the tree-of-heaven or the sumacs in this respect, but it will withstand difficult growing conditions.
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Washington Thorn Trees

The autumn color of the foliage is an excellent glossy red to orange, another reason for considering this tree of year-round interest. The dense twiggy habit and the numerous inch-long thorns make it an excellent barrier plant, and it withstands clipping into hedge form very well indeed. Its general habit and ornamental qualities make it useful as a specimen tree also.

However, this excellent tree is not immune to the troubles common to most hawthorns.Lacebug and red spider may attack the foliage in summer. Sprays for both these pests are not difficult to time properly. Fire blight can trouble many thorns as well as apples, pears and cotoneaster’s. Controlling this disease is difficult but all dead or dying branches should be removed as soon as noticed and burned. Borers, too, cause trouble occasionally, getting into the trunks and limbs. And all hawthorns are alternate hosts for the cedar apple rust. Therefore, if the red cedar is prevalent within a radius of one mile from a proposed planting site, this Washington Thorn should be considered carefully before it is planted to any great extent.

Grow Orchids Easily

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Growing Orchids Is So Easy!

I had always believed that to grow orchids would be exceedingly difficult… tender, delicate and temperamental… and so expensive as to be entirely out of reach of the average person. But I have learned that none of these things are true. Orchids are within the means of any of us. There are reasonably priced plants as well as expensive ones, and because the plants remain handsome and increase in size from year to year they are an investment that brings thrilling dividends. This article is about orchid flower gardening made easy.

As for their reputed delicacy, the fact is orchids are remarkably tough and hardy. Indeed. they are freer from disease than any other plant I can think of. The

chief requirement to grow orchids is to learn the conditions under which they thrive in their native haunts and to approach those conditions as closely as possible in the home or greenhouse.

Perhaps the most important condition is proper light. Orchids, like African violets, want light but not glaring sun, in other words, filtered sunlight. Keep in mind that their native habitat is jungle "rain forests," where dense tropical vegetation allows only filtered sunlight to penetrate. Try growing an orchid plant next to your African violet in a window with a north or east exposure and watch it grow! But if you must use a window where the sunlight is too strong filter the sun with Venetian blinds or place the plant so that it receives maximum light but not direct sun.

In the greenhouse, the glare of full sun can be cut by the use of roller blinds or by painting shading on the outside of the glass, especially on south and west sides. I simply use a light coat of white enamel paint, then stipple it with a sponge.

Second only in importance to light is humidity. In tropical jungles, the air is very humid, so it follows that moisture in the air is a necessity. The why of this is readily seen. Orchids are epiphytes, usually growing upon logs or stumps (epi means above or on, phite means plant). Their roots are mostly aerial, and they take their nourishment mainly from the moisture in the air (possibly also from minerals in the decaying humus with which their roots come in contact, although they are not parasites, as is often thought).
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In the greenhouse, humidity is achieved by hosing the floor and benches in the morning, at noon and in midafternoon. As this moisture evaporates into the air, it creates the needed humidity. In my own greenhouse, I have a small automatic humidity system, geared to an adjustable temperature dial, which throws a fine mist spray under the benches when the temperature reaches a certain point. This is a tremendous help, because I am away all day and can’t do the sprinkling needed in hot dry weather. More sprinkling, of course, is needed on hot, dry days than on dull, cloudy ones.

Another humidity aid in the greenhouse is to place pans of water on the floor, particularly in front of or on top of the heater. I keep a pan of water directly in front of my electric heater, and the amount of evaporation from this pan is surprising.

If you grow orchids in the home, you can achieve humidity by placing the orchid pot in a saucer of gravel and keeping the gravel moist. But do not allow the water to touch the pot, for orchids must not be set in water or allowed to become soggy. Good drainage is essential. Pot watering of orchid plants is needed only about once a week.

Rose Gardening

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Tips on Starting Your Own Rose Garden

Roses are something pictured off as an annoyance to grow and maintain. But don't let that rumor put you off if you've been thinking of starting a rose garden. Rose gardening can be a bit challenging sometimes, but as soon as you get comfortable with it, you'll see it isn't hard at all!
Believe it or not there are actually quite a few types of roses. And no it's not white, red or any other color of rose. I'm talking about bare-root roses, pre-packaged roses and roses grown in containers. Bare-root roses are mostly being sold in the winter periods and in the early spring as well. They are planted when the frosts have just passed by and the ground has turned a bit warm and workable once again. Pre-packaged roses are basically bere-root roses which are sold in a box with something around it to keep the moisture-level steady. They sometimes use sawdust for this. Roses that are grown in containers, well, they are actually grown in containers. You weren't expecting that, where you? Mostly they'll be budding or are blooming when they're up for sale in the early springtimes.

Planting Your First Roses

When it comes to planting the roses it's not really that much different then with any other plant you've planted. The important thing, as always is to have a good and healthy soil for your roses. Wether you're planting bare-root roses or container-grown ones, planting them is basically the same as you would with any other shrub. Make sure the soil has good drainage, gets lots of sunlight and that your roses won't be overcrowded. First remove any dead plants, leaves and thin or decaying roots. Damaged and long roots need to be removed before you plant your roses. Bare-root roses need to be soaked for ten to twelve hours before you plant them to get the moisture-level in the roots up again. Make the planting site wet as well and dig a hole that big enough for the growth of the roots of the roses. Use compost mixer or mulch, because as with any plant, roses love the extra nutrients they can get.
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Fertilizers For Your Rose Garden

You must remember that roses are exactly the same like other plants. They have needs and even are a bit needier then other plants. Remember that roses are heavy feeders and they'll need several fertilizer applications. You should start fertilizing in the early spring and continue until early fall. Don't over-fertilize them though and read the instructions of the fertilizer carefully! Roses require to be watered twice a week, thoroughly and it should be done after each feeding.

We all know pruning is essential when it comes to flower gardening. It will increase the blooms and will encourage your plants to grow healthy. Do research before you start pruning, because different types of roses need different types of pruning done to them.

As always, the most important thing is to water your roses. Keep watering them. And with roses you need to remember using the right amount of fertilizer and nutrients. And keep on pruning those roses, to ensure a healthy and controlled growth. I know rose gardening is a bit more work and roses themselves require a bit more attention. But roses are by for one of the most beautiful and unique flowers, so they're definitely worth that extra bit of work!

Flower Gardening

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Flower Gardening - Beautiful And Rich Colors Everywhere!

Flower gardening is getting huger and huger by the day. It's very popular at the moment and why shouldn't it be? It brings color and life to your home garden, it's inexpensive, smell wonderful, is a great hobby and above all, it can really brighten your day. You can use flower gardening to decorate your garden as a hobby or even as a profession.

Getting Started With Flower Gardening

Before getting your hand dirty though you'll need to take a few things into consideration.

Do you want to replant the plants every year, with annuals, or do you want plants who keep coming back every year? Also when buying plants make sure that they can thrive in the climate you're living in. And check the daily sunlight requirements as well.

Try to decide upfront what direction you want to go to with flower gardening. Mixing different colors, a variety of flowers of different heights will give you a garden that resembles a meadow. Which some people call "wild-plant style" and can be very charming. Or you can put short flower up front in your garden and as you go towards the back you continually go higher and higher untill you reach the back of the gardening site. Which will give you a "stepping stone style" garden.

Ordering the seeds is just as easy as opening a gardening catalogue and choosing from there or you can go to a nursery and buy them there. But most people who go to a nursery will end up buying plants instead of seeds and that's perfectly fine. After you've prepared the site and got your flowers ready you'll need to place them where you want them. Don't plant them just yet. Just arrange them and see if you like them that way and space them out so they've got plenty of room. Then comes the easy part, planting! With seeds you just need to sprinkle them around on the flower bed. Bought plants will need a whole that's bigger then the flower itself. Next you remove them from their container, put them in the hole and cover it with the dug up soil.. Only thing left to do is pressing down firmly and watering them.

Maintaining Your Flower Garden

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In terms of maintenance, a flower garden is quite easy to keep. Sometimes they can even thrive on their own, but a bag of fertilizer distributed during the early spring might be a good idea. Keep them watered and pinch back any bloom once they've started to fade. Try and save yourself some work by getting rid of debris in your garden and disparse organic nutrients like compost or peat moss. Remember to mix the fertilizer by flipping over the soil and raking it smoothly when you're finished. Be careful if you've got perennial flowers planted though, you wouldn't want to harm their roots now, would you?

Flower Gardening Is Very Easy

Everybody can start flower gardening, it's so easy you can teach your children. Just decide where to plant them and then do so. After that it's all about watering. Flower gardening is becoming more popular with every passing day and gives everybody a wonderful reason to spend time in their garden. Just go out there and put your 10 green fingers to use!

How to Design a Flower Garden

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Need a plan to design a flower garden?

I once hired someone to design a plan for me and he did a great job.
You can also learn how to design a flower garden for your yard yourself.
It is not that hard of a task when you know how. There are some simple basic rules for designing one that you should consier.
Once you understand them it is quite easy to combine plants into a beautiful creation.

How to Design a Flower Garden

Let's look at these rules down below.

Rule #1 Create a Plan

• Creating a plan is important so that you can plan which plants you are going to use in your garden.


• First draw out the basic shape you envision for the garden. A planting area is usually more interesting if it is curvy, instead of square or rectangular.


• Think about how much sun or shade your plot of land will have. Look up which plants grow best in the conditions you will be providing.


• You can have a variety of colors or just one main color such as pink. This is up to you. It is a good idea to use the ones which are native to your area for the best results.


• Once you decide on the plants to use, choose ones the need the same soil conditions. Then draw them out on your plan.


• This can be just a rough sketch of where the plants will be located in the garden. Take into consideration the height of the plants. You do not want the taller ones blocking the view of the shorter ones.


• If the garden is against the house then you need to place the taller plants in back and the shorter ones up front.


• If the garden is more of an island then place the taller plants in the center and surround them with the shorter ones.


• Also leave an area in the front or around the edge to later put in a border. You might want to wait to plan this until you have all your plants in the ground though.

Rule #2 Colors Should Go Well Together

• Now you might want to see if your color scheme will work together for your flowers. Try using colored pencils to draw where the various plants are going.


• You might find the certain colors are better next to each other than other ones.


• Oranges and reds might be fine in the same garden, but may need a color like white or yellow in between them.

Rule #3 Prepare the Soil

• After making your design a flower garden plan, you must prepare the soil next.


• Make sure the area the garden is going to be in does not retain too much water after a rain.


• Then dig up the area in the shape you have chosen. Then remove all the grass from it if any is growing there.


• Dig down to a depth of at least 24 inches, further if you are going to have some deep-rooting plants.


• Either by hand or with a tiller break up the soil removing ay rocks as you go. You want this dirt to have a fine texture when you are finished.

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You will have to know the type of soil your plants need. Some plants need:
1. Sandy soil.
2. Some need acidy.
3. Others do well with more clay in the soil.
The majority of plants though need a soil that drains well. This is a balanced-type of soil that is neither all clay nor all sandy. It is about halfway in between.
You will want to add sand if the you need to get the soil to drain better. Try adding some clay to help it retain more water.
After you have the desired texture it is time to add amendments to the soil. Two of the things that are good to add to soil are compost and manure.
If your compost is rich enough you might not need the manure. Mix well. It is best to do this step a season or two ahead if you can.
Rule #4 Purchase and Place the Plants
Go purchase the plants now that you have the area prepared. Once you have them home, place them in their pots in the area you wrote on your plan. This way you can double check if they look how you imagined.
When you are sure of the placement plant them according to their instructions. There should be an insert in the pot that tells you how deep and how far apart the plants need to be to thrive successfully. Water them in well.
Follow all these rules on how to design a flower garden. In a short time you will see it flourish. You will have your very own gorgeous garden.

 

Perennial Garden Plants

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Before discussing perennial garden plans, let's talk about what perennials are.
These are plants that come back year after year without replanting.
They do die back when the weather grows too cold thoug. Then as the weather warms in the spring they reemerge with new growth.
Many times perennial plantings are used just by themselves. These types of plants can be mixed with annuals for more variety and color in your garden.
Annuals have to be replanted every year so many choose to use the perennials more for this reason.
Perennials are woodier than the annuals are. These include shrubs, trees and some other types of plants. These add a certain structure to a garden or yard.
Many times perennials only bloom at certain times of the year, if they bloom, some perennials do not have flowers.
Steps to Follow
There are certain steps you should follow when creating your garden using perennial plants. With these you will be able to easily create successful plans.
What are these steps t? Check out the information below:

 

Perennial Garden Plants

Analyze Your Location: Is your location suitable for the perennials you are considering. The soil must have the right nutrients, sun or shade and proper drainage.
Choose Your Perennials: You do not need to buy your perennials now. What you do need is an idea of which ones you are going to plant to further plan your garden areas.
Mark off Garden Areas: This will need to be done if you are freshly breaking ground.
If you want a formal look make the areas very geometric in shape. A more casual look then curve the areas. You can make the areas in any shape you want for the effect you are going for.
Prepare the Soil: As with any garden prepare your soil. Look up the care instructions of each of the perennials. Be sure that any of the ones being planted in the same area need the same soil.
Use and add amendments to make it just what it needs to contain nutrient wise. Compost, manure, sand or other things are examples of these amendments.
Draw out Your Plans: Take and place the perennials on paper. This way you have a written set of perennial garden plans to help you in your efforts.
Buy the Perennials: Go to your local nursery and see if they have all the perennials you have chosen. Buy the ones you need. Many times you will need more than just one of a kind.
Planting Time: After you get your perennials home it is time to plant. Follow your plans so you place in the areas prepared for them. Mulch the areas after you have finished watering them in.
Perennial Garden Plans and Plant Ideas
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Below is a list of some of the perennials for you to choose from:
1. African Lily - This plant blooms in the middle to late summer, and the flowers are blue.
It can grow to a height of 2 to 3 feet. The African lily prefers moist, sandy, well-draining soil and full sun exposure. Its hardiness rating is zone 8.
2. Aster - This is a late-summer to autumn bloomer, with blue, white, violet or pink blooms. It can grow to be from 1 to 4 feet in height.
The aster prefers full sun and a well-drained soil. Hardiness rating is zones 5 to 8.
3. Hardy Begonia - This perennial blooms in pink in the summer to into the autumn.
The plant can reach a height of about 2 feet. It prefers partial shade and moist, rich soil. Hardiness rating is zone 6 to 9.
4. Canna Lily - The canna lily blooms in the summer up until frost occurs. Its flowers can be yellow, orange, pink and red.
This plant prefers full sun and very fertile soil. It grows to a height of 2 to 4 feet. Hardiness rating is zones 8 to 10.
5. Delphinium - This plant blooms either in white, blue or violet during the summer season. It grows to a height of 3 to 5 feet.
The delphinium prefers full sun and alkaline, well-drained soil. Hardiness rating is zones 2 to 7.
6. Gerbera Daisy - This plant is a summer to frost bloomer. Its flowers are red, peach, pink or yellow flowers.
The gerbera daisy prefers full sun and a soil that drains well. Hardiness rating is zone 8.
These are just a small sampling of the plants that can be included in your perennial garden plans. Many more can be found.
Consult with the plant nursery near you to see which ones will thrive best in your area. Use the other information offered above to help you develop your plans in depth.

Organic Flower Gardening

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Organic flowers are a wonderful way to enjoy the purity of nature’s beauty. Raising them lets the natural scent of each type of flower waft outward.
There is no contamination from herbicides, fertilizers or pesticides. These chemical productions get into the nose and skin. That can cause the unwanted side effects of chemical poisoning.
A Step for Ecology
Non-organic bulbs and flowers release harmful chemicals and pesticides into the environment.
One example is water run-off after planting. The toxins that appear in the run-off cause damage to the ecosystem through ground water contamination. That causes toxin exposure to the flora and fauna in the area.

Protecting the Environment

To help protect the environment, as well as your health and that of those you love, consider planting these particularly beautiful blooms.
The organic process takes more time than using chemicals as growing ingredients. The results are worth the extra time.
Using chemical fertilizers and plant foods over a prolonged period often causes damage to root systems in the plants.
This in turn leads to poor flower production and bloom color in future crops.

Making Your Own Fertilizer

Many of the things we consume daily have ingredients to add to a compost pile, such as carrot peels and lettuce cores.
Making compost at home allows the organic ingredients you add to create a fertilizer that will feed your plants without any chemicals.
Improving your flowers and encouraging healthier grass is possible when you add kelp meal to your mixture.
The seaweed contains potash and other trace nutrients that are helpful to your garden.
If you are transplanting flowers or bulbs, add some bone meal to your mix. That helps plants take root and grow strong. Bone meal is loaded with calcium and phosphate.
To make your own fertilizer for your organic flowers use:
3 parts of bone meal
2 parts of kelp meal
1 part of blood meal in the concentration
The blood meal provides extra nitrogen needed for the extra boost form the soil.

Making a Change for the Better

Once your soil is prepared for planting, distribute your fertilizer over the ground. Use a rake to work in the ingredients and mix it up well in the dirt.
Distribute it as evenly as possible so all the plants get an equal share of nutrition. Water the area after you finish spreading the mix. Once the soil dries, add water again to encourage exchange of the nutrients.
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Enhanced Organic Growing

Once the dirt is prepared for gardening, you can begin planting. Follow the directions indicated on seed packets or instructions regarding spacing for plants. That is a natural way to discourage garden pests from taking over the garden area.
Begin mulching once the seeds are placed properly. It is important to add about three or four inches of grass clippings or leaves to help the soil retain water.
Keep plants growing well by spraying them with organic fertilizer.
One formula consists of a:
1. Gallon of water
2. Half a teaspoon of kelp
3. Teaspoon of fish emulsion
Your organic flowers will look their best during the growing season by following these guidelines. Continue to make organic compost during the year to add at the start, during and the end of the growing process. It is great for vegetables, flowers and shrubs.

Flower Garden Ideas

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Flower Pot

Thinking of flower garden ideas can help you think of spring and planting flowers!

It is often hard to envision how all the plants will look together.

Do some search of various ideas before deciding.

Hopefully with the information below you will be able to come up with a garden plan of your own.

Is Xeriscaping for You?

This is a type of gardening which is very sustainable. It conserves water and had less impact on the environment than other forms of gardening. There is less maintenance involved in taking care of it.

Choose flowers and other plants that require little watering. Make the soil rich so that it holds water more effectively and stimulates roots to grow deeper.

Use various irrigation methods to water plants. This can be done with soaker hoses or drip irrigation.

Mulch plays an integral part in this type of garden. The mulch holds in moisture and discourages the growth of weeds.

Since this type of landscaping works with nature there is less maintenance involved.
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Some Flower Garden Ideas Are:

Are Formal Gardens to Your Liking? If you lean toward a more structured growing scheme then look toward the formal gardens.

These are usually laid out very geometrically. They also have beds for planting the various flowers.

You porbably will like well-trimmed hedges included in your plantings. Adding roses of all sorts lend to the atmosphere in these types of gardens.

Everything looks quite organized. Formal gardens can tend to be on the large size. The hedges and other plantings used it takes quite a bit of space.

Do You Prefer an Informal Garden?

Other flower garden ideas. An informal garden is much less structured than a formal garden. It can be about any size you need it to be.

This type of garden can be quite casual with plantings located according to your preference. Design the gardens to portray your own distinctive personality. Just remember to keep the spacing right between the plants so each has room to thrive.

Using various shapes, height and colors in the same bed creates a unique look.

Rose Gardens are Special

If you love roses you can create very special gardens with just these flowers in them.

There are many different types of roses that can be planted. You have the: 1. hybrid teas2. grandifloras3. floribundas 4. shrub roses5. climbing roses6. hedge roses7. roses which make good ground-cover and more.

Each kind will have its own care instructions, so before planting together check, and see if the varieties you have chosen need to same conditions.

Butterfly Gardens are Fun

Butterfly gardens are made up of plants which naturally attract butterflies.

It is best to have plants for the caterpillars to come to and then you can see the butterfly emerge.

Then when the butterfly is out it likes to have nectar and you need to provide plants for that.

Look at the Comma butterfly. Its caterpillar likes the nettle, hops or elm for a host plant. For the nectar source the Comma butterfly likes dandelions or butterfly bushes.

If there are other butterflies you would like to attract just find out which plants they need.

You should not use pesticides if you are doing this type of garden. If you do so, you could harm the caterpillars and the butterflies.

Plant a Hummingbird Garden to Attract Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds use sight to find food. They also travel certain routes, which make them creatures of habit.

Like when you put up a hummingbird feeder each year and they come. These birds remember where the nectar came from last season. This can be done with gardens too.

These birds are attracted to a variety of nectar-producing flowers. To get them to come to your property just gear your flowers to their liking.

Some examples of these flowers are:

1. Ajuga

2. Astilbe

3. Beebalm

4. Bougainvillea

5. Canna

6. Coral Bells

7. Hibiscus

These are just some of the flowers. Try checking with your local-plant nursery to see what it recommends for your area.

Similar to the butterflies refrain from using pesticides. You do not want to harm the hummingbirds.

The above flower garden ideas hopefully will show you which one appeals to you. With the right amount of care any flower garden can thrive quickly.

Within a few short months you can have blooms to enjoy, and if you plant the right flowers, you might even be able to watch the hummingbirds and butterflies come.

White Coloured Flowers

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There are several White Coloured Flowers and here is a list of such White Coloured Flowers.

 

Few plants are pure white. Most have a tint of pink, grey lavender or yellow and should be carefully chosen for a warm or cool theme.
Colewort (Crambe cordifolia)
Thorn (Crataegus x lavallei)
Clematis
Pinks (Dianthus ‘Mrs Sinkins’)
Baby’s breath (Gypsophila paniculata)
petunia
roses
Michealmas daisy
White or cream chrysanthemums
Hydrangea
Tobacco plants
Californian poppy romnega coulteri;
Anemone
Geranium
Busy lizzie (Impatiens)
Deutzia
Iris
Pink-tinged flowering crab (Malus species)
Sweet cicely (Myrrhis odorata)
Rhododendron
wisteria
Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia)

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Green Coloured Flowers

Green is nature’s colour. Green colour symbolizes calm, nature, growth, freshness, harmony, fertility, Life and rejuvenation. It also means youth and good luck in certain parts of this world. But often green colour is overlooked when it comes to colour choice.

Green flowers are not usually used in bouquets, as well as in flower arrangements. But green coloured flowers can also make a striking flower arrangement for any occasion.

Here, are the top 10 green flowers.

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Green Rose

The rose flower is a symbol of love, affection and is now available in a range of stunning colours and sizes. Red roses are used often to represent Love and is given on Valentine’s Day between lovers. Green roses are a representation of hope and optimism.

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Green Carnation

This sweet small flower is overlooked often in bouquets, but with its bright colour and small delicate petals, it is one among the most popular cut flowers used World over. The green shades range from pale mint greens to vibrant emerald greens.

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Green Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums are a common choice for Mother’s Day flower bouquets and green chrysanthemums are also used on many such occasions. The bright, fresh green chrysanthemums make a unique choice in many flower arrangements and bouquets.

Green Hellebore

Hellebores are also known as ‘Christmas Roses’ which is a common popular choice during festive seasons. Green Hellebores when combined with red hellebores, it stands out as a distinct and beautiful flower arrangement.

Green Cymbidium Orchid

Orchids are one among the many popular cut flowers and are used in every occasion, be it a wedding or fashion show. The beautiful Green Cymbidium Orchid combines both the distinct orchid shape and the unusual lime green shade.

Green Daylily

Daylilies hybrids are extremely diverse in colour and shape due to hybridization methods employed by gardeners and botanists. Among the hybrids are a beautiful creation which is strikingly green one that features with elegant curled petals in a rich shade of green.

Green Zinnia

The wonderfully round Zinnia flowers are a multitude of tiny petals arranged in a globe like structure. Zinnias come in a variety of shapes, colours and sizes, but the green variety is a fantastic one.

Green Gladiolus

Gladiolus are a favourite choice in summer wedding bouquets. The bright, vibrant Green Gladiolus includes tapered petals with a long stem. Green Gladiolus is also known as ‘sword lily’ due to the sword like shape. This most striking Green Gladiolus flower is also sweet scented.

Green Trick Dianthus

Green Trick Dianthus is actually a plant and not a flower, hence the name trick. Everybody loves it anyway. This wonderful lovely round bright green ball; ‘puff-ball’ of leaves is a perfect flower for any arrangement or table centre piece.

Bells of Ireland

The flower Bells of Ireland is a member of the common mint family. The lush green plant is often used both as fresh flower and dry flower. According to the Victorian ‘Language of Flowers’ this Bells of Ireland denotes good luck.

Here are a list of some more Green Coloured Flowers:

Variegated weigela (Weigela florida ‘ variegate’)
Mother-of-thousands (Saxifraga stolonifera)
Lyme grass (elymus arenarius)
White variegated dogwood (Cornus alba ‘elegantissima’)
Alchemilla (A. conjuncta)
Plain or variegated plantain lily (Hosta species)
White variegated euonymus
Dead nettle (Lamium)
Roman wormwood (Artemesia pontica)
Blue fescue (Festuca glauca)
Hellebore (Helleborus lividus)

Blue Coloured Flowers

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There are several Blue Coloured Flowers and here is a list of such Blue  Coloured Flowers.

lues range from deep, inky hues to the palest shades, and have a cool, calming effect.
Columbine (Aquilegia alpine)
Phlox (Phlox sp.)
Blue iris
Pale or bright delphiniums
Sage (Salvia azurea)
Monkshood (Aconitum x cammarum)
Blue African lily
California lilac (Ceanothus)
Lavender (Lavandula)
Rose of Sharron (Hiiscus syriacus)
Blue hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)
Campanula
Floss flower (Ageratum houstonianum)
Michealmas daisy
Balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorum)
Bright blue gentian

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