DIY Gardening Tips

submitted: Apr 29th 2008 | by: Admin | Total views: 161 | Word Count: 510 | |

Beginning flower gardeners are often cautioned to design well from the beginning. The argument is that moving things around is difficult once they're in the ground. However, this often just ends up frightening new gardeners into paralysis. The fear of getting it wrong keeps them from getting started at all.

When you begin trying to decide which colors to put together and which varieties to use, you may be overwhelmed. It seems like only artists and landscape designers have the skills needed. But don't despair. Designing a beautiful flower garden is well within the abilities of anyone. The advice below should help you put together a great garden design.

Texture

Consider texture first. Flowers are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes. You need to take advantage of them all. Putting different varieties together in interesting ways will really boost the aesthetic appeal of your flower garden. Don't make the mistake of grouping all the same kinds of plants together. That will just end up looking boring.

Color

Remember that different plants bloom in different parts of the year. You have a decision to make. Do you want flowers throughout the growing season? Or do you want to concentrate on a particular part of the season and create an explosion of concentrated color?

Focusing on spring color would mean lots of pinks, purples, reds and yellows. In fact, yellow is probably the most common color for spring-blooming flowers. That's what yellow is considered to be such a typical spring color.

Summer means whites and blues. American gardeners frequently splash in some red for a patriotic look in July. Spring or fall colors can be mixed into any summer garden, usually with quite good results.

Flower gardens optimized for the fall bring in oranges along with reds and yellows. The brightness of red and yellow often contrasts beautifully with the darker orange and brown of fall leaves. For example, many fall gardeners prefer flowers like the African Marigold in their design.

You don't have to be bound by tradition, but most gardeners prefer to stick with colors that go well together. For example, you may not want to mix oranges, blues and purples (unless you're going for a school colors kind of look). On the other hand, wildflower gardens can handle a wide variety of colors.

Wide color ranges are an excellent way to achieve a natural look. But if you want to achieve a higher degree of elegance or refinement, then your color choices will be a little more important.

Plant Height

Keep in mind that plants grow to different heights depending on the variety. Taller flowers work well along a border like a wall or fence. Then you can bring the height down gradually as you move away from the structure. Add some ornamental grass or low ground cover between the walkway and these flowers and you'll be set.

Remember to mix perennials in with your annuals. Unless you specifically want to start over every year, perennials will cut down on your work. That will give you more time to relax and enjoy the natural floral oasis you have created.

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