Elements of a Flower Garden

Design -

• Color:  Mass plantings of single hues create a swath of moving color. Grouping by variety, with several colors mixed together is another good option.  Cool colors such as blue, green and purple wash out in bright light; these colors work best in shaded areas.
• Size:  Plant tall flowers in the back of the bed (or center, if the garden is viewed from both sides), and grade down to the front with medium and then short flowers.  Buy seedlings for their mature, not current height.
• Bloom span:  Choose plants with a mix of blooming times and seasons to keep color in the garden longer.

Plant types -

• Trees and Shrubs:  These boldly outline a garden or provide accent in an expanse of lawn.  Flowering trees blossom in spring or summer and may have bright fall foliage.
• Annuals:  Must be planted yearly, although some annuals reseed themselves.  Most bloom all summer, so plant them around perennials to keep colors going from spring to fall.
• Perennials:  Return yearly, making for easier garden care.  Typically bloom for a month or two in spring or summer.  Be patient, as they develop more slowly than annuals.
• Bulbs:  First to show in spring, but the blooms are relatively short lived.  Bulbs can be kept in the ground with minimum protection or kept in pots for easy moving and arranging. 

Growing Conditions -

• Sun and Shade:  Most flowers need at least half a fay of full sun, but if you have shady areas, choose shade-tolerant varieties.
• Climate:  Make sure flowers are compatible with your zone and climate (check seed packets or catalogs or an online site such as www.growit.com/ZONES/).

The Moore Team

480-545-1043

www.tonymoore.com