It’s no secret that Nashville is a blooming city, so to speak. There is a really good chance that some of the people that flock to our city and area every day are going to be first time homeowners. That is quite a combination – people moving to a place they might be unfamiliar with and buying homes – so we at the Parke Company decided to put together a guide for what kinds of flowers might be the best for people planting for the first time. Of course we are always happy to help put together a design for your landscape, but sometimes you just want to do something on your own.
How to Grow Flowers
Knowing the difference
The first thing you need to keep in mind is the difference between perennials and annuals. Perennials tend to bloom for shorter periods of times, typically between one to three weeks, but the flipside of that is that these plants do not need to be re-planted year after year. This makes them ideal for new florists, because you only need to be concerned with planting it once, and it’s hardy nature makes it pretty difficult to kill. Annuals, on the other hand, have longer blooming periods, lasting the length of the growing season before dying. Annuals are popular because of their dazzling and brilliant colors, making them a must in any garden. At this point in the year, there is not really a concern with a late frost killing the poor annuals, which is always frustrating.
Although there are literally thousands of different types of flowers to choose from, we at the Parke Company recommend something like the Black Eyed Susan or the Siberian Iris for perennials, since they are both pretty hardy flowers that add a lot of color. As far as annuals go, try adding something like the Sweet Potato Vine, which in addition to adding a unique visual flair to any garden, also is pretty resistant to frosts, making it a good choice for first-timers.
Taking Care of Business
After you’ve selected which flowers you want to plant, looking up the ideal conditions for each plant is next. Some flowers require only a little sun and moisture to flourish, while others need to have a couple hours of full, direct sunlight to survive. We at the Parke Company are happy to work with you to make sure the flowers you plant are going to excel in your garden. When it comes to watering them, most young plants need a lot of water at first, so start with a daily sprinkle, before lessening as the flowers begin to grow and bloom. Another great way of making the most of your flowers is by adding a little bit of mulch, which will help keep the moisture locked in.
Planting a flower garden can be a little daunting, especially if it’s your first time. If it doesn’t work at first, don’t fret, just give the Parke Company a call and we will be happy to help figure out what went wrong, or if you didn’t like your DIY gardening experiences, then we will be happy to send in our trained professionals to take care of every step, from design to planting to maintenance.