The significance of flowers in nature is omnipresent. They can feed insects, birds, animals and human differently. Flowers provide natural medicines for humans & some animals and aid in plant’s reproduction by enticing outside pollinators. And, we can say that without flowers, the plant would be monotonous green! The aura and charm of flowers brighten up the spirits of the people and improvise their mood. Thus, they are mood builders and they make the life of a human being more cheerful and happy.
Over the years, the flowers symbolize different things, like happiness, prosperity, hospitality, beauty, purity, positive vibes and much more, and Yes, they are also known as a symbol of love! As said by ‘John Lennon’ (A famous English singer, songwriter and peace activist who co-founded the Beatles) a well-known quote “Love is the flower you’ve got to let grow.” Therefore, we can say, a flower plantation is a lovely addition to our homes.
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A flower garden not only adds up to the beauty of your home but also leaves a calming and soothing effect in the minds of the homeowners. What can be more gratifying than watching colourful, lovely flowers at the very first sight while you open your window? Obviously, then maintaining such a beautiful sight constantly and continuously is not going to be easy. A lot of effort goes into deciding which is a right flower to choose and how to settle them down. Here we are presenting you a detailed discussion regarding the different types of flowers and how to choose the right kind of flowers for your garden.
Flowers can be primarily classified into three main types – Annuals, Biennials and Perennials. Let us understand each type in more detail.
Flower Classification
01. Annual Flowers
Amongst the different categories of flowers, we have Annual flowers. A true annual is a plant that completes its life cycle in one year. This means it goes from seed to flower and back to seed and then dies off during the course of one growing season. Such plants survive only for one season. Annual flowers tend to bloom nonstop. Growing annuals help you keep your garden in bloom all season. They are also popular choices for containers and hanging baskets because they remain attractive all season. Annuals allow you to experiment with your creativity without making a long-term commitment. They look good in any kind of garden. Such flowers are usually cheaper and since they bloom the entire season you can benefit with a beautiful look for the whole season. In addition to that, annual flowers give you an opportunity to have a totally different garden every year.
Mentioned below are some plants which fall under Annual Flower category:
- Begonia
- Cosmos
- Geranium
- Marigold
- Petunia
- Snapdragon
- Sunflower
- Zinnia
02. Biennials Flowers
The name biennials itself suggest that such plants live for two years. During their first season, they focus on making their roots strong. They flower only in their second year. Thus, these flowers take two years to flourish. In the first year, the flowers do not blossom. It is only in the second year the flower blooms and by the end of the season, they die. They are however a little less common than other flower types, but are amazing to look at!
Some of the biennial flowers are:
- Foxglove
- Poppy
- Canterbury bells
- Wallflower
- Stock
03. Perennial Flowers
These are flowering plants which blossom throughout the year. The maximum life span of such plants is around 3 years. But depending upon the geographic location, the climate of that particular place and the amount of maintenance and care taken, they can survive for a longer period. Perennials require different maintenance than annual plants, but they are not at all carefree. If proper care is taken and regular maintenance is done, they remain healthy enough to survive several years. However, despite this, they fall in the expensive category and can be considered only if you are willing to put in your efforts and bear the cost.
Some Perennial flowers are:
- Hibiscus
- Hydrangea
- Tulips
- Lavender
- Bleeding heart
Factors to consider before Planting Flowers
Before we proceed into planting the flowers, we must first ensure that the conditions are conducive for them to be nurtured. Like other plants, flowers also need specific conditions to survive and let us have a look at them.
01. Sunlight
Sunlight is the key and a vital factor essential for the growth of your flowering plants.
There are around five classifications, mention below:
- Full shade – This is the place where no direct sun rays hit. No sunlight is received directly here. This space could likely be allowed on the north side of your home or somewhere beneath a tree or in the fully shaded area of neighbouring structure.
- Partial shade – Here you would receive sunlight only for a part of the day, either in morning or afternoon.
- Light shade – Sunlight reaches the plant mildly after passing through a covering of leaves and trees.
- Full sun – Plants which can handle full sunlight and in fact need at least 7 hours of sunlight to survive.
- Partial sun – Those plants which can handle the midday sun to some extent.
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02. Time to Plant Flowers
You have to be extremely cautious about this as planting them at the wrong time can stifle and stun their growth. In case you are living in a warm area then February is the time when you must start planning your garden. By the time it is early spring your flowers would start blooming. On the other hand, for people living in the colder regions, the warmer months are better to start with. You can start planting from late April and see them blooming by mid or late summers. You can even plant your seeds indoors in the cold season and later transfer them when the warm weather starts. In case of any doubt do check the packaging of the seeds to keep any other pointers into consideration.
03. Growth & Size of Flowering Plant
Though this is usually not considered to be very crucial there is no harm in paying attention to it. You need to analyze what size of flower growth would look good on your plot. Then find out the maximum size your flowers are going to attain and see whether they match proportions or not. Flowers like sunflower tend to grow too tall and if you are not careful, they may look out of the place.
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04. Watering Time
Watering requirements for flowers is very essential and you must fix up a time when you would water your flowering plants. Watering the plants before the sunrise and after sunset is ideal. The requirement of water is also dependent on the amount of sun required and species of flower. You should water them either in the late evening or early mornings. Distribute the water evenly and in a manner that it is directed towards the ground and not at the leaves. This is to ensure that the midday sun does not create any mold marks on them.
Steps to Plant a Flowering Plant
Now that you have found a location and given a thought on the rest of the factors, the next thing is to get into action. That is, you have to actually plant the flowering plants. This process is quite simple. Follow the below-mentioned steps to ensure success.
01. Use a rake or hand trowel and shake up the soil. Remove any weeds or dead plants that you might find there. Add compost, topsoil and other nutrients that would make your soil healthier. You may find premixed bags of soil especially suitable for perennial flowers or biennial flowers.
02. Now you can mix some granular fertilizer in the soil. If you want you may add liquid fertilizer later.
03. Use a trowel to dig a hole in the garden. This hole should be wider than the plant’s container.
04. Now take out the six or eight packs of annuals from the container and place it in the hole. Here you have to be careful that the roots are not damaged while transferring them from the container to the ground
05. Fill the soil press it around the roots with both your hands. Cover nearby areas with mulch and water the newly placed plant.
Conclusion:
Choosing and planting the right flowers for your garden may not be as arduous task as it seems. Following the above guidelines would smoothen the entire process and in no time, you shall find your entire garden blooming with lovely flowers. Adding up to the glamour of your garden these flowers give a sweet and pleasant smell which is bound to make your day glorious and memorable. It is said, where flowers bloom so does hope! ‘Luther Burbank’, an American botanist, horticulturist and pioneer in agricultural science has quoted “Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul”.
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Author Bio
Garima Bais – am a blogger writing on topics like parenting, love, life, beauty and travel. Belonging to a country with a deep heritage India I am an eternal optimist and believe that whatever life gives to you should be taken with gratitude. Do let me know your take on my articles in the form of comments.