Summer Flowers are arguably one of the best parts of the season in the landscape world. They draw your attention, bring joy with their bright and bold colors and enhance every space they occupy. So of course everyone wants at least one glorious summer flower garden! But achieving the goal of brilliant color combined with easy maintenance and sustainability takes some planning. If you’re on a journey to creating your perfect Summer Flower Garden here are some mistakes to avoid so that you can get your gardens up and going smoothly this year!
1. Not Using Perennial Plants
When building a summer flower garden often annuals are the first flowers to come to mind. Though these bright and beautiful flowers can create a stunning centerpiece on their own we believe they are best used in conjunction with perennials. In particular perennials that are native to our zone and easy to maintain. Using perennial plants not only gives you less to do since you won’t be replanting them year after year they also give you an opportunity to plan for different blooming periods. Using a variety of annual and perennial plants will give you a more interesting summer flower garden and add a variety of colors and textures throughout the year.
2. Ignoring Water Needs
Water is one of the most important factors in getting beautiful, full summer flowers gardens. One way to make sure you get it right is by xeriscaping your beds. Xeriscaping is the process of planting plants with similar water needs near each other throughout the landscape. This makes your job easier whether you’re watering by hand or using an irrigation system which we highly recommend (check out our irrigation services here)! Grouping plants with similar water needs will not only ensure that each plant is getting exactly what it needs but it will also conserve water and who doesn’t want a lower water bill?!
3. Failing to Prep the Soil
In order for plants to thrive they must be able to get necessary nutrients from the soil. To ensure there is enough to feed all of the plant life you’ll likely have to add to what’s already there. Doing this with the best accuracy a soil test may be required or working closely with a professional who knows the soil in your area. Adding nutrients into the soil can be done in a couple ways. Organic compost or a variety of fertilizers applied before planting and during the growing season will give the plants enough food to reach their full potential and give you full bed spaces.
4. Crowding Plants
Everyone wants a full garden! So it’s tempting to try and cram as many plants as possible into the space you have available. Before you try that remember that your plants will grow and they’ll do so very quickly with these tips! Giving your plants the space they need will ensure adequate root systems and the ability to reach maximum size. Since different plants need various amounts of space this is an important step during your planning phase. Knowing the size of your beds and the rough layout that you would like to follow will tell you how many plants you need to get too. Another important reason to use proper spacing is to allow for airflow between plants. This protects your beds against a variety of diseases that are common in our humid Tennessee summers.
5. Mulching Incorrectly
Mulch is one of the most important finishing touches on a garden bed. Not only does it polish off the look of the beds but also provides a layer of protection to the soil. Mulch reduces the appearance of weeds, protects delicate roots from the sun and holds in precious moisture during these hot summer months. We recommend between 2-3 inches of mulch laid out upon planting of the bed. Through the season you may need to touch up some patches here and there, especially if the bed is on a hill where the mulch can slide out but the maintenance is well worth the reward.
6. Neglecting Maintenance
Even with a bed designed to lessen maintenance needs there will still be some work required. Mainly this will consist of pulling weeds and making sure watering is running smoothly while adjusting that as needed based on weather conditions. Depending on what flowers you choose you many also have to spend some time deadheading so take that into consideration during your planning phase! As previously stated mulch may need to be touched up to ensure that it is thick enough to provide that necessary layer of protection. Another important maintenance task is fending off pests and diseases. There are a wide variety of chemical applications available plus some great organic options if you prefer that route! Maintenance is a relatively easy task if you can be consistent with it but it can get overwhelming quickly if you’re too busy which leads us to our last mistake.
7. Not Hiring a Professional if You Need Help
This one may seem obvious but is often overlooked in the era of DIY. Landscape professionals are here to help you create your dream outdoor space! Years of knowledge and hands on experience are priceless in creating the perfect summer flower garden for your unique space. We have the time and availability to make sure that your garden remains in perfect condition throughout the season! You reap all the benefits of a beautiful summer flower garden without any of the work. So give us a call to schedule a consultation today!
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