Flower bed help please.

[Ananke]

Hi folks.

I'm looking for some hints and tips on flower growing.

I grow stuff in pots at home in the verandah, usually shop bought plants and they look ok. I created a flower bed at the plot last year and planted it up but I just didn't seem to get it right.

Some things I knew, like tallest plants at the back but I discovered just too late last year that I should have pinched out the tips of the seedlings to encourage bushier plants so this might have been the issue. Is this generally done for them all?

I've read that planting in odd numbers also works better. Is there anything else that I need to consider to get a nice, full flower bed?

Any help appreciated.

[Thelma Sanders]

You want a mix of short and tall bushy things and short and tall spikey/upright things, for a bit of balance, and yes, 3s or 5s works better for most but some plants grow big enough to be planted singly.

You need to Google the plants you fancy, to see how big they will grow.

[veggiechicken]

Plant lots of spring flowering bulbs for early colour. Then some perennials for structure - like lavender.
Plant in odd numbers, in triangles, not squares.
Don't put all the tall plants at the back, bring some to the front and shorter ones in the middle ground. - like interlocking teeth!
Pinching out the tips depends on the plant. I usually forget

[Ananke]

Thanks, that helps. I think I spent too much time on colours rather than habit and spacing.
I've been googling for ages today and I just want them all now. So hard to pick!

[Thelma Sanders]

The thing is you see how it looks throughout the year (taking photos regularly helps) and then, if you have any colour clashes that you can't live with, you can move plants about next winter

I do it all the time.

tip: make sure you label things you want to move, cos you might not recognise them when they are dried up sticks!

[Martin H]

Another suggestion: if you have space, grow some annuals from seed in modules or pots ready to fill the inevitable gaps where things haven't grown as quickly or as large as you expected. Easy things like blue cornflowers or white cosmos are ideal.

[DannyK]

Try using the "Chelsea Chop". This can bush up straggly plants and also provide cuttings.

[Ananke]

Thanks Thelma, great idea, I'll do 2 or 4 week photos this year. As for labeling, I'm a nightmare labeler with my veg so yeah, I will label.

Thanks Martin, I'll do that as I think I underestimated how many plants it would take to fill the area, having spares would have been helpful.

Googled Chelsea Chop Danny, I'll keep that in mind, thanks.

I'm sure I have a photo of the flower bed from last year, I'll have a rummage and post it.