Perennial Flower Gardening and Garden Design Ideas

Successful flower garden design is a combination of different factors. One is the design aspect, and the other involves proper plant selection. Among the most important components that make up a garden are flowers. In fact, many suggest that a garden with only a lawn, fountain, or trees will look incomplete until flowering plants are added. Flowers generally enhance the aesthetic appeal of any garden and provide a touch of class to any landscape.

For many gardeners, there is nothing more rewarding than the bloom of perennials each year. Perennial flowers, as opposed to annuals, bloom year after year. The word "perennial," in fact, is the Latin term for perpetual. Most perennials disappear during the winter months only to bloom again in the spring. Some even remain green and bloom in winter. There are variety of these flowers that such that perennial flower garden design ideas become all the more important.

Color, time of bloom, and height are all important considerations when designing your own perennial garden. For instance, you can try to play with the color scheme of the flowers to try and see which ones will go together. Furthermore, pay attention to the height of the plants as you won't want a tall perennial growing in front of the flower bed, and perennials that grow closer to the ground often get lost at the back.

Spring Lawn Care And Maintenance

The inclement weather conditions of winter makes a lawn weary. Following a few simple steps will help the lawn recover its lush green coloration and flourish. Raking, repairing damaged areas, renovating the lawn's appearance and correct fertilizer applications restore a lawn to its pre-winter glory.

New Lawn Growth

During the cold winter months, grass enters a state of dormancy. It will cease growing which makes its general appearance become ragtag. Its lack of growth during the winter also makes it more susceptible to damage from freezing, drainage issues and snow accumulation. In order for the grass to flourish and grow correctly, the winter damage must be fixed.

Clear Debris

Before undertaking spring lawn care, allow the area to dry out. A wet or soggy lawn can sustain damage when cultivated. The roots will be easily pulled from the soil and the blades bent or broke. Once the lawn has dried out, it should be thoroughly raked to help aerate the soil. Raking will remove accumulated winter debris. It will also open up the soil and the grass blades to create air circulation. Good air circulation around the crown of the plants and each blade of grass will help prevent fungal problems from developing. A basic hard tine rake works adequately to help remove dead grass plants and lawn debris or a lawn vacuum or leaf blower for larger lawns can help with larger lawns.

Grow Houseplants In Every Room of the House

Houseplants literally breathe life into your home. Boston fern, Peace lily, Areca palm and Spider plant all make great air-purifiers. So bring the garden indoors and fill your house with lush greenery.

Each room of the house offers a unique environment, so decide which location most suits a plant's needs.

Living rooms are often the first place we choose to display an attractive houseplant, but the dry atmosphere can kill off many plants requiring a higher level of humidity. Peace lily is a good choice for this environment as it lovely to look at, with beautiful oval flowers, plus extremely efficient at removing pollutants from the air.

Orchids don't mind the high temperatures of the living room but they do need regular misting. Create an eye-catching display by grouping pots together on a tray of damp gravel, which helps to keep them moist.

Bedrooms are usually much cooler, making them perfect for cyclamens. Available in shades of red, pink and white, cyclamens are elegant and have a pleasant, light fragrance. Azaleas also prefer a cool room and will provide plenty of bright pink and purple flowers. Avoid placing plants next to radiators as this will dry out foliage.

Hallways are generally draughty and have fluctuating temperatures, which dictate what will survive. The aptly named Mother-in-law's tongue is a tough succulent, with fleshy sword-shaped stems, that survives in almost any conditions.