Page 164

15 Beautiful Garden Plants to Attract Butterflies

Butterflies are delightful garden visitors, and some plants are particularly good at attracting them. Adding these to your outdoor space will not only benefit you, it will also be a boost to these beautiful animals themselves, by providing them with pollen and nectar. Plus, butterflies are often attracted to vibrant hues, so planting flowers that they like will almost always add new, brilliant colors to your garden!

Common lantana

The Common lantana is a flowering plant that grows best in tropical environments. It spread outside the Americas when the Dutch brought it to Europe. The plant is generally regarded as an unwanted weed that reduces biodiversity. Additionally, it is toxic to livestock and harms the output of farmland.

Tulip tree

The Tulip tree is not a poplar at all but is a member of the magnolia family. It gets its name from the tulip-shaped flowers that are green and yellow. It is the tallest Eastern hardwood and was prized by Native Americans as a favorite tree to use to make dugout canoes.

Butterfly bush

Buddleja davidii, commonly known as Butterfly bush , is a fast-growing shrub native to East Asia. This vigorous plant is usually cultivated as an ornamental, due to its extravagant purple inflorescences. It carries the name Butterfly bush because its flowers are a valuable source of nutritious nectar for numerous butterfly species.

Trumpet vine

The Trumpet vine is a flowering plant that climbs as it grows. It gets its nickname from its bright flowers, which are shaped like long trumpet bells. The shape matches them well with the hummingbirds that love to visit for the nectar. The Trumpet vine is originally native to eastern North America.

Southern catalpa

Catalpa bignonioides, commonly known as Southern catalpa, is a medium-sized deciduous tree native to North America. This species is widely used for ornamental purposes due to its favorable growing qualities and magnificent clusters of showy flowers.

Peruvian lily

Peruvian lily (Alstroemeria aurea) is a tuberous perennial with stunning orchid-like flowers, most commonly cultivated as an ornamental. Flowers are usually yellow to orange, spotted or striped. They are often visited by bees, butterflies and other pollinators. A number of varieties have been selected over the years to create greater diversity of flower colors.

Persian silk tree

Albizia julibrissin, colloquially known as Persian silk tree, is a deciduous plant with characteristic pink, fuzzy inflorescences. Persian silk tree is mainly cultivated for decorative purposes. Its flowers have a mild, sweet smell and are often visited by butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.

Strawberry tree

Arbutus unedo is an evergreen shrub or a small tree native to Europe. It is colloquially called Strawberry tree because its bright red fruits somewhat resemble strawberries. The fruits of this lovely plant are very nutritious and full of sugar, which is why they are mostly used for making jams, pastries, fruit yogurts, and alcoholic beverages.

Common snapdragon

The Common snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) is a flowering perennial that is commonly cultivated as an annual or biennial ornamental plant. When the throats of its flowers are squeezed together, its lips snap open like a dragon’s mouth; this is the origin of the common name. The Common snapdragon’s speedy cultivation and ease of pollination made it a good target for research, so it has now become a model organism for plant genetics studies.

Laurustinus

Laurustinus (Viburnum tinus) is a flowering shrub native to the Mediterranean region. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant and it often adorns winter gardens. When little else is growing during cold days of winter, Laurustinus produces numerous clusters of tiny white flowers.

Marvel of peru

Marvel of peru (Mirabilis jalapa), also known as the marvel of Peru, is a perennial, herbaceous, bushy plant with fragrant, showy flowers, commonly cultivated for ornamental purposes. During bloom time, its flowers are closed most of the day; they open between four and eight o’clock, hence the common name Four o’clock flower.

Crimsoneyed rose-mallow

Hibiscus moscheutos, colloquially known as Crimsoneyed rose-mallow, is a common ornamental plant, a vigorous cold-hardy perennial which thrives in moisty soils. Its showy white to pink flowers are often visited by pollinators. Crimsoneyed rose-mallow is a larval host of various butterfly and moth species.

Crimson bottlebrush

Crimson bottlebrush is a shrub commonly found in swamps and near rivers. The source of the common name is easily seen in its flowers’ appearance. Those flowers produce sweet nectar which attracts numerous species of birds. The specific epithet, “citrinus,” was given because the Crimson bottlebrush’s leaves give off a citrus-like scent when crushed.

Garden phlox

The Garden phlox is a flowering plant that is native to the United States. The name, phlox, comes from the Latin for “flame,” reflecting its bright colors. Garden phlox flowers can become important food sources for insects and hummingbirds.

Brazilian jasmine

Mandevilla sanderi, colloquially known as Brazilian jasmine, is an ornamental perennial vine native to South America. Its velvety flowers are most often white, scarlet or pink in color. Brazilian jasmine contains white latex, which is toxic and can have an irritating effect when it comes in contact with skin or eyes.

What Is a Container Garden and How to Create One?

Using pots to grow colorful flowers, vegetables and herbs in your garden can add to the overall appeal and allow you to pretty up spaces where it’s not practical to grow in the ground. Pots are portable and can be moved around easily. Here’s how.

Pots have been used by gardeners for centuries to add diversity to their garden and also to grow in places such as balconies, patios, porches, and beside driveways. Some gardeners even bury colorful pots of flowers or herbs in the ground. This is especially useful for adding interest to your garden if you have really poor soil.

Even those of us who have a reasonable sized garden with friable soil, still add a few pots here and there. It allows us to increase our gardening space and adds color and interest. Plus, there are many benefits to growing in pots.

What Is a Container Garden and How to Create One?

Quite simply, a container garden is where you have a collection of pots of different shapes and sizes that you place together harmoniously to grow lots of different vegetables, herbs, flowers and even small fruit trees.

Container gardening is something that everyone can enjoy, whether you have a yard or not. It’s also the ideal way for people who live in apartments to grow their own fresh vegetables and herbs.

Growing in containers is also a great alternative for those living in areas where the yearly temperatures vary greatly. If your area receives frost and snow in winter, you can simply move the pots to a more sheltered position or bring them indoors.

In really hot climates, it’s easy to move the pots so that they receive shade in the afternoon. This protects the plants from the scorching heat of the afternoon sun.

Benefits of Container Gardening

There are numerous benefits to growing in a container garden. It’s a great way to add additional space to an already fully planted garden. Or, if you don’t have an outdoor garden at all, pots allow you to grow anywhere you can find a sunny spot to place a pot or two.

Even if your outdoor area doesn’t receive a lot of sun, the beauty of growing in pots means that you can move them around easily to take advantage of any sunny spots available during the day. Plus, there are plenty of plants that you can grow that will live happily in shade. This even includes a variety of vegetables and herbs.

Here’s an explanation of some of the major benefits.

1. Pots Are Portable

As mentioned above, unlike plants that are planted in the ground, pots can easily be moved around your outdoor area. You can even move them inside if it gets too cold where you live.

Growing in pots is also a viable alternative for people who are renting or who move around from state to state. Because pots are portable, you don’t have to leave your prized plants behind when you move. You just take them with you and can have an instant garden as soon as you move into your new home.

2. Better Use of Space

Pots come in many different shapes and sizes, therefore, you can use them to fill in small pockets in your yard or on your balcony with lovely fresh vegetables or colorful flowers.

Then, there are hanging pots that can be used for flowers, succulents, strawberries or even cucumbers. These types of pots allow you to use the vertical space above the ground to grow your favorite plants.

3. You Control the Soil Quality

Improving soil in the ground is difficult and can take many years to get the best results. However, when you grow in a container garden, you fill the pots with premium potting mix that is open and friable. This gives the roots of the plants a great growing environment and they will reward you with lots of luscious, healthy growth.

4. You Can Incorporate Vertical Gardening

Using hanging planters and vertical wall planters means that you can use space that would otherwise just be empty. With pots, you can fill these areas with color and lovely green foliage.

How to Start a Container Garden

Starting a container garden is easier than you might think. Just follow this step-by-step guide.

1. Choose Your Pots

There are so many different pots to choose from. They come in many different shapes and sizes too. There are plastic pots, terracotta pots, hanging baskets with coco liners, and even grow bags.

In choosing your first set of pots, consider the plants that you want to grow in them. Hanging baskets are great for colorful flower displays as well as strawberries. You can even plant them up with a selection of different herbs.

Smaller pots are suitable for single plants while larger pots can incorporate a mini garden with a variety of plants in the same pot.

2. Select the Plants You Want to Grow

Once you’ve chosen the pots to start with, it’s time to decide what you want to plant in them. Do you want to grow your own vegetables or herbs? Or, maybe you just love flowers. Larger, taller pots can even be used to grow small fruit trees in such as lemons and limes.

3. Planting and Maintenance

Before planting into your pots, you need to fill them with a growing mix. Don’t ever use garden soil as this too heavy and doesn’t have the structure suitable for pot-grown plants. If you visit your garden center, you’ll find potting mix that is specifically designed for container gardening.

This mix will be open and friable and will consist of ingredients such as compost, perlite and composted bark. Some mixes even contain slow release fertilizers.

Once you’ve filled your pots with mix, its just a case of putting in your plants and giving them a good watering. You might even like to add a little liquid fertilizer to get your plants off to a good start.

Troubleshooting Tips for Container Gardens

The most common problem that gardeners have with growing in containers is under or over watering. Plants in pots tend to dry out much faster than those growing in the ground.

Therefore, you should keep a close eye on your containers to make sure that the soil does not dry out. You can also get some water-holding crystals to add to the potting mix. These crystals will swell with water and then release this to the plants when needed.

On the other hand, over-watering shouldn’t be too much of a problem if your pots have adequate drainage holes as the excess water can easily drain away.

If you have a tendency to underwater, you could always consider setting up a drip system or use water globes or spikes. Then all you have to worry about is keeping the water reservoir filled at all times.

Final Thoughts

Container gardening can be both rewarding and fruitful. Growing in pots allows you to grow any number of fresh vegetables, herbs and flowers in areas where there is no soil.

Colorful pots are also a lovely addition to an in ground garden to add some additional interest all year round. The pots can be buried in the ground and replaced when the flowers have finished blooming.

How To Make Your Own Compost At Home

For gardeners, high-quality compost is worth its weight in gold. Learn how to make this valuable garden amendment from kitchen scraps and other waste material for healthier soil and a bigger, better harvest.

If you’re looking to turn trash into treasure, few methods are more effective than learning how to compost at home. Composting lets you transform yard waste and kitchen scraps into a “black gold” for the garden that makes it possible to improve your soil and grow healthier plants.

Learning how to make compost might feel intimidating, but the process is surprisingly straightforward. Here’s how to get started.

What is Compost?

Compost is nothing more than decomposed organic material. It’s what’s left behind after soil-based bacteria break down garbage and other natural materials, transforming it into a material that enriches the ground around it. Add this amendment to your garden beds, and plant roots can access its rich nutrient stores to promote better growth.

Nature makes compost whether you’re involved or not. The process happens naturally on every forest floor as leaf litter breaks down into a rich humus. However, it’s possible to speed decomposition along for your garden’s benefit by making compost in your own backyard. Once you get the process started, you’ll always have a space for your organic waste and a healthier garden to show for it.

Benefits of Homemade Compost

There’s a lot to like about making compost at home. Here are the top benefits.

Improves Garden Soil: Compost adds nutrients to the soil and improves its structure and aeration to promote plant growth.
Safe to Use: Some fertilizers burn plant roots and need to be used sparingly in the off season. Compost, in contrast, can go into the garden at any time of year.
Free Soil Nutrition: Homemade compost makes it possible to get a second use out of yard waste and kitchen scraps for the benefit of your garden—materials you might otherwise have to pay to throw away.
romotes Soil Microbial Content: Compost creates food and habitat space for soil microorganisms that are essential for a thriving garden.
Improves Soil Texture: Compost makes clay soil easier to work while improving the water retention rates for sandy soils.

How to Make Compost at Home

There are dozens of ways to make compost at home, but the basic process is straightforward. Essentially, you’ll make a pile with the right ratio of organic material to promote microbial life to break it down into dirt. Here’s an overview of the process.

The best places to make compost must have good airflow, easy water access, partial shade in the summer (to keep it from overheating) and full sun in the winter.

It’s possible to make compost in the open air, but you can speed the process significantly by making it in a closed in. This helps retain heat and keeps hungry animals from feasting on your food scraps. Plus, many compost bins rotate to make stirring the materials easier. If you prefer an outdoor pile, make it big enough to generate heat but small enough to turn by hand.

The right ratio and order of materials is the secret to good compost. All compost requires two types of material:

Every pile also needs enough water to keep things moist and intermixed. Ideally, you want an equal mix of browns and greens in alternating layers. You can add more material to your pile as you collect it, though it’s smart to save it up to add in large amounts to better promote microbial activity. Put the brown materials on bottom as a base with the wet green materials on top to trap heat.

The more surface area on a material, the faster it breaks down. Consider chopping or dicing your scraps first to speed up the composting.

Some materials that seem perfect for home composting shouldn’t be used.

Meat or animal products like bones, eggs, fat scraps, etc. break down slowly and could attract rodents
Weeds and weed seeds won’t break down in compost and could contaminate your garden beds
Clippings from lawns treated with synthetic chemicals may kill beneficial microbes in the soil
Dog droppings harbor bacteria that’s potentially dangerous for humans and won’t break down into quality soil
Diseased or insect ridden plants may reintroduce the problem to your garden bed.
Citrus peels, onions, and garlic may repel earthworms, which are vital for healthy soil.
“Compostable” plastics and other materials will only break down in the high-heat conditions of industrial compost facilities—not your backyard pile.

Now it’s time to let your pile sit and work its microbial magic. You’ll want to check it regularly to ensure it has all the requirements for good compost—heat, moisture, good airflow, and the right ratio of ingredients. Compost piles start to shrink as the materials within the break down. Use a compost aerator, pitchfork, or lever on the compost tumbler to remix the pile and add oxygen to the layers.

You can test the temperature by sticking your hand in the middle of the pile. If it feels warmer than the outside air, the microbes are hard at work. If not, consider remixing it and adding more materials.

Note: highly active compost piles may get hot enough to burn you!

A well-mixed compost smile won’t smell. You’ll know something is wrong if yours picks up the odor of rot or ammonia. This is typically the result of too little oxygen, as anaerobic bacteria have taken over and are creating that distinctive sulfurous smell. Turn the pile to restore its oxygen levels, and add more brown materials if the problem persists.

All compost moves at its own rate. In optimal conditions, you could have a quality soil amendment within four weeks, but the process can take twelve months or longer if the microbes are sluggish. Compost is ready to use once it’s odorless, crumbles within your fingers, and no longer has discernable components. In short, it should look like dark, rich dirt.

To use, sprinkle over your garden beds for a boost of nutrition, ideally two to four weeks before planting. Your plants will thank you for the effort.

A Beginner’s Guide to the Portland Rose Festival

Few events can compare to the Portland Rose Festival. If you have the chance to attend, you should not pass it up. But before you arrive, you should also be aware of what to expect. That way, you can get the most out of your visit.

Each year, the “City of Roses” hosts a festival that justifies its name. If you happen to be in Northwest Oregon during the early summer months, the Portland Rose Festival is an event that you wouldn’t want to miss. This article will give you a brief background on the festival and clue you in on what you can expect to take place.

History of the Portland Rose Festival

Before you head out to the Portland Rose Festival, you should take some time to appreciate the history of this occasion. Delving into the origins of the festival will only enrich the experience you have when you visit.

The first Portland Rose Festival took place in the early 20th century, making it now over one hundred years old. At the time, Portland was a relatively new city and was aiming to gain some acclaim throughout the nation. As a part of that effort, the city established the festival to prove Portland’s worth as a summer destination.

Since that time, Portland has experienced significant growth, but the spirit of the festival remains relatively the same. Today, the Portland Rose Festival is a way for Portland residents to express their diversity and sense of community. As of 2010, the Portland Rose Festival gained recognition as the official festival of the city.

When Is the Portland Rose Festival?

Each year, the schedule of the Portland Rose Festival is slightly different. But in general, you can expect the event to begin in late May or early June. The festival will then last for a few weeks, during which time there will be numerous events and attractions. On average, the entire event will span two to three weeks. As you would guess, this time of year is also when many of the hundreds of rose species you can find in Portland are in full bloom.

Events at the Portland Rose Festival

Since the Portland Rose Festival lasts for multiple weeks, you can expect to see multiple events take place during that time. These events have been a part of the festival since its inception. And while some of those original events have gone away over the decades, a few others have held their place as a part of the ongoing festival traditions. Some of the most popular events that take place are the parades, including the Starlight Parade and the Grand Floral Parade.

Another significant event at the festival is the crowning of the Rose Queen. Each year the Rose festival has a royal court which consists of one senior female student from each of the city’s high schools. Of those court members, one will become the Rose Queen. Part of the prize for the Queen is a college scholarship.

Outside of those main attractions, there will be plenty of other chances for entertainment. Through the weeks, you’ll find opportunities to see fireworks, art displays, and much more. With so many exciting events taking place, the Portland Rose Festival is something you won’t want to miss.

The Top 3 Useful Bulb Planters to Choose

A bulb planter provides a foolproof method of planting your flower bulbs. You can choose from three different options: handheld, stand-up, or drill-powered depending on your needs. While it might not be necessary if you only plan on planting one or two bulbs, it can be a lifesaver if you want to plant a lot!

Flower bulbs are a favorite among many home gardeners as they are easy to manage and net some beautiful flowers come spring or summer. With that said, bulbs do require certain conditions to grow to their full potential such as well-draining soil, nutrients, and appropriate planting depth. In most conditions, you should bury the bulb around three times the width of the plant for best results. For drier and hotter climates, you should go a bit deeper to ensure the bulbs retain their moisture. In more compact soil, you can bury them about two times as deep.

While you can certainly use a shovel or spade to bury your bulbs, a more foolproof method is using a bulb planter. These handy garden tools can make the process faster and take out a lot of the guesswork.That means you can have a beautiful garden in just half the time.

Types of Bulb Planters

There are several types of bulb planters you can get depending on your needs. The cheapest and most common one is the handheld manual device. These have a depth measurement and will remove a certain amount of soil to the level where you should plant the bulb.

Other planters are a variation on the basic tool. Some will have a plunger that allows you to release the soils you cut into the hole on top of the bulb. Others will have longer handles allowing you to stand up instead of kneeling or stooping over your garden. If you have a lot of bulbs to plan, you can invest in a drill powered option. It looks similar to a hand-planter, but it comes with a drill attachment for your power drill. This works great for light and medium weight soils.

How to Use a Bulb Planter

Not everyone needs to use a bulb planter for their garden. In fact, if you’re just burying a handful, you can probably get away with the typical trowel and/or shovel option that you use for the rest of your garden. However, if you are planting dozens or hundreds of bulbs, a bulb planter is a great option as it can save you a lot of time and legwork. Just remember that most of these planters work best in light and/or medium soil and do not do well in clay. If you are dealing with clay soil, you should hand-till it and add some compost to increase drainage and add much needed nutrients to the ground.

Once you have your bulb planter, you can start using it. For the most part, they are fairly intuitive to use, but usage will change based on the type of bulb planter you use:

Handheld bulb planters - these are fairly self-explanatory. Basically, press the bulb planter straight down into the soil at the depth needed. Twist the planter in either direction and then lift it up from the soil. You should see a plug inside the planter. Place your bulb into the hole root side down and release the dirt trapped in the planter over the bulb.
Long-handled bulb planters - unlike the handheld planter, the long-handled bulb planters will also deposit the bulb into the soil. Of course, first you have to put the bulb into the center, bottom reservoir of the bulb planter. After that, set the drive the planter into the ground and step on the hinges to push it further down. Once you’ve gone deep enough, place one hand on each handle and pull it apart. Pull the planter up and out of the hole. This will also deposit the bulb into the soil.
Drill-operated bulb planter - Before you start drilling the soil, check your power drill to see if it’s powerful enough. You want a 3 amp or larger drill that has a ¾ inch chuck. Also, make sure your battery is fully charged! Once you’ve done all that, attach the bulb planter to the chuck and make sure that it’s fitted properly. Press the end of the bulb planter lightly into the soil and then start the drill slowly at first. As the bulb planter enters the soil, you can increase the drill speed. Once you’ve reached the desired depth, release the drill and pull up the drill and planter out of the hold. Plant the bulb and then cover.

When using the power drill, make sure to wear safety glasses to prevent small rocks and dirt from going into your eyes. As well, if you do not have a cordless power drill, do not operate it in rainy conditions or near standing water as you can electrocute yourself this way.

Conclusion

While the tools might look slightly different, they essentially all remove a small plug of soil so that you can then place the bulb at the appropriate depth. After that, you’ll release the soil in the tool either from a plunger or covering the hole manually. Whichever tool you use, you’ll definitely save yourself a lot of time and back pain especially if you plan on planting a lot of bulbs.

Houseplant Soil 101: Necessary Ingredients and DIY Recipe

Houseplant soil is very different to the soil that your outdoor plants are growing in. Because your plants are living in pots, they need an open mix that can hold some moisture but is also free draining. Here’s all you need to know and an easy do-it-yourself recipe.

When it comes to growing lush and healthy houseplants, the soil that you use is of the utmost importance. Because your plants are growing in pots, their soil requirements are far different to those plants growing outside in the ground. The roots of your houseplants are confined to just the soil in the pot, and garden soil does not have the right structure for roots grown in a confined space. Plus, the soil in your garden can easily become compacted when it dries out too much.

In order for your houseplants to thrive, you have to use a good quality potting mix. You can either purchase a ready-made mix from your local garden centre or you can easily make your own if you’re keen.

The Necessary Ingredients in a Quality Potting Mix

A quality potting mix needs to be open, friable and lightweight. For healthy roots, the soil that they grow in has to have air pockets. This is because roots need air as well as water and nutrients. If the soil becomes too compacted, the roots of your plants will suffocate.

Your potting mix also needs to have a little water retention so it doesn’t dry out too quickly but it also has to be free draining. If the soil becomes waterlogged and doesn’t drain freely, the roots will also suffocate due to lack of air. Plus, most roots will rot if they sit in water for too long.

A good potting mix should have a combination of the following ingredients.

• Compost. This could be compost made from vegetative materials such as vegetable scraps, grass clippings, dry leaves and composted bark. Many commercial mixes also use peat moss or coconut coir. However, in recent years, it’s become apparent that peat moss is not sustainable and the peat bogs that it’s harvested from are slowly diminishing.

For this reason, it’s far more advisable to use coconut coir which is a sustainable and renewable product with similar qualities. Coconut coir is a by-product of the coconut industry and is made from coconut husks.

Other ingredients that are used in the compost part of the mix are animal manures and worm castings. This compost provides your plants with their initial nutrient requirements.

• Perlite or vermiculite. These two ingredients help to aerate the mix and to retain moisture. They’re derived from mined minerals and volcanic glass. They help to keep the mix both light and friable. Most commercial mixes will use one or the other and you can do the same if you’re making your own mix.

• Sand. This helps to improve the drainage of the mix. Coarse builder’s sand is the type of sand that is commonly used. The larger sand particles open up the mix, to create air pockets for the water to flow through and drain away easily.

• Fertilizer. Although the compost does contain many nutrients, these will quickly be used up by the roots of the plant. That’s why a lot of commercial potting mixes also add a slow-release fertilizer. These slow-release granules will release their nutrients as the plant needs them.

How to Make Your Own Potting MIX

If you have many houseplants and you’re repotting often, you might like to make your own mix. It’s really simple and ensures that the mix contains all the necessary ingredients for healthy plant growth. Here’s a simple basic recipe to get you started.

All these ingredients can be purchased from your local garden center. When measuring out your ingredients, it’s important to measure them by volume rather than by weight. This is because some ingredients have a greater mass weight than others.

Once you’ve measured out your ingredients, it’s just a case of mixing them together really well. You can do this in a wheelbarrow, a garden cart, a large plastic bin or even on a groundsheet.

Store any mix that you don’t use immediately in a sealed plastic bag or a garbage bin with a sealed lid. You want to ensure that no critters get into the mix while it’s stored. Therefore, make sure you keep it in a cool, dry spot out of direct sunlight.

This mix is ideally suited to most houseplants. However, if you’re growing succulents or orchids, you will need a different mix. This is because succulents prefer a much drier mix or one that will dry out quickly. Orchids, on the other hand, are epiphytes and don’t need compost in their mix.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, you now understand the basic soil requirements of your houseplants and why you should never use garden soil in your pots. The mix that you grow your plants in has to provide them with all the water and nutrients that are necessary for healthy and lush growth.

The potting mix needs to be open to allow for air pockets and free drainage. It also needs to be light so that the roots can easily access all the water and nutrients that they need.

In addition, the mix has to have some water holding capacity so that it doesn’t dry out completely. Remember that plants growing in pots indoors will have different water requirements to those that grow outdoors in the ground.

When selecting a commercial potting mix, make sure that you check the ingredients on the packaging and buy the best quality that you can afford. Or, you can save yourself some money and easily make your own mix using the easy recipe above.

17 Easy Annual Flowers that You Can Grow from Seeds

17 Easy Annual Flowers That You Can Grow From Seeds

What could be more natural than pushing a seed into the earth, or scattering a handful across the ground? And yet, we all know the disappointment that can come from planting seeds only to find nothing happening. Don’t let this turn you off from trying again! The species on this list are all known to do well when started from seed.

Pot marigold

The Pot marigold is a herbaceous perennial plant often recognized by its thick, orange-yellow blooms with numerous petals. Flowers of the Pot marigold have a long history of table use. They are often served in salads or as a decoration. The flowers can also be made into a similarly-colored dye for foods, textiles, or cosmetic products.

Cornflower

Centaurea cyanus is known by several names, like cornflower and bachelor’s button. This flower has a beautiful blue color that was a favorite of famed Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer. Today it is a Crayola crayon color as well as an HTML color name. The color is defined as a medium to light blue that contains very little green.

Garden cosmos

Garden cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) is a herbaceous annual plant often cultivated as an ornamental in temperate regions. Due to its self-sowing ability, Garden cosmos can grow on the same spot for several years, even though it is an annual. Not surprisingly, this quality also made it an invasive species in certain areas of the world.

Sulfur cosmos

Sulfur cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus) is an annual flowering plant native to Mexico, Central America, and South America. Though widely used as an ornamental plant, Sulfur cosmos is considered an invasive species in the United States. It attracts bees and butterflies, including the notable monarch butterfly.

Common sunflower

The Common sunflower is recognizable for its bright flower on a very tall stem. It is often grown in gardens. These flowers have been important in culture: they were worshipped by the ancient Inca people, and today, they represent eco-friendly movements. The artist Vincent Van Gogh made a famous series of paintings about Common sunflower s. Wild versions of the plant branch out to many flower heads, but domesticated plants typically only have one.

Impatiens

Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) is flowering herbaceous plant native to Eastern Africa. Its vividly colored, elegant flowers have made it one of the most popular ornamental plants in the world. Impatiens is often used as a bedding plant in parks and gardens worldwide.

Common morning-glory

Common morning-glory natives in Mexico and Central America and is commonly planted as an ornamental plant prized for its colorful trumpet-shaped flowers. It is naturalized in temperate and subtropical areas globally and in many places, always grown weedy and is considered to be invasive in many parts of the world.

Hyacinth bean

Hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus) is a bean plant native to the tropics of Africa. Its beans are consumed as a food and it is also referred to as the butter bean or the poor man’s bean. Young pods are consumed widely as a vegetable in Asia. If not properly cooked, Hyacinth bean is toxic.

Sweet pea

Sweet pea is a staple of flowering climbers and has been since the Victorian era. The Sweet pea, which uses tendrils to climb when correct supports are available, grows to a height of 40 in 80 in. The highly fragrant flowers are purple when found in the wild, but domesticated cultivars can be found in nearly every color.

Flax

Flax (Linum usitatissimum) is a slender, straight, and narrow-leafed annual that produces sky-blue flowers in June and July. After blooming, each flower produces a seed pod of 4 to 10 seeds. Flax is cultivated for its fiber, linseed oil, and edible seeds. It prefers full sun and cool weather and will grow from 2 to 3 feet tall.

Sweet alyssum

Lobularia maritima, commonly known as Sweet alyssum, is an annual flowering plant that grows very low and has a tendency to spread its branches over the soil, creating a mat. That is why this lovely ornamental is an excellent choice for a groundcover or a bedding plant.

Common poppy

The Common poppy (Papaver rhoeas) is an annual flower that carries great symbolism in many cultures. During World War One, the Common poppy could be found blooming between trenches in France and Belgium; afterwards, it became an international symbol of fallen soldiers. This poppy does not produce opium.

Mexican marigold

Mexican marigold is a common garden plant with bright orange or red flowers. Its use in decorative and ceremonial gardens dates back to ancient Aztec civilizations. Not only does Mexican marigold add bright colors, but it is also known to repel insects, rabbits, and deer thanks to its toxic latex.

Nasturtium

The Nasturtium is often associated with the “Elizabeth Linnaeus Phenomenon”, an optical illusion that makes the contrasting orange flowers and green foliage appear to flash brightly as it shakes in the wind. Nasturtium is cultivated as an ornamental plant. The disc-shaped leaves and seed pods are edible, usually getting used as garnishes and dressings.

Common zinnia

The Common zinnia is a popular garden plant. It thrives in relatively dry conditions with good airflow. Garden varieties come in many colors, usually having been hybridized from different wild varieties. Common zinnias are considered an allergy-safe pollen-producing flower.

Rocky mountain zinnia

Rocky mountain zinnia (Zinnia grandiflora) is a small subshrub that can grow to be 22 cm tall. Rocky mountain zinnia is native to the southwestern United States, the southern central United States, and Mexico. This species was traditionally used by the Zuni people in spiritual ceremonies.

Love-in-a-mist

Love-in-a-mist is a member of the buttercup family with leaves that resemble those of the dill plant. The flowers, which bloom in early summer, sport tiny black seeds at their centers. Love-in-a-mist seeds get added to bread in some Middle-Eastern countries with a flavor like oregano or nutmeg. But note that it could be toxic if ingested in quantities.

Terrariums to Expand Your Planting Options

There are numerous ways that gardeners can enjoy their plants indoors. One of the most enticing options is to create a terrarium. Learn how to complete this exciting DIY project, and soon you will get to grow some unique plants in your home.

Avid gardeners are always looking for ways to expand their planting options. One of the best ways to do that is to create a terrarium to house some species that you would not otherwise be able to grow. Read on to learn what a terrarium is as well as how you can make one for yourself.

What Is a Terrarium?

A terrarium is typically a glass container in which plants grow. These containers may be entirely sealed, or they may have an opening that allows air in. People usually use terrariums as a way to grow ornamental plants indoors. The enclosure that the terrarium provides offers a unique internal environment in which many intriguing plants can grow.

The fact that terrariums are often glass containers makes for some interesting conditions inside. Compared to the surrounding area, the inside of a terrarium is often hotter and moister. That is because the glass material of the terrarium allows sunlight to enter but does not allow heat or water to escape. This setting creates a miniature water cycle where:

That effect is what grants you the opportunity to grow plants that would not otherwise survive in your region. Now that you understand the basics, we’ll move on to learning about how you can make your own terrarium at home.

Creating a Terrarium

Creating a terrarium is not all that difficult. But there are a few steps that you will need to follow to meet success with such a project. The next few sections will provide the information you need to get started.

Find a Container

Your first step in creating a terrarium is to find a suitable container. If you search online, you will find that many companies make containers specifically for this purpose. While those products are great options, there are alternative paths you can take. If you choose not to use a pre-made terrarium container, you could always take a DIY approach and use one of these common containers instead:

Partially Fill the Container With Soil

Once you have selected your preferred terrarium container, it is time to fill it with a growing medium. Using nutrient-rich houseplant soil should work well for most of the plants you intend to grow. Thankfully, these soils are easy to find at most garden supply stores. Once you have found soil that works for you, begin filling your terrarium container. Fill the terrarium with soil until you are about halfway to your desired final soil level. Then move on to the next step.

Add Plants to Your Terrarium

With your terrarium partially full of soil, it is time to add plants to that soil. Address your plant first by removing it from its container. If you notice root binding, make sure that you rough up the root ball to encourage healthy future root growth. Then make small holes in the soil to fit your plants inside. At this stage, you still have a chance to arrange and rearrange your plants so that they look their best from all angles.

Continue Filling With Soil

Now that your plants are in place, you can complete the planting process by adding more soil. Aim to cover all of the roots of your plants so that none of them have exposure to the air. Press firmly on the soil to set your plants in place.

Add Accent Items

This last step is optional. But many people like to add accent items to their terrariums to make them a bit more appealing. Some people enjoy adding attractive stones or other ornamental features to their terrariums. While adding these items is not necessary, it is an opportunity to be creative and take your terrarium design to the next level.

Best Terrarium Plants

Let’s conclude by looking at a few of the best plants to grow in your new terrarium. It is often best to choose species that grow slowly and remain small enough to live healthily in the limited space a terrarium provides. As we mentioned before, having a terrarium is also an opportunity to grow plants that would normally thrive in a warmer region. In fact, that ability is one of the leading benefits of making a terrarium in the first place. When it comes time to add plants to your terrarium, here are a few varieties that should be at the top of your list:

Common Grass Types for You to Choose

We rarely think of lawn grass as diverse, but the truth may surprise you. Many grasses can serve as ground cover and can lend your yard a unique appearance. Here we’ll introduce 4 kinds of warm-season grasses that are good for warm-weather and 3 cold-season grasses that serve colder regions.

Bermuda grass

Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) is a grass native to the eastern hemisphere, though it is not native to Bermuda. In Bermuda, Bermuda grass is considered an invasive species. Hybrid breeds of Bermuda grass may contain cyanide and poison livestock, so caution should be exercised with regard to livestock.

Centipedegrass

Centipedegrass is a warm season lawn grass. It is a thick sod forming grass that spreads by stolons, and is medium to light green colored. It has a coarse texture with short upright seedhead stems that grow to about 3-5 inches. Centipedegrass seed is native to southern China and was introduced to the United States in 1916. It has since become one of the common grasses in the southeastern states and Hawaii. Centipedegrass can also be considered a weed.

St. Augustine's grass

St. Augustine’s grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) is a plant species also known as St. Augustine grass. It is a common lawn grass as popular as Bermuda grass, and thrives in the Mediterranean region and tropical climates. It is common in the southern United States, Hawaii, South Africa and New Zealand.

Korean lawn grass

For a lush lawn in high traffic areas, Korean lawn grass, or Zoysia japonica is a solid choice. Also used for sports fields, golf courses, and commercial lawns, this grass is thick and lush. It is typically planted as sod, although some varieties will grow well from seed. Korean lawn grass needs to be mowed short and its soil needs to dry out between watering so that it can develop a more drought resistant root system.

Kentucky bluegrass

Kentucky bluegrass is one of the most commonly planted grasses for lawns in cool and humid parts of the United States. The name refers not to the color of the grass stalks, but instead is due to the purple-blue flowers that are seen if the grass is allowed to bloom. A good spot to see Kentucky bluegrass is at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, home of the Green Bay Packers football team.

Perennial ryegrass

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) is a plant species native to Eurasia. Perennial ryegrass is used in mixtures of lawn seed to feed cattle and to control erosion. Perennial ryegrass is also used to create turf for golf courses because of its hardiness. In countries where it’s imported, this plant is often considered an invasive species.

Tall fescue

Tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) is a perennial grass that grows 2 to 4 feet high. Many people consider it an invasive species because it causes ecological problems in woodlands, savannas, and grasslands. This species is native to Eurasia and was brought over by early colonists for livestock grazing.

Starting Seeds Outdoors (in Spring and Early Summer)

Starting your seeds outdoors when the weather warms up has many benefits. Many seeds benefit from direct sunlight as this allows the plants to grow stronger with vigorous root systems. Here’s a complete guide on how to start your seeds outdoors.

In colder climates, many people must start seedlings early indoors (under lights or in a greenhouse / cold frame). Yet, while some plants benefit from an early jump-start of a few weeks or months indoors, a surprising number of flowers and vegetables grow better if sown outdoors a bit later in the season.

Regardless of where you garden is and what you are growing, outdoor sowing has plenty of benefits. Direct sunshine provides the ideal light quality, especially in late spring and early summer. The full spectrum light combined with light wind and breeze naturally aids growth, resulting in stronger, robust seedlings with thick stems and vigorous root systems.

Many of your plants will be much happier if they are started outdoors. The following information will give you step-by-step guidance on how to start your seeds outside successfully.

Do Your Research

Begin by assessing what each seed requires for good germination. Every type of seed has slightly different requirements in regards to temperature, moisture, and light. As with baking, gardening is sometimes more of a science than a craft. It’s wise to research the specific requirements each type of seed needs in regards to temperature, moisture, and light before you begin seeding.

Be sure to consider climate and location as well. A gardener in Los Angeles must contend with a different set of growing conditions than a gardener living in London.

Timing Is Everything

It’s best to organize one’s seeds by planting time rather than alphabetically. Many flowers and vegetables prefer to be sown much later than the earliest date suggested on a seed packet. Nearly all flower and vegetable seeds germinate faster and grow better when they are sown later in spring or early summer.

They also thrive when seeded outside versus indoors. Flowers like marigolds, cosmos, asters, zinnias, and even rudbeckia, while offered for sale in early spring (often already in bloom) at stores, will truly grow much taller and have a far more extended bloom period if sown outdoors. If there is any doubt, note that this is how many flower farmers grow them – in successive plantings all summer long.

Make a Seedbed

An outdoor seedbed is often ideal for starting many seeds that are pre-started indoors. The seedbed can be a simple area set aside from other plants and competition where the soil is bare and where one can easily access it to water and weed. Some people used a portion of a raised bed in their vegetable garden as their seedbed. The seedbed can also be within an outdoor cold frame with heating cables if located in a colder climate.

Prepare the Soil

Most seeds prefer a loose, friable soil that is neither too wet nor too dry. Prepare the soil by turning it over with a tiller or fork to loosen it and remove any large rocks or roots with a rake. Compost added to the soil will add moisture retention and nutrients. Extra fertility is rarely needed, but a water source nearby will help during dry spells. Few seedlings can tolerate dry periods due to their small size. A sprinkler or a nearby hose will be helpful.

Very small seed can be mixed with sand to help distribute it evenly.

Sow Seeds Thinly

Few seeds grow well if sown too thickly. Since you will be transplanting seedlings to different locations, leave some distance between seeds. A tiny seed can be especially challenging to sow thinly, but a good trick is to mix a packet of dust-like seed in some dry sand before sowing, which will help distribute the seeds more broadly. A kitchen sieve can be helpful for this task.

Note the Specific Light Requirements for Each Seed

Some seed requires exposure to daylight to germinate, while others require complete darkness. Daylength (Photoperiod) too can affect growth and bloom time. For example, marigolds and zinnias will bloom quicker if planted in mid-summer rather than in early spring. Use the description on the back of the seed packet as a starter guide and research online to see if there is more information available. The larger seed companies often offer commercial grow-sheets as free, downloadable pdfs that offer in-depth cultural details for most of the larger crops they sell.

Monitor and Maintain the Seedbed

Keep outdoor seedbeds watered during dry spells and free from weeds. The goal is to reduce any stress that can interfere with the growth of young plants. Thin any seedlings that are growing too close to each other. A good guide is to leave at least one inch (25.4 mm) between seedlings. This distance will provide enough room to dig out plants without damaging nearby seedling roots. If one sowed seed thinly, this should not be an issue.

Zinnia seeds sown outdoors in a tray after the weather is warm will grow many times faster than any started early indoors.

Starting Seeds in Outdoor Modules

Sowing seeds outdoors in cells, plug trays, or modules is a convenient alternative to sowing directly into the ground. This method is different from preparing seed trays for germinating indoors under lights or in a germination chamber. Plants often respond far better to conditions outdoors. They germinate and grow stronger with the benefit of bright, natural sunlight. Furthermore, the natural temperature differentiation between night and day and some light wind will ensure that the stems will grow sturdier and thicker than if they were grown indoors.

Ideal Containers and Soil

While nearly any container will suffice for starting seeds (from recycled yogurt cups and take-out containers to professional plastic pots, modules, and plug trays), be sure that the containers are at least 2 inches deep and have drainage holes. Be sure not to use garden soil as it will become too compact in the containers. A sterile professional potting mix is ideal as it will be both well-draining and have some moisture retentive material in it (usually coir or organic compost).

Warm weather annuals that dislike root disturbance such as flowering tobacco are best transplanted to their final flower beds just as the young plants have produced their second or third pair of leaves.

Moving the Seedlings

Lastly, don’t allow seedlings to grow too large before transplanting them to their final location. A good rule of thumb is to lift and divide seedlings once they have produced their second or third pair of true leaves (never count the first leaf or first pair of leaves). Lift the young plants carefully with a fork or spade and relocate to their final growing spot in another bed or container.