Which Garden Flower Do You Think Is the Most Beautiful?
You can beautify your garden with such a multitude of flowers that it's often difficult to choose between them. And to select the absolute most beautiful one? That's usually downright impossible. We've selected 5 flowers for your inspiration that rank among garden stalwarts. With their magnificent blooms of various shapes and colors, you probably won't tire of them easily.
Rose, the Queen of Flowers
The luxurious elegance of roses creates the impression that growing them must be extraordinarily difficult. But that's not entirely true. If you choose the right location and follow basic care rules, roses will thrive in your garden too. Roses need a sunny location with shade during a shorter part of the day. They generally won't appreciate full-day sun exposure. Definitely don't plant them in complete shade or under mature trees. The ideal spot is also sufficiently airy.
Bare-root roses are planted in autumn or early spring, container-grown ones throughout the year. Don't forget compost when planting. The root collar should remain 3-5 cm below ground level. Ask about the appropriate planting distance for the specific type when purchasing. Many rose varieties also require regular spring pruning. Provide roses with adequate nutrition. You can choose from universal fertilizers such as Cererit, or select a special fertilizer specifically designed for roses like Floria Organo Roses.
Roses differ not only in color. You can choose from several types that vary in height, flower shape and size, but also partly in maintenance requirements. Whether you choose botanical, tea, climbing, ground cover, or garden roses, always remember to note the exact name. If you encounter any problems during cultivation, knowing the type and name will make finding a solution much easier.
Lavender - Fragrant Romance
Lavender brings an almost Mediterranean atmosphere to your garden. It also attracts butterflies and bees. The delicate purple, white, or pinkish freshly scented flowers can be used for home decoration, dried to perfume your wardrobe, or for preparing calming tea. Lavender is undemanding to grow. It forms a richly branched shrub that needs to be pruned annually in spring. It requires a sunny location and well-draining soil. It will also thrive in a container on the terrace. It's grown either from purchased seedlings, from your own sowing from seeds, or by propagating cuttings. In the bed, it pairs excellently with roses.
Undemanding Marigolds Improve Soil Quality
Marigolds belong among exceptionally undemanding annuals, available in a huge range of varieties, from tall double-flowered types with more robust growth to miniature species suitable for planters. Color-wise, marigolds offer all possible combinations of yellow, orange, and brownish-red. The plants bloom intensively throughout the summer. They're grown either from direct sowing or from pre-cultivated seedlings, which even a complete beginner can prepare on a windowsill. Just be careful, they're very sensitive to frost. They need a sunny location with well-draining soil.
An interesting property of this rewarding plant is its ability to protect surrounding plants from a whole range of insect pests. Marigolds are also known as soil healers. They're exceptionally effective for eliminating soil nematodes, which are the bane of root vegetables and tuberous plants. For soil remediation, marigolds need to be grown in the given location for a minimum of 100 days, after which the entire crop can be used as green manure.
Dahlias Captivate with Their Countless Shapes and Colors
Although you must plant dahlia tubers every spring and harvest them in autumn for overwintering, they will certainly reward your effort with their beauty. According to flower structure, they are divided into ten basic groups, such as single, anemone, pompon, peony-flowered, and others. Dahlias thrive in sunny locations protected from wind. In shade, dahlias grow but bloom sparingly. Tall varieties need to be tied to supports. They are not demanding regarding soil, and with proper nutrition, you can grow them for many years even in the same spot. Plant them outside only after the risk of night frosts has passed. When the above-ground parts of dahlias freeze in autumn, it's the right time to store them for winter in a frost-free room (for example, in a box with sand or wood shavings). Check them regularly during winter and dispose of any moldy tubers.
Peonies - Magnificent Beauty for Decades
Peonies are among the undemanding perennials with magnificent flowers and great vitality. In the past, no garden would be complete without them. You can choose between herbaceous and tree varieties. The most suitable planting time is August. Choose a sunny location with well-drained, nutrient-rich soil for peonies. They look beautiful in groups as well as solitaires. They don't like transplanting and will thrive in one spot for up to fifteen years. You'll please herbaceous peonies by mulching the surrounding soil, removing spent flowers, and fertilizing. Cut back peony stems in autumn. With tree peonies, beware of over-fertilization, which leads to poor wood ripening and frost damage. Fertilize them only very moderately. Mineral fertilizers with phosphorus are suitable for better flowering.
