Easy to grow garden flowersis the perfect solution if we have a garden for a short time and we are just learning to grow it, or we are simply too busy and we don't have enough time. By combiningundemanding annual flowers and perennialswith a minimum of care, we can create a beautiful and long flowering garden. Here are the10 easy-to-growgarden flowers that will work on any flowerbed. Just sow or plant them and it's ready!
Garden flowers easy to grow
Fig. depositphotos.com
1. Cosmos bipinnatus
Cosmos is an annual plantwith highly branched shoots and an erect habit. It is tall - even 1 m in height. Cosmic leaves, slightly reminiscent of fennel leaves, give the whole plant an impression of tenderness and fluffiness. However,the real decoration of the cosmos are large inflorescences appearing on the tops of the shootsThe inflorescences, such as a basket, are delicate and light. They are most often white to dark pink with a yellow center. They are perfect as a cut flower. The doubly feathered cosmos blooms from July until autumn
Double feathered cosmos
Fig. pixabay.com
Cosmos is an easy plant to grow . It is enough to provide it with a sunny position and a permeable substrate. Its seeds can be sown directly into the ground for a permanent place. This is done after May 15, when the risk of frosts disappears.
2. Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
Marigold isan attractive ornamental and herbal plantDepending on the variety, it can reach a height of 20 to 70 cm. The stems and leaves of the calendula are covered with glandular hairs. They are sticky to the touch and give off a specific aroma when rubbed. On the tops of the stems,from June to October, flower baskets appearDepending on the variety, they can be single, semi-double or full, in various shades of orange. In low varietiesflower baskets can reach up to 10 cm in diameter
Marigolds can be grown in flower beds, borders or in containersThey look very attractive alone or in combination with other annuals and perennials.
Marigold
Fig. pixabay.com
Like outer space,calendula is an annual plant grown from sowing straight into the ground Seeds are sown in April - May. The marigoldhas very modest growing requirementsand does well in all conditions. It is enough to provide it with a sunny position and water during longer droughts. An important procedure is the removal of bleeding inflorescences. Thanks to this, we will significantly extend the flowering period of plants.
3. Greater Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
Nasturtium is a very popular annual plant with low requirementsDepending on the variety, the greater nasturtium can climb up on supports or lay on the ground, or have a compact, bushy habit. You can grow it next to a fence or fence or fill the free spaces between other plants in the bed with it.Dwarf nasturtiums look very good in containers
Nasturtium
Fig. pixabay.com
Nasturtium flowers come in warm colors- from yellow to red.They smell nice and attract many species of pollinating insects. They develop gradually throughout the summer. The leaves are plate-shaped, dark green or with white discoloration, up to 10 cm in diameter.Flowers, leaves and unripe nasturtium fruits are edibleThey can be used to prepare tasty homemade preserves.Nasturtium is grown from sowing directly to the permanent site . The seeds are sown from mid-April to mid-May. Nasturtium likes slightly moist soil, poor in nutrients and sunny positions.
4. Maciejka (Matthiola longipetala)
Maciejka, whose full name is a two-horned lioness,is an annual plant valued for its flower fragrance , which is released on summer evenings. This plant is characterized by rapid growth. Usually it reaches 30 to 40 cm in height. Its shoots and leaves are covered with a gray cutter.The maciejka is decorated with purple, small, four-petal flowers gathered in loose, irregular clusters They appear on plants from June to August. They remain closed during the day and open in the evening. Due to its pleasant smell, it is worth sowing the mat near the places of evening rest. Maciejka is perfect as a bed and container plant.
Maciejka
Photo. Al-Bargit, CC BY-SA 2.5, Wikimedia Commons
Maciejka is another easy-to-grow annual flowersown directly on a permanent site. The seeds are sown from April to May. Maciejka likes sunny positions, but also copes very well in partial shade. It grows well in any garden soil. In times of drought, it requires watering.
5. Decorative sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
Dwarf varieties of the well-known sunflower are grown as ornamental plants. They reach a maximum of 40-50 cm in height.The flowers of ornamental sunflowers come in many shades of yellow, red, brown and purple Often there are also two-color varieties and with full or semi-full inflorescences. Sunflowers are typical summer flowers - they bloom from July to August. They look very attractive when growing in rows along walls or fences. Low varieties can also be original potted plants.
Sunflower
Fig. pixabay.com
Seeds of sunflowers are sown immediately in a permanent place at the beginning of May.For the cultivation of ornamental sunflowers, sunny positions and sheltered from strong winds should be selected. The soil should be moist or regularly irrigated, especially in dry and hot summers. After flowering, the sunflower inflorescences should be removed. This will stimulate the plants to develop side buds and extend their flowering period.At the end of summer, faded inflorescences can be left on plants and used as food for birds
1. Echinacea purpurea (Echinacea purpurea)
Echinacea purpurea is a classic bed plant. It reaches a height of about 100 cm and forms loose clumps made of long erect stems. Its decorative elements are growing on the tops of erect stems,basket-shaped inflorescences with a characteristic structureThey consist of lingual flowers, usually pink in color, surrounding the convex center filled with brown tubular flowers.There are many interesting varieties of purple coneflower , differing in color of flowers and structure of inflorescences.Echinacea blooms all summer until the first frostIts flowers attract countless butterflies, bees and bumblebees. Echinacea flowers are perfect for cut flowers. They are also a valuable herbal raw material.
Echinacea purpurea
Fig. © Agnieszka Lach
Echinacea is a perennial plant that does not require much care It grows very well even for many years in one position. It prefers moderately moist soils and sunny or slightly shaded positions. There are no special requirements as to the type of soil, but it is important that it is not too heavy. Echinacea purple hibernates perfectly in the ground without the need to protect it from frost. Before the onset of winter, the Echinacea shoots are cut low to the ground.
2. Rudbeckia (Rudbeckia)
Rudbeckies are another classic bedding perennials. Like Echinacea,blooms from early summer until fall. The most popular species include:
A common feature of all rudbeckia are basket-shaped inflorescences , composed of intensely yellow ligulate flowers surrounding a dark eye, composed of tubular flowers.The full naked rudbeckia 'Golden Glow' is very popular. Rudbeckia are quite tall plants. They reach from 30 (brilliant rudbeckia) to even 200 cm in height (naked rudbeckia). Their flowers can be used to create bouquets.
Rudbeckies are perennial flowers that are easy to grow . They love the sun and grow best in moderately moist soil. Before the onset of winter, the rudbeckia shoots are cut low to the ground. Plants winter perfectly uncovered in the ground.
3. Hearts turned out (Dicentra spectabilis)
Hearts is a long-lived perennial , forming lush clumps of feathery leaves. Long inflorescences in the form of a one-sided cluster grow above the leaves. Characteristic single, heart-shaped flowers hang on long stalks.Heart flowers come in different colors- pink, red, white and blue. Hearts turned out to be blooming very profusely from May to the end of June.
Hearts turned out
Fig. By Sterling Herron, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
The hearts turned out to be best grown in shady or semi-shaded places , in moist soils. It feels very comfortable in the shade of trees and over water reservoirs. Therefore, it is an easy-to-grow flowering plant in shaded and moist positions. Every few years, plants need to be fed with organic fertilizers. This is done when the flowering of the heart visibly weakens.After flowering, the above-ground part of the plant gradually dies down and does not require pruning for the winter
4. Carpathian bellflower (Campanula carpatica)
The Carpathian bellflower is a low perennial (10-15 cm) that occurs naturally in the Carpathians. In June and July, it blooms profusely with large (2-3 cm in diameter) flowers in the shape of a wide goblet, most often blue in color. The flowers grow on short, erect, thin peduncles, very densely. In full flowering, almost the entire plant is dotted with flowersThe Carpathian bellflower forms dense and compact clumps that quickly cover the surfaces.
Carpathian bell
Fig. Igor I Savin, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
The Carpathian bell requires a sunny or slightly shaded positionHas low soil requirements. Prefers alkaline and moderately moist soil. It grows particularly well in gaps between stones and on walls. After flowering is complete, all shoots are cut just above the ground. Thanks to this treatment,the plant re-produces flower buds and repeats flowering in September.The Carpathian Bell winters well in the ground. Before winter, its shoots are cut low above the ground.
5. Mossy sage (Salvia nemorosa)
Mossy sage is a perennial plantreaches a fully flowering height of 80 cm.It creates dense clumps composed of numerous, raised, 4-square shoots which emit a characteristic smell.small purple flowers, arranged long earsflowers bloom in June - July. There are many varieties of mossy sage with different flower colors. You can meet dwarf varieties, reaching a maximum of 30 cm in height. Mossy sage can be grown in flower beds or rockeries.
Mossy sage
Fig. AnRo0002, CCO, Wikimedia Commons
Mossy sage is grown in dry or slightly moist soil. The plant prefers warm and sunny locations. After flowering is completed, the inflorescences can be cut off, and thenthe plant will repeat flowering at the end of summerMossy sage overwinter in the ground without any problems. Before the onset of winter, its shoots are pruned low above the ground.To summarize and to facilitate comparison, we present all the above-mentioned plants in the form of a table.Below the table you will find a link to download this list in a printable version: -)
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MSc Eng. Agnieszka Lach