Top Five easy to grow list of flowers
How do you choose the right type of flowers for your garden from a vast array of different flower types? It is next to impossible to list all kinds flowers let alone, picking a few of the right blooms. Some species have yet to be named. The following is a list of flowers which should make an excellent addition to your garden.
• Geraniums these are very popular with both beginners and expert gardeners. Geraniums are very easy to grow. They are of three types, namely Scented, Ivy and Zonal. The latter are the best known, with soft and velvety leaves. Geraniums bloom from spring to frost. They are usually considered to be annuals, though in warmer climates, they are perennials. Zonals grow twelve to eighteen inches tall and come in a splendid array of colors of red, violet, pink, white and rose. Ivy Geraniums on the other hand come in pink, lavender, red and white. Just like their name, Scented Geraniums are primarily grown for their rich scent. The fragrance varies from rose, to chocolate and mint.
• Petunias bloom from summer to frost and come in an assortment of colors ranging from red, white, purple, yellow, pink and even multi-colored. Petunias can be single or double petals. They are of two types, mainly Multifloras and Grandifloras. The latter are often used for hanging baskets and/or containers as they are much larger and can grow up to 24 inches tall. It is advised to remove any dead flower booms to keep them flourishing all season.
• Marigolds are very easy to grow and grow abundantly from spring to frost. These types of flowers are of four varieties which include African (or American), French, Triploid and Signet. The African or American marigolds which are double petaled are the tallest of the bunch, growing to 3 feet tall. Their colors generally range from cream to orange. They are best used in the back of a border. Signets which are bushy and very prolific are the smallest of the marigolds growing up to only twelve inches. The result is a mass collection of tiny vibrant blooms. Another class is the French marigold, which grows from six to twelve inches tall and has either single or double petal blooms. French marigolds have varying colors, from maroon, orange to bright yellow with a few bi-colored varieties. There are some triploid hybrids which are cross breeds between African and French marigolds. These types are seedless and can bloom without a dead heading.
• The ever beaming Sunflowers are easy to grow and bloom in varying shapes, colors and sizes. There are some giant varieties which can grow to almost ten feet tall. The flower head itself can grow to over twelve inches across. Staking is necessary for the giant Sunflower to keep them from toppling over. Some varieties of the garden Sunflower are bushy with small seeds, or can have large single blooms. If you are looking for Sunflowers for cutting, try growing the hybrid type with long single stems.
• Snapdragons also bloom in varying shapes, colors and sizes. The characteristic sizes are dwarf, medium and tall. Dwarfs grow to a maximum of twelve inches tall, and are not good for cutting. Medium Snapdragons grow up to eighteen inches. These are very good for making bouquets as well as growing anywhere in the flower garden bed. The tall variety can grow up to three feet tall. As a result, they require staking to keep the stems straight. Unlike the other types on this list, Snapdragons they are relatively difficult to grow. They are also very good for cutting. The best way to start is to use a local nursery before adding them to your flower garden.
Whichever you pick, all the above types are relatively easy to grow and can bloom all summer long, even into the frost. These annuals make outstanding blooms, whether for cutting to make bouquets or for sheer fun while gardening.
