Planting has been one of the most mind-calming activities during this pandemic. It is an outdoor chore that maintains the physical and mental well-being of individuals. Perhaps, an early morning splurge in the garden under the sun while planting plants and watching the vibrant and verdant flowers are simply satisfying.
What’s more gratifying is when you see that the seeds or plants on the plots that you have covered in soil flourish into a beautiful flower. But, not everyone has the green thumb or the innate ability to grow a healthy one. And while there’s a wide array of flower species with varied condition types where it grows well, it’s more difficult to choose from for your garden.
Worry no more because we’ll provide you the five best flowering plants for your garden and how to grow and take care of them.
1. Astilbe
If your garden area is rounded with tall trees that filter excessive sunlight, astible flowers are great choice for the shade. Astilbe (A. x arendsii) is a herbaceous perennial plant that grows up to 1-1.5 feet. Typically, astilbe blooms three different colors: pink, red, and white. One of its special features is that it attracts butterflies because of its festive colors, which releases an enticing smell to several pollinating insects.
How to Grow:
This plant prefers a soil type that’s loamy and slightly acidic to neutral soil acidity. aND because it grows well in moist soil, you must water it directly into its roots rather than regular sprinkling. During the spring, you can apply a well-balanced fertilizer as astilbes benefit it more during this season.
2. Rose
Indeed, nothing beats the fragrant and elegant rose plant in the garden. Rose (Rosa) is a woody flowering plant with varied colors: red, white, pink, yellow, and orange. This flowering plant grows well in a loamy type of soil and slightly acidic to neutral soil pH. The flower blooms well under full sun and during the spring, summer, and fall seasons.
How to Grow:
Plant the rose in the garden area, where it receives a minimum of 5 to 6 hours of sunlight. The sunlight quickly dries the leaves that prevent diseases from infesting the plant. If you’re living in colder regions, plant the roses near the foundation of your house as it helps them endure extreme winters. And, if you’re planning to plant multiple roses, give enough space to provide sufficient air circulation.
3. Tulip
Did you know that the tulip bulbs during the Tulip Mania in Dutch Golden Age were priced more than a house? Tulip (Tulipa) is a bulb flowering plant that blooms during spring. It prefers loamy and sandy soil and is full to half-sun exposure. Its bulb’s color can be pink, purple, orange, red, yellow, white, green, or multicolor, depending on the variety you like.
How to Grow:
If you plant tulips in your garden, you must start planting during the autumn season, wherein the ground is not yet cold and firm. You must dig 6 to 8 inches deep below the ground so that the bulb will grow well. After covering the bulb with soil, water the newly-planted bulb as it still needs moisture to trigger growth.
4. Sunflower
Indeed, the sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is one of the most popular plants in the garden, especially in landscapes. This plant has a big yellow flower that resembles the sun. Just like its name, it grows under full sunlight and loam to sandy soil. Summertime is its blooming season, and it’s not just the bright color yellow that captures your eyes because the flower can also be in multicolor, red, or orange.
How to Grow:
Sunflowers are a fast-growing plant that matures in just 85 to 95 days and grows up to a maximum of 16 feet. Since it loves full sunlight, plant it in an area where the plant receives 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight. Most importantly, the soil must neither be lost nor compact so that the roots can extend and the collected water will not drown the roots.
5. Hibiscus
If you want to imitate Hawaiian or tropical ambiance in your garden, the hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus) plant might be your go-to choice. Hibiscus is a vine and shrub type of plant that wants full to part-time sun exposure. During the summer and fall seasons, the big hibiscus flowers bloom, and the flower’s color depends on the species; it can be multicolor, blue, pink, purple, red, yellow, white, or orange.
How to Grow:
During planting, the soil must be a fertilized, well-drained plot. This way, the plant will not be soaked in excess water, and the fertilizer will remain in the soil. Also, pruning the stem leaves hibiscus space for another healthy branch to grow. If you want to add another hibiscus plant to your garden, just cut a branch from a mature plant for replanting.
Takeaway
More than just the aesthetic value that flowering plants may bring to your garden, the delight they exude and grasp by your visual and olfactory senses make gardening more fulfilling. Regardless if you have a green thumb or not, gardening is surely for all. And, during this pandemic, allow yourself to be enveloped with nature’s healing and rejuvenating powers.
