Spring has arrived, and lovely summer also is on its way, which means that our gardens must be ready for us to enjoy them! There is nothing more enjoyable than seeing and enjoying a green and lush garden full of colors and life. All those weekends and time after work spent in our backyards, there is nothing better nor more calming than that. That is why it is truly important for our gardens to be well organized, fresh, and as green as possible. There are many different types of plants you can put in your garden, and choosing between them can be extremely hard and time-consuming. But once you see the outcome, everything will be worth the hustle. To help you improve your backyard here is how to make your garden greener:
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Yarrow
The herb yarrow (Achillea millefolium) thrives in full sun and sandy, well-drained soil. Cultivars come in a variety of rich red, white, and yellow hues, with heights ranging from two to four feet. This plant has ferny grey-green leaves and a pungent aroma that makes it a nice addition to the landscape.
Its main characteristics are its lengthy flowering season (June to September) and the color saturation attained by clumping and naturalization. Drought resistance and the capacity to thrive in hard garden circumstances where even grass won’t grow make yarrow a treasured plant. Trim it in late spring to encourage compact growth and remove dead flowers and stems as needed because it has a propensity to develop straggly. Sow seeds, rootstock, or plants in the early spring in Zones 3 to 9, then divide as needed.
Montauk Daisy
The Montauk daisy (Nipponanthemum nipponicum, originally Chrysanthemum nipponicum), often known as Nippon daisy, grows well in full sun and medium, well-drained soil. It’s a clumping daisy with white petals and emerald cores that blooms in July and August and adds a variety of colors to the landscape. Its lustrous, succulent-like bright green leaves appeal to me, as does the fact that it is lovely early in the summer, even before it blooms. Around July, I leave some alone for color.
Others, around Mother’s Day and again around July 4th, I trim it down a few inches to delay flowering till fall. This kind of adaptability appeals to me. It thrives in the middle of the tale, with vegetation in front providing support and hiding the naked legs that emerge as it expands. In Zones 5 to 9, sow seeds or seedlings in the early spring. Staking may be required if the plant becomes leggy. As needed, divide over time.
Hellebore
Hellebore (Helleborus orientalis) is a rhizomatous evergreen appreciated for blooming as early as January and lasting long into April in the garden. It prefers organically rich, wet, well-drained soil with some shade once the sun gets too hot. Hellebore’s function in the garden is to welcome spring and produce year-round one-foot-high, texturally-rich, glossy green leaves. Green, pink, red, and yellow cultivars are available. As a neutral ground cover beneath deciduous trees, it’s a great match for spring bulbs. Simply tuck the stems of the bulbs out of sight behind the large hellebore leaves once they have withered. In Zones 4 to 9, sow seeds, rootstock, or plants in the early spring.
Siberian Iris
From full sun to part shade, Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica) develops from a root structure called a rhizome. It loves soil that is rich in organic matter and is wet yet well-drained. Cultivars come in a spectrum of hues, including blue, pink, purple, white, and yellow, and can reach four feet in height.
Iris thrives in beautiful clusters that take center stage as a focal feature in the spring garden, naturalizing into magnificent drifts of color. Some kinds prefer to have “wet feet,” which makes them ideal for damp problems. Late in the spring, slender stems with brilliant blooms develop. Remove the whole stems once the flowers have faded. Leave the beautiful grass-like leaves on the plant to nourish the rhizomes and provide linear interest to the landscape all summer. Siberian iris thrives in Zones 3 to 8, where it can be planted in the early spring or late fall. While you may seed them individually, grouping them together creates an appealing cluster. To remove withering rhizomes, dig them up in about four years.
Daylily
Hemerocallis (Daylily) is a clumping root plant with numerous bold, shapely blooms per stem that open for one day each. It thrives in full light and well-drained, organically rich soil. Orange, pink, purple, red, yellow, and white cultivars are among the many hues offered. The beautiful curve of the petals, as well as heights of up to four feet, are the nicest qualities here. It looks best when planted in groups, with spring, summer, and fall bloomers for a continuous display from spring until frost.
Tall varieties work best as stand-alone plants or as back-of-border anchors in large gardens with plenty of opportunities to spread. Shorter typefaces can be employed to create a swath of color on the border frontage. For vivid drifting, all sorts can be put together. In Zones 3 to 9, plant in the spring or fall. Deadhead spent flowers and split as required to increase bloom period.
Cranesbill Geranium
Cranesbill geranium, also known as hardy geranium, is a mounding plant that prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It’s a wonderful middle-position filler in beds and borders, with shrubs behind it and shorter flora in front, reaching heights of up to three feet. Because of its dense foliage, this plant may be used to hide ugly taps, hoses, utility meters, and other foundation eyesores. It provides gold and umber hues to the landscape in the autumn. Cranesbill blooms are colorful and beautiful, blooming from spring till frost. Pink, purple, blue, and white varieties are also good choices. Sow seeds or seedlings in the early spring in Zones 4 to 9. In the spring or fall, divide as required.
Clematis
Clematis is a non-invasive blooming vine that thrives in wet, organically rich, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. There are bloomers that bloom in the spring and summer, and some of them are fragrant. Large, spectacular flowers range in color from velvety burgundy to downy white and are spread throughout vines that reach over 12 feet in length.
In the garden, clematis serves as “window decoration.” To provide seclusion, train it up and over lattice structures, arbors, and fences. It may be trained up a lamppost, over a wall, or anyplace else you desire a mass of blossoms. With foundation planting and elegant trellis, you can dress up that dull windowless garage wall. Rootstock can be planted in the spring or the fall. Only prune kinds that don’t grow new shoots on old wood after they’ve reached full maturity.
Blazing Star
The native wildflower blazing star (Liatris spicata) draws pollinators to the yard. It loves soil that is wet, organically rich, and well-drained. Spikes with pink, purple, or white blooms can grow to be four feet tall. From July through September, this linear style makes a big statement. It also lasts a long time in vase arrangements since it is strong and blooms from the bottom up. For unexpected vertical drama, interplant blazing stars in the mid-story or at the rear of beds and borders for structural clarity. Sow seeds or plants in the spring or fall in Zones 3 to 8. As required, divide over time.
Balloon Flower
Balloon flower (Platycodon) is a very easy-to-grow plant that thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained, organically rich soil. Choose single-petaled or double-petaled cultivars with blue, white, purple, or pink blooms. Silvery-green stems can grow up to two feet tall, with balloon-like buds that burst into starry blooms in July and August. The balloon flower serves as a focal point, and placing it among other flowers produces a pleasing repetition that leads the eye around the landscape.
Furthermore, blue brings out the finest in other hues, causing them to stand out even more. For a patriotic July display, I prefer to combine blue balloon flowers, red bee balm, and white Montauk daisies. White-petaled variants also play an important role. If you already have a landscape with a lot of different hues, interplanting it with white helps to unify and accentuate the eclectic mix. Sow seeds or rootstock in the early spring in Zones 3 to 8. Deadhead to lengthen the bloom season if desired.
Perennial Tickseed
Perennial tickseed (Coreopsis lanceolata), often known as lance-leaved coreopsis, thrives in even the most infertile soil. Tickseed is a low-maintenance, sun-loving plant with thin stems and vivid yellow-orange blooms that looks great in mixed beds and borders. It’s also a lovely addition to rockeries, standing one to two feet tall. There are several types of coreopsis, some of which are annuals, so be careful to look up the entire Latin name before buying. This is a natural flowering plant that blooms from May to July and attracts helpful insects to the yard. Perennial tickseed self-sows, allowing for rapid naturalization. It enjoys space to grow out, and after a few years, you may need to divide it. Sow seeds or seedlings in the early spring in Zones 4 to 9.