Many botanists believe that May is the ideal time to plant flowers and herbs, so how do you decide what to plant?
Now that the May long weekend has come and past, most believe that it is now safe to dive into your gardening. The risk of frost is minimal for this time of year, and the urge to be outside can be overwhelming. So, where do you start?
First, you need to decide if you want to plant perennials (plants that return year over year), annuals (plants that do not return each year), or a combination of both. Annuals are great for planters, but that doesn’t mean to you need to avoid these in your gardens. Of course, the more perennials in your garden, the less maintenance required each spring.
BASIC RULES FOR SELECTING YOUR PLANTS AND FLOWERS:
Colour—just as you would in your home, choose plants whose colours compliment each other. For example, mix lavender with daffodils, and blue iris’ with marigolds, just to name a couple.
Contrast—be sure to have a variety of sizes and shapes of plants to help fill out your garden. It is always best to have your taller plants towards the back of the garden, and your shorter ones in front. This will make fore a great look aesthetically, and will prevent your larger flowers from blocking the sun from your smaller ones.
Growing Conditions—Determine whether your garden is full sun, full shade, or partial sun (meaning that it only gets a few hours of sun each day). Be sure to choose plants that are ideal for your conditions.
Some great perennials to plant now include African daisy, gladiolus, dahlias, lilies, and lavender. Plant your warm-season annuals in May as well, including begonia, chrysanthemum, geranium, marigold, petunia and verbena.
May is also a great time to plant your fresh herbs. Most herbs are perennials, and are a great addition to any garden. They add attractive greenery to your garden, while also adding fresh flavour to your meals.
Apartment bound without a garden? Consider planting your own urban garden! Use the same techniques discussed, but on a smaller scale, using planters and window boxes.
Written by Shauna Lynn, Beyond The Stage Homes
www.beyondthestagehomes.com