STARTING your flower garden isn’t as difficult as you may think, all you need are the right seedlings.
Several plants are so easy to grow that even a child can do it and come with unique features like attracting butterflies.
Epic Gardening expert Danielle Sherwood shared tips to grow beginner-friendly flowers from seeds with minimal effort easily.
SUNFLOWERS
According to Sherwood, sunflowers are low-maintenance annual flowers that are a staple in many gardens for a reason.
These child-friendly, popular, and low-maintenance annual flowers are a favorite.
Not only are they “pollinator favorite” and produce delicious seeds, but there are many types of sunflowers that bloom in different sizes and colors.
READ MORE GARDENING
For example, the “Helianthus annuus” grows anywhere from two to ten feet tall.
“These beauties are native to the United States and tolerant of drought, deer pressure, and poor soils,” she said.
HOLLYHOCK
Just like the previous plant, Hollyhock stalks can grow up to ten feet, and their “large, showy flowers open over an extended period.”
Sherwood added that they are biennial and grow easily, so they don’t need much attention once they mature.
Most read in Lifestyle
The expert suggested planting hollyhock seeds near the house or along a fence to provide structural support.
“Once they flower, you can harvest the seeds or leave them to scatter on their own. They’ll reseed, giving you a gorgeous patch of constant flowers in the coming years,” she explained.
BLUE WOOD ASTER
Blue wood aster is native to the United States and becomes a three-foot tall, bushy shrub covered with small, lavender star-shaped flowers when fully grown.
The plant blooms in late summer or early fall, and spreads quickly so plant it somewhere you want a field of purple color.
It grows well in partially shaded and dry conditions once established, which is why Sherwood said it’s a “perfect choice for those difficult garden spots.”
A special fun fact is that it supports many specialist bees that can only feed on its nectar as a butterfly host plant.
BLACK-EYED SUSANS
Black-Eyed Susans, also known as Rudbeckia hirta, are another butterfly host plant that grow to about three feet tall.
The perennials are golden-yellow daisy-like flowers with deep brown and sometimes burgundy centers and “lance-shaped, fuzzy leaves.”
Sherwood advised planting it two weeks before the last frost.
“Direct seed in full sun fall through late winter, and look forward to lots of joyful golden blooms!” she added.
PENSTEMON DIGITALIS
Sherwood recommended sowing Penstemon digitalis in the fall through late winter, so you’ll have blooms by early summer.
The long-lasting, snowy-white blooms are tinged with pink and are very eye-catching when a pile of them is planted together.
Read More on The US Sun
“It will put up with drought, clay soil, and harsh sun. In southern climates, it can be evergreen,” the expert added.
Based on the gardening guru’s advice, run over to your local plant store and stock up on fresh seedlings while supplies and the weather last.
Source: the-sun.com
Leave a Reply