Let's talk summer annuals!

The secret of great summer flowerbeds is exposure -- the right plants in the right locations.  For example, you don't want to put petunias on a north exposure because they'll never get enough sun to grow!  Different colors and different textures are the key to a beautiful flower garden!  The red plant is Coleus - there are many varieties that will take full sun.

Planting close together gives you a nice full look.  Mixing colors makes things look more natural than rows of the same color. These were probably planted 12" apart to give this nice full look.

Plants pictured: Spikey blue plant (Victoria Blue Salvia); Purple plant on the left is another version of Coleus; pink in middle right is a miniature petunia; yellow in bottom left is another small zinnia.

Correct watering and fertilization of the flowers is very important.  Never water daily -- longer watering with more time space in between is best -- even in July and August (hottest months here in Utah).  Flower beds should at most be watered 3 times a week.  Also, dead-heading old blooms makes new blooms come out.  This needs to be done at least weekly, but if you have the time, do it daily.

Plants pictured: Magenta colored plant (Verbena); light green (potato plants); tall red (coleus); orange in the front right (baby zinnias)