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)

Potted tulips

TULIPS!!! 
I planted the bulbs and pansies late last fall in October.  

They look great in this large pot (seen below) next to my water feature! 

I placed some other pots right next to the rose garden to bring some color to that area of the yard since the roses won't bloom for a while.

I tried to cram as many bulbs in the pots as I could.  The standard is 3 - 4" apart.  My wife's favorite color in landscaping is pink and they turned out really nice this year! The best tulips come from New York from a company called Van Bourgondien.   Don't buy from "big box" stores -- they're cheap and you'll be disappointed in the size of the tulips.  I use a good potting mix from a nursery or garden center.  Because we had a very dry winter, I had to water the pots periodically (every two weeks).  Now I water them about twice a week, depending on the weather. 

Any questions?  Ask me in the comments section below.

Questions I'd like you to comment on:
What do you put in your pots?
What's your favorite color of tulips?
How many tulips do you have in your yard right now?