Flowers and Gardening

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Flowers and Gardening for Beginners: Easy Flowers to Grow

Flowers and gardening just go together and though I enjoy growing veggies, flowers will always be my favorite. From the time I was 9 years old, I knew I wanted to grow a flower garden of my own. (I read The Secret Garden)

I got my wish when I was newly married and living in a mobile home on a 10-acre orchard. Directly behind my new home was a spot big enough for me to venture into creating my very own flower garden. My grandmother was more than willing to help and she pointed me in the direction of easy-to-grow flowers.

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If you’re new to flower gardening, starting with easy-to-grow flowers can boost your confidence and make your garden bloom beautifully without overwhelming you. Whether you’re planting in the ground, raised beds, or containers, these beginner-friendly flowers are known for their durability, simplicity, and wide range of colors.

Gardening and growing flowers doesn’t take a green thumb or any talent. Once you get a taste of success you will have developed skills to help you scale up your garden space.

Let’s explore some easy flowers for beginner gardeners and some helpful tips for a flourishing flower garden so you can enjoy this stress-busting endeavor.

(note: these are the flowers that thrive in a moderate climate, if you live in tropical or very humid climate then what will thrive for you may differ, get localized info from garden neighbors or a garden club)

If you are completely new to gardening then you will find this helpful: Start an Easy Garden For Beginners, it includes things you will need regarding tools, how to build the soil, and more.

1. Marigolds

Marigolds are one of the easiest flowers to grow, and they thrive in various conditions. Known for their bright orange and yellow blooms, marigolds are excellent for beginner gardeners because they are drought-tolerant, beautiful, and grow well in both garden beds and containers.

• Planting tips: Marigolds prefer full sun and well-drained soil. French marigolds make great vegetable companion plants, as they can attract beneficial insects that prey upon pests. However they are not as effective as many claim at preventing pests.

2. Zinnias

Zinnias bring a splash of color with minimal effort. These vibrant flowers come in a wide range of colors, including pink, red, yellow, and purple. Zinnias are fast-growing annuals that attract butterflies and pollinators, making them a favorite in flower gardens.

• Planting tips: Zinnias thrive in full sun and need well-drained soil. Deadheading (removing spent blooms) will encourage more blooms and keep your garden looking fresh.
• Growing Zinnias: More info on how to grow zinnias!

3. Sunflowers

For a stunning, bold addition to your garden, sunflowers are a must. These towering beauties are easy to grow from seed, and their cheerful yellow petals make them a favorite among beginner gardeners.

• Planting tips: Sunflowers love full sun and need deep, well-drained soil. Water them regularly, especially when they’re young, but they’re fairly drought-tolerant once established.
• Note: Sunflowers come in a wide range of sizes now, many will bloom again and again if cut and some do not. Read the flower packet for specifics of the variety you wish to grow.
• More info on growing Sunflowers

4. Cosmos

Cosmos flowers are delicate, daisy-like blooms that come in shades of white, pink, and purple. They’re extremely low-maintenance and can thrive even in poor soil, making them perfect for beginner gardeners.

• Planting tips: Cosmos prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They can grow tall, so planting them in the back of garden beds will allow them to add height and dimension to your garden.

5. Pansies

Pansies are cool-season flowers that bring color to your garden early in the spring or fall. With their charming, face-like petals, pansies are a great choice for beginners because they’re relatively simple to grow in both garden beds and containers.

• Planting tips: Pansies prefer cooler temperatures and partial shade in hotter climates. They thrive in well-drained soil and need regular watering, especially in dry conditions. Violas are also easy and more heat tolerant.
• Remember, how well any particular flower or plant performs in your garden is dependent on many factors but your local conditions play a huge part.

6. Snapdragons

Snapdragons are perfect for adding height and drama to your garden. These beautiful flowers come in various colors and are known for their vertical, spike-like blooms.

• Planting tips: Snapdragons prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They’re great for adding layers to your flower beds, but be sure to water them regularly and pinch off dead blooms to encourage new growth.

7. Geraniums

Geraniums are classic garden flowers that can be grown in beds, borders, or containers. They’re easy to care for and provide a long-lasting display of blooms in various shades of red, pink, and white.

• Planting tips: Geraniums thrive in sunny locations and well-drained soil. They’re drought-tolerant once established and only need occasional watering, making them perfect for busy gardeners.
• Note: here in this article we are speaking of Zonal Geraniums aka Pelargoniums. Hardy geraniums are very different.
• Pelargoniums are readily available at most garden centers, but try Growing Them From Seed!

8. Shasta Daisies

Daisies are a timeless garden favorite, loved for their classic white petals and cheerful yellow centers. I won’t go without them!

These hardy flowers are perfect for beginners because they require little care, are easily grown from seed, and can adapt to a variety of growing conditions. Daisies bloom throughout the summer, adding a simple elegance to any garden with regular deadheading.

• Planting tips: Daisies prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They’re quite drought-tolerant once established, but they’ll benefit from occasional watering during dry spells. Deadhead the flowers to encourage another flush of blooms, and divide the plants every few years to keep them healthy and vigorous.
• Discover how easy it is to Grow Daisies in Your Garden!

9. Hollyhocks

Hollyhocks bring a touch of old-fashioned charm to any garden with their tall, stately spires of colorful blooms. These biennial or short-lived perennial flowers can reach impressive heights, making them a perfect choice for adding vertical interest along fences or garden walls.

Hollyhocks are loved for their resilience and vibrant blooms in shades of pink, red, yellow, purple, and white

• Planting tips: Hollyhocks prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They grow well from seed, although they may take a year to establish and bloom. Placing them in a sheltered area can protect them from strong winds. Once they bloom, deadheading can extend the flowering season, and allowing some blooms to go to seed can help hollyhocks reseed naturally. (some find they reseed too readily and consider them pesky, to keep them in check, be sure to deadhead them through the season)

Related: Grow Hollyhocks in Your Garden

Tips for Beginners to Ensure Success with Flowers and Gardening

• Start small: It’s easy to get carried away, but starting with a small garden space or just a few containers will help you manage your garden better.
• Choose the right location: Most flowers flourish in full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day), so pick a sunny spot for your garden.
• Know your soil: Test your soil to understand if it’s sandy, loamy, or clay-like. Most beginner flowers prefer well-drained soil. I admit I did not do this but I started out with tons of organic matter which I tell you about here.
• Water wisely: While flowers need water to thrive, overwatering can lead to root rot. Water your plants deeply but allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
• Use mulch: Mulch helps retain moisture, suppresses weeds, and improves soil health. There are many choices for mulch, find out more.

Related: Replace Mulch With Ground Cover Plants – Budget Friendly and Helps the Soil!

My Final Thoughts on Flowers and Gardening

Starting a flower garden doesn’t have to be intimidating. Growing a garden should be relaxing and relieve stress. You can enjoy a beautiful, colorful garden with minimal effort by choosing easy-to-grow flowers like marigolds, zinnias, and sunflowers. With the right care and a bit of patience, you’ll soon be reaping the rewards of your blooming flower garden.

Did you know you can grow your veggies right beside your flowers? Who says you have to have a separate area to grow your lettuce, radishes are cucumber! Get creative and incorporate some easy-to-grow vegetables and fruit with your flowers.

Happy gardening!

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