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“Techniques for Growing Outdoor Flowers”
By Sharon Morrisey
Consumer Horticulture AgentMilwaukee County UW-Extension
UW-Extension15th “campus” of the UW SystemFederal, State, County Partnership4 Program Areas4 Program Areas
Agriculture/ horticulture4-H/ Youth DevelopmentFamily LivingCNRED
Gardening Resources
UW-Extension ResourcesUW-Extension Publications
UW-Extension InfoSource
UW-Extension Diagnostic Services
UW-Extension in the Media
UW-Extension Horticulture Website
Garden FlowersDefine:
AnnualsPerennials“Bulbs” Others:
Tender perennialsHardy annualsBiennialsNative plants, wildflowers and weeds
Annual FlowersFlowering plant grown for one season
plant annually
Grown mainly for flowersyFlower all season longMajority require full sunMajority are warm-season plantsMostly planted as transplants vs. seeds
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Herbaceous PerennialsSome part survives from year to yearHas a season of bloom – not all summersummerGrown for flowers and/or foliage or habitProvide multiple seasons of interestPlanted as transplants or divisions“Sleep, Creep then Leap!”
“Bulbs”Perennials which survive via an underground storage organ
BulbBulbRhizome Tuber Corm
Spring flowering bulbsSummer flowering bulbs
“Bulbs”
Spring floweringPlanted in fall
Crocus
Summer floweringPlanted in late springCrocus
DaffodilsHyacinthTulips
“minor bulbs”SnowdropsScillaGrecian windflower
springCannaDahliaGladiolusTuberous begoniaCaladiumCalla lily
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“Other”Tender perennials
Hardy annualsHardy annuals
Biennials
Wildflowers/ natives/ weeds
Site SelectionDesign Considerations
Function
Site Considerations
LightFunctionPoint of viewPrinciples of artDesign qualities
LightExposureMoisture/drainageSoil typeInterferring roots
Design ConsiderationsPrinciples of Art
RepetitionVariety
Design QualitiesLine
StraightC dBalance
EmphasisSequenceScale
Curved
FormTextureColor
Color Color
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ColorColor Schemes
MonochromaticSingle color; various shades and tints
ComplementaryOpposite colors
HarmoniousLimited number of neighboring colors
PolychromaticMany colors
Site ConditionsKnow the site
LightFull sunShadeShade
Partial shade – no more than 4 hours sun a dayShade – no direct sun but lightDeep shade – no sun; deep shadows
Exposure/ hardinessMoisture/drainageSoilInterferring roots – surface & black walnut
Variety SelectionOrnamental features
SizeHabitFlower colorFlower colorPeriod of bloomTexture/ foliage
Cultural requirements & TLCPotential pest problems
Resistance/ tolerance/ immunityAward winningSources
Bed PreparationCreating a new bed
Soil testingph, P, K, OM, texturep , , , ,
Weed controlLaying out the bed3-options
Strip sodCover sodKill sod
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Bed PreparationSoil preparation
AmendmentsPeatPeatCompost
Replace – “brown dirt”Raised bedsFertilizingTilling/ spading
Planting Annuals
Cold tolerantAlyssumDusty miller
TenderJune 1st
After all danger ofDusty millerSnapdragonsPetuniasLobeliaPansies
After all danger of frostOak leaves the size of squirrels ears
Planting AnnualsHow
“harden-off”Packs vs. flatsHandling the rootballCool, cloudy, or eveningDepthWateringStarter fertilizer – high PDeadhead/ pinchMulch
Planting PerennialsWhen
Anytime the soil can be worked.
HowLarge holeAmend soil
Spring for fall floweringFall for spring flowering
WaterStarter fertilizer – high Pmulch
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Maintaining FlowersWateringFertilizingPinching“Deadheading”StakingClean-upWinter protectionDivisionPest management
Maintaining FlowersWatering
Mulch to reduce needAvoid overhead watering (cultural IPM)Avoid overhead watering (cultural IPM)1” per week (or less if mulched)
Maintaining FlowersFertilizing
Bed at preparationEvery three years (if needed)y y ( )
As growth resumes in the springAnalysis
N-P-KFormulation
SolubleGranularSlow-relaease
Maintaining FlowersPinching
Removing growing point to promote bushiness
“Deadheading”DeadheadingRemoving spent flowers to produce stronger roots and stems (unless ‘self-cleaning’)
StakingSupports weak stems
“pea stakes”
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Maintaining FlowersClean-up
SpringWait until average frost free date
FallOnly infected/ infested debris (cultural IPM)Appearance preferenceLeave dried stems and seedheads
Winter interestwildlife
Maintaining FlowersDividing & Transplanting Perennials
WhenFall for spring and mid-season flowerersFall for spring and mid season flowerersSpring for fall flowerersEvery 3 – 5 years or longer
Flowering diminishingCrowdedCenters die-out
Maintaining FlowersDividing & Transplanting Perennials
HowRoots can take a lot of “abuse”Roots can take a lot of abuse
FingertipTwo-fork methodAxe method
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Pest ManagementPests
InsectsDiseases – fungi bacteria virusesDiseases fungi, bacteria, viruses, PPLO’sWeedsWildlife