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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

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Pest ManagementIntegrated Pest Management

Know the Key PestsKnow the Key Pests

Monitor plants regularly

Choose the best control method

Integrated Pest ManagementBest Control Practices• Cultural

• Physical

• Biological

• Chemical