Growing flowers is different in Central Florida, because of the climate. Florida only has three seasons. Winter weather consists of cool nights and an occasional freeze. Spring has some cool nights without any freezing. High night temperatures and high humidity along with heavy rains characterize much of the summer and early fall.

Perennials are plants that can grow for several years without replacement. Flowers that don’t fit that requirement are called bedding plants or annuals. Bedding plants are replaced at the beginning of each season with varieties that fit the specific conditions of that season. Perennials typically bloom only part of the year, annual beds can offer almost continuous blooms.

Growing flowers in Central Florida brings good news and bad news. The good news is that there is lots of sunshine and winters are mild. The bad news includes lots of pests, heavy rains and sandy infertile soils. That means flower beds require more maintenance than normal. The time needed to scout for and treat pests will increase.

Planting successful flower beds in Central Florida requires matching the right bedding plants to the right season. Those flowers that prefer cooler night time temperatures, such as pansies, petunias and snapdragons will be most successful when planted in the fall, winter and early spring. Those flowers that thrive in warmer conditions and higher humidity like marigold, gazania, amaranthus, celosia, crossandra, impatiens, vinca and coleus are best planted from late spring to early summer. Wax begonias and salvias do well year-round in Central Florida

It’s important to decide how the flowers will be used in the landscape. It’s important for gardeners to understand that annuals should only be used as an accent to the landscape, not as the centerpiece. Their use should blend in with the landscape, the home and with other flower beds. Minimize the number of different flowers and colors used. Many well designed flower beds consist of only one species.

In most cases, the flower beds should be prepared and ready several days before purchasing the plants. Several inches of peat or compost should be added and the soil turned to a depth of at least 6 inches. Plant all flowers soon after their purchase. The longer they’re held prior to planting, the greater the risk of problems. Flower beds can be fertilized at the time of planting and monthly afterwards.

Be sure to purchase good quality flowers. Look for dark green leaves and plants that are disease free and insect free. Plants do not have to be blooming at the time of purchase. Flowers that have been poorly cared for and reduced in price are not bargains. They will not fully recover and cannot match the performance of healthy plants.

Flowers are typically offered in either cell packs, also called flats, or in 4-inch pots. Each has advantages and disadvantages. Cell packs are cheaper but the plants are smaller. 4-inch pots are more expensive but their larger size means they will bloom more quickly, produce for more of the growing season and cover the bed more quickly.

Tags: annuals, family, flowers, gardening, home, plants

Print This Post

Rate this post:

Related Posts:

• No related posts

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 16th, 2009 at 3:01 am and is filed under gardening. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.