My flower bed

Hello all,

Well I just thought I would make sure that I have not shot myself in the foot! LOL Before I planted my flowers I mixed organic top soil and organic potting soil together and spread evenly across the whole bed. I did not realize that it had or would smell like manure! LOL (My neighbors are loven me! LOL)

My bed is in the east center part of my yard so it gets full sun and the good old Texas wind. (Will post a pic at the bottom)

Here are the flowers that I planted in the order I planted them. I planted at an angle to make sure I could see them from inside the house and the street. Besides the fact that I could not think of another way to plant them! LOL

Front Row:
Celosia (Cristata) Amigo Mix. Which is a mix of bright colors 6 inch height

Second Row:
Hawaii Royal (Ageratum). Which mounts to about 8 inches and is a blue/purple flower 6 inches height

Third Row:
I mixed these together.
Floral Lace Mix Dianthus (Dianthus). Which the colors of are crimson red and a white tipped pink fading into red and white tipped red. 8 inch height.

Forth Row:
Salvia Sizzler (the tag does not have the Latin name) Which has deep plum purple blooms. And I believe grows to an 8 inch height.

Fifth Row:
Dahlia Figaro Mix Which is a bright mix of colors. 12-24 inch height (I did get a few from a greenhouse that look the same! But that tag says they grow to a 10 inch tall height and 10 inches wide. So I guess we will see! LOL)

Sixth Row:
I mixed together Titan Punch Vinca which are hot pink 14-16 inch height. And what the tag simply calls) Vinca which has white peddles and either a yellow hot pink or red center. Some of which have a pinkish purple peddle and a hot pink center. Which it says has a height of 12 inches.

Seventh Row:
Rocket Mix Snapdragons. Which it says are a hybrid of mixed color. So I don't know if that means they will reseed. Height 36 inches.

And finally in the upper left corner (or Eighth Row) is a Royal Red Butterfly Bush. Which looks the same as the standard Butterfly Bush with purple flowers, but whose flowers have more of a pink or reddish tint to them. I was told it would grow to be 6 to 7 feet tall but I am going to keep it trimmed back shorter then that.

I realize that the height of the Dahlias and Vinca might be a problem, but I am taking the gamble and can move it later if it is. But in that order repeats that color pattern!

So did I do good?
Will any of these things reseed themselves?
Or do they are seed that I can deadhead for?
Will the manure in the soil be a shot in the foot?

Thanks all

your soil could be on the rich side, but there again some of the plants are hungry feeders, like the dahlias, yes you dead head any plants that the flowers have faded, this also encourages the plants to make new shoots and flowers and bulks them out a bit, as regards you trying to move any of your plants that are in the wrong place, you stand a good chance of loosing them as the weather will be too hot and they might just wilt because you have disturbed their roots in the move, you will know next time you do your bed what to wathch out for as regards hight etc, remember, the labels are only a general guide and will differ from area to area and soil type, some of your plants will reseed however, usualy hybrids dont, they are produced to prevent seeding, but again, that is a general rule not gospel, no the manure sure wont be a shot in the foot as you have done your best to give the plants the best start you pos knew how, just dont ADD any more plant food this season, give as mush water as you can with the temp you have so the roots get water and not JUST food from the soil. YES I think you have done really good, especialy as you said you are quite new to gardening, the way you have researched your plants, colours and expected hight, is all great and as you look after them you will learn more abut gardening, that is where everyone starts, just dont be put of if you have a couple of little misshaps, always remember that the pictures you see on seed packets are from plants grown by experts, we are just average people who love gardening, so good on you, enjoy and hope your bed looks stunning after all your hard work,happy gardening. WeeNel.

Thank you very much! That is very comfoting and encouraging to hear! LOL

I will try and post a pic when they are all grown and flowering hoprfully! LOL

The plants that I bought at a local chain store (Ace Hardware) seem to be doing much better then the few that I got from the greenhouse! Makes me wonder. I thought it might work out the other way around! LOL

I have lost 2 maybe 3 Dahlias that I got from the greenhouse. I have to admit that the ones I got from Ace look fuller and the flower looks a little different. I wondered if they where Zinnias and not Dahlias!

The Salvia I think looks the worst right now, but I am going to cut it back now that the blooms have fallen off! I think that will help.

Thanks again!

Here is an updated pick as I promised! There are more in the Beginging Flowers board.