NEWBIE NEEDS SUNNY FRONT FLOWERBED IDEAS

Hi,
Could someone please advise a newbie on some easy flowers to go into this flowerbed? It gets full sun full on it most of the day in the summertime. Would like to keep the color scheme coordinated with the front of the house. So far, the white petunias? survived the Houston winter and are outgrowing everything else. Please advise soonest.

The little hedges are growing REALLY, REALLY slowly...the red thingies are begonias. Only one made it through the winter, ok. I've learned they get really great color in the shade, and bleach out in all the sunshine...I probably need to move them somewhere else.

P.S. A friend has offered me two Sago Palms. Would they really go in this little bed without crowding it out? Where would you put it?

Thanks!

Linda

This message was edited Mar 4, 2009 4:49 PM

Sagos will get too big for that area. I think they grow pretty slow, but they're not like regular shrubs where you could try and prune them to keep them a certain size, they are going to get too big someday so I'd find another spot for them.

Your white flowers don't look like petunias from what I can see of them--if you can post a closer shot of them someone will probably recognize them. On the begonias it depends what kind they are--there's some kind that I see around here planted in full sun in places like gas stations, mall parking lots, etc. If that's the same kind you have then they may be fine where they are, but there are other types that would probably fry in the TX sun.

As far as other plants, are you going for a more formal look, or a looser more cottagey look? It looks sort of formal the way it is but I wasn't sure if that's the look you're going for or not. There are some things like coneflowers and Gaura that are pretty and will stand up to the sun, but they're a little more informal. Gazania and Gaillardia are two other nice ones that have a long bloom time. You could also try some groundcover roses.

I agree with ecrane, Sago's would be way to big. Sago's can be 10 ft to 30 ft tall. Instead of the begonias try Dianthus. Very easy to grow, multiplies but is not invasive. The clumps will get bigger around. Dianthus comes in many shades of white and pink. Grows in full sun and does well in a drought. We are in a very bad drought here and they have survived pretty well.

Daylilies are super easy.

A cottage garden would look so gorgeous there. You might want to go to the Cottage Gardening forum to get some ideas from those folks. Bet they'd be happy to post some pictures that will give you lots of wonderful ideas.

Thanks, Guys! Very wonderful and helpful suggestions!

Linda

Zinias would grow great there and so would marigolds.

JuneyBug,
I'm trying to convince my young friend to put some marigolds in that bed. She's kinda got that "match the house" thing in her mind, and can't see how the great ideas posted here could work in that cute little flowerbed. I'm seeing bright, vivid colors like yellow AND orange marigolds, some purple coneflowers, some daylilies and the Gaura, Gazania, and Gaillardia. Also, the dianthus. How would some black-eyed Susans or Mexican Heather work with these other suggestions? LMK.

She researched geraniums and was told that while they can take the sun, it's heat above 90 degrees that does them in, so she's reluctant to go with them. And, the begonias tend to fade and/or not reach their true vivid color in full sun.

I went to the Cottage Garden thread and saw wonderful ideas. Now, I trying to figure out how to create a cottage garden look along the treeline in MY back yard. I'd like to incorporate growing my veggies amongst the flora -- even on my patio, interspersed among the other container plants!

Thanks, Again, Guys!

Linda

Yes to the ideas!

And I love the dark green of pepper plants behind white or yellow flowers!

ooooooooooooooh, JuneyBug!

Now I've got a reason go to back to the Feedstore to buy some pepper plants! I raced home and was up until 11p last night sowing golden orange, yellow and gold, and yellow marigold seeds for containers amongst all the green stuff that's growing on our patio. Everywhere I look in our yard is just "green." Never thought it could be sooooooooo boring! I ended up with four flats, and there are lemon yellow seeds still on the way, so more marigolds! And, I know for a fact that marigolds draw bees (ask me about how mad my mother was the first time I planted anything -- tall yellow marigolds along the front of our house -- and no one could sit on the front porch for the entire summer cause of the bees.....)

So, tell me. How does one go about starting this cottage look along a back yard treeline? Should I just sorta map out my area, clear it out for planting, and start putting a few here, a few there, here a few, there a few, everywhere a few, few?

The treeline is rather raggedy, but I believe could turn into something nice. I'll take a pic this evening and post tonight to give ya'll a visual. I am soooooooooo excited!!!

I'd like to plant stuff that will return every year. Not so much into having to do annuals, although I don't mind with the marigolds. Mexican Heather takes a licking and keeps on ticking, and from what I've seen, grows rather slowly but steadily, so it's a candidate for some transplanting to that treeline.

Please keep the ideas coming. I am truly inspired.

A picture would help a lot Gymgirl. We need to see how much sun/shade you will be dealing with. Sounds like you're getting lots of really good ideas though. Some easy perennials: coneflowers, blackeyed Susans, Shasta daisies, dwarf Mexican petunia, blanketflowers, salvia, day lilies and monarda. The list is endless--it's a matter of what types of flowers suit your taste and what color combos you like.

I like the here a few, there a few. DH likes regimented lines (did I mention that he is retired Army~LOL)
If you need to block a view, there are some azaleas that you can grow down there that get as tall as a one story house-if they have wind protection and afternoon shade is a bonus for those. Don't forget as you are checking out what is available in your area that some plants can perfume the area nicely! And, if you like to sit out there at night, white flowers reflect the moonlight and give the yard a whole new look...

So many possibilities!

Ya'll are totally wonderful. It rained all weekend, so I didn't get a chance to get the pic. I'll try this evening when I get home. When I post it, take the little trellis/veggie bed in the pic into account. I'm hoping to expand that bed horizontally along the front of the treeline on each side. It currently measures 4.5' wide. Looking directly at it,I want to expand it to the left by another 2.5' and to the right by another 3'. So, it would stretch in front of the treeline approximately 10' and be approximately 5' wide.

I've watched the sun patterns to determine where the optimum catchment area would be.