How to Plant Flowers for a Garden Full of Color

For a garden that stays colorful for multiple seasons, start with a few favorite perennials and build from there. Check bloom charts in catalogs to find varieties that bloom in the spring, summer, fall, and even winter, keeping in mind that bloom times aren’t always exact. Mixing different timing varieties will keep the flowers coming. When planting, go for groupings of three to five instead of single plants—it’ll look fuller and more natural.

How to Plant Flowers

1. Choose a Planting Spot

   Do the plants you've picked need sun, shade, or a combination? Start by arranging your plants so they'll get the kind of light they prefer (plants that like the sun should be out in the open, and plants that need shade should go in a spot where they'll have some cover).

   Some overlooked spots that can use a bit of color include around your mailbox, under a large tree, along the bottom of a privacy fence or gated area, or where the porch base meets the ground.

   Full sun is six hours or more of direct sun per day, not necessarily continuously. Part shade typically means four to six hours of sun per day. Shade definitions vary depending on how deep the shade is. Dappled shade gives a lot more light than deep shade, for example.

   Defining a Garden Bed

   If you have a large expanse of grass, consider adding a flower bed to break up the open space with some visual interest. Before you start digging, map out the shape of your flower bed. For straight edges like squares, rectangles, or circles, use stakes and string to outline the space. If you want a more natural, curvy look, grab a long rope or an old garden hose and play around with different shapes until it feels just right. Walk around and check it from all angles—even from the street—to make sure it looks great from every perspective.

2. Add Compost to the Soil

   One important step in how to plant flowers for a beautiful flower garden is to start with healthy soil. Generally, most flowering plants do best in loose and well-drained soil with plenty of organic material. You don't need to dig a large area for flower planting, but you should dig enough soil to add some compost to improve the soil structure and add nutrients.

   Avoid digging or handling soil when it's wet to prevent compaction. Plants need a certain amount of space between soil particles for roots to grow. One test is to dig a small soil sample from a 3-inch hole to see if soil can be worked. Squeeze it into a ball, then toss the soil onto a hard surface such as a rock or pavement. If the soil stays together, it's too wet for planting, but it's time to plant if it shatters.

   The 7 Best Compost Bins, Tested by BHG

3. Dig a Hole

   Planting a flower garden from seeds differs slightly from using nursery plants. Follow the directions on the seed packet to know how deep and far apart each seed should be planted. With potted garden plants, you should usually plant with the soil at the same level as the soil in the pot, but read the plant tag to be sure.

4. Plant Your New Flowers

   Sow flower seeds according to package directions. For potted plants, gently remove each plant from its container. If roots are tangled, tease some or all of the soil from the roots before settling the root ball into the hole you've prepared.
   

5. Firm Soil Around Plants

   Cover seeds or push the soil you dug out back into the hole, firming it gently around your plant but not packing it down. Remember that the plant should be at the same depth in the ground as it was in its pot.
   

6. Water Deeply

   Thoroughly soak the soil around your newly planted flowers. Garden flowers generally need 1 to 2 inches of moisture every week to perform well, so water if you don't receive enough rain. When learning how to plant flowers, water deeply but less often. This allows the roots to grow deeper, making plants stronger and more resilient. Avoid keeping soil waterlogged, or the roots of your flowering plants may rot.

   4 Must-Follow Steps to Keep Your Potted Plants Watered While You’re on Vacation

7. Add Mulch

   Spread a layer of mulch, such as shredded bark, around your new plants to help slow evaporation and reduce how often you need to water. It will also help reduce weeds.