How to Grow Flowers For Garden Colour

Spring is the time when flowers really come into their own. Once winter flowers such as violas and pansies draw to an end, it’s time to plant summer annuals such as cosmos, petunias, and marigolds. What you are planting into is very important, so for best results prepare your soil a week or two before you plant out:

1. To prepare your flower bed for planting, firstly remove any dead or old plants and weeds. 
2. Apply evenly a generous layer of Daltons Enriched Compost approx 40L per 2m2 and thoroughly work it into the soil. 
3. As a guide, try and work it in to about 1 ½ spade deep. This ensures that the soil has been fully aerated and the compost has been mixed thoroughly with the existing soil, improving organic matter, nutrient content and microbial activity. 

Flowers generally fall into three main groups and can be grown at certain times of the year.
Annuals Grow only once, then need to be replaced (some varieties self-seed), many varieties to choose from. 
Perennials Non-woody plants that last two or more years (they usually multiply and can be divided) and varieties 
come in a wide range of colours and sizes.
Biennials Sown the first year, flower second year, then are finished.

Bulbs and Roses
There are also a wide variety of flowering spring bulbs you can grow that add a burst of colour after a long winter – lookout for the Daltons How to Grow Bulbs Guide for more information and varieties to grow. 
For Rose lovers, Daltons also has a specific How to Grow Roses Guide if you wish to grow beautiful blooming roses in your garden.

The best types of flowers that grow well in containers or baskets are varieties which are more robust and prefer the drier conditions found within a pot. You can also choose from varieties that are more compact or have a nice trailing habit (for baskets). Always use a good quality container mix such as such as Daltons Premium Potting Mix, or Daltons Premium Outdoor Container Mix – these have been specially developed to have moisture retaining qualities and deliver a well balanced slow release of nutrients. Many people grow annuals in pots – for best results toss out last season’s worn-out soil and replace with a fresh new soil mix. Alternatively, you can revive old soil with Daltons Premium Rose and Flower Fertiliser.

Ideal varieties for pots/container planting

• Dianthus 
• Lavender 
• Geraniums
• Pansy
• Violas
• Petunias
• Marigolds
• Primulas
• Lobelias
• Portulaca
• Livingstone Daisies

Recommended annuals for lovely hanging baskets

• Alyssum
• Lobelias
• Bacopa
• Portulaca
• Verbena
• Cascade Petunias
• Livingstone Daisies
• Ivy Geranium

There are flower varieties available that tolerate shade well and don’t require as much sun. These are perfect for filling up those difficult shady areas in your garden; just ensure you prepare your soil well before planting (see planting steps above).
Some varieties to try are: Impatiens, Cyclamen, Clivias, Fuchsias, Hostas and Cineraria

For guidance on regional planting please talk to your local garden centre and see what is available as in some instances, planting too early or late can lead to problems.

Summer annuals
Annuals are usually grown in the garden, and in containers or pots. There are summer annuals that can tolerate shade, but in general, choose a warm sunny position for best results. Below is a guide of the ideal times to plant flowers in your garden throughout the season.

Sowing Indoors

Seeds should be sown in trays indoors using Daltons Premium Seed Mix, then plant seedlings out in the garden six weeks later.

Direct Planting

Purchase seedlings from your local garden centre and plant directly outside in the garden. 

August/September

• Sowing Indoors

  • Ageratum
  • Asters
  • Livingstone Daisy
  • Lobelia
  • Marigolds
  • Petunias
  • Portulacas
  • Salvias
  • Zinnias

• Direct Planting

  • Alyssum
  • Calendula
  • Cornflowers
  • Hollyhock
  • Nemesia
  • Snapdragons
  • Sweetpeas

October

• Sowing Indoors

  • Arctotis
  • Asters
  • Cosmos
  • Marigolds
  • Sunflowers
  • Petunias
  • Phlox
  • Salvias
  • Zinnias

• Direct Planting

  • Alyssum
  • Cornflowers
  • Delphiniums
  • Hollyhock
  • Nemesias
  • Portulacas
  • Statice
  • Sweet peas
  • Verbena
  • Zinnias

November

• Sowing Indoors

  • Asters
  • Celosia
  • Chrysanthemums
  • Marigolds
  • Sunflowers
  • Petunias
  • Salvias
  • Strawflowers

• Direct Planting

  • Alyssum
  • Ageratum
  • Arctotis
  • Asters
  • Cornflowers
  • Cosmos
  • Marigolds
  • Nemesias
  • Phlox
  • Portulacas
  • Zinnias 

Perennials
A wide selection of flowering Perennials are available in garden centres from May and they can advise you on the best varieties for the season and your region. Some perennial varieties you can try are:

• Alstroemeria
• Armeria
• Anigozanthos
• Asters
• Astilbe
• Cannas
• Dianthus
• Dahlia
• Gardenia
• Hot Rox Scaevola
• Iris
• Phlox
• Lavender
• Primulas
• Polyanthus

Winter Annuals

These flowers are quite hardy and can tolerate the colder conditions, plus they add a lovely pop of colour in your winter garden.

March/April

• Sowing Indoors

  • Calendulas
  • Cineraria
  • Cornflowers
  • Lobelia
  • Nemesia
  • Pansy
  • Lupins (South Island)
  • Snapdragons
  • Stock
  • Sweat pea
  • Sweet William
  • Viola

• Direct Planting

  • Alyssum
  • Aquilegia
  • Calendula
  • Cornflowers
  • Russell Lupins
  • Status
  • Stock
  • Sweet Pea
  • Viola

May

• Sowing Indoors

  • Cineraria
  • Cornflowers
  • Poppies
  • Russell lupins
  • Snapdragons
  • Stock
  • Sweet pea
  • Wallflowers

• Direct Planting

  • Alyssum
  • Calendular
  • Cornflower
  • Russell Lupins
  • Pansy
  • Stock
  • Sweet pea
  • Wallflowers

June/July/August

• Sowing Indoors & Direct Planting

  • Last plantings can continue till early June and into July, then stop and enjoy the flowers!

For all summer annuals, apply Daltons Premium Rose and Flower Fertiliser every 4-6 weeks during growing season. Apply the same for perennials. Water regularly to keep plants growing healthily – around twice a week until plants are well established, and then drop back to once a week (weather dependant). Avoid overwatering.

To ensure continuity of flowering, deadhead your flowers throughout the growing season. With some annuals such as cascade petunias, cut plants back once or twice during the growing season to encourage healthy new growth and flowering. Use Daltons Organic Bio-Fungicides Granules as a non-toxic and organic natural protectant.

Slugs and snails can be an issue so protect plants with non-toxic pet and child friendly slug/snail pellets, or try organic alternatives such as beer traps, and surrounding plants with crushed shell, bark or saw dust. 
It does help to include marigolds and calendulas in your flower planting (particularly in summer) as the pungent odour they produce can help deter pests. Use Daltons Organic Bio-Fungicides Granules as a non-toxic and organic natural protectant.