The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
Small Home Landscaping
Know Your Flowers
THE amount of space you set apart for flowers will depend upon the size of your property, how much interest you have in them and, above all, the amount of time you can devote to their culture. No place is complete without flowers, no matter how small. The amount of sunshine available has a bearing on what you can grow too, as well as other conditions—like soil and exposure.
On a small plat, the flowers are usually planted against a background of shrubs, evergreens, a hedge or even a fence with vines. They could be planted in front of the foundation planting. But avoid making a bed in the middle of the lawn. It cuts up the area, breaks unity and adds to the upkeep. No matter how small, a grass sward in front of the house gives better scale and a neat and orderly look. If only the front lawn is available, keep the flower bed in an orderly pattern on the outer boundary—if that is possible—or on each side of the path or driveway.
Except for roses which are usually kept by themselves, all the flowers are grown in one bed or border. Flowers are selected from the three main kinds: bulbs, perennials and annuals. These are combined within the space you have and arranged to give bloom over the entire season.
First to flower are the hardy bulbs of spring: daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, crocus, snowdrops, snowflakes, Dutch iris, and
others. These are always planted in autumn; any time from September until December, depending on the region. They cannot be planted in spring. Autumn planting is necessary to permit the bulbs to become fully rooted before flowering in spring.
All bulbs need a well dug and well drained soil. Humus, peatmoss, compost are good for organic matter. Bonemeal can be added when planting. But, fresh manure or active chemical fertilizer are not used at bulb planting time. Fertilizer can be applied just as the tops of the growth show above the soil in spring. The 5-10-5 or similar formula is used three pounds per hundred square feet.
Tulips, narcissi (daffodils) and hyacinths are planted six to eight inches deep. The size of the bulb and the kind of soil determine the depth. A heavy soil means six inches, a light one—eight inches. A spacing between the bulbs of seven to nine inches is about right. Bulbs can be set with a garden trowel, bulb planter or dibber. Planting is made easy if the soil is loose.
