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Peonies are one of the most sought after perennial flowers among gardeners of all types due to their extremely colorful foliage and blooms. There are various varieties available in different gardens but the most common ones come with sweet fragrances, with huge blossoms that make them ideal when used for cut flowers. The two main types of peonies that have gained a foothold across many gardens are the Garden Peony and Tree Peony.

Peonies are characterized by huge petals numbering at least five as well as a stamen located in their middle which produces pollen grains and the protective nature of the petals have led to them being nicknamed “Guard Petals”. Some varieties which originate from Japan are noted for having stamens that do not produce any pollen. The blooming period for peonies usually last around 7 days but with proper selection of numerous varieties with different blooming periods, you could end up enjoying peony blooms for a month and a half. Different varieties of peonies produce different colors including red, pink, green, yellow, black, etc.

The best period to plant peonies is during the early stages of fall however if the soil in your garden is suitable then you will have no issues growing them in spring. Planting hole should be larger than 3 feet and make sure the soil in your garden has a PH of 6.5-7.5 as well as contains large quantities of organic matter for optimum growth of your peonies. The peony plant should be placed in the planting hole so the colorful buds are at least an inch deep down the soil. You should water thoroughly after planting.

Peonies require minimal maintenance and can grow well even when practically abandoned, however you should make sure you divide them every few years to prevent any form of overcrowding, which results in unhealthy competition for limited plant nutrients in the soil.

Peonies are not susceptible to many pests and diseases, with the only common pests being leaf blotch and other infections caused by different types of fungus. These infections usually attack the leaves, flowers and stems of the plant and they can be controlled by getting rid of plant parts or whole plants that are found to be infected. Symptoms of these infections include dark spots on affected areas as well as weakened stems, rotting flowers, etc. These infections are usually caused by excessive rainfall as well as over-watering of your plants and that is why planting them in well-drained soils is so important.

It’s common to come across ants on your peonies while growing up but this shouldn’t alarm you as the ants do not cause any harm to your plants. Scales are common insects found on peonies during the end of the summer and sometime in the winter so make sure you spray your plants with insecticides to prevent them from causing extensive damage to your plants.

Your blooms will appear brightly and on time if the tips above are followed correctly and the harvested flowers can be used for interior decorations as well used in flower bouquets for special occasions.

Violets are stunning plants which can be easily grown by anyone and their fabulous fragrance makes them a popular choice among many gardeners. They are perennials noted for their blooming flowers which spring up around the dying periods of winter or early spring. Their leaves are used for various dishes and meals throughout the year.

It’s important that you get to know the most suitable climate and soil conditions for violets before growing them. People living in colder climates will have no problems growing these plants at spots where they receive direct sunlight for maximum parts of the day. In tropical regions, violets may be unable to withstand the extreme day temperatures and therefore will be better off being planted in semi-shaded areas.

The type of soil in which they are grown can determine to a large extent, how well your violets will grow and make sure you plant them in soil with a PH of 6.0-7.5. In extremely acidic soils, application of lime can reduce its acidity and make it more suitable for the growth of your plants. The soil should have excellent drainage, which can be enhanced by the application of compost, manure and other types of organic matter. Clayey soils can be enhanced with the application of manure while cow dung can be applied to extremely sandy soils to enrich it with the vital nutrients for successful growth of your violets.

Violets are typically propagated through divisions, which are available at various garden stores and certified growers. Within 2 years after your violets have grown and become developed, they will be ready to be divided for propagation of new plants. Violets can also be propagated through seeds but make sure they are sown sometime in the autumn, using a planting medium such as a cold frame. Once the seeds have germinated, it will be time to transfer them to containers such as pots so they can grow further for planting sometime in the summer.

During planting, it’s important to ensure that your violets are planted with spaces of about 30 cm and make sure they are watered immediately after planting and regularly as it grows. Violets prefer damp soil and tend to suffer extremely during the summer and drier periods of the year. That is why you have to water your plants more frequently during those times. Violets tend to suffer when they have to compete for soil water and nutrients with weeds and therefore make sure they are gotten rid of as soon as they appear, for optimum plant growth.

When your blooms develop well enough, the next thing will be to harvest them and this usually sometime during winter or spring. Your flowers will transform the view of your landscape, making your home look extremely attractive. Interior decorations can feature violets when they are used as cut flowers and placed in vases, filled with water to keep them fresh for many days or even weeks. Violets are also used in the cooking of various meals and dishes while their sweet fragrance makes them a popular ingredient in the manufacture of essential oils, perfumes, etc.

Who doesn’t love growing sunflowers? Sunflowers are probably one of the first flowers anyone thinks of when he or she decides to get into gardening and this is why their seeds can be purchased from any gardening store in the world. Whether you are just starting out or been gardening for years, sunflowers are one of the plants you should think about growing in your garden or backyard. The extremely colorful nature of their blooms can make your home or garden a sight to behold during the summer months and they require minimal supervision to grow well. They are also edible once the seeds dry out; making it one of the most beneficial flowers we have been blessed with.

Sunflowers are mainly propagated through their seeds and if you are planting in a limited area of land then perhaps selecting the best seeds from your lot will be one of the most fundamental keys to success. The best period for planting the seeds in around the closing stages of the spring season and they can be germinated by placing them in moist paper towels. Make sure the paper towels are just moist instead of being wet as this could end up affecting the total percentage of seeds that successfully end up germinated. The seeds will typically germinate after a couple of days and don’t hesitate to plant them as quickly as they start springing up. You can either prepare them for planting in your garden by initially planting them in pots for 7 days or just plant them in your garden straightaway.

I prefer planting the seedlings straight in the garden after germination as this has shown to aid in the development of strong stems and prevent stunted growth. However you should only do this when the last frost has already occurred and this method is actually recommended if you are planting many sunflower seedlings. Optimum spacing for your seedlings during planting is about 30 centimeters and your seedlings will likely pop up within 7 days or so.

The best spots to grow sunflowers are open areas where they can get the chance to soak up at least 7 hours of direct sunlight every day. Therefore, avoid growing them around walls, large trees or other areas where they will be shaded for most parts of the day.  It’s important to prepare the soil with compost, manure and other types of organic matter and dig the soil up to loosen it if the particles are too clumped up. Sunflowers can blossom in any type of soil without any form of fertilizer application but you can apply liquid fertilizers twice in a month to generate even better blooms.

After growing your sunflowers successfully, you need to be able to harvest them. Keep in mind that creatures such as birds and squirrels will be waiting to make a swoop as soon as the flower heads turn yellow and that is why you need to cover them with brown paper bags as soon as possible until their backs become brownish, which is a sign of ripeness. Your sunflower blooms can be utilized as cut flowers as well as used in the preparation of various meals and snacks.

Are there any flowers more elegant and great looking than lilies? Majority of gardeners both beginners and experienced will doubt this very much. Lilies are often the elite plants of many gardens all over the world and the great thing about them is the fact that there are so many varieties of them which are all colorful and very classy. If you want to have Lilly blooms throughout the summer months then all you have to do is to plant different varieties of them in your garden.

In spite of the reputation of lilies as out-of-the-world plants, they can be grown quite simply by anyone regardless of gardening experience. They thrive well in different types of soils and can equally adapt to sunny areas, partial shades or even areas with minimal sunlight. If you order your plants from a garden store then it’s important to begin planting them as soon as possible after receiving your order and keep in mind that the best period to plant them is during the spring or Fall.

One particular characteristic of lilies is that they require soils with excellent drainage to grow well and make sure planting holes come with a depth of about 12 inches. After digging, make sure all debris, rocks and other undesired materials in the soil are removed while applying peat moss or any other type of organic matter to enrich the soil with nutrients and enhance its drainage systems. Application of bone meal in the planting hole prior to planting of the bulbs will also enhance the growth of your flowers, particular as you won’t have to add any other type of fertilizer during the planting season. After green leaves start springing up from your bulbs, you may be required to apply some organic fertilizer.

Lilies grow well when the soil has ample amounts of moisture and this makes mulching very important especially in areas where the soil tends to be dry due to extremely high temperatures and some of the best materials that can be used include bark mulch as well as compost, cocoa shells, etc. During extreme temperature periods such as the summer, covering your lily beds will be a great idea to protect them from the harsh weather conditions.

Your Lilies can be harvested in the summer and used as cut flowers for sale as well as placed in vases for interior decorations. Lilies are also widely used as ornamental flowers due to their highly attractive blooms which make gardens and landscapes very picturesque.

Old blooms should be deadheaded in the course of the flowering season but make sure only the tips are removed to enhance their resistance in the coming seasons.