Next Time You Plant Flowers Go Big & Bold
If you’re like me, you’re always on the lookout for plants that will have a big impact in your garden. Something that makes people stop and say “Wow”! One way to do is to add a supersized flower. A flower like this can be very interesting and become the focal point of your garden. An additional benefit is that these flowers can really improve a floral arrangement too. With so many different varieties of flowers to choose from, we have highlighted a few for you to consider.
Camellia – is a flowering evergreen shrub and the flowers grow up to almost 5 inches in size. The plant performs best in partial shade and depending on the variety and climate will bloom in the fall to early spring. You will find them in white, pink, or red and some are bicolor too. Some of the blossoms resemble a simple rose while others look like a beautiful peony standing above dark green foliage. There are about 250 different species of this plant and they are very popular in the Southern US. It is even the state flower of Alabama. This shrub is generally planted in well-drained soil in the fall through early spring.
Dinnerplate Dahlias – this type of Dahlia produces blooms that can measure up to 10 inches across. These large, attractive flowers can be real show stoppers in your garden. They bloom from midsummer up to the first frost and come in a multitude of attractive colors. You will need some room in your garden to grow these beauties as they need a lot of space to grow. Put them in the rear of your flower bed as they can grow 5 feet tall. Plant the tubers in good soil after the last frost and in full sun. When planting them, put your stakes in the ground from the start so you can be ready to tie them when they reach a certain height.
King Protea – is a tropical looking flower and is the national flower of South Africa. The flowers on this plant can grow 5 to 12 inches in diameter. Each flower head consists of a large, domed, central mass of inner flowers, which are surrounded by stiff, pointed, showy bracts. The blooms are similar to that of an artichoke and come in creamy white to light pink or deep cherry hues. The plant can grow up to 6 feet. This plant is winter hardy in USDA Zones 9-10 where it is best grown in acidic, well-drained soils in full sun. This flower can also be dried and used in a flower arrangement.
Morning Glory – the flowers on this plant are funnel-shaped and come in blue, purple, red, white, and yellow. The flowers on a morning glory are 4 – 5 inches and the plant is easy to grow. They love the sun but will tolerate some shade. The flowers bloom from May – September and as the name reveals, the flowers open in the morning and close in the afternoon. This vine is an annual but it often self-seeds in warmer climates and some people feel they are invasive. Morning Glories are best started from seed and can be planted after the last frost occurs in your area.
Oriental Poppies – this variety of poppy has flowers that can measure up to 6 inches across. They are a perennial and can be somewhat challenging to grow. Oriental poppy flowers come in attractive shades of orange, pink, purple, red and white with a vivid black center. Even though they are a short-blooming flower, they are attention-grabbing. The flowers bloom in late May to June and grow 2 to 4 feet tall. This plant likes well-drained soil and will not tolerate being soggy. It also is not a fan of high heat and humidity. This plant has roots like a carrot, which can make it difficult to transplant. This makes finding the right location form them particularly important. Fall is the best time to plant this perennial.
Camelllia photo courtesy of Jill Mazur.
