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Beautifully flowering low plants are always included by designers in spectacular compositions. Colorful annual flowers low-growing species provide numerous design options for flower beds and borders. A varied, rich palette of low annuals provides an advantageous backdrop for impressive ensembles of tall flowers. A mosaic of flowering and decorative foliage annual plants brings a touch of revitalization to green lawns. The group of popular low annuals is expanding every year.
Specifics of landscaping with annuals
Low garden annual flowers planted with seedlings allow you to create a magnificent flower bed in 2-3 weeks. These unpretentious annual flowers as if they were created for a summer residence. Low growing plant forms They will make the driveway elegant and neat. Already behind their colorful stripe there will be spectacular tall plants.
short annuals occupy a decisive place in landscaping due to their unique properties.
- Non-standard compositional design of the flower bed when using different combinations of colors;
- The onset of flowering in a relatively short time;
- Possibility of creating original ornamental flowering rugs;
- Long flowering time;
- A quick and wonderful way to fill empty space between young perennials;
- Easy to care for.
Low annual flowers like to be planted along fences and paths, near walls and next to vegetable plants.
Principles for selecting plants for a flower bed
It is necessary to select low-growing annuals for a flower bed based on some of their general properties and the location of the future flower garden.
Flower beds of flowering low plants differ in characteristics:
- High level of sunlight. Purslane, marigolds, nasturtium, geranium, calendula, dahlias from seeds, alyssum, and petunias will bloom well here. Chlorophytum will reveal the beauty of its bright leaves, decorative cabbage, coleus, cinneraria;
- Presence of partial shade. Such conditions love balsam, calceolaria, begonia, fuchsia;
- Humidity. Begonia, balsam, ornamental cabbage, and coleus grow well;
- Color palette.
Based on the color of flowers or leaves of plants, they are guided by variegation, contrast or harmonious transitions. Low-growing white flowers are always appropriate. There are many such annuals with different flower sizes.
Border plants
Annuals for borders play a special role. They either contrast with the surrounding plants, or neutral colors - silver and white - prepare for contemplation of a colorful show.When selecting flowering low-growing annuals, they are guided by the following rules:
- Continuity of a flower stream. It is necessary to sow or plant low annual flowers in two rows;
- The width of the borders does not exceed 0.5 m, plants are placed that are not higher than 40 cm;
- The constancy of the decorative effect of flowers, which does not depend on the weather. Plant hardy low border annuals that do not suffer from rain or heat and always remain presentable;
- Regenerability of plants. Border annual flowers are at risk of being trampled and may get hit by a mower. Fast regeneration of branches is a decisive point in choosing plants for the border;
- Good compatibility of low-growing annual border flowers.
Proper care, regular watering and fertilizing will provide a border of low flowers or decorative foliage annuals with a spectacular appearance from spring to autumn.
Types of low-growing plants and flowers
The kingdom of annual low-growing flowers is inexhaustible. Flowering carpets in courtyards and flowerpots on balconies in bright or calm colors delight the eye both in the countryside and in the city. Everyone chooses their favorite plants.
Marigold
Low, up to 20-30 cm, marigold bushes with yellow and orange flowers grow in the sun and shade, not at all capricious. Their seeds can be sown in warm soil or grown as seedlings.The plants are very lush and picturesque, with long flowering until frost. There are tall varieties, up to 50-60 cm. These are classic low-growing annual border flowers.
Begonia
Spectacular flower beds of low-growing annuals are decorated with begonia, which is characterized by bright colors. Her partners: alyssum, ageratum, lobelia, pyrethrum. The plant is sown for seedlings in February and planted in May. Flowering continues until autumn. Begonia prefers moderately moist, acidified nutrient soils. The plant does not tolerate drought well.
Petunia
Delicate flowers, beloved by many, delight their admirers from spring to autumn. Low-growing annuals bloom luxuriously in a sunny place with sufficient watering. When it rains, the decorative value of flowering plants decreases. Unpretentious acclimatized petunias are propagated by direct sowing into the ground. Exquisite varieties of flowers are grown from seedlings. The seeds are simply laid out on the surface of the soil and lightly pressed. Shoots appear on 10-14 days. To form a good fibrous root, the plants are transplanted into pots twice.
Eschszolzia
Low-growing, from 20 to 40 cm, drought-resistant annuals grow on any soil except acidic. Before sowing, the seeds are kept cold. They are sown in the ground early in the spring, sometimes even in the snow, then mulched, or in the fall. They are small, lightly pressed into the soil and sprinkled with mulch. Eschscholzia can reproduce by self-sowing. The colors of the flowers are varied: white, cream, yellow, orange, red. Creates a very cheerful “sincher” in the garden.
Purslane
Low-growing, up to 10 cm, purslane plants cover the flowerbed with a multi-colored carpet. Flowers come in simple and double colors, in completely different shades, except cold ones: crimson, red, pink, yellow, white.It grows in sunny places and is suitable for sandy and rocky soils. Undemanding to watering. Purslane is similar to a succulent with succulent stems and leaves. The plant has proven itself well as annual flowers for borders located in sunny, dry areas.
Sow small seeds in heated soil. Peat should not be added to the soil for seedlings. A very heat-loving plant, afraid of cold weather. Seedlings are moved to flower beds at the end of May and June. The colorful annual plant can reproduce by self-sowing.
Lobelia
Lush lobelia cushions in blue, purple, light burgundy and white look expressive and elegant in flower beds or in flower pots. Grown through seedlings. Small seeds that germinate in two weeks should not be sprinkled with soil. Lobelia roots are tender; you need to sow 3-4 grains in separate containers to avoid spiking. A flowerpot in which one bush will grow does not look as impressive as a group of four plants. Loves sunlight and abundant watering; the best soils are loamy and loose. Partners: petunia, balsam, verbena, rudbeckia.
Iberis
Small white flowers form an elegant cloud, which serves as an interesting backdrop for bright, low-growing plants. There are varieties with other colors: purple and pink. Grows in loose soils, in sun and partial shade. Water only on hot days. Faded parts are removed. For lush flowering, feed. Partners: ageratum, petunias, alyssum.
Seeds are sown superficially in autumn or April, lightly sprinkled with soil. To obtain continuous flowering in summer, a second sowing is carried out after 15-20 days. Plants take up to two weeks to germinate. If grown as seedlings, they are not picked.
Calceolaria
Original slipper flowers grow in partial shade.The plant blooms all summer. It is necessary to water carefully, without splashing water. The soft leaves of the flower do not tolerate drops of water. It is often grown as a houseplant with yellow and red flowers.
Seeds of varieties grown in soil are sown in February or March. Sprinkle a thin layer of sand onto the soil of the container. Place the seeds on top and cover the container with film. Seedlings germinate in a bright place after two weeks. Water very carefully so as not to damage small sprouts. They dive in a month. Plants are placed in the garden at the end of May. Overwatering is detrimental to calceolaria.
Balsam
The popular name is “Vanka wet” or “Touchy”. There are many varieties of the plant, home and garden forms. A shade-loving plant with white, pink or coral flowers and lanceolate leaves is sown in the plots. The flower does not tolerate hot, dry weather well. Regular watering is required.
They sow seedlings in March, the seedlings wait a long time. Withstands picking well. When planted in a permanent place, you can pinch the top so that the bush grows more luxuriantly. The seed pods are distinguished by the fact that when ripe they crack at the slightest touch.
Ageratum
An unpretentious sun-loving plant with blue, purple, pink and white inflorescences and fluffy balls. Low-growing annual 15-45 cm tall. Ageratum planted along the border looks very impressive with a blue stream. Its partners: calendula, snapdragon, marigold. Watering is periodic.
Grown by seedlings. The plant is sown from mid-March. Emerges in two weeks. Seedlings need to be planted twice, the last time in pots. Loves dry air and moist soil. Planted in a permanent place, without shading, at the end of May or June.Blooms in July, August.
Salvia
Red torch flowers are known in park areas and in gardeners' yards. Eat salvia with cream and purple coloring. Very prominent annual flowers for the border. They reproduce by seeds, through seedlings, which are sown in February. Seedlings are planted in a sunny place in May. It blooms three months after germination. Spectacular next to silvery cineraria, gillyflower, and asters.
With the bright colors of flowers, the whole summer is festive and cozy.
