No-Fail (No Fake) Flower Gardening No-Fail (No Fake) Flower Gardening

Whether a small border is your plan... Or a larger bed of annuals and perennials, the basics are the same.

You don’t have to resort to this...

First things first: You must improve the soil Have a soil test done and review the results, adding amendments appropriately; Have a soil test done and review the results, adding amendments appropriately; Add organic matter/compost regularly; Add organic matter/compost regularly; Remember to repeat testing every two to three years. Remember to repeat testing every two to three years.

Constructing New Raised Beds: A Sure Way to Success Use a garden hose to outline a curved bed and preview its look in the landscape.

Make sure that turf grass is completely removed or killed with an herbicide Til under the dead turf Grass must be killed when it is actively growing

When adding organic matter to soil, supply enough to physically change the soil structure. --Ideally, at least one-third of the final soil mix should be some type of organic material.When adding organic matter to soil, supply enough to physically change the soil structure. --Ideally, at least one-third of the final soil mix should be some type of organic material. Organic Matter is your most important amendment:

Add all amendments, including expanded shale where possible, and till after each addition.

Recipe for success: --Layer 3 inches of expanded shale over bed. --Til it into the top 6 inches of soil. --Add three inches of finished plant-based compost. --Till the bed again, incorporating the compost. --Crown the bed for optimum drainage.

1.Plan for proper irrigation: Consider employing a drip system for efficiency and to minimize foliar damage from overhead watering. 2. Use Native and well-adapted plants. 3. Group plants according to their moisture and light requirements. 4. Mulch beds to retain moisture and suppress weed growth.

Drip Irrigation: slowly applies water to the soil;slowly applies water to the soil; offers increased watering efficiency and plant performance;offers increased watering efficiency and plant performance; also allows safer use of “salty water” in the landscape in areas with poor water quality;also allows safer use of “salty water” in the landscape in areas with poor water quality; Experiment with drip products in small sections of the landscape to become familiar with the many benefits of this watering technique.

Plant Selection: Use Native and well-adapted plants including: Texas Superstar Plants and Earth Kind™ Roses Plant the right plant in the right place!

Plants designated Texas Superstars™ and Roses designated EarthKind Roses™ are highly recommended by the Texas A&M Agriculture program “Always look for the Texas Superstar Tag!”

Tomato 444 Belinda’s Dream Rose Gold Star Esperanza Texas Gold Columbine Burgundy Sun Coleus Knock Out Rose Possum haw Holly ‘Warren’s Red’

Belinda’s Dream Spice Knock Out

Foliage Artemesia ‘Powis Castle’ Purple heart Lamb’s Ear

Iris: Bearded, Louisiana, Siberian

Shasta Daisy ‘Becky’ Chrysanthemum leucanthemum 'Becky' Ox-Eye Daisy Chrysanthemum leucanthemum

Hemerocallis spp. Daylilies

Lantana ‘New Gold’ Trailing Lantana

Narcissus

Phlox subulata - Thrift

Phlox paniculata – Summer Phlox ‘John Fanick’ ‘Victoria’

Coreopsis lanceolata

Hibiscus sp. Perennial Hibiscus ‘Flare’

Rudbeckia ‘Herbstonne’ Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’ Echinacea (Coneflower) purpurea ‘Magnus’

Gaura lindheimerii Whirling Butterflies Asclepias Tuberosa Asclepias Tuberosa Butterfly Weed

Salvia greggii Autumn Sage Salvia leucantha Mexican Bush Sage Salvia farinacea Mealy Cup Sage

Sedum spectabile Showy Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’

Place a 3-inch layer of mulch around plants taking care not to pile it up around plant stems. This promotes disease and decay.Place a 3-inch layer of mulch around plants taking care not to pile it up around plant stems. This promotes disease and decay. Reapply when needed.Reapply when needed. Mulch all beds

Plant Maintenance Divide Perennials, during the season opposite their bloom time, every three or four years as needed. Plant Maintenance : Divide Perennials, during the season opposite their bloom time, every three or four years as needed.

Plant Maintenance Cut back during the dormant season by removing stems and foliage killed by winter temperatures. This can be done following the first killing frost or before new growth begins in February.

HAVE A PLANT QUESTION? Call our Horticulture help line at or Metro x4232 Collin County Master Gardeners Association us at: