Temporary and permanent plants for the organic flower garden

A good selection of perennials provides an ongoing framework for the organic flower garden. Perennials are plants which flourish, then die back before re-establishing themselves in a seasonal cycle which should continue for at least several years. They can almost be considered permanent in cooler climates which provide favourable growing conditions. On account of this longevity, it is worthwhile preparing their ground thoroughly prior to planting. Most perennials benefit from well aerated soils which contain substantial quantities of thoroughly broken down organic materials such as compost, manure, and leaf mould.

Healthy juveniles are generally available as potted plants from organic nurseries and plant wholesalers. In temperate climates these can be transplanted to the garden throughout the year although spring and autumn are preferred.

While securing nursery stock will save time by enabling plants to establish themselves earlier, this approach can work out expensive when the garden is substantial and requires a large quantity of plants. In this case, an ideal alternative is to raise perennials from seed. Most gardeners choose to commence their seedlings in punnets. This will provide some protection against external uncertainties and can also assist the effective placement and arrangement of plants in planned flower beds.

For the inexperienced, it is sensible practice to visit and speak with as many experienced gardeners as possible. Ask them to recommend flowering shrubs and perennials which are well adapted to local conditions and exhibit some natural resistance against insect pests. These plants will be easier to raise and maintain organically, without resorting to chemical treatments.

Much of the effort needed to maintain decorative perennials is devoted to establishing a sense of order and structure. An excessively crowded flower garden is difficult to manage and may contribute to preventable problems. It is much easier to keep on top of things by digging out any spreading or poorly spaced plants. These can usually be divided and given to friends, or replanted in different areas of the garden.

Flowers should be removed as they fade. When seasonal conditions allow, most plants will produce a second bloom. Otherwise, it is common practice to cut them back to ground level. This removes opportunities for incubating disease or insect problems and encourages healthy growth and flowering during the subsequent season. In saying that, a few varieties of chrysanthemum should be left intact since they develop particularly attractive seed heads during winter. Among shrubs, hydrangea blooms should also be preserved to protect the following year’s growth.

In traditionally inspired flower gardens, annuals provide a decorative background which serves to highlight the presence of long lasting and permanent residents. In warm temperate climates, the majority of annuals flower within several months of sowing then commence to produce their own seeds before dying within a nine month period. Their lifespan however, is greatly determined by the local climate and growing conditions. In cool climates they can mimic perennials and last for several growing seasons.

More recently, popular annuals have been selectively bred for increased flowering and longevity. Most organic gardeners will grow a number of annual varieties, selecting them carefully for their versatility and natural resistance against commonly encountered disease and insect problems.

Flowering annuals should be applied creatively, perhaps in similar ways that a painter works with a brilliant palette of fresh colour. If the garden looks bare, annuals can provide some temporary cover while the slower growing permanent plants begin to establish themselves. Later on, annuals can be selectively planted to provide large masses, clumps, or sprays of colour which complement and enhance the permanent residents.

Don’t miss opportunities to grow annuals in locations where they are easily seen and enjoyed. Aim to plant the tallest annuals and perennials at the centre of flower beds with low growing varieties surrounding them. A simple border of flowers will decorate and visually uplift pathways, fences, and walls. They can be used to brighten verandas and patios or grown inside containers on a windowsill. Many annuals can be sown directly but most common varieties can also be purchased from nurseries as punnet stock.

In a manner similar to other fashion trends, these plants are marketed each season in a range of summer and winter flowering editions. Until recently, the readily available varieties of organically certified seedlings were plainly packaged and varied little from year to year. The current trend is to compete with the sales distribution of conventional seedling stock by increasing availability and including some additional marketing information to encourage sales.

When purchasing seedling stock, aim to obtain compact plants with healthy green foliage. Tall and straggly seedlings have probably been rushed ahead with fertilisers and growth promoting chemicals while those with yellowing leaves may be physically stressed. The ideal situation for most annuals is a well aerated soil with a sufficient amount of well incorporated organic material to hold moisture. Some varieties have strong preferences for full sun or partial shade, although many will accommodate either with little trouble.

Immature plants are often attacked by slugs, snails, and caterpillars. These can be controlled by physical removal and installing aromatic companion herbs such as chives, peppermint, and cloves.

Once they are transferred to their garden locations, flowering annuals should be carefully watched for signs of dehydration and nutrient deficiency. Because of their quick growth cycles and rapid responsiveness, experienced organic growers tend to use these plants as a barometer for conditions within the garden.

The maintenance of flowering annuals is relatively straightforward but potentially time consuming in larger gardens which contain a significant number of bedding plants. To develop attractively and exhibit their flowers to full advantage, some varieties require lots of minor attention throughout their development. This usually involves pinching back the growing tips to encourage the correct balance of concentrated vertical and outward spreading development. Fading flowers need to be periodically removed to encourage regeneration and dying plants will need to be removed and replaced.

When there are restrictions on the availability of gardening time, it is probably better to have fewer annuals and to consciously choose varieties which do not require a lot of shaping and have flowers which last well before drying out and separating neatly from their stalks.