Well, what a garden without flowers? Sophisticated sissy and lush “burly”, the shameless, exposing the bright beauty on display, and demure, shyly covering their “charm” of the leaves… They filled the country of ownership of the wonderful aromas and brighten all shades of the rainbow, giving backyard Paradise charm and uniqueness. And even if the garden is created and planned by all the rules, without flowering plants the composition will not work. Such a garden can be compared with a new home, even if qualitatively and conscientiously worked, but in which there are only dull walls, and all that gives comfort and makes the space unique — furniture, decor, cute little things-trinkets — is absent. By planting flowering annuals and perennials, you will give the site a stylish design, and without the high cost of landscape work. However, the creation of flower beds and mixborders will require certain investments, but it is important to prevent unnecessary costs! So, what to save on?
On materials for framing
For the standard flower bed bumpers need materials, which will have to take care of, and sometimes even shelter for the winter. Why do you unnecessary expenses and worries? Arrange in the garden free, “landscape” flower beds! They are no less beautiful than flower beds. You do not have to observe symmetry, maintain strict forms, select certain plants (often not cheap) — that is, follow all the parameters of a regular flower garden. This is the case when the rule works: the simpler the better.
Among the cobbled alleyways restrained beauty of milkweed — the best decoration!
The most spectacular free flower beds look on the lawn. Below the flowers are not “encroached” on the space given over to silky grass, peel off their rubber curb tape, or a special flexible “bumpers” made of vinyl that need to be dug into the ground almost entirely (on the surface, leave no more than 2-3 cm). Another option-to make a “frame” – filling of decorative gravel around the perimeter of the flower garden (by all the rules, with a strip of black film). And they can be” hidden ” in modules among the paved areas.
You can hide flower beds in modules among the paved areas.
Or on gravel “lawns”.
Among the gravel lawns look great picturesque flower modules.
As a rule, the surface of the flower garden is flush with the surface of the earth. To create modules, several tiles are removed from the paving, or the flower module is provided during the construction. It looks impressive, and even the simplest plants look different here than in a normal flower garden. If it is not possible to remove the tiles from the paved area, make a “false” module: take containers with bright colors and make a picturesque group on the paving. Put the containers tightly together to make the resulting composition had a geometric shape. “Module” cover with flat light stones — so that the “frame” contrasted with the main paving.
Well, if you still want to have a flower garden with a “frame” — choose the budget options. For example, a low fence, iron or homemade bumpers of bent metal strip.
Wicker border-one of the most budget options for framing the flower garden. You can weave it yourself from freshly cut willow twigs.
“Fence” for the flower beds can be some unusual object, dug into the ground or just put on it: an old boat, for example, or an oak barrel.
Left: an old oak barrel will also serve to decorate the site: sow in her ampel Lobelia, nasturtium or Petunia. Right: Decorative woodpile-original and, importantly, absolutely free frame for garden mixborders.
Beautiful flowers in the frame of stone: colored Sandstone, granite, rubble stone, gravel, gravel…
Large boulders perfectly decorate a multi-level area. And in the niches among the stones can be planted flowering perennials.
On the size of the flower garden
If you are not a fan of all large — scale and your goal-a reasonable economy, a nice mini-flower (or better two or three) will be very useful. The area of such a facility is not more than 1-1,5 m, and hence plants need a bit. Mini-flower beds resemble flower modules, only arrange them not only among the paving, but also on the lawn in any corner of the garden, and complement the accessories: figures, lamps, gravel, sinks.
Even more simple option — pots with growing perennials in them, which can be moved to different parts of the garden.
Pots with growing perennials in them can be moved to different parts of the garden.
Оn the plant
The main element of the flower garden is its beautiful “tenants”. But their acquisition is not only possible, but also need to save.
The main element of the flower garden is its beautiful tenants.
The most budget option — flower beds made exclusively from perennials: flowering and ornamental plants. You do not have to spend money on the annual purchase of seeds, seedlings, soil for annuals.
Host and astilba (left) — unpretentious perennials. Echinacea (right) is not only beautiful, but also useful.
Another possibility to be Thrifty is to choose carefully the places to buy plants. For example, at garden exhibitions you can find a lot of spectacular and quite budget candidates for a place in the flower garden.
Peonies almost do not require the cost of care: planted and forgotten.
But be careful: to buy anyhow that anyhow who is not worth it, look for pavilions known to you firms and avoid shopping in the style of”cat in a bag.” At exhibitions, choose plants “with tops”, and it is better to have flowering, so you do not stick the wrong instance. Yes, at first “tops “can” hurt”, but you will be sure that you took exactly what you wanted. Or purchase the planting material from the same trusted seller. The best option is to select plants in nurseries and well-established, long-working garden centers.
And finally, the costs will be minimal if you follow all the rules of planting and care. Planting flowers in the right time and in the right places, you will save money and time on their treatment, transplantation and purchase of new ones.
A worthy “alternate”
It happens that the plants that are dear to the heart are not cheap or just do not want to grow in your area. But this is not a reason to abandon the beautiful rarities. Output-in the replacement of colors.
Hemerocallis is as impressive and aristocratic than proud of Lily.
Choose those that are as similar to the complex original!