Below is a list of the need-to-know basics to start your flower garden. If you'd like to learn more, checkout our How To pages!

Click on the Articles tab in this section for detailed information on a variety of xx topics.

An annual plant is any plant that doesn't survive our winters. Most annuals have a one season lifecycle, but a few may actually be a perennial plant in a warmer area. Annuals tend to flower more vigourously with a longer season than perennials and tend to be smaller overall, with less woody growth. It's often easier to start annuals from seed than it is perennials and usually less expensive.

As soon as winter is over, we gardeners rush off to garden centers to buy plants for beds, borders, and containers. We are spoiled for choice when it comes to bedding plants, but geraniums, marigolds, petunias, and impatiens still reign supreme as the top sellers. There is nothing wrong with our old favorites, but garden centers offer literally hundreds of choices. In this list we will include current favorites, longtime favorites, as well as some unusual choices.

Speaking of longtime favourites, many plants that were well loved in the 1920’s and 30’s then subsequently fell into obscurity are beginning to make a comeback. The practice of direct sowing flower seeds in the garden (rather than starting them indoors or buying them from a garden center) is also starting to come back. You'll find that many of our direct seed flowers are annuals. Many of these are old favorites and all of which would be very worthy additions to your garden. Some people like to grow these plants merely for a bit of nostalgia, others because they are genuinely good garden plants, and many people for both reasons.

Unlike annuals, which are seasonal, perennials come back every year in the same spot so choosing one is a commitment. First and foremost, select the plant that is going to perform well in the site you have. Plants forced to live in an unsuitable location may not die outright, but since they are constantly stressed, they will be prone to insect and disease pests and won’t produce or flower well. For a good overview on how to tell what type of location you have for your plant, see our Site Assessment article. 

Once you have a good idea of where you are growing, there are literally hundreds of perennials for you to choose from. Going into the perennial section at a garden center can be overwhelming. It helps if you narrow things down before you go.

Ask yourself what color are you after. Are you looking for things that bloom early or late? Do you need perennials for sun or shade? What is the theme of the garden? Getting things narrowed down will help you make your choices. 

When it's time to plant, remeber that perennials will often look their best if planted in groups rather than singly. For example, a single daisy might be nice, but planting a group of three of them might be spectacular.

Native plants are not like your typical greenhouse plants. Here are some of the most important differences to consider:

• It is never okay to dig plants from the wild, even if they are growing on private land. The only exception to this is if they are going to be paved under or sprayed with herbicides; then you might try to rescue some. The success rate is low, and depending on where you live, you may still need a permit to do this.
• Many native plants can be propagated from seed or cuttings. This is an easy (and fun!) alternative to digging them from the wild and has a much higher success rate.
• Most native plants have deep root systems and will take some time to get established. They are not plants for those who want instant gratification.
• Some plants refuse to be cultivated (probably due to critical, unique mycorrhizal relationships) and are best enjoyed in the wild. This includes Indian paintbrush, coralroot, and beargrass.
• Some plants behave differently in a garden then in the wild. Place accordingly.
• A native plant garden is still going to need some maintenance, such as deadheading, weeding, and occasional watering. It should not be left to its own devices or it will become shabby and look unkempt.
• Some people are afraid that native plants will become weeds or “take over”. This is rarely the case, though some spread faster than others. Like any group of perennials, some plants can be invasive under certain conditions, but most are not.
• Most “wildflower” seed mixes are comprised of plants that “appear” wild, but are not actually native to your area. Be very discerning (and suspicious) of this type of packaging.

Need a good source to find native plants? The Saskatchewan Native Plant society maintains a list of Canadian suppliers. They have a selection of links and you can download the PDF on their page for a comprehensive list.

The sections above sort plants by their lifecycle and growing habit. Sometimes we choose our plants because of something special about the plant. Here, we'll compile lists of special uses.

The biggest pice of advice we can give you for this series is to remember that potting mix isn't soil. If you're growing in a container or in a hanging basket, you should be using some form of potting mix. This will probably be something peat or coir based, but certainly not soil from the ground. This is important for drainage and water retention, but potting mix isn't soil so it doesn't have the same fertility that soil does. In fact, peat and coir have almost none. The only exception to this is if the manufacturer has added it for you so check the label on your bag before adding more. Compost works great. If you purchse an alternative fertilizer, make sure it has micronutrients too to ensure the healthiest possible plants.

Many of us dream of having unlimited space to "grow all the things" but realistically, this much space comes with many challenges. Farms and acreages tend to be very exposed areas with poor soil and poor ccess to water, so hardiness is critical. It's also prohibitively expensive to grow especially expensive plants - and doubly so when the deer seem to find these most delicious.

The lists in the other sections are useful for choosing plants near your home where water is accessible, soil is amended, and mulch is plentiful. The tabs in this section will review tougher plants for some of the more difficult growing areas that farms and acreages are likely to face. Native plants are also usually an excellent choice too since you're likely to have more natural areas than we tend to find in urban spaces.