Flower Gardening Basics For Those Whose Thumbs Are Turning Green
By S.A. Green
The first thing that usually pops in your mind about is flower gardening. Flowers and gardens are almost synonymous. And being the dedicated gardener that you are, you�ll probably be doing your own flower this coming season.

Flower need not be limited only to springtime. If you plan carefully and plant a little early, your garden can be filled with an amazing amount of flowers throughout the year.

If you start by seasons, then for spring flowers, the best thing you could do is to plant bulbs. Any center should carry them, and if you�re more inclined towards the exotic, and rare flowering bulbs, there�s a good chance you can have the flower shop order it for you.

Favorites amongst bulb lovers are early springtime Crocuses, and cheerful Snowdrops. Tulips though, are by and away the most well known of bulbs in demand by flower gardeners, and are available in a variety of shades, including a black-colored one, which is really more of a deep maroon and one of those rare flowers I was talking about earlier.

Remember that all spring flowering bulbs should be planted in mid autumn, as this is the best time for them. Come any closer to winter and you will likely lose your bulbs altogether.

Moving through to summer, we find that perennials are a classic choice for flower as they yield blooms almost continuously throughout the year. With a little tender love and care, you�ll also find that most of your perennials will last through to next year, and the next, and, well you get the picture, right? You will also find that as the years and the seasons wear on, your perennials will become more robust, and generally will become more plentiful than they were when you first planted them.

As fall approaches the majority of all flower gardens are left bereft of anything but a few small sturdy species. If you're into more specific flower

gardening however, that doesn't have to be the case for you. Hardy, drought resistant plants like Asters number among the many types of fall flowers available, and will look nice in late summer/early fall, Generally, autumn plants will grow to a good 3-4 feet in height, and have vibrant colors, as well as the more serene pastel colors to choose from. Ornamental grasses are another favorite and will fit in perfectly with.

To round off the year and your efforts at flower gardening, don't fret as there are many winter blooms you can get. Amaryllis, Hyacinth, and Narcissus are a few of the more common known flowers and are can be purchased in bulb form. If you desire something a little more original, you could always try Winter Jasmine, or Winter Honeysuckle.

So, take heart, take plenty of notes, plan, and buy to your heart's content. By the time its all said and done you truly will have a flower for every season, and your flower efforts will be rewarded most spectacularly.

Susan Green is an avid gardener that lives to share her gardening know how. Stop by www.thegardenbook.com to sign up for her free newsletter.