OT: Sidewalk Flower Bed Ideas

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johnnyq627

Registered:1366344367
Posts: 710

Posted 1456705255 · Edited	Reply with quote #1

Every year my wife and I plant flowers in the 2ft×35ft sidewalk area in front of our house. Two years ago we did all petunias and last year we did a mix of petunias, salvia, and leafy annuals. We like the petunias since they are low maintenance, flower constantly, and put out a nice fragrance at night. https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/KVikRBWestw5s88mfjmWpj5ISirTujVMRk22rhvdZrI I figured a lot of us on this forum do a lot of other gardening and I would welcome ideas people might have on what to do with the space. Annuals that I can start from seed in the greenhouse would be preferred and think pretty flowers! __________________ Nick- Youtube: PA Figs \| eBay: tdepoala Zone 6B/7A - Douglassville, PA Wish list - Galicia Negra, Paritjal Rimada, Black Ischia UCD

jaylyne

Registered:1444371077
Posts: 62

Posted 1456706159	Reply with quote #2

I like flowers that grow back yearly.. I would plant peonies, lavender... zinnias are pretty and easy to grow __________________ wellspring garden starter plants: celeste, Marseille, Olympian, Chicago (2015) wishlist: votata, shiblawsi, 184-15, 187.25, sucrette UD zone 5

BrightGreenNurse

Registered:1416895665
Posts: 150

Posted 1456706929	Reply with quote #3

Botanical Interests sells flower seed mixes in small and large packets (large are around $6) and cover a lot of area. I planted the Save the Bees mix and it was actually really low maintenance and very beautiful. They attracted honeybees, bumblebees, mason bees and tons of tiny metallic green and blue native bees. Low cost, low care, and easy to change to something else the following year of you want to mix it up. I don't remember anything reseeding the following year, but basil is included in the mix and I have had that self seed every year from other sources. __________________ Wish list- St. Rita, LSU Hollier, Brooklyn White, LSU Improved Celeste, Smith, St. Anthony

johnnyq627

Registered:1366344367
Posts: 710

Posted 1456707553	Reply with quote #4

Jay we plant perrenials in our other beds, but like something we can change out each year in this one. Zinnias might be a good idea! Nurse, I will have to check that out. We use a seed mix around the greenhouse where it is too difficult to mow. __________________ Nick- Youtube: PA Figs \| eBay: tdepoala Zone 6B/7A - Douglassville, PA Wish list - Galicia Negra, Paritjal Rimada, Black Ischia UCD

Likeo

Registered:1443404708
Posts: 268

Posted 1456709405	Reply with quote #5

I like zinnias, like Jayne said, but moss roses are perrianels and are just gorgeous __________________ Figs: Conadria and Little Ruby

jkuo

Registered:1399944767
Posts: 156

Posted 1456712899	Reply with quote #6

I'll put in my vote for zinnias too. I'll add that it might be wise to favor shorter varieties. Not sure if it's generally true, but the taller ones I grew had a tendency to flop over, branch from the flopped stem, and otherwise start growing past the area I intended they occupy. Other annuals I've found easy to grow and add a splash of color: marigolds, calendula, purple basil. Rudbeckia has been easy, too, though mine have been the perennial rather than annual varieties. __________________ Johnny - Lancaster, PA, Zone 6b Plants I'm growing: Google Doc

johnnyq627

Registered:1366344367
Posts: 710

Posted 1456714061	Reply with quote #7

So does everyone have a favorite type of zinnia? There are a lot of different ones! __________________ Nick- Youtube: PA Figs \| eBay: tdepoala Zone 6B/7A - Douglassville, PA Wish list - Galicia Negra, Paritjal Rimada, Black Ischia UCD

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1456721354 · Edited	Reply with quote #8

I love many varieties of flowers. Its hard to choose one but for your flower bed, since its sunny I would go with Peonies, Poppies (sunset mix), Cornflowers or Zinnias. If you want to attract butterflies I would go with Botanical Interests like BrightGreenNurse recommended. I would love to see pictures when everything is flowering! :-) __________________ Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a Looking for... Socorro Blk Wuhan Jolly Tiger Lamperia Preta Herschtetten St. Jean Black Ischia "The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa "Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~ "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

johnnyq627

Registered:1366344367
Posts: 710

Posted 1456806162 · Edited	Reply with quote #9

This was the flower bed a couple of years ago when we planted a red white and blue petunia bed. They grew in nicely and flowered all summer. We got a really good deal on Petunias at Lowes after a late frost hit them, $1 per flat! Last year we weren't so lucky, so I am trying to avoid last year's expensive nursery bill! __________________ Nick- Youtube: PA Figs \| eBay: tdepoala Zone 6B/7A - Douglassville, PA Wish list - Galicia Negra, Paritjal Rimada, Black Ischia UCD

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1456815522	Reply with quote #10

Cant see your picture... __________________ Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a Looking for... Socorro Blk Wuhan Jolly Tiger Lamperia Preta Herschtetten St. Jean Black Ischia "The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa "Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~ "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

SarinaP

Registered:1446747779
Posts: 93

Posted 1456838676	Reply with quote #11

I like a mixed-height look. I did two pots of dark purple petunias with 1' dwarf red calla lilies last year in the center---it was reeeally pretty. Plus, calla lilies have great foliage but they're expensive so mixing them with creeping plants helps. __________________ Growing in Zone 7a: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_uY4GZ90-gNAdZFS0enckqojLQT2-8cp2pcsRp-Bdqg/edit?usp=sharing Wishlist: leaning toward French cultivars!

johnnyq627

Registered:1366344367
Posts: 710

Posted 1456846571	Reply with quote #12

I can't seem to figure out why the amazon drive photo links aren't working, perhaps it is time to go back to Photobucket. I love calla lillies, but they are pretty expensive! __________________ Nick- Youtube: PA Figs \| eBay: tdepoala Zone 6B/7A - Douglassville, PA Wish list - Galicia Negra, Paritjal Rimada, Black Ischia UCD

SarinaP

Registered:1446747779
Posts: 93

Posted 1456850814	Reply with quote #13

At Home Depot they were $5 for a pint-sized pot with 2 plants in it. Just enough--it actually spread a bit during the growing season, so if I had thought of it, I could have probably lifted and stored the bulbs. For your area, I would do one every 18-24" or so and then fill in the rest with petunia plugs. It will all grow together pretty quickly if you keep up with the watering. __________________ Growing in Zone 7a: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_uY4GZ90-gNAdZFS0enckqojLQT2-8cp2pcsRp-Bdqg/edit?usp=sharing Wishlist: leaning toward French cultivars!

SarinaP

Registered:1446747779
Posts: 93

Posted 1456851004	Reply with quote #14

You also still have time to get bulbs and force them to start then plant them, but the HD plants are instant gratification in mid-late March. http://www.easytogrowbulbs.com/p-886-calla-gold-rush.aspx __________________ Growing in Zone 7a: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_uY4GZ90-gNAdZFS0enckqojLQT2-8cp2pcsRp-Bdqg/edit?usp=sharing Wishlist: leaning toward French cultivars!

BrightGreenNurse

Registered:1416895665
Posts: 150

Posted 1456867463	Reply with quote #15

Check out Swan Island Dahlias and David Austin roses as well. Gorgeous and a bit different! __________________ Wish list- St. Rita, LSU Hollier, Brooklyn White, LSU Improved Celeste, Smith, St. Anthony

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1456869244	Reply with quote #16

Hi, You should try nasturtium . There are several color, and two sorts of. One stays in a zone, and the others are climbing. You can mix them and get a nice result. They are just , IMO, tricky to start growing - as they need heat to sprout. But they really make a nice effect. __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1456882528	Reply with quote #17

And Nasturtium is edible too! __________________ Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a Looking for... Socorro Blk Wuhan Jolly Tiger Lamperia Preta Herschtetten St. Jean Black Ischia "The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa "Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~ "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

kyyada

Registered:1391503601
Posts: 20

Posted 1456891027	Reply with quote #18

Quote: Originally Posted by jdsfrance Hi, You should try nasturtium . There are several color, and two sorts of. One stays in a zone, and the others are climbing. You can mix them and get a nice result. They are just , IMO, tricky to start growing - as they need heat to sprout. But they really make a nice effect. You can eat those but I still prefer a Steak and Baked Potato. Marigold seeds are cheap, large and easy to plant and they come up fast and are very easy to grow. If you like them they are hard to beat! __________________ KY Zone 6b ~ 7a

JoAnn749

Registered:1325443625
Posts: 1,184

Posted 1456902648	Reply with quote #19

Vinca (also known as periwinkle) and penta are both beautiful flowers! Both come in a variety of colors and the vinca remind me of impatiens but are heat tolerant and drought tolerant. The penta pictured below is also heat and drought tolerant! __________________ Jo-Ann DFW TX, Zone 7b-8a Wish List: Black Madeira,, Kathleen's Black, Malta Black, Marseille VS Black, White Paradisio, LSU Scott's Black, Conadria, White Trianna, Marttineca Rimada, Excel, Peter's Honey, Bebera Preta (Abebereira), Strawberry Verte

johnnyq627

Registered:1366344367
Posts: 710

Posted 1457056929	Reply with quote #20

Great ideas everyone. We planted periwinkle in our front flower bed and wish we never had. It is a constant battle to keep it from taking over everything! __________________ Nick- Youtube: PA Figs \| eBay: tdepoala Zone 6B/7A - Douglassville, PA Wish list - Galicia Negra, Paritjal Rimada, Black Ischia UCD

JoAnn749

Registered:1325443625
Posts: 1,184

Posted 1457081117	Reply with quote #21

Really? Mine don't come back... Salvia is another good one - heat and drought tolerant. You may not NEED that quality, but it sure does help:) __________________ Jo-Ann DFW TX, Zone 7b-8a Wish List: Black Madeira,, Kathleen's Black, Malta Black, Marseille VS Black, White Paradisio, LSU Scott's Black, Conadria, White Trianna, Marttineca Rimada, Excel, Peter's Honey, Bebera Preta (Abebereira), Strawberry Verte

johnnyq627

Registered:1366344367
Posts: 710

Posted 1462328452 · Edited	Reply with quote #22

Just a quick update... we planted the zinnias tonight. There were also dianthus that came back and we left for now. Our plan is to put wave petunias in front of the zinnias to hang over the curb, we just need to find some for a good price! __________________ Nick- Youtube: PA Figs \| eBay: tdepoala Zone 6B/7A - Douglassville, PA Wish list - Galicia Negra, Paritjal Rimada, Black Ischia UCD

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1462479807	Reply with quote #23

I love Zinnias! They are great as cut flowers as well. I'll look forward to an update when all is flowering. __________________ Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a Looking for... Socorro Blk Wuhan Jolly Tiger Lamperia Preta Herschtetten St. Jean Black Ischia "The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa "Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~ "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

ricky

Registered:1444161045
Posts: 214

Posted 1462484869	Reply with quote #24

I love Zinnias too, I have a windy corner, Zinnias can handle strong wind, it doesn't have ants/pests problems like other plants in my garden, low maintenance and flower from mid of summer till end of fall. petunia is also a great plant, however, it doesn't like wind plus its flowers get wet and melt. dianthu is a great plant too, low maintenance, it grows 2-3 years in my area. I am pretty sure that your side walk will look amazing. __________________ - BC, Canada, PNW Zone 8 with windy ( Zone7 - branches damage at winter) - Wish list - Granthams Royal, RdB, any heavy breba varieties or early one crop varieties.

johnnyq627

Registered:1366344367
Posts: 710

Posted 1468378420	Reply with quote #25

An update on the sidewalk... __________________ Nick- Youtube: PA Figs \| eBay: tdepoala Zone 6B/7A - Douglassville, PA Wish list - Galicia Negra, Paritjal Rimada, Black Ischia UCD

Figfanatic57

Registered:1460217336
Posts: 125

Posted 1468380901	Reply with quote #26

Looks Great!!! Nicest one and only one on the street.

Kricket

Registered:1440016530
Posts: 23

Posted 1468423833	Reply with quote #27

You must get non stop compliments from your neighbors !! I'd make a lawn sign that just reads "You're Welcome" lol ;)

johnnyq627

Registered:1366344367
Posts: 710

Posted 1468424147	Reply with quote #28

Haha I did have to drag my wife into the house yesterday as the 5yr old boy from down the street started pulling the plants out and stomping on them. He was five seconds away from becoming compost :) __________________ Nick- Youtube: PA Figs \| eBay: tdepoala Zone 6B/7A - Douglassville, PA Wish list - Galicia Negra, Paritjal Rimada, Black Ischia UCD

pitangadiego

Moderator
Registered:1188871011
Posts: 5,447

Posted 1468453841	Reply with quote #29

How about a row of espaliered fig trees? That would keep the birds, squirrels, neighbors and more happy. ;-)) __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com http://figs4fun.com http://webebananas.com "pitangadiego" everywhere

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1468453941	Reply with quote #30

Quote: Originally Posted by johnnyq627 Haha I did have to drag my wife into the house yesterday as the 5yr old boy from down the street started pulling the plants out and stomping on them. He was five seconds away from becoming compost :) Lol...put him to work! __________________ Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a Looking for... Socorro Blk Wuhan Jolly Tiger Lamperia Preta Herschtetten St. Jean Black Ischia "The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa "Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~ "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1468453974	Reply with quote #31

Quote: Originally Posted by pitangadiego How about a row of espaliered fig trees? That would keep the birds, squirrels, neighbors and more happy. ;-)) I like it!! __________________ Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a Looking for... Socorro Blk Wuhan Jolly Tiger Lamperia Preta Herschtetten St. Jean Black Ischia "The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa "Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~ "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

VeryNew2Figs

Registered:1441488407
Posts: 241

Posted 1468454746	Reply with quote #32

So pretty and it grew so quick. A lot of us look at our plants and flowers as our babies. I'll just say that that little child probably doesn't know how lucky he was that you pulled your wife back ;-) __________________ Cheryl Chicago, Zone 6a (That's what they say, but it still feels like 5) Growing: Hardy Chicago, Black Mission, Brunswick, Kadota, Ischia Green, Desert King, Osborne Prolific (slow but steady), Malta Black, Violette de Bordeaux, Texas Everbearing, Beall, White Adriatic, Nolo Pink Eyed Lady. Rooting: Ronde de Bordeaux, Celeste, Nero 600 m, Violetta Bayernfeing, Marseilles Black VS, Celeste.

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