Johnsons's Garden Centers Text File document - copyright 2002
PDF file available at http://www.johnsonsgarden.com/newsletter/landscaping.html

Secrets for a Colorful Garden
September 2001
Emily Johnson, Johnson's East Store
 
    When making plans for your spring garden, keep in mind that the most
important element is color. It is probably the single most powerful
garden design factor.

    To create visually appealing and alluring gardens you must know how
to effectively combine colors. The distinction between warm and cool
colors is important to the gardener for several reasons.

    Cool colors (blue, lavender and violet) tend to recede and are good
for close up viewing. Warm colors (orange, red, and yellow) tend to
advance and will make a bold, dramatic statement even when planted at
the far end of the garden.

    Be careful of cool and warm color combinations. If your garden is
primarily cool colored, a mass of flame orange tulips in the background
would divert attention from the more subtle colors in the foreground and
disrupt the harmonious effect.

    A surefire recipe for success is to plant in color schemes found in
nature. For example, to achieve the colors of a sunset plant reds,
oranges and yellows. For the look of fire, plant purples, oranges and
yellows. My personal favorite is an ocean scheme with blues, purples,
and whites.

    Keep in mind that you can plant different varieties of bulbs. Mix
and match to find something that suits your style. For example, violet
pansies look beautiful next to pink and yellow tulips É or plant yellow
tulips with grape hyacinths. You can create something new and beautiful
with each bulb. When you consider that bulbs come in different sizes and
have varying bloom times, you can design your garden to always display
the maximum amount of color. But resist the temptation to plant just a
handful of each bulb or color. Mass color plantings are always much more
eye-catching.

    Once you have decided on a color scheme it's time to pick out your
bulbs at Johnson's Garden Center. We carry a wide variety  of
spring-flowering bulbs from the majestic yellow 'King Alfred' Daffodil
to the white 'Madame Sophie' Double Hyacinth. The list goes on and on É

    Most small bulbs (daffodils, crocus, etc.) should be planted when it
starts to cool off in mid September to October. Tulips prefer to be
planted around Election Day in November, although we always recommend
that you shop early for the best selection.

    To maximize flowering next spring, mix Johnson's Bulb Planting
Package into the soil at planting time. This recipe contains Hi-Yield
Bone Meal, American Brand Dutch Bulb Food and Cotton Boll Compost. Start
by mixing the compost into the soil to loosen it up. Then mix in the
bone meal and the bulb food. Plant the bulbs at the proper planting
depth (generally three times the width of the bulb) and then add a layer
of mulch to help retain moisture and to protect from the winter chill.

    Be sure to stop by Johnson's Garden Center this fall for Wichita's
best selection of spring-flowering bulbs. There are many different
varieties for you to choose from and enjoy. Our staff will be more than
willing to help you come up with a color scheme or help you with
planting suggestions. Then you'll be well on your way to a beautiful
garden.