A Flower Flight: Plants for Pure Happiness
The Happiness Equation: It's no secret that flowers have a profound impact on our well-being. Scientific studies have shown that the sight of flowers triggers positive emotions, reduces stress, and contributes to an overall sense of happiness. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just dipping your toes into the world of plants, the simple act of nurturing and watching flowers bloom can be a therapeutic and rewarding experience. In this blog post, we'll explore a flight of plants that not only promise a burst of spring and fall flowers but also make gardening a breeze, even for the novice green thumbs among us.
In the beginning of January I started over 750 seeds in my garage. Of those seeds I have picked 6 of my all time favorite flowers to share with you all. They are a mix of perennials (plants that come back year after year) & annuals (plants that only grow for one season) and in my opinion they make the perfect cottage core garden when grown together. These plants can be planted in different places or in large pot together - it’s up to you!
**Important term- Pinching. Pinching can help create bushier, more compact plants and may result in more abundant flower production. Pinch the growing tips of certain plants - This encourages branching and can lead to a fuller display of flowers.**
#1 CELOSIA
Celosia come in all shapes and sizes and colors and are just so cool! they are a genus of flowering plants that includes several species commonly known as cockscomb or woolflowers. These plants are valued for their distinctive and vibrant flower heads, which have a unique appearance.
Plant type: annual
Height: 36 to 40 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 90 to 100 days
Watering: Once established, provide regular watering to keep the soil consistently moist.
Pinch: 6-8 in
#2 NASTURTIUM (my all time favorite flower)
Nasturtiums are pure magic in the garden. Known for their distinctive, round, shield-shaped leaves and vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers. The flowers come in a variety of warm and bright colors, including shades of red, orange, yellow, and peach. All parts of this plant are edible, with a peppery flavor reminiscent of watercress. They are often used in salads, garnishes, or as a colorful addition to dishes. Nasturtiums are basically like the miracle flower and are a companion plant to everything. The pollinators LOVE them.
Plant type: annual
Height: 6-12 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 6-8 weeks after planting
Watering: Once established, nasturtiums are somewhat drought-tolerant. Water them when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Pinch: do not require pinching
#3 ZINNIA
Zinnias are the easiest to grow. I had one growing in the middle of my yard that I didn’t do a single thing to for the entire season & it gave me 20-25 blooms. They are characterized by their large, solitary, daisy-like flowers with prominent central disks surrounded by colorful ray petals. The flower heads come in a wide range of vibrant colors, including red, orange, yellow, pink, and purple. Zinnias have a bushy and upright growth habit, with opposite leaves along their stems. Zinnias are cut and come again flowers, meaning the more you cut, the more they will bloom!
Plant type: annual
Height: 6-12 inch
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 60-70 days
Watering: Once established, zinnias are relatively drought-tolerant. Water them when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Pinch: 6 in
#4 BLACK EYED SUSANS
Black-Eyed Susans are known for their bright and cheerful appearance, that kind of reminds me of sun flowers! They typically have golden-yellow ray flowers surrounding a dark central cone, giving them the distinctive "black-eyed" look. The flowers are daisy-like in shape and can vary in size depending on the specific variety.
Plant type: perennial
Height: 1-3 ft tall
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: typically bloom in the second year
Watering: Once established, Black-Eyed Susans are relatively drought-tolerant. Water them when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Pinch: do not require pinching
#5 YARROW (the flower that made me want to grow flowers in the first place)
Yarrow is valued for its ornamental and medicinal properties. It is commonly used in garden borders, rock gardens, and wildflower meadows. The flowers are attractive to pollinators like bees and butterflies. Yarrow is a low-maintenance plant that is easy to grow. It is often planted in the spring or fall. Once established, yarrow requires minimal care and can be quite resilient. Deadheading spent flowers can prolong blooming, and dividing the plant every few years can help maintain its vigor. Give them a lot of sun and don’t over water them and they will grow for you!
Plant type: perennial
Height: 1-3 ft
Site: thrives in full sun
Days to maturity: may take a year or 2 to mature
Watering: Once established, Yarrow is relatively drought-tolerant. Water them when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Pinch: does not require pinching
#6 AMARANTH MIRA
Amaranth plants are just so dreamy!! They can vary widely in appearance, but they generally have simple, alternate leaves and vibrant, showy flower clusters. The flowers are often small and densely packed, forming spikes or panicles. Some varieties are grown for their ornamental value, while others are cultivated for their edible seeds or nutritious leaves. These make a great unique flower filler to any vase and in addition to being a fresh cut flower, these can be dried for, forever!
Plant type: annual
Height: 40 to 45 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 65 to 75 days
Watering: Once established, amaranth is generally drought-tolerant. Water the plants when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Pinch: when 12 in tall
Here is what I’m doing with my flower flight! I bought a 16” self-watering planter from target ($15) and planted them all in it (I added a few extra celosia, zinnia & yarrow because I had extra). I have this planter in the center of my yard where it gets full sun & I will be hand watering it daily while the plants are still young. Once the plants are established I’ll make sure that the bottom of the planter has water in it every other day! I may add some miracle grow all purpose plant food once a month but thats about all I will be doing to take care of this flower flight.
