The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Starting a Beautiful Flower Garden

This picture is from a few years back in my garden design days where we went with a tutti-frutti theme in one of my clients yards. Love the yellow and pink!




I always shopped early to get the best selection of plants. Back then, when I shopped for several clients, I would store them in my greenhouse until it was time to move them outside. Now I have a potting shed with a large window, but I still miss that greenhouse… it was taken down by a harsh winter storm one year.


In the picture above, you can see my moss hanging baskets filling the entire top shelf on the left. People always slowed down when they walked by… these little guys really grew!



My current garden undergoes several stunning transformations of color, just like this bed.



But don’t worry if you don’t have a green thumb—I have a solution for you. I usually plant my own designer planters, but this year I ran out of time and decided to “cheat.” I thought I could share a little trick for those who aren’t quite as green-fingered.



Have fun planning your garden this year, and try sticking to a specific color theme. It’s always more striking to color block and repeat patterns than to scatter a mix of flowers everywhere.

Peace, Love, Garden.









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 “20 Must-Follow Rose Blogs: Expert Insights for Every Rose Enthusiast”


Not everyone has the time or resources to browse through countless gardening forums and blogs to find the best rose resources. That’s why I’ve curated this list of twenty outstanding rose-focused blogs that every rose lover should explore. Whether you’re just starting your rose journey or looking to deepen your knowledge, these blogs are perfect places to learn, get inspired, and enjoy the beauty of roses.

Paul Zimmerman Rose Blogs

Paul Zimmerman is a renowned garden designer, author, and rose expert, sharing valuable tips on natural rose care through multiple blogs.

Rose Notes

Run by Carolyn Parker, this blog is full of rose care guidance, flower arrangement tips, and garden design inspiration.

Rose Chat

A top-rated podcast dedicated to roses, exploring everything from care tips to rose history, literature, and art. Interviews include leading rose experts and authors.

The Smell of Roses

A newer blog focused on rose fragrance, photography, new varieties, and tips for growing the perfect rose garden. A passion project for anyone who loves roses.

The Rosarian Library

An “indoor garden” for rose enthusiasts, featuring an extensive collection of rose books, beautiful rose paintings, and other memorabilia.

The Great Rosarians

Created by the team behind the Rose Lecture Series and the Rose Garden Hall of Fame, this blog celebrates the world’s greatest rosarians.

Naked in the Roses

A blog dedicated to old roses, gardeners, and rose gardens worldwide.

Gaga’s Garden

A gardening blog run by a rose expert, covering tips and insights for rose care.

Rose Mania Blog

Offers practical advice and information on growing roses successfully.

A Rose is a Rose

Focused on rose photography, this blog is perfect for visual inspiration.

Coming Up Roses

A visually-driven blog featuring stunning rose photography. The site is not in English, but its imagery speaks for itself.

Petals Purple

Explores cultural aspects of roses. Though not updated since 2013, it remains a treasure trove of interesting rose content.

The North Central District of the American Rose Society

A rose blog maintained by the North Central District, offering updates and tips for enthusiasts.

Lady Jai’s Roses

An older, now-archived blog that remains a useful resource for rose lovers. Access through the Wayback Machine for the latest capture.

Hedge Row Rose

A prolific blog with nearly 500 original posts, most of them focused on roses.

Garden Musings

A mix of rose gardening advice, Canadian and Griffith Buck roses, Rugosas, plus a little garden philosophy and humor from Kansas.

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  "Planting and Growing Beautiful Cosmos from Seeds"


"Planting and Growing Beautiful Cosmos from Seeds" 
   
Cosmos are half-hardy annuals known for their delicate, feathery foliage and striking, daisy-like blooms that brighten gardens from summer through autumn. Their vibrant colors and airy textures not only enhance your outdoor space but also attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Follow this step-by-step guide to successfully grow cosmos from seed.

"Five Beautiful Cosmos Varieties to Try at Home"

"Planting and Growing Beautiful Cosmos from Seeds"

If you’re seeking some garden inspiration, here are a few of our horticultural team’s favourite cosmos varieties to try at home:

  • Cosmos ‘Tango’ – fiery orange blooms that attract butterflies.

  • Cosmos ‘Fondant Fancy’ – delicate, dark-pink, saucer-shaped flowers that look stunning in large drifts.

  • Cosmos ‘Apricot Lemonade’ – soft apricot petals that fade to cream, featuring a subtle mauve ring around the centre.

  • Cosmos ‘Cupcakes Blush’ – pale pink cup-shaped flowers with a flounce of smaller, ruffled petals in the centre.

  • Cosmos ‘Apricotta’ – a tall, back-of-border variety with striking apricot and raspberry hues.

We hope this guide has inspired you to grow cosmos from seed. Explore our recommendations for the best flower seeds to direct sow for quick, vibrant colour, and check out expert tips on growing flower seeds successfully.

Lead image: Cosmos ‘Cupcakes Sakura’ seeds from Suttons.

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