I want to plant flowers in the front yard this spring. I've always been an apartment dweller until we moved here (we're renting), so though I love flowers I don't have much experience with them. I'm certainly willing to learn, though.
Here's our situation: the house faces north, and I want border-type flowers that go up along the stairs, so I need something that will grow in partial shade. I'd also like it to bloom for as long as possible (I'm open to planting a few times in the season if that's necessary), so from what I've read I guess I want annuals instead of perennials. (Plus they're less expensive, I think.)
I'm also thinking about planting flowers around the two very young maples in our yard. One of those would get full sun since it's close to the street, and the other would get mostly sun but also a little shade, I think.
Oh, and I'd love to plant some flowers along either the east or west side of the house just to have some for picking. I was thinking maybe a wildflower mix like you buy in the cans, but I'm not sure.
So, any advice from experienced growers would be greatly appreciated. I really want to add some color, and also I'd like to do it as inexpensively as possible for now. I'm in zone 5 (I think); is it too late to start seeds?
Here's our situation: the house faces north, and I want border-type flowers that go up along the stairs, so I need something that will grow in partial shade. I'd also like it to bloom for as long as possible (I'm open to planting a few times in the season if that's necessary), so from what I've read I guess I want annuals instead of perennials. (Plus they're less expensive, I think.)
I'm also thinking about planting flowers around the two very young maples in our yard. One of those would get full sun since it's close to the street, and the other would get mostly sun but also a little shade, I think.
Oh, and I'd love to plant some flowers along either the east or west side of the house just to have some for picking. I was thinking maybe a wildflower mix like you buy in the cans, but I'm not sure.
So, any advice from experienced growers would be greatly appreciated. I really want to add some color, and also I'd like to do it as inexpensively as possible for now. I'm in zone 5 (I think); is it too late to start seeds?