Tips from Olle Garden Bed: How to Enhance The Color of Flowers in The Garden

Control pH for color control

Have you ever asked yourself, "How do flowers get their color?" While most colorful flowers are genetically programmed with the natural color of the seedlings, some flowers can be altered by the pH of the soil in the garden. Hydrangea is a beautiful flowering shrub known for its white, pink and blue flowers throughout the summer. Their large green leaves add a beautiful backdrop to any garden.

But did you know that these three common colors are not caused by different genetics, but by the acidity of the soil? Hydrangeas produce pink flowers in naturally acidic soils, for example in the pH range of 6.2 to 7.0. Blue hydrangeas need to have a pH between 5.0 and 5.5. But to get pure white hydrangeas, you need neutral or alkaline soil.

To obtain the highest quality color from non-color-changing flowers, we recommend maintaining the recommended pH of each plant. For a regular home garden or a garden bed, a pH of 6.5 is usually recommended, but you can check the Old Farmer's Almanac for plant-specific recommendations.

Choose plants that are color-appealing

A garden full of the most colorful flowers will not be colorful all the time, which is why some gardeners who love color also include shrubs, trees, and ground cover, which also come in a variety of colors. In fact, there are several plants to add to your garden or your garden beds, they are colorful and love shade.

1. Reed hybrids can be pink, red, salmon, or lavender and provide leaves very similar to ferns. This perennial prefers fertile, moist soil.
2. Sativa is a perennial plant that can come in orange, burgundy to bright red, yellow, and pink, or it can be mixed.
3. The Persian shield is a perennial accent shrub that provides bright purple, silver, and green leaves.

Attract colorful wildlife to your garden

Colorful flowers aren't the only way to bring color and life to your home garden. Attracting colorful wildlife is another great way to add color, interest, and attraction to your backyard oasis. Different birds love different types of food, so choosing the right bird seed or bird food for your garden is key to getting the birds you want to hang out.

Hummingbirds are welcome

Hummingbirds, loved by gardeners for their colorful bodies, playful nature, and pollinator behavior, are a beautiful garden addition. Hummingbird feeders can be found at your local garden shop and are easy to replenish.

For the health of your bird friends, avoid buying pre-colored foods and make your own. Simply mix 1 part pure sucrose with 3 parts water on the stove until the sugar is completely dissolved. Allow to cool completely before adding to the feeder.

Add color through garden art

Even the most colorful flower gardens experience seasons with little or no bright leaves or feathers. Purple flowers may not retain their color throughout the year. That's why many color-loving gardeners choose to hedge their bets with colorful garden art that stays bright and cheerful all year round.

No matter where you live, sundials, bird baths, and bird feeders are staples in the garden. Functional and aesthetically pleasing, these items can make your garden feel like an extension of your home. Of course, there are other fun and comfortable ways to add color to your garden, such as using colorful mats on outdoor furniture, adding colorful umbrellas to the terrace, and even adding outdoor rugs.

Garden art goes beyond function, with colorful DIY walking stones, brightly colored garden beds, and fun bunting and garlands often used for parties and events. Simply adding color through art and carefully selected furniture, your garden can become the colorful oasis you've been looking for.

Pick some of your favorite colorful flowers to add vitality and vibrancy to any space.