PLANT CARE GUIDES

My goal is to help you create your dream garden. These guides give you my best tips and tricks on growing flowers here the Phoenix Valley and other warm climates.

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Plant Guides John Miller Plant Guides John Miller

Anemones

Spring anemone flowers, often known as windflowers, are a delightful herald of the early spring months. This is not to get confused with the fall-blooming Japanese anemone. We will be talking about the spring-blooming Anemone in this guide post.

These are some of the first cut flowers to bloom in the cottage garden and come in a rainbow of colors from, red, pink, purple, and white. They are known for their delicate, poppy-like petals that sway gracefully in the breeze. Anemones thrive in well-drained soil and partial shade, making them a versatile choice for many gardeners. Their blooming period, typically from late winter to early spring, brings a refreshing burst of life after the dormancy of winter. We still have flowers bloom all winter here in Arizona, but the Anemones are always the first of spring flowers to bloom. A beautiful sign of more flowers to come.

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Plant Guides John Miller Plant Guides John Miller

Snapdragons Group 3 & 4

The snapdragon flower, scientifically known as Antirrhinum majus, is a vibrant and versatile plant often found in gardens and floral arrangements. Its name derives from the unique shape of its flowers, which resemble the face of a dragon that opens and closes its mouth when squeezed. Available in a plethora of colors including pink, red, yellow, and white, snapdragons add a burst of color to any cottage or cut flower garden. This hardy flower thrives in cooler weather and can often be seen blooming in the early spring here in our Zone 9b/10a climate. Aside from their visual appeal, snapdragons are also known to attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, making them a powerful addition to any vegetable or herb garden.

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Plant Guides John Miller Plant Guides John Miller

Snapdragons - Madame

Madame Double Flowering Snapdragons are an exquisite variety known for their lush, double-layered petals that come in a wide array of vibrant & soft colors. These elegant flowers are particularly favored in cottage gardens and as cut flowers in floral arrangements due to their tall stems and good vase life. Unlike single-flowered snapdragons, the double blooms of the Madame variety add a unique, voluminous petal count that is sure to make anyone question if it's a snapdragon. They thrive best in full sun and well-drained soil, making them relatively easy to cultivate for both novice and experienced gardeners.

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Plant Guides John Miller Plant Guides John Miller

Rudbeckia aka ‘Black eye Susan’

Rudbeckia is a classic summer flower, fit for any cottage garden. They do well in containers but prefer to be in the ground or raised planter. These flowers are in the sunflower family, which comes as no surprise, as their daisy-like blooms resemble the structure of the sunflower. Rudbeckias come in all sorts of colors and sizes nowadays. They make an excellent cut flower, and florist swoon over their blooms.

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