Need flower recommendations for lazy gardener (my mom)?

I'm moving so my mom, the forgetful gardener, will be taking care this year.



We typically plant hearty flowers (geraniums and zinias) that are tolerant and wont immediately die if someone forgets to WATER them. I want to move toward a new look with larger, many-petalled blooms-- think dahlias and gerbera daisies.



But the flowers I pick turn out not to be tolerant. Do you have any suggestions for me and my mom?
Need flower recommendations for lazy gardener (my mom)?
all gardens need to be nurtured. buy your mom some plastic flowers or pictures.
Reply:I plant begonias because I sometimes forget to water my flowers or forget to have someone take care of them when I go out of town. They come in pink, red, and white, I think there may be other variations too, but who knows I usually only plant the white and pink ones. They aren't big petal flowers, but they are very hearty and they look great. Good luck!!
Reply:try to plant lotus.
Reply:brecks.com/category.asp_Q_c_E_5_A_Iris_A...

for your bulbs %26amp;:

springhillnursery.com/category.asp_Q_c...

and for your seeds %26amp; other needs:

gurneys.com/category.asp_Q_c_E_3

If nothing else send for the free catalogs to dream %26amp; plan all winter long this winter for next spring. You can shop online or thru the catalog or on the phone.

Go to

www.growit.com/Zones/

first to find your hardiness zone first so you plant flowers that will survive your winter.

Happy Gardening!!!
Reply:mums,hollyhocks,and lilies are hardy and don't need a lot of pampering.even if you only water them when you see the wilting they spring back and seem to do just fine.
Reply:cactus is the first thing that comes to mind. container gardening is easy and vincas can take sun or shade and have some brillant colors. hyacinth is pretty tollerant as well. There are some grasses that flower as well to add height. Talk to a good local nursery and they usually know what is best.
Reply:Depends where you are? ,I'm in Australia (lots of sun %26amp; mild winters).Daisy' are good But I discovered "Cosmos" a self seeding anual that rocks! Tolerates the dry gets quite large towards end of summer (1metre tall) ,covered in pink or white daisy like flowers comes back year after year without any help just like blue "Nigella",dehlias and poppies. Get seeds %26amp;sprinkle early spring or late winter onto loose soil.LEAVE!

If you want drought tolerant bulbs go the " Iris" (there are so many varieties that will grow almost anywhere as long as they dont get the rot from over watering),
Reply:foxglove,Cosmo's....perennials seem to be more tolerant also...
Reply:It is hard to answer questions about plants or gardens without a few more specifics. Here are some examples of what I mean: I live in the Northern climates where it rains so often it is hard to imagine things dieing from even the most forgetful mom! Some flowers can do very well if planted in different areas that compliment their needs within your climate, and some, do better if started as plants instead of seeds. Some perennials become annuals depending on which zones they are planted in and cannot handle too much water; some get their water from the air around them. Many plants in general, including flowers, can go longer between watering if the top soil is mulched well, or covered to slow down evaporation. Complimentary planting can also vary the amount of water your plants need. So you see, sometimes what your plants need depends on the general length and width of their root system then how frequently they are exposed to forgetful Moms!



Therefore, based on the information you gave, my first answer, or suggestion would be to give both yourself and your Mom some TLC, recognizing the fact that you both enjoy beauty, and keep trying even if it sometimes does not work out as you expected. (Tender, Loving, Care) Those are good things I see in your question, a great foundation to build on, and it will get even better as you both make and share those memories together! Not knowing your personal specifics, I will share some things I have found helpful in preparing and planting the flowers or plants that you do deside to pick instead. They have worked for me, many I have learned from my mom and many others, including a few I discovered myself. Most details, I learned from a large dose of healthy mistakes.



Whatever you decide, before blaming yourself for investing in, or picking out wrong plants, that may have not survived, check with local gardening resources, clubs, and organizations in your own area for resources and support. Community resources offer you the natural advantage of hands-on personal experience and a particular awareness of the type of ground, climate, fertilizer needs, the most effective mulching methods specific to your individual plants and area for conserving water, and even the types of insects in your area. While the Internet offers each of us an entire world of knowledge that is very important also, and enhances our chances for success; it is still that human element, which can offer you good advice, a hug, and coffee after a natural disaster wipes out your hard work, that will repeatedly be the best over all assets for both you and whoever you have doing the watering!



I have learned that good preparations are small details I pay, that give me back bigger benefits. I like to put together a diagram, or pocket guide-workbook type of resource, that I can bring with me to local resources, grab when I have questions or discussions on the phone, or to leave with anyone’s Mom in my absence. Include specific directions of what is needed, names, and pictures of what is planted, where they are or have been planted, what you intend or have planted your flowers in; such as raised plant bed, buckets, pots, how often and what the needs are. Follow up matching each area with markings and names. Somewhere in your home planting guide, include pictures of what you want or are thinking of planting and jot down your questions. Be as specific as possible, keep a list of both what you have tried, what seemed to work best, what did not work, and your questions.



Soon, both your evolving flower garden scrapbook can become a valued resource of accomplishments, pride, information, and a reminder both you and your Mom will find indispensable. With fewer things to worry about forgetting, you both will wonder how you got a long without it. Most of all, it will become a place of wonderful on going discovery, memories, joy, shared experiences, and allow you the freedom to spend more time learning and enjoying your lives even more!
Reply:VirtuousCirq, I'm a lazy gardener too. That's why I've planted

Perennials like these plants for sunny areas:

Daylilies, Black-eyed Susans, Coneflowers, Asters, Gaillardia, Lilies, Mums, Daisy, %26amp; Peony. The flowers of Russian Sage aren't large but it's drought tolerant, can grow in rocky gardens, %26amp; flowers when others are fading. Including tall background plants will add dimension to your garden, so also consider Yucca, Ornamental grasses %26amp; Queen of the Prairie.



Easy shade-tolerant plants you might like are:

Hydrangea %26amp; Monarda . Although you mentioned you like larger, many-petalled blooms, consider adding some plants like Astilbe, Bleeding Hearts, %26amp; Lupines, plus using Hostas %26amp; Ferns as a filler in hard to take care of shady areas.



I don't like replanting flowers like annuals each year, so any effort I put into the perennials are rewarded each time I see them come up on their own each spring. Use plenty of mulch to conserve moisture %26amp; to make sure your mom won't have to spend a lot of time weeding.
Reply:diantheses...

begonias

inpatients

petunias

portulaca



most of these have bigger blooms and cant withstand a day or to of dry dirt....the begonias are part shade plants but the rest are full sun... well at least mine are full sun.. i live in Illinois.... good luck!!!!!

have you mom write reminders to herself! thats i remembered .. i would always forget to water my outdoor plants......and would put a post it on the shelf where my indoor plants " water outside plants too!" that helped me a lot!
adult teeth