Flower border ideas

I've been searching the Internet for flower border plans and not having much success! Basically I've just moved into a house in Surrey that has a small garden area. Around the south, west and north borders of the garden there are slightly raised (but mostly empty) flower beds.
The main flower beds will be in the south and west beds as the north side already has a couple small trees in it.
I would like to keep the flower colours mostly in yellow, oranges and reds.
Is there a website or app or anything else that might help me plan this? I'm not that familiar with the different types of flowers available and the growth heights etc. Which of course makes things a little difficult.
I was at a market today looking at flowers but at a loss as to what to buy! I guess it's also a little early in the year yet too - but I want to be prepared

*I probably should have posted this in the general gardening discussion forum but don't see a way to move it *

 

I've no idea if there's an app for that but I know if you visit say Crocus you can narrow lots of search criteria .... doing that should help you come up with plants that suit your preferences.

 

Another good site is the RHS...

https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants

There's lots of info on there and as you can see, you can search for plants by colour as well as level of sunlight etc. Have fun! It's always exciting planting up new borders!

 

This may give you the inspiration you're looking for:-
Better Homes & Gardens: Garden Plans
Lots of plans for a whole variety of styles of gardens.
As it is an American site, if you find a plan which you like the look of, use the RHS website, as per @Fern4 post, to check out the specifications of any suggested plants.

If you would still like the thread moved to General Gardening, just PM one of the Admin team (e.g. @Marley Farley , @Zigs , @wiseowl , @ARMANDII , @fat controller et al) and they will be happy to help.

 

If you haste now you may waste. Any bulbs will need to be planted in the fall, there are early yellow daffs and early red tulips that you can get. However until then, annuals are you best choice. Take your time get some mags and books to review. Its too early to safely plant annuals, wait till the frosts are done.

 

Good advice to my mind is to get any trees and shrubs in first....the bones of the garden they say. Perhaps you could post some pictures and then we can make suggestions. Getting any trees and shrubs in now would give good growth at the beginning of the growing season which is now.

 

Sorry Redstar,
I think that as we are now coming into the main growing seasons there is no more perfect time. I agree with Redwing, the sooner you make a start the better.

Also, you say it's too early to sow annuals, please bear in mind that in the UK, especially down in Surrey where Sandra lives it is now about peak sowing time.

You can go out and see what is being offered growing in pots etc and decide if you like the colours, height, growth habits etc

Daffodils/Narcissi, Tulips and other Spring flowering bulbs are now being offered cheap in pots.

Also potted perennials, summer bulbs ( such as Lilies ) shrubs and Roses are available now and will be for the next 4 months yet.

 

This is SO exciting! My advice is to buy the GOOD PLANT GUIDE by RHS. Stuff it full of annuals and veg ( you can buy small plants now - or seed) this year, then sit on a deckchair reading said book and plan plan plan for next year.

 

So not yet there one year then? In which case, this advice is quite sound ...

... it's often advised that when you move house, you wait a year before you make any changes to the garden. Mainly because you don't yet know what might pop up!
On the other side of that coin, I didn't wait one year here and blitzed the garden in one day So I can really understand your eagerness to get out there and get growing.

Again, good advice A frost can kill off some plants overnight. That can feel so discouraging! Not to mention wasted pennies.

For some things, perhaps. That's not quite the same as not expecting any more frosts though And with the weather all over the place at the moment, it isn't stable and cannot be relied upon: yet.

@pickle - have to say, that is great advice Quick fix/colour now and then a whole year of planning!

Good luck with what you decide @Sandra-Tingle and don't forget to let us know about it

 

Good advise. Really do not like just buying for the sake of cheapness in a pot. But to plan, and buy uniqueness. It nice to see what is out there and what works for success and individuality. It is nice to learn about the different bulbs to have some coming up fresh for many months. Mine start in March and end in July. But I have 100,000. bulbs. so something is continually in bloom. Not counting the plants, shrubs .

 

Redstar, I said what I disagreed with on your post, could you please say what you disagree with on mine. Thank you.

 

The start of this thread was asking for flowers for her border. Not trees, shrubs etc. So I disagree with this answer. And because @Anthony Rogers agreed with @Redwing I will have to disagree with @Anthony Rogers answer as a double disagreement. I actually answered her question where as neither of you did.

 

Well, lets just day that I wouldn't advise anyone on frosts and hardiness who lives on a totally different continent.

March to July eh ! Not a very long season is it ? My bulbs start in January and end around the beginning of November

 

How much sun do these beds get and what type of soil do you have?

 

Grumpy, are we? Trees and shrubs flower. I stick with my earlier comment. It sounds like her borders are bare and need some structure. Establish that first and then decide on perennials, bulbs and annuals.