Translated by Nick R
Have you ever thought of having a beautiful garden with striking flowers? Well, in this blog, you’ll find what you need to achieve your dream garden. No matter how much space you have, you can design any garden you wish.
You’ll learn about 5 types of ideal outdoor plants. I’ll tell you about the characteristics of each one, how you can take care of them and important aspects to sow them. You will have a beautiful garden everyone would admire.
Table of Contents
An overview of outdoor plants
Outdoor plants are those that you can have outside your home or in public places. They must be plants that can withstand outdoor conditions, such as cold, heat, rain and so on. They are plants that have a great diversity in size, shape, color and other characteristics. And a big plus is that, compared to indoor plants, they require little care. These plants are ideal for outdoor decoration, whether in a garden, the exterior of a building, parks, green areas, squares, and others.
Characteristics
- Thanks to their diverse morphology, you can find plants of different sizes, and with different types of stems. some have fruits, and some have colorful flowers and striking scents, as well as various forms of leaves.
They include herbaceous plants, trees, climbers, epiphytes (such as mosses), palms, succulents or shrubs.
- Something to point out is that these plants are easy to cultivate. In the same way, they have great resistance to pests and diseases without special care.
- You have 2 ways to plant them, in a pot or straight in the ground. Everything will depend on the distribution of your garden.
- Depending on the area, you can have native plants. However, in many cases, they are introduced or non-native plants.
Care of outdoor plants
Spot and light
You must choose the right place to place your plants, either in pots or directly on the ground. What counts is that they get the amount of sun, shade or space they need. Remember that all plants need sunlight, but some more than others.
Sun plants are: cacti, succulents, aromatic and vegetable garden plants, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, among others.
Shade plants are: ferns, hydrangeas, pothos, begonias, ivy, among others.
Plants that need good space are: trees, shrubs, palms, and others. They should also receive good sunlight.
You should keep in mind that, in winter, sun plants should receive as much direct sunlight as possible. And in summer, it is better not to expose your shade plants to direct light to avoid damaging them.
Watering
If you have your plants in pots, avoid waterlogging by moderating the watering. On the other hand, if you have your plants in the ground, make sure that the area is not exposed to flooding due to heavy rains.
You must follow the guidelines for watering each plant. Depending on the type of plant, the seasons of the year or climatic conditions, the substrate you use, the material of the pots and the location, watering may vary.
To determine if your plant has too little or too much water, you can take into account the following aspects:
Lack of water
- The leaves and branches of your plants may be drooping.
- The soil looks too dry.
- Leaves may turn yellow and flowers may fall off.
- Pests such as mealybugs or aphids may appear.
Excess water
- The roots of the plant begin to rot.
- The appearance of fungi increases.
- Plant growth can be considerably affected.
- Lower leaves turn yellow or brown.
- Algae may appear on the substrate and make it greenish.
Later on, I’ll show you the top 5 outdoor plants and, how to water each one of them.
Fertilizer
Your plants require some nutrients for their correct development. These are provided by the substrate you planted them in.
If you use pots, you must add compost or fertilizer of your choice to the substrate. Remember that you can make them with organic waste from your home or buy them in the different presentations available (liquid, powder, etc.).
Pruning
It is recommended that you prune your outdoor plants regularly so that they can grow in better condition. Try not to prune them too drastically, we suggest cutting a few branches to maintain the height (in an aesthetic sense) and health (to eliminate parts in bad condition due to diseases or pests) of your plants.
Remember to use the right tools and the necessary implements for your protection, such as gloves, hats, goggles, etc. You must sanitize your tools before and after using them. This way you’ll avoid any pests spreading to your whole garden.
Transplanting
For healthier and stronger plants, it is advisable to transplant them at least once a year. If your plants are in the ground, you can do it in autumn.
However, if they are in pots, transplanting will depend on the type of plant you have and their needs. The point of transplanting is that you use a new substrate and fertilizer full of nutrients.
Don’t forget to repot your plants in a cool environment and using the proper utensils for the substrate and plant handling.
Pots
If you are going to use pots to plant your outdoor plants, you must consider the type of pot you will use. Remember that it must resist outside conditions and be suitable for the plants’ needs.
There are several types of pots that you can use. Everything will depend on your likes, budget and imagination. Be sure they have a good size and drainage, depending on the type of plant.
Clay or terracotta pots:
Available in all sizes and shapes, they are also traditional for gardens. You can find plant pots of this material with no glaze.
This means that It is a porous pot in which water can evaporate easily. So the plant will need more constant watering. But if, on the other hand, it is a glazed pot, it will retain moisture even on the hottest days.
These types of pots are a bit heavy, so moving them around will be very difficult. However, you can place it on a pallet to facilitate its handling.
As it is porous, it has a poor ability to adapt to the winter. The moisture in the pot can cause the material to crack if it freezes.
In this season of the year, we advise you to move the pots to slightly warmer places. If this is not possible, you can use another type of pot that is better adapted to these conditions.
Wooden pots:
Wooden containers, such as whiskey barrels, can work for growing your plants. In fact, they can be very eye-catching and give your garden a fantastic touch.
However, wood can deteriorate when exposed to sun and water. This is why this material should be chemically treated with products such as lacquers or sealants, to guarantee its durability. It’s vital to take into account the chemical composition of these products, as they could affect your plants.
Metal pots:
You can use any metal container to plant your outdoor plants. Make sure they have enough drainage.
Large containers can be heavy, so you can place them in a fixed location or use a dolly to move them around when you want.
Plastic or resin pots:
These are the lightest and most economical containers for the garden. There are resin containers that mimic the look of cement or ceramic pots.
These will work for you if you want to have pots with an eye-catching look, but without worrying about the container cracking, freezing or weighing too much.
Plastic or resin pots are non-porous and therefore don’t lose moisture like ceramic or clay pots. For this reason, make sure they have adequate drainage to avoid waterlogging.
Due to their material, exposure to the sun cracks the plastic, shortening the container’s lifespan. However, you can easily replace or even reuse plastic containers such as bottles.
The color of the pot can affect the plant. Very dark colors absorb heat and if the roots get too hot, they could rot and die. This is why you should choose lighter colors to pot your plants.
It’s recommended not to have saucers to restrain water runoff after watering. They can attract mosquitoes which find it a perfect place to lay their eggs. In case you have saucers, prevent mosquitoes by cleaning constantly.
Types of gardens you can inspire from
There are several types of gardens depending on your tastes, resources, space, style, environmental conditions, among others. Next, I’ll tell you about 4 types you’ll love.
Zen garden or Feng Shui
This garden is known for its relaxation and harmony properties. They are composed of elements such as sand, stones and gravel. The vegetation used for this type of garden is chosen in such a way that it helps to preserve the concept of relaxation and harmony.
Besides, the color of the plants affects the garden design. Colors such as brown, green, white, black and gray are used. That is why mosses, flowering plants, succulents and even medium-height trees are perfect for Zen gardens.
The gravel or sand used in this garden, also called oasis, symbolizes aquatic spaces such as rivers or seas. The color of this sand is usually white, and because of the shapes created by raking the sand, it conveys an atmosphere of meditation. The stones are used to make paths or symbolize islands and create a peaceful ambiance.
The size of these gardens may vary, so they can be placed anywhere, both outdoors and indoors. They are found in miniature to be placed in rooms or large for backyards.
Materials such as wood work very well, so you could use pots of this type. You can even incorporate small ponds with fish like the popular koi fish.
The care of this garden depends more on the plants you want to use. As you know, each plant needs certain conditions given by its type. Some need a lot of light, frequent watering, pruning, for example. While others require minor care.
This garden is perfect for letting your ideas run as you wish to create your oasis outside your home. It can be very simple or you can add elements that give it a more striking view. The ideal is that you keep the concept of relaxation and harmony. If you enjoy meditation, this would be your ideal garden.
Vertical Garden
This garden is known for being a vegetal wall that can be used to optimize space both indoors and outdoors. It is ideal if you live in urban environments because you can give a natural touch to the facade of your house or apartment.
They are a very interesting option, not only for offering a great view but also for the great benefits for the environment they bring. Besides being able to have them on your outside house or apartment outsides, you can find them in:
- Public buildings
- Shopping malls
- Schools
- Universities
- Hotels
- Restaurants
By retaining dust and other polluting substances they positively affect the city’s environment. It also functions as a natural thermal insulator. Protecting the environment from solar radiation by minimizing the energy flows between the interior and exterior environment. Besides, This garden absorbs sound waves and lowers noise, as well as rainwater that returns it to its natural cycle.
On the other hand, you must choose the right spot for your vertical garden. Do not forget that all plants need natural light for good growth. Depending on the type of plant, the intensity of light or shade will vary. For this reason, you should know which plants to put in your garden.
When choosing the plants, consider the characteristics of each one. Place hanging plants in the lower levels so they don’t shade others.
If you choose plants that grow on the sides, I recommend placing them at the edges so that they don’t interfere with other plants’ growth. The ones that need more direct sunlight can go to the upper levels and the others in the center of the garden.
You can install your garden in a felt bag structure. It is a resistant material for this type of activities and you can find different sizes according to your needs. You have the possibility of using a fixed and resistant metallic structure to hang the felt bags there. Either you can leave them fixed or movable. Everything will depend on what best suits you.
In this type of garden you can have the following plants, among them:
- Ferns
- Epiphytes
- Succulents
- Incense plants
- Begonias
Remember to use the proper substrate and take into account the watering and the climatic conditions they need. If so, you will have a beautiful vertical garden.
Xeric Gardens
In this type of garden you can have those plants with low water needs. It is suitable for areas where rainfall is very scarce and the water resource is limited.
Therefore, it is characterized as being a sustainable garden, besides not needing a lot of special care. Most important is to choose those plant species that are resistant to dry climates.
Some examples are: cactus, shrubs; fruit trees such as olive trees; ornamental trees such as ash trees; flowers such as chrysanthemums, aromatic plants, climbers and crassulas, among others.
You should choose an irrigation system such as drip irrigation. This consists of using a system of pipes with drippers. The water travels by pressure and reaches the crops in an optimum way, drop by drop.
In this way, there is no water waste and you ensure that the plants can withstand droughts. It is advisable to mulch the soil with clay because it allows to retain liquids and expand the plants’ endurance.
Although it is a garden that requires no special care, you must take into account the plant’s characteristics. Remember to use fertilizers in the substrate to guarantee their growth, to water more frequently in summer or very hot seasons, and prune the plants as needed.
The use of natural products is important for this type of garden. For fertilizers, use compost, mulch, manure, etc. And to control pests, use home remedies.
Water Garden
This type of garden is home to a wide variety of aquatic species, both plants and animals. Its main attractions are plants, but fish can also stand out.
You can also find ponds, waterfalls, aquariums, and even artificial lakes. It all depends on the design that you want for your water garden. Place it in such a way that it has an easily accessible water supply.
For keeping the water clean you can use elements such as pH regulators, anti-algae, oxygenators, and others. Although the plants you use will also help with this.
Also, to prevent algae, place the garden in the shade so that they don’t receive sunlight, increasing algae growth.
The plants you can choose are classified into groups. The first group is the marginal plants, which grow on the lakes and river banks.
Another group is the marsh plants, which species grow in moist soils, such as the primrose. These swampy plants need very humid soils and are able to withstand waterlogging.
The group of amphibious plants is characterized by plants with the capacity to grow in land and aquatic areas with a high level of humidity. Floating plants, such as the duckweed or lemna, and emergent plants, such as the water lily, are a must in your water garden.
If you want to give your garden a more eye-catching look, you can use water fountains, lights or decorative stones. You can also choose to make your garden large or small. It all depends on your space and budget.
Top 5 outdoor plants
You already know the care you should have, the pots you can use, and the gardens you can create. Now I’ll show you about 5 plants that you can have in your outdoor garden and how to take care of them.
Ferns
They are perennial plants characterized by a lack of flowers and seeds. They reproduce employing spores that need sufficient humidity. Moreover, they can be planted both indoors and outdoors.
The leaves are particularly narrow and the stems tend to be subterranean. The latter lasts only 1 year, but maintain subway parts that grow back the next year.
These plants should not receive direct sunlight, although they tolerate bright environments. However, they are usually in shady environments. The ideal temperature for healthy development is 12 to 18 °C (54 to 64 °F). They come from tropical and equatorial rainforests or scrublands.
They cannot tolerate dry environments, so they must have relatively high humidity. The recommended substrate for these plants has to be porous, light and humid. You can use peat or mulch.
We suggest frequent and light watering, but without waterlogging the substrate. This could make the roots rot. Otherwise, a lack of watering could dehydrate the plant.
Be careful with pests that may affect the fern. The most common is the mealybug, but you can control it by using a systemic insecticide. Then you wash the leaves with soapy water and flush them.
The foliar nematode can also affect this plant causing reddish spots at the base of the leaves. To avoid its propagation, sanitize the tools you use, eliminate withered leaves, avoid splashing water, etc.
Dahlia
These herbaceous and perennial plants characterize as being very eye-catching and beautiful for gardens. They can grow up to 1 meter so planting in the soil is recommended. This will give the roots enough space and the plant can bloom more consistently.
Ideally, try to plant them in a place with plenty of sunlight, but not in direct sunlight; and in temperatures between 18 and 23°C. They can tolerate semi-shaded locations.
It is recommended that they are in loamy soil, with enough drainage, and a high content of organic matter. You can use worm humus or compost.
Keep the substrate humid, but without puddling. Although they tolerate the heat, it is important to water them with more frequency in hot seasons.
You can sow dahlias with seeds or cuttings. Seeding is a complex process as it is used more for the breeding of new varieties and is carried out in pots.
However, the best time to sow them is in spring. You should use vegetable substrate and sand at a temperature of 15 to 18 °C. In about 15 days the plants will germinate.
You should transplant them on 3 occasions. The first is when they have 2 leaves, and leave a space of 5 cm between them. The second is when they have 4 leaves and you must leave them in individual pots. The last one is done in the middle of spring in the final pot.
If you sow them by cuttings, you should collect them from the previous year and keep them in a cool place. In late winter you can sow those cuttings in a peat and sand substrate at a temperature of 15 to 20 °C.
After this, in 2 to 3 weeks, the plant will have roots strong enough to be transplanted to its final destination. Pests such as aphids, which appear in cold conditions, and spider mites, which appear when the ambient humidity decreases, can affect your plant.
Aphids cause yellowing of the leaves, weaken them to death. Spider mite causes yellow spots and leaf drops. These pests can be treated with insecticides.
Lavender
It’s characterized by its calming properties and its aroma has become common for aromatherapy and the creation of essences.
It is also used as a medicinal and decorative plant. You can use it internally in infusions to relieve symptoms such as stress, anxiety and insomnia. Externally, oils to relieve bites, among others. It is a perennial plant and reaches a height of 1 meter.
It needs good lighting but avoid direct exposure. The watering should not be that much. So you can wait for the land to dry a little before watering again.
The substrate should not be prone to waterlogging, so it can be sandy, alkaline and with a leveled soil acidity (if it is acidic). The fertilizer should have equal levels of potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
You can sow these plants by using cuttings. At the end of flowering, you can take cuttings 10 to 15 cm long. You should cut them with clean tools to prevent the spread of any pests or diseases.
Then, sow the cuttings in a substrate a part of peat and a part of sand. You can cover the pot and the cuttings with a hood-shaped bag on top.
You should keep the substrate slightly moist and remove the plastic every day to control moisture. When the first shoots grow, you can completely remove the plastic and place the plant in a bright place to encourage growth.
Fungi can affect the plant. You can treat it by removing the afflicted parts, using fungicides and antiparasitics.
Palms
Use them to give your garden a tropical appearance. We suggest sowing these plants in the ground as they will have more freedom to develop with no problem.
Take into account the available space to choose a palm that can adapt to it.
The roots of the palms aren’t strong enough to break or lift the soil or other structure. Some can grow up to 2 meters deep and others grow about 15 meters horizontally.
However, there are palm species whose secondary, tertiary and quaternary roots are usually thinner and shorter and grow upwards, as their function is to absorb moisture. The primary roots anchor the plant to the ground and are slightly thicker and longer.
Choosing the right species depends also on considering the weather conditions of the place.
Most palm trees go well with direct lighting and a warm climate. The important thing is that you know its characteristics. Water them regularly during their growth, avoiding puddling the soil.
Once they are on the permanent ground, we suggest watering 1 or 2 times a week in summer and every ten days in winter. The substrate should be sandy, loose and porous, try to use one that allows good drainage.
You should only prune when you notice dry leaves, this can happen from 3 to 5 years. Use compost, manure, peat, or mulch. This will give the plant the necessary nutrients for healthy growth.
Tie the leaves for about 6 months to 1 year before transplanting. When it adapts to its new location, you can drop the leaves.
Bouganvillea
It’s a perennial bushy climbing plant. It grows from 1 to 12 cm and is used for wall decoration. Its thorny branches allow it to adhere to other plants or surfaces.
In addition, to give it a more attractive look you can prune the plant in the style you wish. Or you can even redirect the branches, they don’t cling to surfaces.
It blooms from summer to autumn, but in warm climates, it can bloom all year round. The leaves have an intense green color and the flowers have different colors such as magenta, pink, white, yellow, orange, red, etc.
By day it requires a temperature between 23 and 35 °C while during the night 18 °C. It can withstand higher temperatures but is sensitive to very low temperatures.
Good lighting will prevent the fall of leaves and the discoloration of flowers. At least 6 hours of direct sunlight are enough to provide the plant with the light needed.
You should use a substrate with good drainage capacity, as well as sandy and mulch. You can use the fertilizer you wish; what matters is that you add it at least 1 time a year.
During the summer you can water your plant 3 times a week without exceeding. In winter you can reduce the frequency of watering.
You can sow this plant with cuttings. For this, take cuttings from adult plants of approximately 7 cm and sow them in peat and sand substrate; this will help the drainage. Keep a temperature of 18 °C and in three weeks the cutting will develop roots.
When they grow a little more, you can transplant them to pots 13 to 20 cm in diameter or directly to the ground. This depends on what you want for your garden.
Well, you already know the characteristics and requirements of outdoor plants. So, what are you waiting for to create a diverse and charming garden? Surely there is one garden that suits your likes and possibilities.
In addition, there is an endless number of plants that you can have in your outdoor garden and will give your house, apartment or building a spectacular and enviable view. Go for it! I know you’ll love it.
