Flowers and vegetables are best suited for raised garden beds. To know what flowers to plant in a raised garden bed is important, especially if you plan on companion planting. Companion plants have many benefits, including producing a greater amount and high-quality yield of vegetables and keeping certain pests away. Also, flowers are attractive – to the human eye and to pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and other insects that will produce more seeds in your garden. The overall result is a diverse ecosystem, wherein every plant benefits each other. What you get is a garden that is more efficient and low-maintenance.
How Flowers Work In A Raised Garden Bed
To maximize the potential of your raised garden bed, you need to alternate your flowers and vegetables. This will depend on the size of the bed, selection of crops, and types of flowers. Factors like height and sun exposure will determine your layout.
For example, if tomatoes are grown in a bed, they will be the tallest crop. Plant your tomatoes on the north side of the bed, then medium height flowers in the middle, followed by shorter crops such as carrots, in the south row. If you’re growing lettuce, plant it in the middle row, plant shorter flowers in the southernmost row, then a crop similar in size to lettuce, like radishes.
The Types of Flowers
There are four types of flowers, categorized by their life cycle. This is important to know so that you know when to plant them and when to switch out flowers for new ones.
Perennials are flowers that grow every year. Their foliage dies in autumn, and they re-grow the following year. Some perennials can last many years, such as the peony rose, but others typically last only a few years.
Annual flowers complete their growth cycle in one year. They are very robust plants and can withstand frost.
Half-Hardy Annual flowers are more tender compared to annual flowers. They are best suited indoors or in warm locations, but once they mature, they can be gradually exposed to colder outdoor conditions.
Biennial plants require two years to complete their growth cycle. Their seeds are best planted during April. By the next year, they can be transferred to a flowering location.
The Best Flowers To Grow In A Raised Garden Bed
Calendula
Calendula or Pot Marigolds are hardy annual plants. Their flowers have yellow to orange petals can grow 18-24 inches tall. The great thing about calendula is they self-seed and trap pests with their sticky sap. You can plant them next to peppers and chard. Calendula is a great choice if you are wondering what flowers to plant in a raised garden bed.
California Poppy
The California Poppy is a perennial that can quickly bloom. They grow up to 12 inches and have roots that go down deep, which is important for the drainage system of your raised garden bed. Their flowers are bright yellow and close up at night or when it is going to rain.
Cilantro
Cilantro is a flowering herb, and whether you enjoy it in your cooking or not, its strong scent will drive away pests. It has white flowers and can grow up to two feet tall.
Delphinium
Delphinium is perennials that can withstand low temperatures. They can last up to 20 years and produce a lot of seeds. The flowers are white, sky blue, and varying shades of violet. Thinking about what flowers to plant in a raised garden bed – try delphinium.
German Chamomile
These dainty flowers are an annual plant and attract plenty of pollinators. They grow up to 12 inches, and their deep roots can draw up nutrients to your raised garden bed.
Feverfew
This perennial herb produces white flowers that resemble daisies. The name comes from its reputation to prevent migraines. You can chew on the bitter leaves or infuse them in hot water to make a tea.
Marigold
Marigolds are easy to grow perennials that produce golden flowers. They can keep beetles and even rabbits away from your garden. They can grow up to three feet tall.
Nasturtium
Nasturtium is an annual herb whose flowers produce a strong scent that repels pests. It grows 12-18 inches and works best with a taller crop.
Oregano
Oregano is a perennial herb with subtle, tiny mauve flowers. Aside from producing an herb for your cooking, they attract a variety of pollinators. Oregano is a good companion plant and is a good choice if you’re asking yourself what flowers to plant in a raised garden bed.
Sweet Alyssum
Sweet alyssum is a short-lived perennial that grows low. The flowers are tiny and have a pleasant scent. You can let them grow as living mulch because their shallow roots hold soil in place. You can plant them next to the Swiss chard.
Conclusion
Whether you are in search of companion plants for vegetable crops or simply want to add more color to your garden, knowing what flowers to plant in a raised garden bed is important. Just some final tips, when you’re cleaning up at the end of the season, make sure to leave the roots of your flowers intact. They will decay, but feed the soil and make it richer. When gathering flowers, snip them first thing in the morning and immediately place in cool water. I hope this article has given you a better understanding of how raised garden beds and flowers work. Flowers are certainly more than just pretty décor for the garden. They have excellent benefits that make a garden more vibrant, diverse, and balanced. Find out more about garden beds.