We talked to Tony Maiello, manager of the Metropolitan Plant and Flower Exchange in New Jersey to find easy and affordable flowers for a garden that is sure to leave your neighbors green with envy. For novice gardeners, perennial flowers are a great place to start— they tend to bloom over the spring and summer, die over fall and return again the next spring. To save money, gardeners can pack the majority of their gardens with perennials with a couple annuals dispersed throughout. Annual flowers tend to die in a year or season—which can add up if you have to buy new flowers each season.
Sedum:
Sedums, often referred to as stonecrops, are sturdy perennials that require minimal care. There are many varieties that come in different colors, and the low-growing varieties are often used in rock gardens are around rock walls.
Lily of the Valley:
This pretty plant may look delicate, but it’s actually quite a hardy perennial. It does well in shade and is not too particular about the soil, making it easy to work with.
Impatiens:
If you are looking for an annual to add among your perennials, impatiens bloom in shade and come in a variety of colors and sizes. (� Elayne Takemoto / WWF Nepal)
Marigolds:
Marigolds are annuals that do best in sun and help keep away aphids. The most common varieties are known for their strong orange or yellow color and tend to be very aromatic.
Petunias:
Petunias are another annual that prefer the sun. The popular bedding flowers come in a wide variety of colors that instantly bring big color to your garden.
Geraniums:
Geraniums are colorful annuals that can be easily propagated and do well even in poor soil.