My New Flower Garden: Successes, Challenges, and Lessons Learned

In this video, I am sharing my favorite plants that I grew from seed as well as my lessons learned after the first season of my pollinator-friendly flower garden. What a blast it was to plant this space.
This flower garden is deer resistant, pollinator-friendly, and my neighbors love it!
Here is the list of plants in the garden.
GROWN FROM SEED
Cosmos ‘Cosmic Orange’
Polygonum orientale ‘Cerise Pearls’ (common name Kiss-Me-Over-The-Garden-Gate)
Dianthus carthusianorum (Carthusian Pink)
Verbene bonariensis
Eryngium planum ‘Blaukappe’ (Sea Holly)
Lychnis Coronaria (Rose Campion)
Dusty Miller ‘New Look’
Centranthus ruber ‘Snow Cloud’
Mother-of-Thyme
African Marigold ‘Kee’s Orange’
Heliopsis ‘Burning Hearts’
Zinnias
Coreopsis tinctoria Dyer’s Mix
Coreopsis tinctoria ‘Mardi Gras’ (tickseed)
Nigeilla ‘Miss Gertrude Jekyll’
Poppies (‘Lauren’s Grape’ and an unknown variety from a friend)
Cynara cardunculus (cardoon)
NATIVE PLANTS
Echinacea palida (Pale Purple Coneflower)
Geum triflorum (Prairie Smoke)
Monarda fistulosa (Bee-Balm)
Sedum tematum (Wild stonecrop)
Doelingeria umbellate (flat-top white aster)
PERENNIALS
Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan'
Euchinacea purpurea ‘PowWow Wildberry’
Heuchera ‘Obsidian’
Penstemon digitalis ‘Midnight Masquerade’
Achillea filipenulina ‘Coronation Gold’
Sambucus nigra ‘Eva’ (Elderberry ‘Black Lace’®)
Bearded Iris ‘Wabash’
Bearded Iris (unknown yellow reblooming variety)
Peony (unknown variety)
Coreopsis grandiflora ‘Sunkiss’
Gaura ‘Whirling Butterflies’
Creeping phlox
Delphinium grandiflorum Blue Butterfly
Delphinium (unknown purple flowering variety)
Calamintha nepeta subsp. nepeta (white flowering variety)
Phlox paniculate (possibly ‘Ultraviolet’)
PURCHASED ANNUALS
Senecio candicans (common name Sea cabbage)
TREES AND SHRUBS (moved from other areas of my garden)
Juniperus x Pfitzeriana ‘Monsan’ PP #17,622 (Sea of Gold ® juniper)
Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Lemon Thread’ (False Cypress)
Syringa vulgaris var. alba (trained in a standard form)
Oak tree seedlings (transplanted from an acorn planted by a garden squirrel)
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[@user-pt6lh4oo3g]

Flower Garden beautiful.. , 🌹🌷🌺💐🥀🥰😘

[@GardenMoxie]

Thank you!

[@bernadette1510]

You have done an amazing job! The pollinator garden looks stunning! I wonder if your neighbors stop to admire it!

[@GardenMoxie]

Hi Bernadette. I know two little girls in the neighborhood that love it...makes that much better. How are things going for your garden?

[@gardener6480]

I love your garden! You are so right that you learn by trying new things. This garden is so much nicer than any amount of grass lawn.

[@GardenMoxie]

Thank you. I love it so much more than the lawn. And I think you can see in the video how many bees and pollinators cover the garden all the time. It is awesome.

[@dawndawn6946]

Planting in thin ribbons is such a great idea! I never know if I should plant in a drift or a clump, and I get so disappointed when things stop blooming and leave holes. Thank you! What a success for a first year pollinator garden! After five years growing to attract pollinators, I feel like I am always starting over. I am trying to add more perennials and self seeders throughout, so I don’t have to feel this way. This year, I had so much basil, zinnias, and marigolds self sow. I had so many of these that I was able to dig them up and move them around to fill in gaps. My July garden was glorious!😆

[@GardenMoxie]

I love self seeder, don't you? As you said, it is great to move them around to other places in the garden. The thinner drifts are turning out well in the garden so I think that is how I am going to arrange things for next season vs. larger clumps of plants. Thank you for your note.

[@dianaford9040]

Sue this is so lovely. Your garden has undoubtedly brought happiness to passersby, insects, yourself and to this viewer!

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much. I was amazed at how many pollinators it attracted. I can't wait to add more flowers.

[@kathy5706]

Just found your channel and wow, I love it! I’m from Ohio, loved to learn from other Midwest gardeners. didn’t start gardening until after I retired, had never even planted a bulb. I like how you present info at a level that beginner gardeners don’t feel intimidated. Enjoying catching up on all your videos and can’t wait for next spring!

[@GardenMoxie]

Wow! Thanks so much for the kind note. I appreciate it. I'm so glad you're here.

[@claudiaellis3015]

Your garden looks amazing, so, so beautiful! I love the colors and plant selection, you did a great job!

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much. I am excited to add more flowers next season. Have you started planning your 2024 garden?

[@pamelacorsi]

I think it looks great! I'd love to see it's progression thru the summer next year.

[@GardenMoxie]

Thank you. I am going to try taking photos next year from the same spots so I can edit them together next season to watch the garden fill in. I think that will be fun. The pollinators love this crazy garden.

[@lynnpurse]

This bed looks glorious for such a new planting! Thank you for sharing your insights and reflections on the plantings.

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much.

[@marywhelan1827]

Very nice presentation, without a lot of time, i like that. Beautiful garden. I'll try some of your plants.

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much for watching the video.

[@linhmoberly4493]

Hi, love your beautiful pollinator garden . It’s good for nature and environment. Lots to learn from you. Please make more videos . Thanks .

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much for your note.

[@GardeningSpirit]

Hi Garden Moxie!...I can't get over how much your pollinator garden has grown! How wonderful that you started a new & different garden.

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much. I was pretty shocked too. Now I'm excited for next season to add more of what worked this year.

[@UpstateGrammy]

Your garden turned out so well!

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much Peggy. I know there are tons of flaws, but I love it and can't wait to keep working on it come Spring. I was amazed at how many buzzing visitors I had. It was such a great experience.

[@mdorn6592]

Very nice!! You can always put plants that repel Japanese beetles next to/close to your Cerise Pearls (like short geraniums or catnip) which can be used as an understory plant barely peeking out from underneath

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks for the great suggestion. Honestly...I didn't think about under planting with something they don't like. I love that idea.

[@minzbonniezhao4453]

impressive! beautiful garden! Thanks for the sharing.

[@GardenMoxie]

Thank you and thanks for watching.

[@MrMountainchris]

Your garden is SO beautiful

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much and thanks for watching.

[@LuckyEucalyptusTree-]

Love

[@GardenMoxie]

Thank you.

[@dustyflats3832]

We are Finally getting Rain today!🎉. Up to .38” and another cloud coming! Severe drought in WI and almost forgot what it sounded like. So I’m catching up on your vids today! Fertilized most everything yesterday so the rain could soak it in. I’ve seen some plants in your vids that I’ve never tried. There is a pretty pink flower in this one with frosty foliage I’m not sure what that is. I have room to plant, but I have to stay within fenced area as wildlife kills everything. In the back garden I have a flowerbed alongside veg garden. It’s about 20x40’ triangular shape. Usually if anything will grow I just let it go. I struggle between neat and tidy English style to let it be cottage style. One of the issues is poppies-love them, want more varieties of them, but they are encroaching on bee balm. So I know I have to get them knocked back as they are beautiful, but they don’t last long. Do you find varieties of flowers to cross or do you plant just one variety to get true seed? Would like more varieties of poppies and others, but concerned they will mix.

[@GardenMoxie]

Hello. It sounds like you have a wonderful garden space. This is only the first year for the pollinator garden so I expect to start needing to manage plants intermingling more this season. I am a big fan of letting plants go to seed and letting them grow where they plant themselves. But I am trying to plant in thin drifts in an attempt to minimize the open spaces once certain plants are done blooming. I think the pink plant you are referencing is the "kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate" (Polygonum orientale). I planted the variety 'Cerise Pearls'.

[@shelleymolinaro5866]

Oh my Goodness! Just gorgeous and perfectly imperfect. This is the first year for this garden right? I love what you said about trying new things and making mistakes and editing. You sound like Roy Diblik. He would have added. That's gardening! Thanks for Sharing ♥

[@GardenMoxie]

thanks so much Shelley.

[@thequarrygardener5578]

The garden is so full and vibrant, it’s beautiful, for its first flowering season you must be thrilled. I’m very envious of your echinacea, I can’t grow them in my clay soil but I can recommend Heleniums. I grow several varieties and the pollinators love them and they are late flowering too, remove the spent blooms and they re flower within approximately 2 weeks. Have you ever thought about growing umbellifers, one of my favourites is Selinum wallichianum, another late flowering perennial that pollinators also love.

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much for the plant recommendations.I think umbellifers are the PERFECT addition to this space. I appreciate you taking the time to recommend plants. Your advice is worth taking based on how incredibly beautiful your garden is. I appreciate you being here.

[@natalie_tn]

Beautiful!

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much!

[@MarthaHenry1]

Very informative video, thank you so much! Martha

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much Martha!

[@MarthaHenry1]

@@GardenMoxie Please keep sharing your lovely garden and ideas. I am in California, on the central coast, Zone 9.

[@laurahale5774]

How beautiful! Thank you for sharing your favorites with us.

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks for watching!

[@angelacross2216]

That is absolutely gorgeous.

[@GardenMoxie]

Thank you and thanks so much for your note.

[@jasminelouisefarrall]

Absolutely gorgeous Sue 🥰🥰

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much. I'm a little sad it's the end of the garden season. How about you?

[@JoAnnBlondin]

New garden is marvelous Sue. So many colours and textures.

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much Jo! I can't believe it is October. Where did the summer go?

[@judymiddleswart9350]

Wonderful great info!!!! Thanks ❤

[@GardenMoxie]

Thank you. I'm glad you found some helpful information.

[@BuonoBruttoCattivo77]

Beautiful. You did a great job on that bed.

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much.

[@nancybergeson9485]

Great, helpful information. Thank you for sharing, you've given me several new ideas to try!

[@GardenMoxie]

Thank you. I am glad to hear you found a couple ideas to try. That made my day!

[@maryfroelich4700]

Love your experiment! You have put in an amazing effort! Your garden is beautiful!

[@GardenMoxie]

Hey thanks for the great words of encouragement! I appreciate it.

[@thegonzalezs4953]

The garden looks beautiful, very colorful . I’m finishing watching your video today I watched half yesterday, we had to run the store 😊

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much for supporting my channel and thanks for the words of encouragement.

[@Orientalbackyardgarden]

Really beautiful and you are so informative 👌🌹❤️

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much for watching and for sending your note. I am glad the video was helpful. I wish we still had more summer left.

[@gardensenglishandbeauty]

How interesting, thank you! I have had Verbena bonariensis for several years now, I have recently discovered Verbena hastata. It is a little bit more subtle, in my opinion. You might like it too. I gave up on African marigolds some time ago because of the slugs which are extremely attracted to these plants.

[@GardenMoxie]

Thank you for the plant recommendations. I am glad I have not run into slug issues on the marigolds. I am looking forward to checking on the Verbena hastata.

[@gardensenglishandbeauty]

@@GardenMoxie I suppose all the slugs have emigrated to mainland Europe :-)

[@GardenMoxie]

@@gardensenglishandbeauty That is funny! I am guessing the slugs from my back garden will figure it out by next season...ha ha.

[@madelcarmencaleromolina2891]

Hi Darling! How great to know from you and your creations. What a beautiful garden. Have an amazing weekend.

[@GardenMoxie]

Thank you! You too!

[@madelcarmencaleromolina2891]

@@GardenMoxie Thank you!

[@thegonzalezs4953]

Oh I sure hope the verbena self seed , i did grow them this year also . I was wondering if they will come back next year

[@GardenMoxie]

They are great plants. I get them to reseed, but I have been growing them earlier in spring by seed to make sure they are big by summer.

[@thegonzalezs4953]

@@GardenMoxie ok , I’ll keep that in mind for next spring.

[@Tiny_Yard_Bouquets]

Your garden is so beautiful. I also love verbena bonariensis but it suffered the powdery mildew so bad that I have to pull it off. Do you have any trick preventing powdery mildew?

[@GardenMoxie]

I did not plant them close to one another and the area has really good air movement.

[@amyjones2490]

Where did you find the senecio seeds? Its beautiful.

[@GardenMoxie]

It's a great plant. I bought the seeds from Swallowtail Garden Seeds. I buy a ton of seeds from them.

[@quick9smitty511]

I need advice about panting in drifts. My only option is shade plants, so I've purchased hosta, fern, Japanese forest grass, astilbe & brunera. With my limited budget, I have only 3 or 4 of every plant & I've made the mistake of trying to 'repeat' plantings along a 65' area and it looks chaotic. (like a pizza with "coloured dots" scattered throughout. I need to start over. Q.- Do I dig up and group all the ferns, all the grasses, all the hosta etc. in drifts with bare spots between to make it look more organized? I do have more hostas in different colours than any of the other plants. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you! Love your videos.

[@GardenMoxie]

I'd love to give you my opinion. Can you send a couple photos to my email so I can understand what plants you have to work with?

[@izzyrogo2946]

What is your trick for verbena bon. Very irregular germination?

[@GardenMoxie]

I think they typically have irregular germination. A nursery owner said the same thing to me when I asked for recommendations. But, this year, I placed the seeds in soil blocks that I put in the freeze for 6 weeks for the cold stratification. I don't think you need that much time. I would google that one. Once they were done with the cold period, I removed them from the freezer and placed them under grow lights. I also did not have high germination rates, but I planted enough seeds to get the plants I needed for the season.

[@nothing2seehere34]

Do you keep a garden journal or do you use the videos as a journal?

[@GardenMoxie]

I love the idea of a journal. It's the actual writing in it that I struggle with...ha ha. So I use a ton of photos. And I am also creating a little magazine for each section of the garden with the lessons learned this season as a creative project.