Fruity Sun

To create this garden (6m x 3m), you will need:

Plants

• 1x Autumn Magic Chokeberry (zone 3)
• 2x Ground Hug Chokeberry (zone 3)
• 6x Kirigami Mix Columbine (zone 3)
• 5x Northern Lights Hair Grass (zone 4)
• 5x Blue Flag Iris (zone 3)
• 2x Jacob Cline Beebalm (zone 3)
• 4x Dark Towers Beard Tongue (zone 4)
• 2x Prairie Glow Brown-Eyed Susan (zone 3)
• 2x Solar Cascade Short’s Goldenrod (zone 3)
• 8x Spring Symphony Foamflower (zone 4)
• 3x Northcountry Highbush Blueberry (zone 3b)
• 2x Northland Highbush Blueberry (zone 3a)
• 1x Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn (optional tree – off plan) (zone 3)

Other

• Potting soil (quantity varies depending on soil quality)
• Mycorrhizae
• Compost (quantity varies depending on soil quality)
• Blueberry fertilizer and soil acidifier
• Mulch (to reduce weeding and watering needs)
• Garden shovel

1. Planning and Design

• Print the selected Floria garden plan information.
• The presented plan is a standard layout inspiration that you can adapt according to your existing design and the constraints of your land.
• Determine the desired final size of the flower bed and its exact shape (more rounded, square, rectangular, etc.).
• Measure and clearly mark the area of ​​your flower bed.
• Use stakes and string to precisely delineate the space.
• Allow a 7m diameter space elsewhere on your land if you choose to include the Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn (Crataegus crus-galli ‘Inermis’).

2. Soil Preparation

• Weeding: Remove all weeds (or grass) present in the area. Use a shovel, a hoe, or a sud cutter
• Soil aeration: Dig the soil to a depth of 20-30 cm to aerate it and promote drainage.
• Soil improvement: Incorporate compost and potting soil to enrich the soil and improve its structure. The amount will depend on the quality of your existing soil.

3. Planting

• Arrange the plants in the bed according to your plan. Adjust the spacing if necessary (the plan assumes mature plants).
• Water the plant thoroughly before removing it.
• Dig planting holes slightly larger than the plant root balls.
• Carefully remove the plants from their containers.
• Add mycorrhizae directly to the root ball to promote rooting.
• Place each plant in its hole, ensuring that the root collar (the base of the stem) is at soil level.
• Fill the holes with the mixture of soil, compost, and potting soil.
• Lightly firm the soil around the plants.
• Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil.

• Water regularly, especially during dry spells, ideally early in the morning, until the plants are well established.
• Mulch the soil (10cm of mulch) to retain moisture, limit weeds, and protect the roots from the cold.
• Fertilize as needed, depending on the plant type. Blueberries (Vaccinium) require an acidifying fertilizer. Apply in spring when the soil is thawed, or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Prune shrubs and evergreens, as needed, to maintain their shape.
• Pruning shrubs and perennials (if necessary) is generally done after flowering.
• Monitor for diseases and pests.

* Chokeberries are edible and contain even more antioxidants than blueberries, but it is recommended to consume them in processed form (jam, juice, etc.) for a more pleasant flavor.