Been mostly creating for the last two months so any research has been through doing, hence the lack of posts recently. As an update (more for myself), I am creating a digital booklet on InDesign with a screen printed poster on the reverse to be used as a guide to which flowers you can plant year round to help bees thrive.
The booklet will contain the illustrations i originally did, which started this idea in the first place, and information on when to plant seeds to get an annual bloom (hopefully). The illustrations, including the screenprint, are all completed and ready to be made, so all i have to do is design and make the InDesign document. Easy.
I need to develop a list of flowers im going to look at in my book and research them a little so this post is that research.
ASTERS
Daisy-like flowers that can bloom year round, depending on the type of flower. Plant the early to mid spring in full or partial sunlight. Can be eight inches or eight feet tall, again depending on type of flower. Comes in a variety of colours.
http://www.almanac.com/plant/aster
CROCUS
Goblet-shaped flowers that can bloom year round depending on the type of flower. Plant in early winter months in pre-fertilized soil that drains well and is in full or partial sunlight. Grows 2-4 inches tall. Comes in a variety of colours.
http://www.almanac.com/plant/crocuses
CALENDULA
A bright yellow/orange flower that can grow year round with the correct care. Plant seeds in early spring in soil that drains well and is in full or partial sunlight.
http://www.herbexpert.co.uk/growingcalendula.html
HYACINTH
Grouped open flowers on a stem that flower april-may. Plant bulbs in early autumn in well drained soil in full sunlight. Comes in a variety of colours
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=614
SNAPDRAGONS
Come in a variety of colours and heights and flower april-june. Plant seeds indoors early spring and move outside to well drained and fertilised soil in full sun once its warmer.
http://www.flowers.org.uk/flowers/flowers-names/q-t/snapdragon/
DANDELIONS
A self-seeding bright yellow weed commonly found in pastures, lawns, orchards and so on. Flowers in may-june and possibly again in autumn months. Help it thrive by not using/restricting the use of pesticides and weed killers in your garden.
https://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/weeds/dandelion
LILAC
A very easy, usually purple, plant to grow that flowers in may-june. Can thrive in any soil type and should be planted mid-autumn.
HOLLYHOCK
A tall spire of flowers in different colours that blooms in may-june. Seeds should be planted in late summer/early autumn and will flower year after year.
http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/garden/594334/How-to-grow-hollyhocks
BUDDLEIA
Available in different shades of pinks and purples, this flower should be planted in late spring. The robust plant has bunched flowers that bloom from may-sept, giving a long flowering period.
https://www.saga.co.uk/magazine/home-garden/gardening/plants/shrubs/how-to-grow-buddleja-plants
SUNFLOWERS
Tall, large bright yellow flowers that bloom in june-july. They should be planted in mid-spring roughly 30 inches apart to allow room for growth. Can grow up to 3m tall.
http://www.almanac.com/plant/sunflowers
BORAGE
A self-seeding herb that grows up to 30cm tall and had edible leaves. They bloom in june/july and should be planted in spring. Has blue flowers and dark green leaves.
http://www.herbexpert.co.uk/growingborage.html
CONEFLOWERS
Ranging from white to deep purple, these flowers bloom in June-Aug. They should be planted in late summer/early autumn and be placed in fertile soil.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/education-learning/gardening-children-schools/family-activities/grow-it/grow/coneflower
BLACK EYED SUSAN
Can come in orange, red or yellow. These flowers should be planted in early spring and bloom from june-sept. Plant them in well drained soil in full or partial sun.
http://www.almanac.com/plant/black-eyed-susans
FOXGLOVE
These flowers should be sown indoors at first and be lightly pressed into fertile compost, not buried, as they require sunlight for germination. Plant outside in early autumn (or early spring if they are not large enough) for a bloom in june-sept. Comes in a variety of colours.
https://www.saga.co.uk/magazine/home-garden/gardening/plants/woodlanders/how-to-grow-foxgloves
COMMON YARROW
These should be planted in spring for a bloom in june-sept in full sun and moist but well drained soil. Available in a variety of colours.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/311/Achillea-millefolium/Details
GIANT HYSSOP
Can be planted as seeds in early spring or planted as ripe cuttings in late summer for overwintering under cover. Blooms in july-august. Available in a range of blues and purples.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/details?plantid=5149
JOE-PYE WEED
A common weed that produces pale pink/purple flowers. Should be planted in early spring and bloom in july-august. Help them to thrive by not using/restricting the use of pesticides and weed killers in your garden.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/joe-pye-weed/growing-joe-pye-weed.htm
GOLDENROD
Small bright yellow flowers on yellow stalks that bloom july-august. Can self seed and should be planted in early spring in full sunlight.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/96480/i-Solidago-i-Goldenmosa/Details
These are the flowers I’m using and the general information i’ll need for each one. Now i just need to get designing.
PurelyResearch. 