Any ideas for a pretty flower bed? my first one!?

I live in a duplex with a small "flower bed" next to my front stpes. It's aprox 4 1/2 ft long and 2-3 feet deep. I want to plant some prety flowers there to make it more welcoming and pretty. Plus I love flowers and gardening. This is our first home and my first time doing anything like this, and I was wondering if anyone had some tips. I really have no idea what kind of flowers look good together or if there was anything fun and creative you've done before. i really love colorful and exotic looking. I live in northern Illinois and the flowers will be in direct sunlight all day long. And I don't havce a hose so if possible, know of any plants that do well with less water, seing as how id have to bring it outside is a water can or somthing. Any suggestions are more than appreciated, also if you know the best place to purchase the flower (home depo vs lowes or walmart) Thank you so much all for you help in advance!
Any ideas for a pretty flower bed? my first one!?
Depending on how much money you're willing to spend, you could consult a landscaper. But if you would like to plant and set up the bed all yourself and have it be showy right away, one option is to try it with annuals and tropical bulbs the first year. These may include Petunias, portulaca (especially good for hot dry spots), gladiolus, dahlia (the last two of which you can overwinter indoors). In arranging these plants, if the bed is kind of up against a wall, put the tallest ones in the back, shorter ones up front.


Another possibility, you could get a wildflower seed mix appropriate to your area, follow the directions on the seed packet, and use that. If done properly and maintained as per the instructions, it should give a pretty field of flowers effect. Some of the plants are perrenials while others reseed themselves every year. You could also buy already growing native perrenials too. Check out the website of Prairie Nursery.
Reply:Landscaping ideas: edging flower bed


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmuq_hPaZ...


Here is a link from Youtube on landscaping with several videos on the subject.


More videos same lady more choices.


http://homegarden.expertvillage.com/vide...





Couple of catalogs to browse pictures of flowers....


Best bet go to a garden center for ideas on what to plant.


Happy Gardening


http://www.burpee.com/jump.jsp?itemID=21...


http://www.eburgess.com/
Reply:go to your local florist shop and buy some pretty flowers. then plant them or you could plant seeds and wait for them to grow.
Reply:You can plant spring flowering bulbs in the Fall, try to get bulbs that naturalize like daffodils, crocus, etc. Plant them in group of 25 for natural look.





Plant perennials, they will come back every year to save you money. Easy care perennials: Yarrow, Coreopsis, Coneflower (Echinacea), Geranium, Daylily, Sedum, Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum), Liatris spicata, Veronica. They are available at Home Depot or Lowes.





I like Lowes better than Home Depot because of better price and same quality plants.
Reply:yay! me too... i am just starting. the best place to buy is Lowes... they have best price, and selection. you want to make sure that what you plant is a perennial, which means it comes back every year... that way you dont have to replant stuff. there is a great website : perennialresource.com it has a list of what looks good together. i recommend a hibiscus bush though. they are my favs, and they love the sun! good luck, and have fun with it!affiliate reviews