By Laura Hipshire
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Grounds crews at Fox Run, in Novi, have flowers on their minds for three seasons out of four: spring, summer, and fall. This spring, under the direction of Scott Gavin, grounds supervisor, they will be planting a variety of colorful flowers—nearly 4,000 of them—at the community.

According to Judi Donovan, director of general services, Gavin and company will be planting 1,000 purple and 750 white stripe/purple crocus; 1,000 tulips (500 each of red and yellow); and 1,750 daffodils. “Once the spring bulbs peak, we will replant for the summer to add a different dimension of color and a wide variety of plantings based on the location (sun exposure, etc.) around the campus,” Donovan says.

“Special attention will be given to residence building entrances and wildflowers in the natural areas. “In the fall, we will plant 1,500 mums to transition into the season,” she says. Donovan adds that Fox Run’s 32 garden-scapes also add to the seasonal beauty on campus. “Residents are encouraged to have vegetable gardens as well as flower gardens,” she says.

“The garden-scapes are four by six feet in size. General Services handles the preparation of the beds for spring and summer plantings, and in the fall the team provides clean-up for the beds.” This year, Fox Run and the community garden club will be hosting a spring flower sale and a “beautiful patio” contest.

Planning a flower garden this year for the first time? Read on for some helpful tips.

Flower planting 101
Source: www.gardenlistings.com

- Location, location, location. The garden you plant should fit the existing conditions of its location: sun, shade, wind, and soil composition.

- What to plant? Take your pick from perennials, which bloom year after year; annuals, which sprout, flower, set seed, and die within one growing season; and biennials, flowers that complete their life cycle over the course of two growing seasons.