Spring is upon us, which means soon we will
all be flocking to our local garden center to add a little color to our patios,
decks and gardens. At any given store or greenhouse, there are hundreds of
flower to choose from, but not every plant will be right for the spot you have
in mind. Before you go out and drop some dollars you need to do your homework
and have a good understanding of what your needs and growing conditions are.
Jot
down the answers to the following questions:
●
What is your growing zone?
●
Are you selecting plants for shady
or sunny spots?
●
Do you want to invest in plants
that will come back every year with proper care or do you want a splash of
color now?
●
Consider sketching out an idea or
blueprint of what you’ll want your garden to look like when mature. This will
help you invest wisely to reach your desired results.
Knowing what you want can save you a lot of
time, sweat and money over time, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Keep
reading to learn more about the best spring flowers to meet your gardening and
landscaping needs and dreams.
Spring Flowers: Annuals Vs.
Perennials
There are two main types of flowers; annuals and perennials. Annuals only last for
one growing season so you’ll need to refill that spot every spring. Perennials,
on the other hand, return year after year with the proper care.
Easy to
Grow Annuals
Snapdragons, pansies, violas, and dianthus are
all easy to find and easy to care for spring annuals. They’ll add color to garden
beds and container gardens and will thrive until temps truly warm up.
Easy to
Grow Perennials
Daisies, clematis, and irises are all popular
spring perennials that will bring color to your growing spaces year after year.
Of course, each plant comes with it’s own set of rules and zone regulations, so
do your research before selecting your perfect match.
Bulbs
Some of the most popular spring flowers are
bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinth. These flowers pop up every spring
in neighborhoods across the globe, signalling the official end of winter. You
may be thinking, you’d like a bit of this spring color in your yard this year.
Here’s the problem: you have to plant bulbs in the fall to reap their spring
benefits. If you know you want them next spring, add them to your fall calendar
now so you won’t forget.
Shade Vs. Sun
A Few
Sunny Spring Flowers
The sunnier spots in your yard can be
considered prime real-estate for vibrant, colorful blossoms. Peonies, ameria,
and geraniums are all relatively easy to grow, full-sun flowers which come back year after year to add color
and whimsy to your garden.
A Few
Shady Spring Flowers
No two yards or gardens are the same and while
some spots in your yard offer hours of daily sun, others are shadier and closer
to your home or treeline. Primrose, bleeding heart, and creeping phlox are all shade plants which may do well in garden beds
which offer only part sun. When well cared for, these flowers will bloom all
spring and potentially into the summer.
What are your favorite spring flowers to plant
or care for each year? Tell us about it in the comments section below.
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Photo by Ales Me on Unsplash
