After spring-flowering bulbs have bloomed and before the perennials and annuals reach their prime, there’s a period of time in the growing season when there isn’t much happening in the flower garden. Cool-season annuals, however, can fill in those blanks in the landscape with bright colors. Not only do cool-season annuals provide that instant splash of color to brighten up the spring garden scene, but they also can be encouraged to bloom again later into the season.
Dianthus or pinks, pansies, calendulas (also known as pot marigolds), snapdragons and sweet peas will all brave the cool weather and give you lots of colorful blooms to enjoy in the garden. These flowers can be safely planted in the garden when night temperatures no longer drop below 25 degrees F. and the soil can be easily worked (that is, not form wet clods when you move a trowel through it). To give the plants a boost at planting time, add a 10-10-10 fertilizer and water the plants in well.
Although they are sometimes sold as annuals, some of these plants, such as the dianthus, can be left in the garden from season to season and come back year after year. Dianthus ‘Ideal Mix’ is a great performer in the garden, standing up to summer heat more reliably than most varieties. It will also produce a plethora of blooms throughout the summer. If these plants are left in the ground through the winter, they will bloom again–and even earlier the following year. To offer them some winter protection, mulch the plants with a top dressing of compost.
Pansies and calendulas will have few blooms during the hot season, but if they are moved to a shady location and watered frequently, they may come back and bloom again in the fall. You also can start transplants in June for an August planting and have a bold, colorful bed blooming into late fall.
Snapdragons will bloom for weeks in early spring. Once the flower spikes on snapdragons fade, pinch them back to encourage blooming again later in the summer and into the fall.
Through midsummer, sweet peas can create a wall of colorful blooms that will also make beautiful cut flowers for arrangements. Sweet peas are a vining type of flower, and they will need to be staked or grown on a trellis to promote upright growth.
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