Perennial and Annual Spring Flowers for a Colorful Garden

Spring is finally here and readers who want to get a head start on their gardens but don’t know where to start should read ahead. Gardeners can explore seasonal perennials and annuals as well as how and when to care for these growing plants.

For those who get started late, buying some potted plants with blooming flowers to plant in your garden should be a great beginning step for a gorgeous yard right off the bat. To prepare for next year or get a head start this year, look ahead at these options.

Spring Perennials

Perennials are often hardier, more resilient plants and flowers that grace us with their presence not only in the year they are planted but time and time again, provided they’re taken care of. These plants will resurface yearly, reducing the need to annually harvest new life. Many also multiply, filling the garden more each year with lovely colored flowers unless tamed and manicured.

Dahlias — These beautiful flowers can grow several feet depending on the type of variation it is. The bulbs need to be planted in well-draining soil and perform best in partial shade as opposed to full sun. For this reason, they should be watered often. Larger plants, such as Dahlias and Sunflowers, are better planted toward the back of the garden as to not block shorter planted blooms.

Lilies — While some lilies grow in shade, most are best suited for full sunlight with well draining soil for best results. They are great for creating fullness in the garden with a variety of colors, but one of their best benefits are the varying timing of their blooms. Depending on the type of Lily, it will come to full bloom in differing parts of the season, guaranteeing that there are always colorful flowers in the garden at any point of time throughout the season. These are a particularly good choice for transplanting potted flowers into your garden, as mentioned above.

Other perennial ideas are Black-Eyed Susan and Bluebells, both of which should be planted in full sun during the early Spring.

Spring Annuals

Annual plants and flowers bloom and grow only in the year during which they were planted. Once they flower, they will not re-grow the following year, but when they do grow, they are often bright, colorful and rich-looking. They can be purchased potted as-is in nurseries and transplanted straight into the soil of a garden. For green-thumbs who enjoy giving the garden a differing look every year, annuals are a good choice as you can start fresh.

Gladioli — Gladioli are a great way to provide multiple vibrant colors to your garden. Planted in full sunlight between May through June for summer blooms, Gladioli will grow hardily provided that the soil is able to drain well. Try raising the soil using pebbles to prevent soggy soil.

Other ideas for some beautiful annuals are Peonies (most suitable for dry or hot climates, for blooms in the late spring), Petunias, Marigolds and Impatiens

Many Spring plants will require soil that drains the excess water from the flower bed, so adding organic materials such as compost before planting will revive the garden each year. Knowing which flowers to plant is sure to cultivate a wonderful array of colorful, hardy and healthy plants for the yard.

Sources:

The Helpful Gardener, ‚”Early Blooming Flowers: What to plant for Early Spring Blooms”

iVillage Home and Garden Network ‚”Top 10 Annuals”