The much-anticipated spring season has arrived and now it’s time to get outside and start planting. Vegetable, fruit and flower seeds are beckoning to us from the garden supply centre, but it’s not an easy decision to make among all the plant choices.
Do you need some recommendations to start with?
Start with some of these 5 flowers to grow for spring, then build your summer and fall garden around them.
Dahlia
The dahlia (D. × pinnata) is a large blooming showy flower that is among the easiest spring flower to grow.
I really love this beautiful flower that has a bold presence anywhere in the garden.
Plant tubers when spring temperature is above 60 ºF (15.5 ºC) and all danger of frost has passed.
Plant in full sun in well-draining soil. Dig a planting hole 12 inches (30 cm) deep and place 4 inches (10 cm) of compost in the bottom of the hole. Back-fill planting hole with soil until it’s 2 inches (5 cm) below the surrounding soil.
Place tuber in the center of hole, finish filling the hole with soil, then water.
Pinch top out when dahlia reaches 12 inches (30 cm) tall to encourage lateral growth. It’s so much more fun to design plants on how they are going to grow, don’t you think?
You may be interested in my other article about “What is eating my dahlia leaves?”
Hellebores (Helleborus) )
I planted this in the shadowy spot of my garden to brighten up the area. Shade-loving hellebores(Helleborus) are one of the few plants that will produce blooms when grown in heavy shade.
They are an evergreen perennial plant that is commonly called Christmas rose or Lenten rose. They are so lovely to look at as they are.
Hellebores are frost-resistant and produce pale green or greenish-purple blooms early spring when nothing else is blooming in the garden.
Provide these spring flowers with even moisture and never apply any type of fertilizer to them. Why not plant this gorgeous plant this spring?
Roses
Although existing roses need good pruning in spring, it’s also a great time to plant them! There are so many kinds to choose from, but I guess it’s just better to pick the one you love!
Plant in early spring after all danger of frost is past in a sunny location that has well-draining soil.
Dig a hole twice the width and depth of the root ball. Back-fill planting hole with soil and mix in two handfuls of compost, then plant bush at the same depth as it was in the pot.
Roses need deep watering (1-2 inches / 2.5 – 5 cm) each week. Don’t feed for the first month to give the roots time to become established, after that, feed monthly during summer.
Protea (Protea caffra)
This wonderful plant is the one I really recommend to have in the garden! Protea (Protea caffra), also called Sugarbush, is native to South Africa and grows best when slightly neglected.
Re-create its natural habitat and it will grow beautifully for you. And interestingly, the flower head feels like a cat’s forehead! Plant in well-draining acidic, nutrient-poor soil in full sun.
Plant any time of year, protea is frost and drought tolerant. It grows fine in the mountains as well!
Poppy (Papaver somniferum)
Poppies (Papaver somniferum) are happy little spring annuals that will re-seed themselves and keep blooming for months.
Sow seeds in late fall for spring blooms. Sow seeds in a sunny location that has moist soil.
After germination, thin plants to 6 inches (15cm) apart. Poppies are maintenance-free after becoming established.
Although they can grow over a meter tall (3 feet), they don’t appear dominant. I think it’s because the leaves don’t grow thick, so it doesn’t look bushy!?
If you are wondering how to prepare a garden for spring, check my other blog, May Gardening Tips!
What Are May Gardening Tips
