The Yard Spot

What’s more inviting than a lush garden full of vibrant, beautiful fresh flowers? Planting a garden allows you to create a special place perfect for relaxing and enjoying nature. Even though it can be a lot of hard work, it will be worth it when you’re lounging in your garden oasis sipping on an ice cold lemonade or your favorite wine. Designing a garden is a fun process in which you can get creative and explore the thousands of plants, trees and flowers available to you in each of the different seasons. This article will focus on the pièce de résistance of any garden – beautiful flowers! Every season offers a new array of flowers to choose from for your garden; here are some of our favorites here at The Yard Spot.

Spring Flowers

Spring has sprung! Now what flowers should you plant? There are many choices when it comes to spring flowers – each a great way to kick off the gardening year. Here’s a sampling of the most beautiful spring flowers:

Hyacinthus

These vibrant perennial flowers come in a wide range of colors – red, white, blue, orange, pink, purple and yellow.  They are a bulbous plant that’s planted in the fall. They bloom in the spring, usually in March or April. Hyacinthus require indirect sunlight and should be watered moderately. Be sure to plant the bulbs in well drained soil to avoid rotting. It’s also a good idea to wear gloves when planting these bulbs as they can irritate sensitive skin. Plant the bulbs, pointed end up, 6″ deep and 5″ to 6″ apart.

Daffodil

There’s nothing quite like the daffodil to symbolize spring and the promise of warmer days. It’s also the flower of friendship – so you really can’t go wrong with this one! Although daffodils are usually yellow, they can also come in pink, orange or white. They are a perennial, bulbous flower that should be planted in a sunny area. As with any bulb, plant in well drained soil to avoid rotting. Plant your bulbs at a depth of three times the height of the bulb. Water frequesntly. Plant the bulbs in the fall to enjoy your bloomed daffodils in the spring.

Iris

Most people think of the color purple when it comes to irises. But this isn’t always the case!  They can be found in many different colors – white, yellow, pink, orange and even black. Each color is said to hold a different meaning; white symbolizes purity, while purple is represents wisdom. Irises define elegance and are the perfect addition to any garden. They are perennial flowers that are grown from seed or root separation. These flowers require partial to full sunlight and usually bloom in the spring for a three to four week period.

Crocus

Crocuses are a perennial bulbous plant that need partial to full sunlight. Choose from colors like white, yellow and purple. Plant the bulbs 3″ deep and 2″ to 5″ apart in the fall. Come early spring you’ll be able to watch these beauties bloom into their full glory. As an added bonus, crocuses are known to grow through dense foliage.

Summer Flowers

Warm summer days are best spent in a garden full of beautiful summer flowers. Here’s our favorite summer flowers:

Calla Lilly

The calla lily is the perfect flower to plant if you’re planning a wedding. These flowers can be very pricey to purchase so growing your own is an excellent way to save money. Calla lilies are most commonly available in white, yellow, red and pink. Full sunlight to partial shade is best, and be sure to water frequently. The bulbs can actually be planted at any time of year; keep in mind that they take three to four months to fully bloom. Plant your bulbs 4″ to 6″ deep and 12″ to 24″ apart. The calla lily is our personal favorite due to its unique beauty and functionality when it comes to designing bouquets.

Dahlia

You’re probably thinking of the infamous black dahlia, but dahlias can come in different shades including pink, purple, white and orange. The unique dahlia just happens to be the national flower of Mexico. They need full sunlight and well watered warm soil. Please note that dahlias will not survive frost. Stake your dahlias for the best results.

Sunflower

Mmmmm, delicious nutty flavored seeds perfect for summer snacking. Do you really need any more convincing? These flowers are bright and cheery, making them the perfect addition to your summer garden.  For the most part, sunflowers are yellow. Interestingly, their face will turn to follow the sun each day. Plant the seeds 12″ apart in a very sunny area. Be careful not to over water your sunflowers as it can make the soil loose and unstable. Sunflowers can grow up to 10 feet high!

Petunia

The pretty petunia – gorgeous and dainty. Petunia actually comes from the French word for tobacco. Petunias are an annual plant that bloom in the summer. They usually take ten to twelve weeks to bloom. There are many varieties to choose from and can be found in colors such as red, purple, pink and white. Plant your seeds in warm soil for the best results. It’s important to note that these flowers need lots of sunlight to thrive.

Autumn Flowers

Eventhough the summer season has come to an end, it doesn’t mean that your garden has to. There are still a wide array of autumn flowers that will bloom beautifully.

Gerber Daisy

This spunky flower is one of a kind. They have a long life once cut, and bring life to any flower arrangement. Gerber daisies are known for their vibrant hues. They can be grown from seed but it can be quite tricky; so be sure to do some research before attempting to grow these from seed. Full sunlight is best and make sure the soil is warm and well watered.

Aster

Asters are dainty and beautiful flowers that bloom in the early autumn. Asters resemble stars which makes sense since their name is derived from the Greek word for star. They can be found in a wide variety of colors including pinks, purples and whites. Asters can be grown from seed and need full sunlight.

Chrysanthemum

The chrysanthemum is a popular garden flower as it is easy to care for. They can be purchased in pots and simply transplanted to your garden. Plant them in an area with lots of sun about 18″ to 24″ apart for the best results. These flowers are usually annuals. There’s a huge variety of colors to choose from – red, white, yellow – you name it and it’s probably available!

 Now that you have flower options for each gardening season, you can start planning your dream garden. Experiment with different flowers and don’t be scared to try new things. You may be pleasantly surprised at what pops throught that soil! A garden is a magical and peaceful place, especially when it’s filled with the right selection of beautiful flowers. Happy planting!