Time to Think About Freshening Up Your Yard!

Plant Spring Bulbs for Showy Flowers Into the Fall 

Don't limit bulb planting to autumn! Spring offers a wide array of bulbs, such as Dahlia 'Maarten Zwaan', that bring vibrant color and unique foliage to your garden from spring through fall. For optimal growth, prepare your planting site by working organic matter into the soil to improve drainage and prevent bulb rot. Incorporate a bulb fertilizer to nourish the soil. While some bulbs don't need watering at planting, consistent watering is essential once they begin to sprout. Many spring-planted bulbs are excellent container plants, with dwarf varieties recommended for larger species like canna lilies. Remember to wait until after the last frost before planting. Lilies and Dutch irises are also excellent options, but their planting time depends on your region. Enjoy the immediate beauty of these bulbs, knowing that some will return and flourish in years to come.

Agapanthus

Looking for a summer-blooming beauty? Consider Agapanthus, also called Lily of the Nile. While often grouped with spring bulbs, it grows from bare roots, so handle it accordingly. Plant these roots in sunny to partially shaded locations, spacing them 12 inches apart and covering them with just one inch of soil. The plant's amaryllis-like foliage gives way to 24- to 30-inch stems topped with allium-like clusters of white to lavender-blue, bell-shaped flowers in June and July. Be patient, as it may take a couple of seasons for these plants to establish themselves and begin blooming. Agapanthus is hardy in USDA Gardening Zones 8 through 10. 

Canna Lily

For a bold summer statement, plant Canna Lilies. These tropical plants, growing 6 to 8 feet tall, feature vibrant blooms and large, lime-green leaves. Dwarf varieties are available for those seeking a more compact option. Plant cannas in full sun, 18 to 24 inches apart and 12 inches deep. To manage their size and promote flowering, prune spent blooms down to the second or third leaf. Cannas spread quickly via rhizomes and usually flower in their first season. They are hardy in Zones 7 to 10. For a wide range of canna options, including the striking Tropicanna, Tropicanna Gold, and Tropicanna Black, explore the offerings of Horn Canna Farm, a family-run business with generations of expertise. 

Dahlia

With a luxurious rainbow of hues and forms, dahlias (Dahlia 'Karma Sangria' pictured) are a darling of the local flower movement. These stars of the late summer and early fall garden are grown from tubers and excel in well-drained, sunny locations. In hot Southern gardeners, dahlias perform best with afternoon shade. Regardless of the zone, dahlias benefit from deep mulch through summer, as well as the support of stakes and twine (or horizontal netting). Dahlias bloom eagerly in their first season and continue to perform if tubers are properly divided. Hardy in Zones 8 to 11 (although growers in Zone 7 may overwinter under mulch or row cover). 

Calla LilY

While white calla lilies are a wedding staple, these elegant flowers offer a spectrum of colors, including vibrant yellows, pinks, oranges, reds, and lavenders. In warmer climates (Zones 8 to 10), plant calla lily bulbs year-round. In cooler regions, wait until after the last frost and when the soil reaches 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant bulbs 4 inches deep, with the growing tips pointing upwards, for blooms from early to late summer. The stunning 'Be My Main Squeeze,' a citrus-orange variety reaching 18 inches to 2 feet, is hardy in Zones 8 to 12. Beyond the garden, calla lilies make beautiful and adaptable houseplants. 

Chocolate Cosmos

For a delightful twist on the classic cosmos, try Chocolate Cosmos. These tender perennials, grown from tubers rather than seeds, offer dark purple flowers and a distinctive chocolate scent that attracts butterflies. Start tubers indoors before the last frost or plant directly in the garden after the threat of frost has passed. In regions with cold winters, lift and store the tubers or move container plants indoors. Expect blooms from mid to late summer on plants that grow 16 to 24 inches tall. Chocolate Cosmos thrive in Zones 7 to 11.

(Source: hgtv.com, FlowerBulbs.com, ProvenWinners.com, Image courtesy of Felicia Feaster, Anthony Tesselaar Plants at Tesselaar.com, Shain Rievley)