Spring Flowers

Spring Flower Planting Guide

Julie Christensen

Julie Christensen has been writing professionally since 2001. She is a full-time freelance writer and former teacher with writing credits from several regional and national publications such as "Colorado Parent" and "LDS Living." She specializes in parenting, education and gardening topics. Christensen studied early childhood education at Ricks College and spent 20 years as a teacher and director in university and public school settings.

By Julie Christensen, eHow Contributor

Perennials, annuals and bulbs planted in mid spring soon fill the garden with colorful flowers. Perennials are the foundation of many gardens but vary in their bloom times, while annuals and some bulbs flower all summer.

1. Types

   • Spring-planted perennials, such as black-eyed Susans, salvias and daylilies, are long-lived, but slow-growing flowering plants that are generally grown from nursery-grown plants. Annuals, including nasturtium, petunias, and pansies, grow quickly, but are frost tender and live only one season. Summer-blooming bulbs, such as gladiolus, cyclamens and dahlias, are planted in spring.

   Time Frame

   • Roses and a few other cold-hardy perennials are planted early in the spring, as soon as the soil is soft enough to work. Most perennials, annuals and summer blooming bulbs, though, are planted in late spring after the last expected frost, but before temperatures climb.

   Soil Preparation

   • Perennials represent a permanent investment in the garden, so good soil pays off. According to Cornell University, 3 to 6 inches of organic material, such as compost, tilled into the garden before planting improves drainage and soil fertility. Bulbs and annuals also benefit from good soil.

Read more: Spring Flower Planting Guide | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_7188015_spring-flower-planting-guide.html#ixzz1oZsGRZBK