The various seasonal changes that occur can dramatically affect your flowers. Because different flowers flourish during different seasons, knowing when to plant is half the battle when planning your garden. Whether you're planting them outdoors in a garden bed or utilizing your numerous Mason jars indoors, use this guide to determine the best flowers to grow during each season.
Spring
Spring is the time of rebirth after winter's cold. The flowers begin to bloom, grass begins to perk up and the birds begin to chirp again. If you live in a mild climate, you may never have dealt with harsh winter cold, so your flowers may have survived the winter months. If they haven't, you could try planting some of these flowers that begin to bloom in spring.
- Cherry blossom
- Corn flower
- Calla lily
- Gardenia
- Orchid
- Peony
- Phlox
- Zinnia
Some of the most colorful flowers blossom during the spring which makes for lovely gardens, walkways and front yards. Before planting, you should always be sure to consider your hardiness zone and consult a grower from your local garden center to see how far ahead you should be planting your bulbs and seeds.
Summer
The summer can be harsh and dry in some areas, which may not be forgiving to flowers. But, with some timing, you could plant during the spring time to make sure your summer blooms are healthy and just as vibrant. Floral growth is surprisingly best in the summer so be on the lookout for some of these blooms in your garden.
- Baby's breath
- Carnations
- Delphinium
- Chrysanthemum
- Cosmos
- Dahlia
- Iris
- Star Gazer
Aster plants can brighten your walkway year after year. It's a tough perennial that will bloom nonstop into fall. You'll be able to find the plants in nurseries in June.
Fall
Perennial fall flowers have a full season to grow so they will likely be tall once they bloom. They'll also be in the jewel tones of the season - deep purple, rust, scarlet and gold. If you want them to be hardy and strong in your gardens, you'll need to make sure you plant them early on and establish them. Try adding some of these flowers to your garden beds for some rich color in the fall.
- Gerbera daisy
- Star of Bethlehem
- Statice
- Iris
- Juniper
- Anemone
- China berry
- Sunflower
- Zinnia
Helenium, or "sneezeweed," are small rust-colored cone flowers thatcome in red, yellow and orange. They can grow quite tall and will need to be staked. They need cool soil but lots of sun to flourish in the fall. They're a good choice for areas with poor drainage as well.
Winter
During winter, the world can become fairly stark white, apart from the few evergreen trees that are still-- well, green. For flowers to survive the winter, they generally need to be hardy. Cool-season flowers bring a splash of color when you need it most. If you live in an area that freezes inconsistently, cheery pansies, snapdragons and English daisies can survive winter. Look for sturdy plants with good leaf color in six-packs and 4-inch containers.
- Calendula
- Candytuft
- Cyclamen
- Hellebores
- Iceland poppy
- Winter jasmine
Whatever flowers you'd like to plant, there are varieties that will suit your climate and needs. Be sure to check the hardiness zone map to find out what zone you're in before you start buying. It would be a shame to buy flowers that aren't suited for your area. With some careful planning you could spend a week or two planting and end up with color and flowers year-round.