With spring beginning to set in, it’s time to start back up with regular gardening and garden maintenance. Many people may be looking for ways to add a touch of colour to their gardens following the rather bleak winter months. Luckily, there are a number of flowers that can be planted now that will make your garden look stunning in just a few weeks.
Peter Mortin, gardening expert at Crane Garden Buildings, has recommended three low-maintenance flowers that you can plant in your garden right now. He says: “If you are after a burst of spring colours, including yellows, pinks and reds, some great additions for the garden will always be tulips, daffodils, and primroses.
“The perks of these plants is that you will see the results of their blooms far quicker than other flowering plants, and they can be easier to maintain in springtime.”
Primroses
Primroses can begin flowering in colder weather, and their blooms can last for several weeks, letting you enjoy their vibrant spring shades for longer periods of time. Peter explains: “You can buy springtime clusters at the beginning of April to have immediate colour in your garden, and many garden centres will sell them in mixed colours (including purples, pinks, oranges, and yellows).
“To maintain them for as long as possible, it can be helpful to feed them with a bloom-booster fertiliser in the early spring, and then a diluted liquid fertiliser once they are actually in bloom.”
Tulips
Tulips are another flower that Peter recommends adding to your spring garden for some colour. While those who have planted dry bulbs will have done this months ago in autumn, if you have missed your chance, you can purchase tulips in spring from garden retailers and plant them immediately. These will start blooming in a matter of weeks.
When it comes to caring for container tulips, the RHS has shared tips for both sodden and dry compost. If the compost is too wet, move it temporarily to a sheltered position near a fence or house wall or put it in an unheated greenhouse, returning to its preferred position when drier.
On the other hand, if the weather becomes particularly dry, you should ensure regular watering, as a shortage can cause poor development or a shortening of the flowering period.
Daffodils
If potted daffodils are planted in spring, they will begin flowering in just a few weeks. These are rather low-maintenance plants and, if probably cared for, can bloom again and again for years to come. The RHS advise: “Daffodils are long-lived plants, and clumps will expand slowly over time as new bulbs are produced.
“However, if clumps become too congested, flowering may be reduced. In this case, simply dig up the clump, divide into smaller groups of bulbs and replant in several new locations, at a depth of three times the bulb’s height. Closely spaced bulbs in temporary spring containers are best planted in the ground after flowering is over.”