Spring is a time of renewal, and there’s nothing quite like the sight of colourful blooms bursting forth from the winter slumber. But what if you missed the window for planting spring-flowering bulbs last autumn? Fear not, fellow gardeners! Here at Genesis Gardens, we know there are still plenty of ways to add a vibrant splash of colour to your garden this spring. Read on to learn our five top tips.
1. Add Bedding Plants for Instant Impact
Bedding plants are your fast track to a colourful display. Visit your local garden centre or nursery and explore the vibrant array of options available. Look for pansies, violas, forget-me-nots and primroses for early spring colour. Later in the season, switch things up with classic summer bedding plants like petunias, marigolds and geraniums.
Top Tip: Choose bedding plants suited to your garden’s light conditions. Full-sun plants like petunias will struggle in shady areas, whilst shade-loving impatiens won’t thrive in a sun-baked border.
2. Pot Power
Containers are your friends when it comes to adding instant colour. Plant up pots and window boxes with spring-flowering varieties like wallflowers, hyacinths (grown indoors first for earlier blooms), and dwarf daffodils. These can be strategically placed around your patio, doorway, or decking for a welcoming burst of colour.
Top Tip: Opt for a good quality compost specifically formulated for container planting to ensure optimum drainage and nutrient availability for your potted blooms.
3. Sow Hardy Annuals Directly
Don’t underestimate the power of seeds! Whilst some require starting indoors, many hardy annuals can be sown directly outdoors in March. Look for varieties like calendula, cornflowers, poppies and nasturtiums. These fast-growing wildflowers will provide vibrant colour throughout the spring and summer months.
Top Tip: Sowing seeds directly outdoors works best in well-drained soil that has warmed slightly. If you’re unsure about soil temperature, you can always start seeds indoors a few weeks earlier and transplant them outdoors when the risk of frost has passed.
4. Early Blooming Shrubs for a Fragrant Welcome
Several delightful shrubs burst into bloom in early spring, adding a touch of elegance and fragrance to your garden. Viburnum fragrans, with its clusters of sweetly-scented white flowers, is a firm favourite. Forsythia brightens up the landscape with its cheerful yellow blooms, while Winter Honeysuckle offers a vibrant splash of orange and a delicious honey-like scent.
Top Tip: Consider incorporating early-flowering shrubs and perennials into your garden design for a guaranteed burst of spring colour year after year.
5. Embrace the Power of Climbers
Climbing plants provide a vertical element of interest and can be used to add a splash of colour to walls, fences, or pergolas. Clematis is a fantastic choice, offering a variety of vibrant blooms from early spring through to late summer. For a more fragrant option, consider honeysuckle, whose sweet perfume will fill your garden with a delightful aroma.
Top Tip: Choose climbing plants that suit the amount of sunlight available and provide them with a sturdy support structure to climb on.
A Look Ahead: Summer and Autumn Colour
Whilst you may have missed the spring bulb planting window, there’s still plenty to look forward to! Here’s a reminder for planting summer and autumn flowering bulbs:
Summer Flowering Bulbs: Plant these in late spring or early summer for blooms throughout the warmer months. Popular choices include gladioli, lilies and alliums.
Autumn Flowering Bulbs: Get ready for a spectacular display by planting autumn-flowering bulbs in late summer or early autumn. These include autumn crocuses, cyclamen, nerines and colchicums.
Embrace the Unexpected
Remember, a lack of pre-planted bulbs doesn’t have to mean a lack of spring colour. Embrace these alternative methods to add vibrant life to your garden and enjoy the beauty of the season. And next year, why not plan ahead and include a diverse selection of spring-flowering bulbs in your autumn planting repertoire?
The team at Genesis Gardens is always happy to offer advice and recommendations for creating a beautiful and colourful garden throughout the year. Contact us today and let’s help your garden bloom!