Are you desperate for spring to arrive? You can start thinking ahead to warmer weather by considering these flowers to plant this spring and enjoy this summer and beyond.
By Lisa Kaplan Gordon
Gladiolus
No cutting garden is complete without this tall stalk covered with vibrant, showy blooms. Blossoms are deep scarlet, purple, yellow, and others are variegated. For example, pink with yellow, or red with white. They look lovely in a tall vase or in the back of your garden.
Considering its beauty, the gladiolus is no diva. It grows in any well-drained soil, and in sun or partial shade. In the fall, work manure or shredded leaves into the soil to give the plants some extra nutrients.
Canna
Canna packs a one-two punch in your flower garden: Foliage is lush and multicolored, and blooms are tall and vibrant. They are real scene-stealers.
Canna grows from rhizomes, which are underground stems that send out roots and shoots. Loosen soil 1 foot deep and around a 6-inch hole where you’ll place the rhizome horizontally. Cover with 2 to 4 inches of mulch (canna likes moisture), and stake stems to keep the plant upright.
Dahlias
Dahlias are bushy beauties that grow from tuberous roots that look like brown carrots. They’re summer garden favorites because they come in many sizes and colors (“doubles” have two colors on each bloom), and they’ll bloom prolifically until the first frost.
Dahlias need a sunny spot in your garden, and they like to eat well. Before planting, enrich the soil with compost, rotted manure, or bone meal. Large varieties are top-heavy, so support stems with garden stakes.
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