Flower Power in Your Garden: Add color, pollinators, and joy to your outdoor space this spring
Nothing brightens the landscape more than colorful flowers and foliage — and spring is the perfect time to add flower power in your garden. Whether you have a small border, a large bed, or just a few containers, now is the time to plan and plant spring perennials and annuals. By March, garden centers will be full of options. Plan for colors, sunlight, area or container size, blooming period, water requirements, and soil. Look for plants that flower all summer. Many flowering plants attract butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and other pollinators — and many have beautiful scents that fill the air.
How to choose the right flowers for your space
Once you decide on the location and size of the area or containers, determine how many hours of sunlight the area receives. Some plants thrive in full sun, while others require shade. Garden center staff will gladly suggest plants once you determine the sunlight hours, the size of the planting area, and the colors you want. Also, ask about water requirements. Plants shine in groups, so plant several together that have the same water needs. The combinations are endless — with so many spring perennials and annuals to choose from, you can create color that lasts all season.
Small planting areas look good with a mass of one color, contrasting colors, or a potpourri of colors. Large areas offer more options for color schemes and plant sizes. You can fill a small area quickly with a few plants. A large area takes time for plants to grow and fill in. A small 4-inch pot of lantana planted in the spring can grow 3 to 4 feet wide by the end of the summer, so consult the garden center or read the label to determine the plant’s potential height and width.
Best annuals for spring and summer color
Annuals, or bedding plants, are grown for one season: spring, summer, fall, or winter. There are so many choices that it’s difficult to mention them all. Research the look you want to achieve. Trust your instincts or consult your garden center.
A few annuals that thrive in the sun during spring and summer include zinnias, cosmos, cleome, marigolds, portulaca, a variety of salvias (many of which are also perennial), butterfly weed, tropical hibiscus, sunflowers, cardoon/artichoke, sweet potato vine (colorful foliage), and hyacinth bean vine. This list is a small sampling of what’s available. The favorite annual shade plants are impatiens, begonias, and pentas. Caladiums and coleus stand out in a garden for their colorful foliage.
Perennials that come back and flower all summer
Perennials grow for many years, returning from their winter dormancy. A good source for exploring the wide variety of perennials with pictures is the Texas SmartScape website. Use the plant search list to filter by color, size, and blooming time. Many of these perennials also thrive in pollinator gardens alongside native plants and wildflowers.
Some of my favorite perennials that bloom all summer are also the best flowers for pollinators, including Salvia greggii (mealy blue sage), Scabiosa, lantana, Zexmenia, Turk’s cap, Calylophus, coreopsis, blackfoot daisy (only for arid locations), hardy hibiscus, oxeye daisy, rain lily, and bee balm.
Favorite perennial shade plants include Texas columbine, Ruellia, Gerbera daisies, Turk’s cap, hellebore, hardy plumbago, oakleaf hydrangea, obedient plant, cedar sage, lyreleaf sage, wood violets, wood sorrel, and for colorful foliage — coral bells (Heuchera), purple heart, and purple oxalis.
Prepare the soil and let your garden thrive
After matching plants to their best location for sun, size, and color, prepare the soil by adding compost. Heavy clay soil requires added compost for plants to thrive. Add expanded shale and compost when planting perennials. Use potting soil in containers. Plant your flowers at the recommended spacing, then add a layer of mulch. Mulch is like icing on a cake — it looks good and helps retain soil moisture. Add mulch to containers, too.
Hand-water for the first few weeks. Annuals grow and root very quickly. Perennials take several weeks. Water containers as needed. Most potting soils have moisture controls that keep the soil moist longer. Check your irrigation system to make sure the area will receive water. You can add a separate irrigation zone for color beds—check with your irrigator or landscaper about installing additional watering systems.
Making your garden grow
Q: What does “flower power” really mean in the garden?
It’s the impact of combining colorful perennials, annuals, and foliage to transform any space — whether a small bed, a large border, or containers — into a vibrant, pollinator-friendly landscape that blooms from spring through fall.
Q: Which perennials flower all summer without constant maintenance?
Salvia greggii, lantana, coreopsis, Turk’s cap, Zexmenia, and bee balm are all reliable repeat-bloomers. For shade, try Ruellia, hellebore, and oakleaf hydrangea.
Q: Why is mulch so important after planting flowers?
Mulch is the icing on the cake — it retains moisture, regulates soil temperature, and keeps your beds looking polished. For best results, apply it around plants and in containers, especially during hot summer months.
Gardening can ease the mind and soothe the soul. So, have fun with the flower power in your garden!
