For those who love the smell of a fresh growing flower garden, fall and winter can be a depressing time as one waits for the beauty of spring and summer to come alive in the garden. Although it’s true that many flowers do best during the warmer weather these seasons bring, many winter and fall flowers are often overlooked as viable flower garden partners. For year-round color, make sure to include blooms hardy for each season.
Spring
There are nearly endless opportunities for gardeners in the spring, and many favorites such as the daffodil and tulip actually mark the start of the season. The beautiful zinnia adds texture and interest while the peony provides a lovely fragrance difficult to match. Hyacinth, cherry blossom, sweet pea and amaryllis are among other wonderful spring blooms.
Summer
The warm weather and full sun that summer brings welcomes forth a wide array of fragrant and beautiful flowers. Daylilies, poppies and carnations dot the edges of many flower gardens. The fragrance and color of lavender coupled with the vibrancy of a rose make for stunning summer flower displays. Other summer flowers include the iris, calla lily and magnolia.
Fall
As nights cool and days shorten, many summer flowers can extend well into fall if proper maintenance such as mulching is employed. Up until the first frost, end of summer flowers such as the sedum Autumn Joy continue to make their appearance. For many gardeners, the Chrysanthemum marks the start of this season as the many colorful round blooms dot the landscape of homes. Sunflowers, goldenrod and daisies are also excellent choices for fall flower gardens.
Winter
Although the weather might turn bleak, several varieties of flowers make their appearance in late winter, most of which feature colorful foliage even when not in bloom. Winter jasmine and witch hazel are havens of color during the colder months. The winter aconite is another winter flower that makes its appearance before spring. Additional winter blooms include snowdrop and dewberry.
Flowers All Year
Depending on the climate and hardiness zone, an abundance of flowers exists for the flower gardener all year long. Planting tulips and zinnias next to daylilies and iris as well as sunflowers, goldenrod and winter jasmine will result in an interesting display that entertains and delights throughout each season.
Additional ideas for a year-round flower garden include installing a small greenhouse off the side of a house or barn as well as growing the flowers individually indoors. If growing indoors, make sure to provide enough sunlight each day either with a plant lamp or by placing the containers by sunny windows.
Rachel Campbell - Rachel is a freelance writer and author specializing in producing engaging web content on a variety of topics. Her diverse background and ...
