Hello, and happy spring! Does it feel like spring where you live? It most certainly does not, here in Minnesota! We have so much snow that I can hardly imagine how long it’s going to take for it all to melt. It does seem like there’s a change in the air though, so I’m hopeful that sunshine and warmer weather are just around the corner. Can’t wait!!
With that in mind, I was thinking that I should probably do some flower garden planning and make a list of what varieties I want to plant this year. Normally, I’ve already started some of my seeds by now, but I can’t believe that I haven’t even ordered anything yet! Gasp! Fingers crossed that there’s still a somewhat healthy selection.
I started the planning process by looking through my notes to see what I’ve planted in the last few seasons. It was quite the list and because it’s sometimes hard for me to fully recall what went well, and what was a flop, I decided to glance at a few photos to further refresh my memory about my prior flower selections. In addition to considering the ease of growing a particular type of flower, I also want to consider the variety of sizes, textures, and hues…basically how they all look together.
I really like the mix of colors and textures in these images, and although this isn’t the full list of what I planted during the season, this is what is actually pictured here:
- China Aster | King Size Apricot
- China Aster | Moonstone
- China Aster | Rose Quartz Mix
- Cosmos | Double Click Snow Puff
- Cosmos | Fizzy White
- Honeywort | Kiwi Blue
- Stock | Quartet Rainbow
- Strawflower | Silvery Rose
One of my staples has always been cosmos. I absolutely love how wispy they are…they’re so easy to grow too. My favorite is the cupcake variety because they look like cupcake liners! So cute! I normally plant maybe four different varieties, but I think I’m going to cut it back to two this time around.
The other change I think I’m going to make is in growing sunflowers. As pretty as they are, I might skip them this year. Unfortunately, the deer, along with their friend, the woodchuck, find them absolutely delicious and I don’t know if I have it in me to constantly keep up with all my layers of protection, which never work as well as I hope.
Spring gardening favorites
Beyond that, the current plan is to go with a few different china asters, zinnias, and stock. I’m not sure of what else yet. For fillers, I love Queen Anne’s lace, along with things like dill and lemon thyme. I’d also like to plant some dahlias again. I saw some tubers at Costco today, but because there were too many people gathered around that area, I made a mental note to go back and look at them after I shopped around for a bit. Well, what do you think happened? I left and didn’t even remember until I got home, of course! Maybe I’ll just look for some online…
What about you? Do you do any flower garden planning or have any go-to flower varieties that you plant every year?
Lee Ann Garrett says
I love Cosmos too but really would like to try the cupcake variety like you mentioned here. Where dod you get those seeds? I am also planting zinnias and Dahlias again this year. Have you ever tried to hrow Ranaculas? I have thought about it but the oavkage said they bloom in the spring only.
Tricia says
Hi Lee Ann! I usually get seeds from Johnny’s Seeds but have also bought from Floret too. You can get the cupcake cosmos in pink or white. They are both so pretty! I love ranunculus too, but have never planted those. I did just see some bulbs at the garden center, so I have been thinking of trying them.