The Best Spring Annuals for Container Gardening
Are you excited to bring out your summer planters, but it’s still too early to fill them with your favorite flowers? These resilient spring annual plants are a perfect choice if you want to start planting a little earlier.
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I love it when my husband takes these floral close-ups; he is a great photographer. Look at that bumble bee!
The Planting Season
The planting season in the Maritimes usually starts a bit later than we hope, making it challenging for gardening enthusiasts like me to have a prolonged season.
One great way to extend the gardening season is to plant annuals in containers during spring. By doing so, gardeners can enjoy a longer season of blooming flowers and lush greenery before the full force of the season arrives.
Container gardening during springtime is a great way to add color and liveliness to your outdoor space.
This post is about spring annual plants.
What Flowers Bloom in the Spring
As the winter fades away, nature starts to come back to life, and one of the most beautiful signs of spring is the vibrant and colorful flowers that bloom.
Tulips, Daffodils, and Crocus have been my favorites since childhood. I remember seeing these peek through the soil of my grandparents’ gardens even after a light frost, always mesmerized by the beauty of these delicate petals.
And now, I can’t wait for the first signs of these blooms to appear every year. Something about the sight of these flowers fills me with joy. I believe everyone shares this feeling, as it’s hard not to feel some sense of hope and positivity when you witness spring in bloom.
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The Best Spring Annuals for Containers
Put on your gardening gloves and fill your planters with these perfect spring annual plants. You can plant these beauties before the last frost date or early summer. Pick one or mix them in a large container, and they will showcase a beautiful array of colors on your front entry or backyard patio.
Tips for Planting Spring Annuals in Containers
As you prepare to plant your containers, consider these tips to get started:
1. Good Soil Drainage: Always ensure your pots have well-drained soil. If they do not, consider drilling drainage holes to avoid freezing and rot.
2. Soil Type: When planting containers, you should use potting soil for container gardening, which also helps with drainage.
3. Lighting Conditions: Even in spring, you should always consider the plants’ liking for full sun, partial, or shade. Ensure you place your containers in a place where the plants will thrive.
4. Plant Food: Similar to summer, you will want to add plant food to your containers to feed your plants. In Canada, my preference is Miracle Grow Water Soluble Bloom Booster plant food. You can also use a slow-release fertilizer if you prefer.
5. Aesthetic: Mix flowers with varying heights to make your pots look spectacular. My rule of thumb is always to use an odd number. Three or five plants are recommended for the best results using large containers. Also, don’t wait for summer to fill your window boxes. Try using a mix of tall, hanging, and filler plants; I love that combination!
10 Spring Annual Plants To Try
Spring annual plants can adapt to cooler temperatures, providing beautiful blooms before summer. I highly recommend Proven Winners when sourcing hardy annuals. These starter plants will thrive in spring, and some you will enjoy into summer months and more!
1. Pure White Butterfly Marguerite Daisy
The Marguerite Daisy blooms from early spring through fall and can tolerate various temperatures without deadheading.
White flowers are a good choice if you’re looking for a way to add light and vibrancy to your planter.
Specifically, daisies are a great option because they provide a bright and cheerful addition to any space.
2. ‘Variegata’ Variegated Vinca Vine
If you want to add a touch of interest to your containers, consider adding some green and white foliage. It will surely enhance their overall look and feel.
This annual plant will thrive in spring and summer and has pretty purple flowers later in the season.
I add these to my containers every year, and I love how easy they are to maintain.
3. Intenz Lipstick
This pop of color will keep the eyes on your planter from early spring to fall.
These deep purple flowers can grow to two feet tall, making them the perfect focal point for container gardening.
Two more colors are available if you love this spring annual plant.
4. Snapshot Yellow Snapdragon
Snapdragons are great annuals that come in different colors.
They bloom in spring, late summer, and fall, attracting butterflies and bees.
I love the yellow variety, which would look great next to blue or purple spring flowers.
5. Halo Violet Viola
This color of viola looks elegant with its deep dark petals. It would look stunning in a black container.
This annual plant from Proven Winners gives off a majestic vibe. The great thing is that it is easy to care for and it will last season over season.
Add this beauty to your porch or entryway as it likes both sun and shade.
6. Artist Blue Flossflower
This uniquely shaped flossflower loves spring, summer, and fall. Its small button-like blue flowers will give you colorful annual flowers throughout all three seasons.
They don’t require deadheading so that you will love the easy maintenance of the Flossflower.
Place them next to yellow, white, or pink flowers for a beautiful arrangement.
7. Silver Swirl Snowflake Dusty Miller
Dusty Miller plant is another excellent spring container annual. Its silvery leaves will make a great addition to your pots.
This variety features eye-catching wavy leaves that add a unique textural element to your planters.
You will enjoy the soft leaves of this beautiful plant.
8. Lemon A-Peel Black-Eyed Susan Vine
From spring to summer, enjoy this climbing vine annual plant with bright yellow flowers.
I have used a small trellis in my container, which has looked full and beautiful throughout the seasons. Keep it in part to full sun, and it will thrive.
You can also put it in a hanging basket, where it will fall and climb anywhere it can attach.
9. Snow Princess Sweet Alyssum
The small white blooms of sweet alyssum can fill your containers with consistency. They are excellent in containers in cool temperatures and they also like the heat.
This small white bloom has a light fragrance, and are easy to look after.
Add this pretty flower to your patio, or mix it with other plants.
10. Sunsatia Cranberry Red Nemesia
This bright cranberry red Nemesia is the perfect choice for your spring and summer containers in a sunny location.
This beautiful flower’s color will take the lead of your containers. They are continuous bloom and would look beautiful with white alyssum and the vinca vine above.
You will not regret planting Nemesia this spring!
The Benefits of Spring Planting
One of the joys of gardening is enjoying the beauty of plants all year round. This can be a challenge for those who live with cold temperatures into late spring. However, as you can now see, certain plants can thrive in containers and provide instant color and interest from spring to fall.
By planting early, you can extend your gardening season and enjoy the benefits of a longer growing period. This is excellent news for those who live in the Maritimes, where the growing season can be relatively short.
So, if you want to add some colorful foliage and seasonal color to your space, consider planting container plants that can thrive in your climate this spring.
Proper Care of Spring Annual Plants
Annuals complete their life cycle in a single growing season. Therefore, proper care is essential to ensure their thriving during this time.
One crucial aspect of annual care is watering. Annuals need regular watering to keep the soil moist. Check the soil surface daily, and if it feels dry, water the plants. Watering in the morning or evening is better than watering during the day, as it helps the water soak into the soil rather than evaporating.
Fertilizing is also an essential aspect of annual care. It provides the necessary nutrients for the plants to grow and bloom. As I mentioned above, you can use either a slow-release or a liquid fertilizer depending on your preference. If you’re using a slow-release fertilizer, read the instructions carefully, as it requires less frequent application. Generally, fertilizing once a week is sufficient for most annuals, but be sure not to over-fertilize, as this can damage the plants.
In summary, properly caring for your annuals involves watering them regularly and fertilizing them as needed. Following these simple steps, you can ensure your annuals thrive and produce beautiful blooms throughout their growing season.
Which one is your favorite?
These ten spring annual plants will help you start and enjoy your container gardening this spring. Which one is your favorite or do you have another spring annual you love to plant in the spring? Leave a comment and let me know!
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