BEST ANNUALS FOR A COLD SPRING

Design and InstallationGarden Caregarden TriviaUncategorized
Written By Peter Morris

 Below are the most successful cool-weather annuals we have used for the early spring. Without a doubt, they inarguably hold up to any sudden cold snap.  We find they are the better choice than other spring varieties which may become damaged if the temperature dips to freezing or below. 

Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)

 Sweet alyssum is tiny ! (only 4- 6 inches tall), but it’s big on color and fragrance. It produces thousands of tiny white, rose, blue, or bi-colored sweet scented blooms. It’s a good choice for use as a trailer in pots and flower borders. Their nectar-rich blooms are very popular with early spring bees. They prefer full sun, and will tolerate very cool temperatures.  

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

 If you like dark golden yellow then this is the plant for you! The bright flowers of calendula are always a reminder that spring has finally sprung. This cheerful, easy-care annual doesn’t let cool temperatures dampen its spirits. In fact, calendula prefers it on the chilly side stopping when the hot summer weather arrives.  

Dianthus (Dianthus chinensis)

 These charming little plants are tougher than they look. They even keep blooming after a light frost. Most grow 6 to 10 inches tall and produce richly fragrant pink, white, or red flowers – or combinations of all three !  

Osteospermum (70 species!)

 Commonly called the African daisy. This amazing plant produces gorgeous single (sometimes also double), daisy-like flowers in an electric array of colors. The flowers are so striking - you might even be tricked into thinking they aren’t real. Top colors include white, blue, purple, orange, yellow, rose, and lavender. On occasion you can find an orangey red too! They prefer full to partial sun, grows 1 to 2 feet tall and bloom like crazy when the temperatures are in the 50s !  

Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus)

 These are available in dwarf, standard, and trailing varieties. They come in an assortment of jewel-like colors. The tall ones stand up at 2 - 3 feet and practically pop out of the garden. Snapdragons prefer a chilly spring and will stop blooming once it heats up.  

Pansy (Viola wittrockiana) and Viola (Viola cornuta)

 Pansies are the backbone of any garden, and come in a wide assortment of colors and bi-colors. They have super cute face patterns on the petals. Growing 6 to 8 inches tall, pansies are ideal for container gardens or mass plantings. Viola’s which are related, are a bit smaller but just as pretty and tough! Both love cool weather and will add tons of color to your spring garden.   

WANT SOME ? - Call Plant Specialists TODAY !

Our Garden Care team can install some beautiful spring annuals for you.

Don't delay – the sooner the better !

GREENING NEW YORK FOR OVER 51 YEARS !

  Article written by our Staff Horticulturist, Peter B Morris, BSc, MSc, MBA(all pictures used with permission @SHUTTERSTOCK)

Peter Morris

Peter was born and raised on a beautiful green island in the midst of a tropical rainforest. He was introduced into the world of plants at the age of six when his grandmother, an avid Spanish gardener herself, asked him to help her grow seeds for her pepper garden. He was hooked! By the time he was a teen, he had his own rose and orchid collection numbering in the hundreds. Botany was in his blood, and that is what he set out to study.

His passion brought him to NY in the late seventies to further his education. His tenacity allowed him to work full time at Plant Specialists while he completed a MS in Plant Biology. As a manager at the time he felt unsatisfied with his knowledge of business and business processes. Peter felt compelled to learn, so he then pursued and completed an MBA in Quality Management within a few short years.

Peter’s other passion is teaching. His natural ability is quickly consumed by our staff in all subjects in Botany, Horticulture, and Landscaping. He created an immense reference library of more than 3,500 plants providing an invaluable resource for our staff.

Peter’s breadth of knowledge and wisdom allows him to effectively diagnose the needs of plants. Sometimes just by walking into a garden he can create a prescription that fixes even the hardest issue. He is our Staff Botanist, Diagnostician, and all around Mentor. Recently, he has put his immense knowledge and skills into developing a new department that focuses on Plant Healthcare. As he puts it, “Magic through Science”. The PHC staff that surround him have avidly consumed his teachings. Substantially developing their own plant wisdom, many have taken on difficult plant health issues with spectacular results.

Plant Healthcare has been an instant success with customers! The proper treatment of insects and diseases including Organic methods has made pest control a necessity for every plant. Correcting hormonal imbalances caused by planting in containers or refurbishing soils leached of nutrients by irrigation systems are big challenges PHC has become quite comfortable addressing. The scientific approach to the complex demands of keeping plants healthy in our harsh city environment has made many a customer say WOW!

Previous

CINERARIA
Next

WE LOVE CHUNKY !