Spring Gardening Tips

It’s Springtime in Colorado – time to plan your garden

Spring flower gardening in Colorado can be challenging due to the combination of low humidity, poor soil conditions and rapid weather changes in the state. The bright side is that because of the high light intensity due to the high elevation, flowers grow well and their colors are quite brilliant. When planning a spring garden, consider how much sunshine the garden will receive and if the space is accessible for weeding and watering. Here are a few tips on what to plant.

Bulbs

Bulbs are an excellent choice for spring planting in Colorado, according to the Colorado State University. Locate the bulbs in sunny spots with well-drained soil and plant them after the last spring frost. Bulbs to consider include – dahlias,( of which there are 12 different flower groups ), calla lilies ( which can be planted around other perennials ), gladiolus and elephant ears.


Annuals

Plant annuals after the last spring frost as well. Full sun annuals include yarrow, torch flower, Mexican poppy, verbena, snapdragon, fountain grass, Dahlberg daisy, and the black-eyed Susan ( a native plant ). For shady areas consider wax begonia, coleus, impatiens, and Madagascar periwinkle.


Perennials

Plant perennials after the threat of frost is over, or during the rainy season. There are several options for perennials including native plants like the Rocky Mountain Columbine ( our state flower ), prairie coneflower, fleabane, dotted gray-feather, blue flax, Indian-grass and blanket-flower. Non-native options include Russian sage, bellflower, red valerian, Mexican evening primrose and blood-red geranium. Options for shaded areas include foxglove, coral bells and foamflower.