The snow has mostly melted and the days are getting longer. Yes, it’s true, spring has actually arrived here in Maine.
With spring’s arrival comes the thought of getting your yard and garden ready for the warm weather. So, naturally, we wanted to share with you some of the plants that work well for spring planting in Maine. Our list of recommendations, courtesy of Owner Justin Hayden, contains flowers in a variety of colors and sizes, so there are options for every garden.
Coreopsis (golden glow):
This golden yellow flower can grow to heights as tall as ten inches and will last until late fall. If you’re looking for a flower to fill up a large space in your yard with color, golden glow is a good option. Plus, golden glow is a perennial that also transplants well.
Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower):
A perennial, the purple coneflower can be planted in spring but will bloom in late-summer/fall. As its name suggests, it is a pink-purple color. The flower can grow up to three feet tall, and will help attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your yard.
Rudbeckia (black-eyed Susan):
The black-eyed Susan is a bright yellow flower with a dark center that can add color to your yard right up until the fall. There are many different varieties of black-eyed Susans, so you can pick and choose which size and which flowering type are best suited for your garden and for your gardening schedule.
Lupine:
Lupines are a favorite in Maine. Once late spring hits, the lupine’s tall, colorful flowers can be spotted everywhere from roadsides to meadows to gardens. You can plant lupines either by sowing seeds or by getting permission from a landowner to dig up and transplant wild lupines into your garden. Lupines are perennials, but generally will not bloom in the first year of planting.
Bloodroot
Native to our eastern region, the bloodroot flower has white petals and a yellow center. The flowers will bloom earlier than others in your garden, making them a good option for gardeners looking to get their yards looking cheerful as early as possible.
Iris:
There are hundreds of varieties of iris flowers, but the most common one found in gardens is the iris germanica, which can grow over two feet tall and stand out above other plants in your yard. A bright and hardy perennial, the iris is a great choice for Maine gardens.
Grape hyacinth:
The grape hyacinth earns its name due to its blue-purple bulbous flowers that just so happen to look like grapes. The plant blooms early in the spring, so it can add a pop of color and a unique looking flower to your garden before other flowers start to bloom.
Daffodils:
One of the most cheerful flowers, the bright yellow daffodil can bring life to any garden. They are an easy-to-grow perennial, but if you want them to bloom in the spring you will need to plant the bulbs in the fall. Start planning ahead for next year!
Tulips:
Like daffodils, tulip bulbs should be planted in the fall. If you have some sprouting up in your garden, expect them to re-arrive every year as they are a perennial. If you like to have an early harbinger of spring, it’s worth planting tulips in your yard in the fall. Tulips are one of the first flowers to bloom.
Pansy:
A smaller plant, pansies come in a wide variety of colors, so you can pick and choose the flowers that will fit best with the overall color scheme of your garden.
Lilac:
The scent of lilac trees beginning to bloom is a sure sign that the warmer weather has arrived to Maine. Lilacs are most often found in white and purple varieties, but do come in seven different colors. The trees can grow as tall as 15 feet, so not only can they add a lovely burst of color to a spring yard, but they could be used in some of the ways you might consider using more traditional shrubbery – privacy, growth near a boundary line, etc.
Even though we live in a colder climate, we still have many options for keeping our yards and gardens beautiful in Maine. Once winter is over, it’s worth it to celebrate by creating colorful, vibrant landscapes in your yard.
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