Unlike cut blooms, a living flower arrangement planted in a container will give you color and beauty for months. Combine plants that thrive in the same growing conditions and offer colors and textures that complement each other. These six plants do precisely that: Coleus id perfect for adding color to pots, and loves shade; fan flower, with all its segments on one side, brings a unique shape to any garden container; and Joseph’s Coat, which has been described as having 'wonderfully gaudy foliage,' brings color like bright fire to any arrangement it is a part of. So let these six flowers be like a sextet, and share a harmony. You’ll love the sound of their voices alone and together.
Are you ready to start seeing green? Make sure the last frost has passed your area, clean off your lawn, and get back into the garden. Whether you’re setting out beautiful container gardens or changing out your flower beds, put your gloves on and get to work.
Plant
Ready to set out annual flowers such as begonias, coleus, and impatiens now? Before you do, Google “last spring frost” and your zip code. This will tell you when it’s safe for tender plants to be exposed to the elements.
Aerate
If you fertilize your grass twice a year and it still seems stuck in neutral, then your soil may be compacted and restricting root growth. You can rent a machine called a core aerator that runs over the lawn, removes plugs of soil, and drops them behind
it on the ground. This improves the penetration of air, water, and nutrients into the soil and helps roots grow. More roots mean more grass blades.
Overseed
Do you have a bluegrass or fescue lawn that is looking sparse or has bare patches? Now is a good time to overseed it. Don’t put down a crabgrass preventer before doing this, or your grass seeds won’t sprout.
WATCH: The Grumpy Gardener's Guide to a Lawn You'll Love
Prune
Many people think ‘Knock Out’ roses stay small, but they don’t. Unpruned plants can grow 6 feet tall and wide and look unkempt by the end of winter. Prune back overgrown shrubs by a third or more to restore tidiness and also to encourage a burst of blooms. Be sure to wear gloves!
Resist
Fight the urge to cut back the foliage of spring bulbs, such as daffodils and tulips, soon after the flowers fade. Wait until the leaves turn yellow. If you trim still-green foliage, the bulbs won’t bloom next year.
