Looking for early spring garden color? Try our top 5 early spring bloomers.

January 12, 2015 | By webadmin

It’s a common misconception that we have two color planting seasons here in the Dallas area. In fact, there are five distinct times of year when you can refresh your seasonal color! We have a unique climate here in Dallas, one that requires us to change up plant material to tolerate either ice or 105 F temperatures. If you’re from a colder climate, you might be used to planting everything all at once in spring. Here in Dallas, we have to plant different varieties at different times of year to match our changing growing seasons.

While it might be chilly outside in late January and early February, it can be a great time to plant early spring color. Many plants that don’t tolerate our hot summers do wonderfully through spring when planted in late winter.

If you’re looking to get a colorful jump on spring, here are our top 5 recommended plant varieties to plant now:

Delphiniums produce spikes of striking blooms in shades of blue, purple, pink and white. They are a favorite in traditional cottage gardens and we think they make the perfect early spring accent in our landscapes and containers. Plants grow to three-feet tall in the landscape and are quite the showstoppers. Plant in full sun to part/afternoon shade.

Majestic and graceful Delphinium.

Diascia produce masses of small cup-shaped flowers in shades of coral, salmon, pink and almost red. Plants have a billowy growth habit and will spill over the edges of borders or containers. Certain heat-tolerant varieties can make it through summer and rebloom in fall. Plant in sunny locations.

Salmon hued Diascia

Nemesia flowers resemble those of tiny snapdragons and range in colors of purple, white, red, orange and yellow. Quite the rainbow! Blooms through early summer. Certain heat-tolerant varieties can make it through summer and rebloom in fall. Plant in sunny locations.

Nemesia 'Bluebird'

Cherianthus are bright and cheery cool season annuals. Their intense shades of orange and yellow will brighten up any dreary winter landscape! These dense, low growing plants produce masses of blooms from fall through spring. You can plant them now for color through early summer. Mix with violas, delphinium and herbs in your sunny landscape beds or containers.

Sunny orange Cherianthus!

Herbs: There are many cool-season herbs that will appreciate being planted in late winter. We love mixing herbs with winter color plants, such as pansies and Iceland poppies. Cool season herbs such as dill, parsley, cilantro and fennel make beautiful accent plants in the landscape border. Dill produces large yellow umbrella shaped blooms (umbels) in spring that can reach 5-feet tall!

No time to plant your own?  Give us a call to refresh your landscape color throughout the seasons.