Tennessee has a fantastic climate for planting beautiful spring flowers. With a ton of sun and decent rainfall, the weather means you’re up for plenty of different flowers that add gorgeous color to your home garden.
Getting Started
When you get started, you need to keep in mind a couple of things, namely frost dates and your hardiness zone. The hardiness zone lets you know what flowers will be best suited for your particular area.
Knowing the last frost dates also lets you know when to plant the flowers you have in mind. Even though the dates aren’t until May and sometimes into June, it doesn’t mean you have to wait if you know the sequence that needs to be followed to get it done correctly.
You also want to be aware of how you plant your flowers. Bulbs do well in clumps instead of rows, while certain other flowers may do better spaced out. To help you also plan out your perennials, it’s a good idea to look through a list to see what is available for your region.
It’s also critical to know the drainage needs your plants and flowers will require. Much of the soil in Tennessee is fertile, so people find it easy to grow things in the area. At the same time, you don’t want to accidentally plant your blooms in a place that won’t drain well, so it’s something to at least be aware of as you’re planning.
January To Do’s for Spring Flowers
While you’re probably still full on snow in January, there are a few things you can do to get ready. If you happen to have a relatively dry snow or rain season, you’ll also want to make sure you water your lawn and any outdoor plants.
This is also the ideal time to prune trees, but more importantly, to get ready for spring flowers, you’ll need to clean up any pansy blooms that have been affected by the cold weather. After a time, you’ll see new growth.
If you’re looking forward to possibly doing more massive flower, shrubbery, or tree installation, right now is the time to consider at least planting the trees and shrubs. For a job like this, it’s usually a better idea to hire a pro just because they’ll be able to give you the best suggestions for types that will grow successfully and placement for the best drainage.
February Flower Planning
You might be tempted to prune your spring-blooming shrubbery, but you need to wait until after you see the blooms. Your azaleas will appreciate the wait. Instead, you need to clean up your perennials like ornamental grasses to clean up and make way for the new plantings you’re preparing for.
Once you’ve cleaned up any dead foliage, you may consider planting the first of your cool-weather flowers to include flowering or ornamental kale along with violas. You’ll add some color to your winter-ravaged yard and enjoy seeing the first of the blooms that will tease a bit about what’s coming.
Maybe In March
Now’s the time to get really excited about planting some of your best spring flowers – pansies, snapdragons, and dianthus blooms. These can handle the occasional cold snap because they’re hardy flowers that still provide beautiful color.
To add even more colors, start potting up the showy flowers that you would put out on your front porch. Some examples of these types of flowers include angelonia or dusty millers. These thrive in containers, and you can pull them inside when it gets cold.
Don’t forget to do the last of the cleanout for trees and shrubbery. Aim for clipping dead branches to make your shrubs and trees look fantastic. Remember, though, to wait just a bit longer on any flowering shrubs.
April for Early Spring Flowers
It’s time to divide your perennials and invigorate them in the process. That means you’re digging up different clumps of mums, asters, or salvia and dividing them into smaller clumps for replanting.
April is also the time to plant summer blooms. It’s’ the perfect time to plant lilies, cannas, and dahlias. They’ll have plenty of time to take root, grow, and then show you those perfectly vibrant colors come summertime.
If you have flowering shrubs, you’re also going to want to prune them this month after they’ve had the chance to bloom. Roses are also next in line for pruning in addition to being fertilized if you’d like to enjoy their fragrant blooms for the entire summer. A note about roses – you’ll want to fertilize them every month until after summer is done to keep them in top shape.
May Is In Bloom With Spring Flowers
May is the time to plant the last of the spring blooms and prepare as you head into the summer. You’ll add your warm-weather flowers like coleus, petunias, and marigolds. These flowers love the warmth, so they’ll be happiest if you plant them around early to mid-may.
Tropical bulbs like calla lilies are also perfect for planting this month. As a tip, they frame walkways and entryways exceedingly well. Lantana is also another fantastic option to add easy blooms that you can enjoy during the summertime.
If you’d like to add some color to shaded areas, consider adding begonias, coleus, and impatiens to those particular places. They thrive in partial sunlight and shade. Plus, you’ll enjoy the splash of vibrancy in that part of your yard.
Summer Is Coming
The best spring flowers and their blooms add color during the changing climate covering Tennessee during these months. They can handle cold snaps or are planted strategically to enjoy the flowers during various times from February to May.
As summer approaches, you might also consider adding annuals that are heat-tolerant along with sun-loving perennials. Don’t be afraid to infuse your yard with vibrant blooms to create a welcoming atmosphere for all who may visit your home – or at least your yard.
Given the number of steps to take every single month, it can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve always wanted that beautifully landscaped yard. If you’re unsure where to start, or maybe you’d rather hire someone else to do the work, contact Turf Managers for a consultation or to book a specific service.
