10 Best Flowers to Plant in Late Spring
Nature moves in seasons, and if you watch your garden closely, there are more than just four. When the earliest spring blooms are already fading and falling away, the plants on this list are ready to take over the next shift, growing in your garden in the later part of spring and produce pretty blooms.
The Common columbine is a tall, flowering plant, typically with a long stem and light purple flowers. The Latin specific name for the plant, “vulgaris,” means “common,” and it comes from the fact that the plants spread easily and grow in many places around Europe. Ancient Romans considered the Common columbine to be sacred for the goddess, Venus.
Pansy (Viola wittrockiana) is a flowering plant species native to Europe and western Asia. The Pansy is a large-flowered hybrid plant species often planted as an ornamental garden flower. This species grows best in sunlight and well-drained soil. The Pansy is vulnerable to attack by aphids and the fungal leaf spot disease.
Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium caeruleum) grows in temperate habitats in Europe and has been imported to North America. It takes root in damp soils and rocky areas. Jacob’s ladder is used as an ingredient in some dyes and occasionally ends up in potpourri mixes.
The Lenten rose has been cultivated since the Germans began to do so in the mid-1800s, with varieties being created in the United Kingdom shortly after. Between the 1920s and 1960s, there was little interest in its cultivation until Helen Ballard bred new varieties. They blooming early in the year hence they get their name of “Lenten rose”.
Lily of the valley is highly poisonous and originates in Euroasia. Although it is toxic, it is popular in gardens and perfume industry for its charming flowers and fragrance. Lily of the valley is the national flower of Finland and was the national flower of former Yugoslavia.
The Common lilac is a sweet-smelling flowering plant with cloudy purple leaves. The scent is so popular that it has found its way into body-care products of all types. It is a member of the olive family. The Common lilac can be found around the world today, but it is native to the Balkan Peninsula and thrives in rocky environments.
The Rose geranium is best known for its rose-scented essential oil and is widely cultivated for the perfume industry. It is also planted in gardens for its ornamental value and pleasant aroma. Though it cannot be consumed in large quantities, Rose geranium is used as a flavoring in rose-flavored desserts and teas.
Common primrose is a welcome sight in an early spring landscape. The vibrant colors of the flowers and a light, delicate scent make the Common primrose a favorite. This plant provides vibrant color to any container or flowerbed, with hues available in yellow, pink, purple, blue, orange, red, white and bi-color.
Bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) is a flowering plant related to the poppy. Bleeding heart is native to Siberia, China, Korea, and Japan. This plant is commonly referred to as the Japanese bleeding heart. Bleeding heart is a popular ornamental plant and grows best in moist soils and full sunlight.
Giant onion, Allium giganteum, or ornamental onion, is a member of the Amaryllidaceae family. This hardy perennial grows large purple clusters of tiny florets. It’s the largest of the ornamental onions, and although it produces onion-like fragrances, it is not grown for consumption.