For many, Easter symbolizes re-birth and a new beginning as it ushers in the much anticipated season of spring. You can almost feel the excitement in the air. The birds are busy at work hustling for food and gathering material for nest construction, and the earliest of spring’s bloomers can be seen peeking up through the garden beds. There is hope for many things, including a thriving flower garden!
There are several plants that I think of this time of year and associate with Easter. Some of these are larger plants in the landscape such as azaleas, cherries and dogwoods that start to bloom this time of year. Others include smaller plants that appear like daffodils, snowflakes, and tulips. However, the Easter lily is the most synonymous with Easter and it will grace many churches, homes and Easter luncheons this season. This plant also makes a wonderful gift that can be planted after it has finished blooming. You can delve into our blog Easter’s Lovely Lilies for more information.
Since Easter arrives early on the calendar for 2018, there are several other bloomers that are great this time of year for arrangements, as a gift, as well as for the garden. These include hyacinth and crocus along with the aforementioned tulip, daffodil and summer snowflake.
The crocus plant is a perennial bulb that reaches approximately 2 to 4 inches in height and prefers full sun to part sun with well-drained soil. They can also be forced to bloom indoors and are great in containers. This bulb will spread so it’s great in a natural area with plenty of room – the earlier blooming species naturalize best. They come in a variety of colors that are characteristic of Easter including pinks, purples, blues, yellows and oranges – plenty of colors that the Easter bunny can fill his basket with a delightful array!
Hyacinth bulbs are easy to force in pots or grow in the garden. These early bloomers like full sun to partial shade and will grow to approximately 6 to 12 inches tall. They offer bright colors and fragrance for your garden or landscape. Hyacinth offers more of an impact in the garden as well as in potted arrangements when clustered in groups. Grape hyacinths, Muscari are one choice that is very easy to grow.
Summer Snowflake, Leucojum, despite it’s common name, is another early spring blooming bulb that offers the first promise of color to the landscape. Leucojum have delicate white flowers with perfect green dots that mark each scalloped petal. These look nice grouped in bunches and paired with other perennials either in a garden bed, perennial border, natural area or moon garden. Daffodils are also a nice early spring choice because they are deer resistant and provide early cheer to the garden. These bulbs will also spread which make them another great selection for filling in larger natural areas or beds.
For more information on bulbs, see our blog “Fall Is For Planting Bulbs.”
We hope you have a great Easter holiday!
