April showers bring May flowers, but if you don’t plan your planting, you won’t have a colorful garden all season. Noelle Akin, director of communications and education at Petitti Garden Center helps us figure out four perennial flowers to plant in April that will add a new pop of color to your garden during spring and summer. “When you plant perennials in a strategic way, it gives you a beautiful garden all season,” Akin says. “And the added benefit to a blooming garden are the animals and insects you get to see interacting with it.”
April: Brunnera
This perennial blooms in the springtime, usually mid-to-late April. It thrives in shade, so make sure to give it a spot where it won’t get more than a few hours of morning sunlight. “This plant is also dew-resistant, which makes it the perfect addition to a shade garden,” says Akin.
May: Meadow Sage
Not only does this flower repel deer and rabbits from invading your garden, but it also is heat- and drought-tolerant, so it can endure between watering. “Meadow sage can also repeat-bloom in the same season,” says Akin. “That means if, when the flower dies, you cut the dead parts off and fertilize, it will come back.”
June: Shasta Daisy
The daisy is a classic staple to any garden, but these daisies aren’t just pretty. They are drought- and heat-resistant and some can grow up to 30 inches tall. “I love to grow these with meadow sage because they do great in full sunlight and can also repeat-bloom,” Akin says. “But most people cut these to put into vases.”
July: Coneflower
Your garden will be fluttering with these flowers — literally. The cone shape holds seeds that will attract birds of all kinds. Plus, its a pollinator so you’ll see bees and butterflies too. “These flowers are actually native to this area,” says Akin. “And you have a lot of options with color — purple, white, red, orange, yellow and more.”
