Spring flowers have short blooming period

By LORI ABRAHAM
A friend and I were sitting in her car at a church in Anna, Ohio, admiring the tulips and daffodils that lined the parking lot and bordered the church.

As we sat there, we talked about their beauty and how sad it would be soon when they start to fade away as they end their blooming cycle.

One way to help hide the fading foliage is to plant some hardy and colorful annuals like snapdragons and larkspur in front of and between.

A little closer to home in Harrison County on the road between Tappan Lake and Deersville there is a farm that is amazing with color of daffodils and jonquils on the hillside in front of their farm house. They line the road like a fence to their driveway. It is absolutely beautiful.

As the days grow longer, the cool soil of spring is ideal for root growth. Now is the time to plant perennials and shrubs early in the season to give them the best chance of settling in before the heat of summer is upon us.

If you are looking for some easy-to-care-for and never-fail perennial gardens then the following are a perfect fit: campanula, bee balm, monarda, salvia, coreopsis, and Shasta daisy. They are reliable and, once established, need little care.

At planting time, loosen soil to a depth of at least 8 inches and add some compost. During the first growing season, provide adequate water to help the roots grow into the surrounding soil. The plants will reward you with vigorous growth this summer and for many years to come.

Oh and if your home is in an area where deer are plentiful, you may want to choose the Deer-Resistant Collection instead. These plants are very easy to grow, too

(Abraham is a native of Rayland and a garden club member.)