The Gifts of Spring

I love spring. As the weather warms and mother earth becomes fertile, nature adorns us with her gifts. Here’s a sneak peek for those who just can’t wait.

Aster

Image Source

Aster is a perennial that is great for late summer and fall bloom.  Varieties of aster grow wild in a range of climates and almost any environment. They are available in a wide variety of colors. The aster tataricius pictured above is used in traditional Chinese medicine for antibacterial purposes.

Crocus

Image Source

Crocus is a  perennial and is first to bloom in spring. They are very hardy. If you live in a cold climate where snow and frost still occur in early spring, these flowers  are a good choice because their flowers and leaves are protected by a waxy cuticle. They are one of the few flowers that will flourish despite frost. Autumn crocus flower in September through November in the northern hemisphere when most flowers have long since passed.

Tulip

Image Source

Tulips are perennials grown from bulbs. They can be grown in the cold and snowy winter. Tulips do best in areas with cool springs and early summers.  Tulips are generally associated with Holland although they are commonly grown in gardens everywhere. A friend of mine just informed me that Pella, Iowa celebrates their annual Tulip Time Festival the first weekend in May. I would love to be there for the celebration.

Daisy

Image Source

Daisies are sometimes considered to be a weed. They spring up in lawns and are not affected by lawnmowers. Their name comes from “day’s eye” because the whole head of the flower closes at night and opens in the morning.  Daisies are extremely easy to grow and can fill a garden with sunshine with their bright color. Children love to make daisy chains from the flowers.

Morning Glory

Image Source

Morning glories are perennial plants, however in colder climates they are treated as annuals. Like daisies, morning glories are considered a weed by some. In parts of the Australian bush land, they grow in dense thickets. They spread quickly with their long creeping stems. They are invasive and can crowd out and smother other plants. They get their name because they flower in the morning. The flower dies in the afternoon and is replaced with a new bloom each day.

So Many Choices

These are just a few of the many flowers we can look forward to as spring approaches. I hope you’ve enjoyed this sneak peek and when spring does arrive, that you find time in your busy day to take time to smell the flowers.