Indian Paintbrush and Other Spring Flowers for Your Landscape Design
Can you feel it? That’s spring approaching right around the corner. As the days get longer and warmer, we can also expect to see landscapes coming to life with colors and fragrances from spring flowers. Whether choosing an Indian paintbrush, snapdragons, lavender, or any other popular spring flower, there are so many ways to bring your garden to life by incorporating beautiful flowers into your landscape.
Here, we’re looking at some popular flowers to include in your spring landscape design. Hopefully, this guide will provide some inspiration to usher in some fresh new colors for spring and truly bring your landscape design to life.
Indian Paintbrush – Flower Essences
- Castilleja affinis
- Castilleja miniata (red)
- Castilleja linariifolia
- Castilleja coccinea
- Castilleja septentrionalis
- Castilleja indivisa
HOW TO CHOOSE FLOWERS FOR YOUR LANDSCAPE DESIGN
When determining which flowers to include in your garden or landscape design, it can quickly become overwhelming. A quick trip to your local nursery and you’ll find countless options—and even more opinions—about flowers to include. While this decision really comes down to personal taste and preference, there are certain factors you’ll want to consider when picking out your spring lineup of blooms.
Before purchasing any spring flowers, be sure to think about how they’ll grow in your landscape and how you plan on using them. Keep the following aspects in mind:
- Preferred soil type.
- Drought resistance.
- Natural predators or pests.
- Diseases.
- Temperature range.
FLOWERS FOR YOUR SPRING LANDSCAPE DESIGN
To help get you started, here are some popular spring flowers that can thrive in almost any landscape design:
1. Indian paintbrush
A popular and common garden flower for spring, the Indian paintbrush is easily recognizable for its bright red flowers that look almost like little paintbrushes (hence the name). Indian paintbrush usually grows from half a foot to 15 inches tall and prefers sandy, well-drained soils. Hummingbirds and a variety of insects are attracted to this spring flower, so they can be useful in bringing some local wildlife to your landscape design.
2. Snapdragon.
This popular perennial can be found thriving in a variety of different locales. Normally grown as annuals, these bright red flowers can really make your spring garden pop. They also work well in garden boxes or growing alongside your patio. While intense heat throughout the summer can slow these flowers down, maintaining proper watering can help them thrive through fall.
3. Phenomenal lavender
The name really says it all with this perennial flower. Phenomenal lavender is one of the best lavenders for regions like Colorado because it can handle the cold. Lavender grows easily and is considered drought resistant. The beautiful long purple stems are not only eye-catching, but they also naturally attract butterflies. Phenomenal lavender can be perfect for your garden or growing along a walkway.
4. May Night Sage
If you still want more purple in your landscape, consider adding the May night sage. This perennial blooms with a magnificent deeply-hued purple that grows tall. As tough as they are beautiful, May night sage is also cold hardy, and resistant to drought conditions. If you deadhead this flower, you can also expect late summer bloom to keep your garden colorful for months to come.
5. Spring Fever Poppies
While renowned as California’s state flower, poppies can be found throughout the country and they can thrive in many different habitats. Their eye-catching red, yellow, and orange blossoms are hard to replicate and will add vivid color to any backyard landscape or garden. Poppies prefer well-drained soil and areas that ensure a good amount of sunlight. In many regions, poppies have no natural predators or pests, which means you can save on insecticide costs.
6. Pansies
These popular flowers come in a wide variety of colors and shades. Known for looking like they have “faces,” these colorful flowers work well in borders, pots, or as ground cover. Pansies are also pretty cold-resistant and can survive frost. They prefer humus-rich, well-drained soils.
7. Echinacea
Echinacea is perfect for any garden or landscape because it can be found in hundreds of unique colors and varieties. These flowers are known for being sturdy and can withstand extreme temperatures. They prefer full sun and rarely have issues with insects or disease. If you want more butterflies visiting your spring garden, consider incorporating some Echinacea.
8. Viola
Closely related to pansies, this magnificent flower can bring some brilliant purple to your spring garden. These flowers are relatively resistant to drought conditions and thrive in areas of full sun or partial shade. Clay and loam are the preferred soil types and only moderate watering throughout the season is necessary.
9. Daffodils
One of the most beloved spring flowers, daffodils can add a vibrant touch of yellow to your garden. These hardy perennials grow pretty easily in most environments. They work well as a versatile part of your landscape design as they can grow between shrubs or alongside a border. Daffodils prefer full to partial sun and well-drained soil.
10. Colorado Columbine
This list just wouldn’t be complete without the addition of the Colorado state flower. Columbines are a widespread wildflower that grows in temperate regions all over the world. They love full sun to partial shade and loamy, well-drained soil. With their unmistakable white and purple flowers, they shouldn’t be missed in your spring garden this year.
CONCLUSION
Just as there’s no shortage of unique landscape designs, there’s no shortage of creative and innovative backyard landscaping ideas. There are simply so many ways to bring your outdoor space to life through creative landscaping that doesn’t have to break the bank. For a fun, simple, and cost-effective way to add some color to your landscape, think about including a host of flowers that will bloom just in time for spring.
It’s important to first do your research to see which flowers will grow well in your unique climate. Consider factors like preferred soil type, drought resistance, and whether or not they can handle extreme temperatures before selecting spring flowers for your yard.
You’ll also want to see which flowers are naturally resistant to predators, pests, and disease. Not only will this keep your garden vibrant, but it can also cut down on replacement costs and excess use of fertilizer and insecticides. Whether opting for Indian paintbrushes, pansies, snapdragons, or any other dazzling spring flower, we know you’ll enjoy seeing your landscape come to life.
