Spring beds and borders

No season is more eagerly
anticipated than spring. After the
dark, cold days of winter, the garden
bursts into life with verdant growth
and colorful flowers, marking the start
of a new gardening year. In late spring,
many gardens look their freshest,
resplendent with the soft, glowing
greens of young foliage.
Pictures clockwise from left
Colorful climbers Walls and fences can be clothed
with a range of different climbers that will flower in
spring. Wisteria, grown for its waterfalls of scented
purple or white flowers, is perhaps the best known.
It is, however, a large plant and needs restrictive
pruning to keep it manageable. Alternatives include
Clematis montana in white or pink, and Akebia quinata
with purple blooms, although these climbers are also
potentially large. More suited to a small garden are
Clematis alpina, C. macropetala, and the early
honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum ‘Belgica’ with its
deliciously scented flowers.

Vibrant bulbs and early perennials In beds and
borders, herbaceous plants push through the soil,
growing quickly in the damp, mild conditions. Many
will flower early, especially those that enjoy woodland
conditions, such as Pulmonaria, Primula, Dicentra,
Doronicum, Epimedium, and Anemone. Some of these
perennials can be grown successfully with spring bulbs,
such as tulips and daffodils, injecting extra interest into
plantings and helping to mask yellowing bulb foliage as
the season progresses.
Carpets of spring flowers In less formal areas of the
garden, where a more naturalistic display is desired, it
is possible to plant and even naturalize some bulbs in
grass. Snowdrops (Galanthus) and crocuses that flower
in early spring can be interplanted with fritillaries, tulips,
daffodils (Narcissus), and Camassia to create a display
that will last until early summer. Areas under mature
trees are ideal for this kind of treatment, but avoid
mowing the grass until the bulb foliage has died away.