Winter’s all but over and yes, we’ve had some rain. But that doesn’t mean we can go back to our old ways. Low-water plants are here to stay, and there are many that will provide a lot of color all spring.
Most water-thrifty plants are perennials rather than annuals, but not all. Generally, perennial plants bloom for a while (some much longer than others), rest for a while, and then return the following year to repeat their flower show. Annuals, on the other hand, bloom for a several months or more and are finished, and then need to be pulled up and replaced.
Some annuals are much more drought-tolerant if they are sown from seed in place. Some of the best ones for this are cosmos, portulaca, alyssum, and four-o’clocks. All will provide bright color well into summer.
Seeding annuals directly in the ground is very easy to do.
Prepare your soil by removing any weeds, adding amendments and a starter fertilizer. Simply broadcast the seed over the area, sprinkling by hand. Keep the soil moist and with warm spring weather, within ten day or less you’ll have little seedlings sprouting.
Don’t thin them—these annuals don’t need it. And don’t transplant them—they’ll lose their waterwise quality. Just enjoy them in place. It will be a colorful show.
There’s a wide variety of low-water perennials for bright spring color. Plant them as soon as they’re available in nurseries. The following are some of the most colorful:
Geraniums, both zonals and ivies are low-care and bloom almost year round. Colors include fire-engine red, pinks of many shades, white and magenta.
Many types of salvia are go-to waterwise plants. Flowers aren’t as showy as annuals, but there are many of them over a long period.
Many of these spring flowers, if cut back lightly after their first bloom, will repeat bloom during the summer or fall. Remember that plants need a full year after planting to become their waterwise best. Be sure to water as needed for the first year or so.
Gary Jones is Chief Horticulturist at Armstrong Garden Centers. Email him your drought and gardening questions to growingdialogue@ armstronggarden.com.
