New in the Nursery: Pops of Color

Now that spring has arrived, we're eager to see our gardens come alive with bursts of color as our favorite plants begin to bloom. Quite a few of our newest nursery arrivals are great choices for adding a much-needed pop of color to the garden, now and throughout the growing season. Read on to see our best bets for brightening up your landscape.

Hellebore: One of our favorite blooms for springtime color, hellebores are available in a vast array of shades, from pale green-white to deep purple. Deer-resistant and easy to care for, these sturdy plants prefer shady areas where the soil remains moist. Many species are evergreen and will hold their blooms for over a month, making these perennials a gardener’s favorite for cultivating a lush landscape. 

Columbine: Found in meadows, woodlands, and high-altitude climates across the Northern Hemisphere, columbine prefers partial shade and well-drained soil. Its distinctive, bell-shaped flowers will appear from mid-spring to early summer. Though individual plants live for 2-3 years, this perennial can be a long-term addition to the garden thanks to volunteer seedlings that will appear near existing plants.

Jacob’s Ladder: Topped with showy clusters of deep blue flowers, Jacob’s Ladder grows best in climates with cooler summer weather. This perennial prefers rich, consistently moist soil and partial to full shade. To encourage a possible re-bloom in late summer, cut back the tall stems after the initial bloom in late spring.

Viola: A classic and colorful choice for bedding, these cool-season blooms often bring the first sign of spring to our gardens. Violas thrive in containers and window boxes, preferring full sun in spring and increased shade as the weather gets warmer; we suggest planting near a tree that will leaf out and offer dappled shade during the summer months. Many viola varieties are edible and popular for adding natural color to pastries and salads (be sure check on your specific variety before eating!).

Wallflower: Plant these cool-season annuals a few weeks before your region’s last frost date for an early spring burst of color in the garden. Topped with an abundance of tiny, fragrant blooms, wallflowers grow best in dry, well-drained soils. Able to thrive in poor soil conditions, they get their name from the fact that they can be grown successfully in loose wall mortar.

Rockfoil: An Alpine plant that prefers moist, sandy loam mixed with grit and broken stone, rockfoil is the perfect choice for adding color to rock gardens and borders. These low-growing, evergreen perennials sprout in the wild in narrow, rocky crevices. Their abundant, mid-spring blooms make them ideal for adding color and providing ground cover in challenging garden areas. Drought-tolerant, they are cold-hardy but may not thrive in hotter climates.

Anemone: One of our favorite cut blooms, anemones are also a beautiful choice for adding color to the garden. Available in vivid shades from white to bright pink, these bulbs can bloom in spring or early fall, depending on the variety. Before planting, soak your bulbs and choose a partially-shaded location with well-drained soil. Spring-blooming anemones are petite, growing up to 18” in height, while fall-bloomers are much taller, with some varieties reaching an impressive 5’ tall.

Throughout the season, our plant team highlights their freshest additions to the garden with New in the Nursery. Check in at your local store to take home these newly-arrived blooms.