Colorado has a unique climate that can vary from freezing winters to drought-like summers which can make maintaining a beautiful garden difficult without a well thought out plan. Flowers by Season in Colorado Springs is geared towards Colorado Springs’ climate, but we also recommend keeping your local climate in mind when selecting plants.
This guide will help you plant the right types of flowers at the right times which does everything from significantly increasing the curb-appeal of your home to attracting pollinators that fertilize your flowers for you. We’ve also included some ideas to keep your garden colorful in the freezing months without floral blooms.
Want a list of our favorite Colorado flowers plus care instructions? Download this free guide:
Spring: March-May
During the spring months, focus on cold-hardy flowers which stand a better chance of surviving any late freezes. Think Easter colors with beautiful pinks, purples, and whites. Bulbs planted last year should pop back up this time of year as well.
Spring Colorado Flower Favorites:
- Tulip (bulb-planted in Fall to bloom in Spring)
- Iris (bulb-planted in Fall to bloom in Spring)
- Daffodil (bulb-planted in Fall to bloom in Spring)
- Hyacinth (bulb)
- Pansy
- Snapdragon
- Decorative Kale
- Alyssum
Summer: June-August
Summers in Colorado Springs provide the opportunity to plant and enjoy a wide variety of beautiful flowers. Keep in mind we don’t receive enough humidity or rainfall to sustain tropical plants. Drought-tolerant flowers and Colorado native plants will handle hot summer days the best. These native plants are naturally adapted to their specific Colorado Climate, soils, and environmental conditions. Also, including mulch beds can be especially useful in the summer months to maintain a cool soil temperature.
Summer Colorado Flower Favorites:
- Petunia- come in a wide variety of colors.
- Coleus
- Zinnia
- Marigold
- Potato Vine
- Geranium
- Annual Salvia
Fall: Sept-November
Fall is the perfect time to start planting spring bulbs before the soil freezes. Planting your bulbs mid-fall can give them an opportunity to grow a well-established root system. It is also time to think about cold-hardy flowers which can survive falling temperatures. The fall flower color palette includes reds, oranges, and yellows. Consider adding pumpkins, squash, and other gourds for a fun fall arrangement. Keep in mind, this is the last chance to plant perennials before the first freeze.
Now is the time to think about what fall bulbs you would like to plant to pop up next spring!
Fall Colorado Flower Favorites:
- Mums – in white, orange, purple
- Ornamental Kale
- Pansy
- Millett Grass
- Decorative Pepper
- Plant any bulbs you want to come up in spring
Winter: December-February
While flowers cannot survive the freezing winter temperatures, it is still possible to add some pizzazz to your flowerpots and beds for the season. This is an ideal time to lay mulch over your fall planted bulbs as well.
- Purchase evergreen tree tops from your local Christmas Tree Farm. These are just 1 to 2 feet tall and you can place them in pots or beds as tiny Christmas trees.
- Drape evergreen plants with decorative ribbon.
- Add pinecones to pots to add interest.
- Christmas Décor and lighting
Winter is also the perfect time to grow an indoor herb garden, especially if the cold season and lack of plant life gets you down. Some of our favorites are basil, chives, mint, parsley, and oregano. Use a sun lamp or place in a room with natural light to keep these plants happy and healthy. Bonus: There is nothing better than cooking with your own freshly grown herbs.
ANNUALS, PERENNIALS, AND BULBS: Flowers by Season in Colorado Springs
Having a mix of annuals, perennials, and bulbs helps maintain a beautiful garden from early spring to late fall. Annuals typically require the most consistency in fertilizer to grow beautifully because the plants’ life cycle is only one growing season. Keep in mind that your perennials may not live forever, but proper care can keep them thriving year after year. Since perennials have more established root systems, they require less water and less fertilizer, but consistency is still key when caring for these flowers. Plant bulbs that you would like to come up in Spring during Fall before the soil freezes. Bulbs especially love a layer of mulch placed over them in winter to help the soil temperature stay consistent. Keep these differences in mind when planning your flowers by season.
General tips to keep your flowers by season looking awesome year-round:
- Keep spacing in mind when planning your garden – Planting flowers too close together makes them compete and planting flowers too far apart can make your garden look patchy.
- Remove “dead heads” (also known as withered flower heads) – Removing dead blooms allows the flower’s energy to be put towards the growth of beautiful new blooms and keeps your garden looking fresh.
- Follow a regular watering schedule and adjust according to rain levels.
- Fertilize with Bloom Booster monthly to encourage growth.
- Amend the soil with compost prior to planting and add a layer of mulch over the top.
- Be proactive by checking your garden throughout the season for rot, diseases, and bugs.
A colorful; flower bed can make a statement and really provide a wow factor in your landscape. For more flower-planting guidance, contact the experts at Timberline Landscaping here.
