As spring unfolds in New Jersey, gardeners eagerly prepare to plant a variety of flowers and plants, with timing playing a crucial role in success.
While Mother’s Day is traditionally considered the safe starting point to plant frost-sensitive annuals like petunias, marigolds, and impatiens, many cool-season flowers such as pansies, snapdragons, begonias, and calendula can be planted earlier, thriving in the milder temperatures of early spring.
Warm-season annuals and summer-flowering bulbs-including dahlias, callas, gladiolas, and lilies-should be planted after the last frost date, which typically falls between mid-April and mid-May across New Jersey’s USDA zones 6 and 7.
These plants bring vibrant colors ranging from vivid yellows and oranges to soft pinks and purples, adding height and texture to garden beds.
For gardeners looking to add vertical interest and attract pollinators, summer-blooming vines like trumpet vine and hydrangea vine provide spectacular floral displays on trellises and fences, with trumpet vines especially favored for their bright red and orange blooms that draw hummingbirds.
Bare-root and container roses are best planted in spring once the soil warms, with proper root soaking and care to ensure vigorous growth and abundant flowering. Needle-leafed evergreens, such as pines and spruces, can be added later in spring to provide year-round texture and greenery.
Gardeners are advised to monitor local frost dates carefully, as late frosts can still occur, and to harden off seedlings before transplanting outdoors. Starting seeds indoors in early spring or using cold frames and greenhouses can extend the growing season and ease the transition to outdoor planting.
With thoughtful timing and plant selection, New Jersey gardeners can enjoy a flourishing spring garden filled with colorful flowers and lush foliage that will brighten landscapes throughout the growing season.
