Let It Grow
By Tammy Thornton
Gardeners know that Mother’s Day marks the unofficial date when it’s safe to plant tender annuals in your garden. Though there are always exceptions to the rule, generally, frosts do not occur after this date. In our Shore Local area near the coast, we can usually get away with planting a little sooner. But if you have been waiting, out of an abundance of caution, now you can freely cut the red ribbon for the grand opening of your garden for the new season. What perfect timing for all those moms out there. You can show mom you care with the gift of flowers for her garden. The nurseries will be overflowing with plants and bustling with customers this week. However, with so many flowers to choose from, a trip to the garden nursery can be overwhelming.
Although a bouquet of cut flowers is always a welcome gift, they will usually only last a week or so. Instead, give mom a gift of flowering plants that can last all spring and summer (annuals), or in the case of perennials, last for years to come. You may want to do a little homework before you run to the store. Does Mom’s yard get a lot of sun all day, or is it on the shady side?
Roses are a great way to show you care, but some roses can be divas of the garden. If your mom doesn’t have a green thumb, you might want to choose a low-maintenance rose. Knock Out® roses are easy to care for and bloom all season. Unlike many flowers, they are considered self-cleaning so you don’t need to deadhead them to produce new flowers. Though roses bloom best in full sun (at least six hours of sun per day), Knock Out® roses will still offer flowers in part shade locations.
Coneflowers are also easy-to-grow, low-maintenance perennials. Mom can cut her own bouquet of these flowers, and they will continue to produce new blooms. Coneflowers will also attract butterflies and goldfinches to the garden.
Peonies are showstopping flowers that will surely impress Mom. These beautiful plants will bloom year after year, but choose a sunny location and stick to it, because they don’t like to be moved. In the winter they will die back and go dormant, but should reappear in the spring.
Hellebores make a stunning flowering plant for gardens with part shade. Though they are not in the rose family, hellebores also bear the name Lenten rose since they often bloom around Easter. Their beautiful flower heads slightly nod elegantly in the shady garden.
Hydrangeas, a shore town favorite, can bloom in part sun. From lacecap to mophead, find a variety that mom will enjoy for years. She can even take cuttings of her favorite hydrangeas and make new plants.
You can also consider buying Mom an armful of annuals, which can fill a bare spot in the garden with colorful flowers. Consider zinnias that will attract butterflies and other pollinators. At the end of the season, Mom can collect the seed heads to plant next spring. Cosmos flowers will make a cheerful addition to the garden. With daisy-like flowers and fern-like foliage, they make lovely cut flowers and will attract birds, bees, and butterflies. Hanging baskets make great easy-care options for the busy mom. Choose fuschia flowers for a stunning shady garden or petunias for full-sun gardens. Calibrachoa, also known as million bells, resemble petunias but are smaller. These prolific flowers will bloom all summer long in full sun. For a taste of the tropics, buy a vibrant hibiscus plant for mom. These plants are sensitive to the cold, but can be brought indoors to overwinter in a sunny window.
You don’t want to give Mom extra work on Mother’s Day, so be sure to show up with flowers in one hand and a shovel in the other. Plan to roll up your sleeves and help her plant that new gift, and you will also be giving her what she wants most of all – quality time with her children.
Wishing a very Happy Mother’s Day to all of our hard-working, wonderful moms!
Tammy Thornton lives with her husband, children, and crazy pets while enjoying a life of gardening, cooking, and going to the beach.
