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Could the end of winter be more dramatic? Soaring temperatures swiftly followed by breezy, freezing nights. It\u2019s hard for people to know what to wear, so imagine how hard it is to be a plant that\u2019s continuously exposed to Texas weather extremes!<\/span><\/p>\n Many early spring blooms appeared before winter lost its grip. Especially notable were the pink-purple blooms of redbud trees as well as the fragrant white flowers of Mexican plums. Bees and other pollinators quickly found their way to these attractive native trees.<\/span><\/p>\n At Easter time, spring-blooming plants can symbolize the joy and new life that is associated with the celebration. Many of these bloomers are perennial bulbs, such as daffodils, grape hyacinths and crocus. Paired with tulips and hybrid hyacinths, which rarely perennialize in North Central Texas, these classics often appear in floral arrangements and containers as well as in spring gardens.<\/span><\/p>\n Tall-stemmed white lilies are traditionally associated with Easter. In North Central Texas, these tropical beauties are most often used as potted plants and in decorative arrangements, although the bulbs may be planted in the garden once the flowers fade. They are most likely to flower again in summer rather than spring, provided the prior winter weather is mild. The bulbs require a well-drained, sunny site with a layer of mulch atop them for protection.<\/span><\/p>\n While Easter lilies (Lilium longiflorum<\/i>) are generally grown as houseplants, rain lilies (Zephyranthes grandiflora<\/i>) are an excellent long-term choice for area gardens. These small bulbs produce 9-12 inches tall, elegant pink flowers in spring and early summer, typically after rain.<\/span><\/p>\n Planting time for spring-blooming bulbs is fall. This timing allows the bulbs to get roots established before bloom in February-April. If bulbs are not planted the previous fall, gardeners may purchase potted bulbs from nurseries in late winter\/early spring. The potted plants can be transplanted into containers or landscape beds.<\/span><\/p>\n In the garden, bulbs perform best if planted in well-drained soil that\u2019s in a full sun to part shade site. At planting, add a light layer of mulch around and atop bulbs to moderate soil temperatures and hold moisture. Water deeply while bulbs are actively growing, but never over water. Soggy soil can cause bulbs to rot. Allow the plants to bloom, then wait to trim foliage until it yellows, then dies back naturally. The foliage \u201cfeeds\u201d the plant.<\/span><\/p>\n Combining cool-season annuals with bulbs creates longer-lasting displays, such as pairing daffodils with petunias. Cool season annuals are colorful until summer heat sets in. Some annuals to consider are sweet alyssum, petunias, larkspur, poppies, pansies, violas and annual phlox. Transplants are available at local garden centers. <\/span>Gardeners who planted pansies and violas in winter may continue to enjoy their bloom. These plants can be refreshed with light fertilizer and deadheading to extend the bloom until summer. If planting cool-season annuals now, select a sun-to-part sun location with good drainage and add mulch around plants.<\/span><\/p>\n Container gardening is popular at Easter, particularly for decorating front porches or for gift-giving. Spring bulbs, annuals and perennials purchased in bloom may be transplanted into containers and enjoyed immediately. Since containers dry out more quicky than garden beds, check the soil moisture frequently and ensure pots have drainage holes. Move the containers to shade during early heat waves. Plants known to perennialize in area gardens may be removed from containers after spring bloom and planted in landscape beds. Transition containers to heat-loving plants in May. Enjoy this season of renewal!<\/span><\/p>\n Written and Photographed by LGMG Phyllis Webster<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Could the end of winter be more dramatic? Soaring temperatures swiftly followed by breezy, freezing nights. It\u2019s hard for people to know what to wear, so imagine how hard it […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2118,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2116","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gardenpatch"],"yoast_head":"\n