Riva Gardens welcomes you to the threshold of summer, a time when the careful selection and planting of a variety of blooms in April can transform your outdoor space into a vibrant tableau of colors, textures, and fragrances. Whether your garden is a seasoned canvas or you’re sketching out your first floral designs, the diversity of annuals, perennials, flowering shrubs, and summer-blooming bulbs provides an unparalleled opportunity to curate a living masterpiece that thrives throughout the warmer months.
Annuals: The Fleeting Brilliance
Embrace the ephemeral beauty of annuals, the one-season wonders that infuse the garden with color and vitality from summer until the first frost whispers of fall:
- Begonias: Perfect for shade or semi-shade, begonias offer lush foliage and flowers in a plethora of colors. They flourish in well-drained soil and moderate sunlight.
- Nasturtiums: With their vibrant, edible flowers, nasturtiums add a splash of color and a peppery zest to gardens and plates alike. They enjoy full sun and poorer soils, which encourage more blooms.
- Calibrachoa: Resembling miniature petunias, calibrachoa cascades beautifully from containers and hanging baskets. It thrives in full sun and well-draining soil.
Perennials: The Continual Charm
Perennials are the heart of the garden, returning each year to provide a reliable backdrop of color and form:
- Foxgloves: Towering spikes of tubular flowers make foxgloves a majestic addition to any garden. They prefer partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.
- Shasta Daisies: Bright and cheerful, Shasta daisies offer classic beauty with minimal upkeep. They thrive in full sun and tolerate a variety of soil conditions.
- Coral Bells (Heuchera): Renowned for their colorful foliage as well as delicate flowers, coral bells are a versatile choice for both sun and shade gardens. They prefer well-drained soil and moderate moisture.
Flowering Shrubs: The Structural Sentries
Flowering shrubs not only contribute depth and volume but also act as the structural pillars of your garden’s design:
- Magnolias: With their grand, aromatic blossoms, magnolias are a symbol of spring transitioning into summer. They enjoy sun to partial shade and rich, well-drained soil.
- Boxwoods: The ultimate in versatility, boxwoods can be shaped to define spaces or add formal elegance to the garden. They adapt to a range of light conditions and soil types.
- Hydrangeas: A summer garden staple, hydrangeas enchant with their large blooms in hues of blue, pink, white, and purple. They prefer morning sun and afternoon shade, thriving in moist, rich soil.
Summer-Blooming Bulbs: The Late Arrivals
Tucked away in the soil, these bulbs bide their time until the height of summer, when they emerge to steal the show:
- Calla Lilies: Elegant and sophisticated, calla lilies bring a modern flair to any setting with their smooth, trumpet-shaped flowers. They enjoy full sun to partial shade and moist soil.
- Gladioli: Standing tall and proud, gladioli offer a burst of color on sword-like spikes. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil.
- Montbretia (Crocosmia): With their fiery, star-shaped blooms, montbretia adds a touch of the exotic to late summer gardens. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil.
Designing with Time in Mind
To ensure a garden that captivates from spring’s end to autumn’s chill, consider the art of bloom succession. Begin with the early allure of magnolias, transition to the mid-season radiance of hydrangeas and Shasta daisies, and conclude with the late-summer spectacle of gladioli and montbretia. This thoughtful layering guarantees a garden that is always in motion, always engaging.
Your April Planting Guide
- Start Early: With the arrival of April, lay the groundwork with resilient perennials and shrubs that can withstand a late frost.
- Mid-April Onward: As the soil warms, welcome the addition of more sensitive annuals and bulbs, setting the stage for a summer of lush growth and blooming beauty.
At Riva Gardens, we are dedicated to cultivating not just gardens, but the joy and satisfaction that comes with them. Our selection of plants, gardening supplies, and expert guidance is designed to support your horticultural aspirations at every level. Visit us this April, and let’s sow the seeds of your summer paradise together.
