Bright days growing longer, mild temperatures inviting you to spend more time outdoors, the chirping of birds filling the trees outside, the blooming gardens bursting with color… outside, gardens blooming and bursting with color… All announce the arrival of Spring!
Discover the colors of flowers that bloom in Spring and will bring new life to pots, terraces, and gardens.
Argyranthemum
Commonly known as the daisy, argyranthemum is a flowering plant whose blooms, although occurring throughout the year, stand out most in Spring. It is during this time of year that its simple, rustic flowers fill pots and gardens with color. Argyranthemum loves mild temperatures and warmth—native to the Canary Islands and Madeira—so in winter it should be protected from the cold. When pruning, dead flowers should be cut and yellowed leaves removed.
Azalea
Red, pink, or white, azaleas are the queens of gardens. Thanks to their characteristics, they withstand low temperatures and bloom even during winter, making them an excellent choice for maintaining a colorful, spring-like garden during the colder months. Undemanding when it comes to maintenance, azaleas only need a shaded area, moist soil, and frequent watering. It is possible to keep an azalea indoors; just keep in mind some tips and tricks for easy maintenance, such as choosing an evergreen azalea, as these can be grown both indoors and outdoors, and placing it in a cooler environment.
Cyclamen
Known as plants of love, cyclamens transform the gray days of winter into a “celebration of color.” On windowsills in colorful pots, in planters on the terrace, in a garden bed, or in a pot placed in a living room or kitchen, cyclamens are ideal for brightening any space, as long as they get a few hours of light per day. They also have the advantage of requiring little maintenance. Use your creativity and mix different colors of this plant, which is considered a plant of “lasting feelings and sincere affection.”
Dianthus
Dianthus are easy-flowering plants, but for them to bloom at their best, they should ideally be placed in partial shade. Their flowers are simple, with a narrow calyx and serrated petals. There are dianthus in different colors, and sometimes their petals end in a white tone. Dianthus should be protected from wind and heavy rain. It does not require intensive watering and should be watered when the soil appears dry.
Dimorphoteca
Easy to care for, adaptable, and beautiful, dimorphoteca is a drought-resistant plant available in a wide variety of colors, such as purple, orange, yellow, or pink. Dimorphoteca should ideally be in partial shade, although the plant is also sun-resistant. The vibrant colors of its petals make it the ideal plant for decorating any garden.
Pruning is recommended in autumn and after flowering, in order to achieve a denser shrub in the next bloom.
Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)
Large and colorful, hydrangeas are one of the favorite flowers of summer, widely used in decorations as ornamental plants. Native to the Far East, the hydrangea is a deciduous plant that can reach 1 to 1.5 meters in height. It was brought to the Azores in 1790, where it found a favorable climate to establish itself and spread rapidly. Since then, the hydrangea has become a symbol of the archipelago, but it is possible—and very common! —to grow it in many regions of mainland Portugal, provided favorable conditions for its development are met.
The color of hydrangeas varies between blue, pink, lilac, red, and white. Do you know what makes their color vary? Contrary to what you might imagine, the color of hydrangeas is not related to their species, but rather to the pH of the soil.
Hydrangeas need plenty of water and can die if always watered with hard water, so it is advisable to use only rainwater or decalcified tap water. Keep the soil consistently moist.
Jasmine
The sweet fragrance and delicate petals of jasmine make it one of the most popular flowers for decorating gardens. It is an undemanding plant when it comes to care and can survive in poor soils. It is easily maintained in pots, planters, or beds. Supported on trellises or guided along wire grids, jasmine can serve as a climber to disguise and decorate a wall or to define spaces and corners.
The fragrance it releases is not only excellent for the bedroom but also improves sleep quality and increases daytime productivity, thanks to its properties that help reduce anxiety levels. It should be watered frequently during periods of high heat.
Lavandula (Lavender)
Lavandula is an easy-maintenance plant with various uses. Besides the lovely scent that will spread throughout your home or garden, it has properties that help reduce stress and anxiety, lowering heart rate and improving sleep quality, making it the ideal plant for the bedroom. In a plastic pot wrapped in beautiful colored paper, it is the perfect gift when you lack originality. Take advantage of winter to plant it directly in the ground, and in spring you will have an explosion of color. When the flower begins to dry, harvest it and let it dry completely. These dried flowers are perfect for making scented sachets!
Petunia
The petunia is a spring flower, filling beds and pots with the colors of its blooms. It loves full sun and has low tolerance for cold. It should be planted in fertile soils rich in organic matter, with acidic pH. It is a plant that requires regular watering, so good drainage is very important.
Although flowering is most intense in spring, the petunia blooms with less intensity throughout the year until its life cycle ends. You can find petunias with flowers in different colors and even patterns: red, blue, pink, orange, purple, and white are some of the most common. To prolong flowering, cut off old flowers.
Ranunculus
With characteristics similar to the rose—serrated petals, numerous colors, and an attractive aroma—ranunculus is a delicate flower that requires much attention. It is essential to grow it in airy, low-light locations. With vibrant colors and a long, hollow stem, ranunculus is a flower that will fill your garden with color. Water it daily.
© Horto do Campo Grande
