Perennials to Have for Spring

Spring is fussy in the beginning, but begrudgingly transforms into summer. In the meantime, plant those spring flowering perennials you were dreaming about all winter. Spring flowering consists of bloom periods occurring any time from March to almost the end of June. This includes iconic spring bloomers such as Rhododendron, and even varieties of the seashore favorite Hydrangea that start blooming mid-June and re-bloom until the fall.
Spring is advantageous for planting because of the warm days and damp weather. Plants are able to establish themselves readily without the stress of summer heat or chilling fall days.
Hostas and ferns rule the shade garden, but here are a few spring perennials that can greatly compliment the endless varieties of these plants. Raspberry Splash Lungwort (Pulmonaria ‘Raspberry Splash’) is a shade-loving ground cover about a foot tall blooming from April to May with pink purple flowers above silver spotted leaves. Coral Bells (Heuchera) are gaining popularity and breeders are selecting the most resilient for gardeners. They come in a variety of foliage colors that look good nearly year round from purple, red and lime green. ‘Obsidian’ is a dark purple, nearly black lobed leaf with white flowers in June and July. ‘Paris’ has frosted grey leaves with dark green venation and spikes of rosy red flowers from April to June. Brighten the shade with the striking yellow and green foliage of Golden Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’). Japanese Forest Grass is slow growing, but eventually spreads and cascades like a waterfall making it good for shady borders, walkways and containers.
There are the tried and true perennials that thrive in full sun that are heavily stocked at garden centers such as Salvia and Catmint, and then are some that miss the limelight a little bit. Blue False Indigo (Baptisia australis) is a large perennial, native from Pennsylvania to North Carolina reaching nearly four feet tall with striking, purple flower spikes starting in May to June. Flowers produce inflated black seedpods with a similar appearance to beans (same plant family) and burst open vigorously, self-sowing in the garden. This plant is good for cottage or meadow gardens. With foliage year round, Ascot Rainbow Spurge (Euphorbia x martinii ‘Ascot Rainbow’) holds up to snow, heat and drought. The thin variegated leaves change with the season, displaying hints of pink and red under cool temperatures. From early spring to late spring, fluffy clusters of yellow green hold small red flowers around the plant. The hardy Geranium ‘Gerwatis’ known as Rozanne is a nearly nonstop bloomer of light purple flower with white center from May to September. It requires little maintenance with no deadheading. Pair this with the golden variegated leaved of Ascot Rainbow Spurge.
Whether they’re for spring, summer, shade or sun, there is a perennial versatile enough to fit any garden need. When spring arrives, consider embarking on perennials – flowering and non-flowering alike – that prove themselves in the garden.
For more information, contact Cape Shore Gardens at (609) 465-5161, located at 1028 Rt. 9 S., Cape May Court House.
Written by Lauren Popper, horticulturist at Cape Shore Gardens and graduate of Temple University’s School of Environmental Design.