Regional Picks: Spring Color—California

If your first few trips to the nursery can be overwhelming and helter-skelter , check out our plant recommendations for spring semblance in your region . There ’s no doubt that these spring flower will cure the wintertime blues .

1. ‘Thai Silk Apricot Chiffon’ California poppy

Eschscholzia californica‘Thai Silk Apricot Chiffon’

Zones:9–10

Size:12 to 14 inches marvellous and wide

Conditions : Full Dominicus ; well - drained soil

aboriginal compass : California

This plant ’s compact , blue - light-green mound of ferny foliage ﬂ aunts a colorful profusion of ﬂ express papery blooms in spring . The double and semi - double rosiness - blushed efflorescence are not bad - apricot in color and evaluate up to 2½ inch across . Breathtaking massed or delicious when dotted throughout a sunny flower bed , this elegant stone can also do work well in a container as long as it is hold back ironic . Although truly perennial in a small range , it reliably ego - sow each year . The spectacular six - to - eight - week bloom flow can be protract by cut the whole plant back to 3 to 4 inches tall for a second bloom flower .

2.‘Blue Springs’ foothills penstemon

Penstemon heterophyllus‘Blue Springs’

Zones:6–10

Size:1 to 2 feet marvellous and 2 to 3 invertebrate foot wide

Attractive , narrow-minded , shining , blue - green leaf thickly raiment the uncompromising stems of this long - know evergreen perennial , but the real show starts in late spring . Multiple peak spikes — which are munificently filled to the top with tubular , pinkish - blush , iridescent sky - blue blooms — show up from natural spring through summer . ‘ Blue Springs ’ foothills penstemon is a drouth - tolerant , pestis - proof perennial that is not only delightful in any sunny border or container but also attracts a wide range of pollinator and hummingbirds . Cut spent flush spikes for a repeat flush of peak , and give it a former wintertime trimming to freshen up .

3. Belarina Rosette™ Nectarine primrose

Primula vulgaris‘Belarina Nectarine’

Zones:5–9

Size:6 to 8 inch tall and 10 inches broad

Conditions : fond shade ; moist , plentiful stain

aboriginal range : Western and Southern Europe

The summary , evergreen plant rosette of apple green foliage this works sports is almost completely hidden all fountain long by the showy clusters of delectable ruby - blushed gold - Orange River blooming . Resembling tiny rose , the flowers of Belarina Rosette ™ Nectarine primula are relatively bombastic considering the plant ’s stature and are also sweetly fragrant . This witching perennial is delicious at the front of a border , butt against a shaded walk or tucked into a window box or container . To prevent summer quiescency and to keep your plant healthy , be sure this flora have uniform wet during desiccant times .

4. ‘Snowdrift’ evergreen clematis

Clematis armandii‘Snowdrift’

Zones:7–9

size of it : Vining to 20 feet marvellous and 10 feet wide

Conditions : Partial shade ; rich , well - drained dirt

aboriginal kitchen range : China and Taiwan

This is a vigorous evergreen plant vine whose large and lustrous recondite green leaves make the sodding backdrop to the abundant springtime clusters of snow white , star - shaped flowers . Delightfully fragrant throughout the long bloom period , ‘ Snowdrift ’ is particularly good twining up and over an bower or pergola , where the seraphic aroma and bloom showing can best be enjoyed . Pruning is n’t necessary , but it can be done directly after flowering if require to tidy up or supervise its size .

— Fionuala Campion is the owner / handler of Cottage Gardens of Petaluma , California .

Fine Gardening Recommended ware

Gardener ’s Supply Company Summerweight Fabric Plant Cover

Lee Valley Mini Garden Shear Set

Johnny ’s Selected Seeds Connecta ® Cultivation Kit

Get our latest top , how - to articles , and instructional videos send to your inbox .

Signing you up …

Belarina Rosette Nectarine primrose

Photo: courtesy of Annie’s Annuals

Regional Picks: Spring Color—Northwest

Regional Picks: Spring Color—Southern Plains

Regional Picks: Spring Color—Mountain West

Regional Picks: Spring Color—Midwest

get together Fine horticulture for a free engaging live webinar feature Dr. Janna Beckerman , a renowned plant pathologist as well as prof emerita at Purdue University and the ornamentals technical manager …

When I spotted a particular sand dollar cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few calendar month ago , I knew I was in hassle . With a delicious color pattern …

When we only prioritize plants we want over plants our landscape needs , each season is replete with a never - ending list of job : pruning , pinching , lacrimation , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …

Photo: courtesy of Annie’s Annuals

Video

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be careful when you enter the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re likely to trip on something , but because you might be dive - bombed by a pair …