When to plant flowers in Pennsylvania is a question many gardeners ask themselves. While the answer to this question is not as cut and dry as you would think, some general measures can help you decide when to plant your flowers.
Here are factors determining when it’s the best time to plant flowers in Pennsylvania.
When to plant flowers in Pennsylvania?
Spring, early summer, and fall are the most suitable times to plant flower gardens in Pennsylvania. However, that depends on:
Type of flowers– some plants are better suited for spring planting than others. You can plant the hardiest of flowers as soon as the soil can be worked, even if it’ is a few weeks before the last frost date of the season. On the other hand, you can wait until several weeks before the last frost for the half-hardy flowers, and for the tender flowers, plant them when there is no sign of frost for the better part of the season.
Temperature: Temperature is another essential factor that determines when to plant flowers in Pennsylvania. It’s vital to understand how your local climate affects your flowers.
Sunlight: The amount of sunlight that reaches the soil determines when to plant flowers in Pennsylvania. If there are no trees, shrubs, or other obstacles blocking sunlight from reaching your garden soil, you might want to plant flowers that thrive in full sunlight and their season!
Essential Tips for growing flowers in Pennsylvania
Growing flowers in Pennsylvania is relatively easy. All you need to do is follow a few basic rules. Before you plant any seeds, you need to prepare the soil, depending on the type of flower.
You might also want to plant only one type of flower per square foot of soil. In addition, it’s important not to over-water your plants because you do not like waterlogged soil around the roots of your plants, as this can lead to root rot and cause other diseases.
A majority of flowers do well when they’re planted in the spring. This is because plants need sunlight and warmth to grow. They do not like to be kept in the dark or frozen.
Plant spacing: How close your flowers are together will determine how well they will thrive. While some plants do well when planted closely together, others need more space between them.
Best Pennsylvania flowers
Many types of flowers can be grown in Pennsylvania. Here is a list of the kinds of flowers that are best to grow in this state:
Carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus)
Also known as the herbaceous plant of pink, grenadine or clove pink, or carnation, this is one of the most popular flowers in Pennsylvania. They are easy to grow indoors or outdoors, are cultivated for their fringe-petaled flowers, and the plant is used widely in the floral industry. This flower was also used to spice ale and wine during Elizabethan time as an alternative to the more expensive clove Syzygium aromaticum. In Europe, carnations are used to treat fevers.
The best time to plant carnations is during transition seasons like autumn and spring when the weather is not too hot or too cold. If you want to grow them in winter, do so indoors and move them outside when the weather becomes warmer.
Lilies (Lilium ssp)
Lilies are among the most popular flowers known for their large, showy bloom that add great elegance to your garden from early to mid-summer. This perennial flower is grown from bulbs and is best planted in the autumn, and will flourish year after year with minimal care.
Depending on the variety, you can expect them to bloom from early summer to fall. You can also carefully blend early, mid-season, and late varieties into the garden to enjoy magnificent blooms from spring all the way to the first frost!
Lavender (Lavandula)
Lavender is a lovely purple flower (although there are some hybrids in beautiful pestle hues like violet-blue, white, pale pink, rose, and even yellow. This flower is used for its calming properties, making it a great choice for relaxation therapy. Some people even use lavender essential oil to treat insomnia. Lavender is also an excellent choice for a gift, so you can give it to someone as a gift or as part of their birthday present.
Lavenders do well in warm, temperate climates as well as cool and cold areas, depending on the variety. In cooler regions (zone 6), you can plant them in spring or early summer and early fall in warmer areas (zone 7-10) to establish the roots in the cool, moist winter weather.