2. The Flower Seasons
Which 'seasons' to cut from and filling in the gaps.
Planning Checklist
Reviewed what plants you already have growing ✔
Written a wish list of plants ✔
Is your wish list as long as mine? (see mine in Week 1) If so, it needs editing. Which ones do I keep and which ones are dropped?
There are several ways to do this and I will check each as I decide the ultimate plans I am growing this season (or permanently in a border or say for shrubs and perennials.). We’ll go through these the next few weeks; this week starting with the Flower Seasons.
These are not the same as the four seasons of the year (you knew there are really six seasons right? one of my most loved posts and freeeeeeeee to read). I work on five flowering seasons across the year. The first place to start is to get that combinations spreadsheet out from last week, and fill in which flower season each plant fits into.
Remember, each plant might fit into two or more seasons too. For example a flower that is useful for cutting as a ‘supporting’ stem in an arrangement say in season 3, which then becomes a great accent when it goes to seed in season 4. Or even dried in the winter. In this case, use as many lines on the spreadsheet as there are roles and seasons.
A quick glance will tell you that you might have loads of supportive stems for flowering season 2 but none for season 4. You might go away all summer, and need to concentrate on plants that need little looking after in August and flower on either side. Maybe you’re a wedding florist and need loads of material for summer weddings and nothing in the early seasons.
Think about why you are growing, when you want the material and make sure you have all the elements covered.
Disclaimer - the flowering season checklist is a list of plants that I particularly love. If yours is missing, look up when it flowers and decide which season it best fits into.
Don’t worry about plant type just yet. That’s for next week….
The Flowering Seasons
I’ve included a printable pdf version below to scribble on. I prefer to *think* with a pen. You’ll be able to print off all of these and make up a complete planning set.
Flowering Season 1 – Mid March until Early May
Early Flowering Hardy Annuals – Autumn sown cerinthe, euphorbia oblongata, orlaya, calendula, early indoor sweet peas
Early Flowering Biennials – Wallflowers, lunaria annua (honesty), icelandic poppies,
anthriscus, sweet williams.
Bulbs - Snowdrops, hyacinths, narcissus, fritillarias, anemone, tulips & early alliums
Spring Flowering Perennials – Euphorbia, hellebores, cynara (cardoon)
Shrubs – Viburnum opulus, garrya, hazel catkins, spring emerging leaves & blossoms