Spring Is Here: Time for Easy Planting Ideas

Spring is here....time to try planting coral pink geraniums potted with
cascading bright yellow mini petunias
(Calibrachoa).

SPRING has finally sprung and you know what that means…I can finally get started with planting! I always get excited to plant! I have a small yard and not much time to devote to plant maintenance. So I use a lot of containers instead of planting in the ground. I can do sections at a time, one pot at a time, and I can move them around if I need to. Container planting is my favorite. It’s such an easy way to begin if you are new to gardening. You can focus on making one pot at a time and you can also add as many or as little as you want to an area. What a transformation to take my empty window boxes and giant pots and add some desperately needed color and life back into them!!! Nothing perks up my patios more than beautiful perennials and annuals. Spring is here…time for some easy planting ideas!

A beautiful pink and green Coleus plant surrounded by green ferns and hosta plants.

Mix and Match Varieties

In the past, I have started with a plan. What would go where and what to combine with what? However, lately, when I visit the nursery I would get overwhelmed with all the wonderful choices and so I would change my plans on the spot. Now, I go in with an open mind and buy what I like and what color combinations speak to me. And….if I like all the colors in my cart then I know I’ll love them on my patio. Every year I think I’ll try something new. And every year I seem to find better combinations of flowers. So, as long as I put sun plants with other sun plants and plant them in full sun…and shade plants with other shade plants and plant them in the shade…it all comes out all right!!

Spring is here...time to try a mixture of Summer vegetation in a wood-painted terracotta window box: hostas, pink vincas, white impatiens, and yellow Calibrachoa.

Mixing different plants and flowers in one container is more creative than just using a single variety. Lowes is a great place to find your spring flowers. I’m not an expert by any means but as an artist, I just tend to enjoy adding a few different colors and textures together to get a more interesting effect. For example, I added bright yellow cascading mini petunias (Calibrachoa) to a vintage turquoise pot with coral-pink geraniums…. FABULOUS! It’s minimal effort and maximum impact!

Coral pink geraniums and bright yellow calibrachoa planted in a vintage flower pot with a turquoise glaze.

To start with I use an abundance of pots and containers….very eclectic choices. For example, I have wood planter boxes that are handmade, painted wood window boxes, resin faux ceramic pots, vintage and new ceramic pots, and aged concrete planters. I bought quite a few on Amazon, like this one (paid link).

Magenta impatiens and lilac calibrachoa planted in a vintage concrete planter. A hosta plant growing in an aged concrete urn.

Start Planting

On my back porch, there is a plethora of succulents in different shapes and shades of green and mauve, nestled in a round shallow blue-glazed planter.

a closeup view of a round planter with a variety of succulent plants. A Blessed Mother statue and garden are in the background.

Spring is here...time to try planting a mixture of succulent plants in various shapes and shades of green and mauve.

The cream-colored ceramic textured flower pot holds cascading vines of yellow Archangel, and the coral pink geraniums look amazing together.

A cream-colored ceramic flower pot that holds cascading vines of yellow Arch Angel and coral pink geraniums with a garden in the background.

A handmade painted wood flower planter displays coral pink geraniums, pink vincas, and mulberry shrubs.

a white wooden flower box with pink vincas, coral geraniums, and a mulberry plant.

Redoing my window boxes every year is my favorite. They are in front of my home and provide the most impact and curb appeal. They bring brightness and softness to the flat facade of the house. Each spring I have a plan that I will redo the combination I used the year before, but with a slight twist. I think this year I found the perfect mixture.

Terracotta-colored wooden window box with a mixture of vegetation.: two types of hosta plants, white impatiens, yellow calibrachoa, pink vinca, and a dash of vinca vines.

My terracotta-painted window box has a variety of flora. There are two types of hostas, yellow cascading petunias, pink vincas, white impatiens, and a few sprigs of vinca vines.

A terracotta-colored window box filled with summer flowers: green and yellow hosta leaves, pink vincas, vinca vines, and yellow cascading petunias.

So, if you’re looking for an easier way to start adding vibrant hues to your patio or porch …try using containers. They can make all the difference. It can give you your own secret garden and private oasis in no time. So, give it a try. Hooray! SPRING is here time to try easy planting ideas!