So you've decided to start a beautiful Spring Garden with flowers but you're not sure what flowers to grow. We've got you covered in this blog post!
Here's a list of child-friendly spring flowers to grow in North America, along with additional gardening tips and fun extension activities for elementary-age children:
1. Daffodils (Narcissus):
- Gardening Tip: Plant daffodils in well-drained soil and in a sunny or partially shaded location.
- Fun Extension Activity: Have children create daffodil-themed artwork using paper, paint, and other craft materials.
- Gardening Tip: Plant tulip bulbs in the fall for spring blooms, and protect them from squirrels by covering the bulbs with wire mesh.
- Fun Extension Activity: Organize a tulip bulb planting day with children, teaching them about bulb anatomy and proper planting techniques.
3. Sunflowers (Helianthus):
- Gardening Tip: Sunflowers thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Encourage children to measure the height of sunflower stalks as they grow.
- Fun Extension Activity: Use sunflower seeds to create bird feeders, teaching children about the importance of providing food for wildlife.
4. Marigolds (Tagetes):
- Gardening Tip: Marigolds are easy to grow from seeds and can be planted in pots or directly in the garden. Teach children about companion planting by pairing marigolds with vegetables to deter pests.
- Fun Extension Activity: Have children collect marigold petals to make homemade natural dyes for coloring Easter eggs or fabric.
5. Pansies (Viola):
- Gardening Tip: Pansies prefer cooler temperatures and can be planted in early spring or fall. Encourage children to deadhead spent flowers to promote continuous blooming.
- Fun Extension Activity: Teach children about flower anatomy by dissecting pansy blooms and identifying the different parts.
6. Snapdragons (Antirrhinum):
- Gardening Tip: Snapdragons come in a variety of colors and sizes, making them versatile for garden borders or containers. Show children how to pinch back stems to encourage bushier growth.
- Fun Extension Activity: Have children observe snapdragon flowers closely and experiment with gently squeezing the blooms to see the "dragon mouth" action.
7. Lilacs (Syringa):
- Gardening Tip: Lilacs prefer slightly alkaline soil and benefit from regular pruning to maintain shape and promote flowering. Encourage children to collect lilac blooms for making homemade potpourri.
- Fun Extension Activity: Organize a lilac-themed sensory exploration day, allowing children to smell, touch, and observe different lilac varieties.
8. Lavender (Lavandula):
- Gardening Tip: Lavender thrives in well-drained soil and full sun. Teach children about the benefits of lavender, such as its calming fragrance and insect-repellent properties.
- Fun Extension Activity: Have children harvest lavender flowers and use them to make homemade lavender sachets or bath bombs.
9. Hyacinths (Hyacinthus):
- Gardening Tip: Plant hyacinth bulbs in the fall for spring blooms, and protect them from cold temperatures by covering the soil with mulch.
- Fun Extension Activity: Teach children about the legend of Hyacinthus from Greek mythology, and encourage them to create their own hyacinth-inspired stories or artwork.
10. Crocuses (Crocus):
- Gardening Tip: Crocuses are early bloomers and can be planted in clusters for a vibrant display of color. Show children how to identify crocus bulbs by their teardrop shape.
- Fun Extension Activity: Organize a crocus bulb treasure hunt in the garden, hiding bulbs for children to find and plant in designated areas.
11. Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra spectabilis):
- Gardening Tip: Bleeding hearts prefer partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Teach children about the unique heart-shaped flowers and their symbolic meaning.
- Fun Extension Activity: Have children create their own "bleeding heart" flower crafts using paper or clay, emphasizing the heart-shaped blooms.
12. Columbines (Aquilegia):
- Gardening Tip: Columbines attract hummingbirds and butterflies and prefer well-drained soil in partial shade. Show children how to save columbine seeds for planting in future seasons.
- Fun Extension Activity: Organize a pollinator observation activity, where children can observe and record the different pollinators visiting columbine flowers.
13. Cherry Blossoms (Prunus serrulata):
- Gardening Tip: Cherry blossoms thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Teach children about the cultural significance of cherry blossoms in countries like Japan and Washington, D.C.
- Fun Extension Activity: Host a cherry blossom-themed tea party or picnic, where children can enjoy cherry-flavored treats and create cherry blossom-inspired crafts.
14. Peonies (Paeonia):
- Gardening Tip: Peonies prefer full sun and well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. Show children how to support peony stems with stakes or hoops to prevent them from bending under the weight of flowers.
- Fun Extension Activity: Have children press peony blooms to create pressed flower art or bookmarks, preserving the beauty of the flowers for future enjoyment.
15. Buttercups (Ranunculus):
- Gardening Tip: Buttercups prefer moist soil and can be invasive in some areas. Teach children about the folklore associated with buttercups, such as holding them under the chin to see if you like butter.
- Fun Extension Activity: Encourage children to create buttercup crowns or necklaces using fresh buttercup blooms, fostering creativity and imaginative play.
16. Johnny Jump-Ups (Viola tricolor):
- Gardening Tip: Johnny Jump-Ups are easy to grow from seeds and self-sow readily. Show children how to identify Johnny Jump-Up seedlings and transplant them to desired locations.
- Fun Extension Activity: Organize a flower pressing session with Johnny Jump-Ups, allowing children to create personalized greeting cards or stationery using pressed flowers.
17. Freesias (Freesia):
- Gardening Tip: Freesias prefer well-drained soil and regular watering during the growing season. Teach children about the sweet fragrance of freesias and their use in perfumery.
- Fun Extension Activity: Have children design their own "perfume garden" by planting fragrant flowers like freesias, lavender, and roses in a designated area of the garden.
18. Daisies (Bellis perennis):
- Gardening Tip: Daisies are resilient and can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions. Show children how to create daisy chains or bracelets using fresh daisy blooms.
- Fun Extension Activity: Organize a daisy-themed scavenger hunt, where children can search for different types of daisies and learn about their characteristics.
19. Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis):
- Gardening Tip: Lily of the Valley spreads rapidly through rhizomes and prefers moist, shaded areas. Teach children about the delicate bell-shaped flowers and their sweet fragrance.
- Fun Extension Activity: Have children create miniature fairy gardens using Lily of the Valley as a focal point, incorporating small figurines and natural elements.
20. Foxgloves (Digitalis):
- Gardening Tip: Foxgloves are biennial plants that produce flowers in their second year. Show children how to collect foxglove seeds for planting in the garden or for sharing with friends.
- Fun Extension Activity: Teach children about the medicinal uses of foxgloves, such as the production of digitalis for treating heart conditions, while emphasizing the importance of caution and adult supervision.
21. Zinnias (Zinnia):
- Gardening Tip: Zinnias are easy to grow from seeds and prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Encourage children to save zinnia seeds for future planting or to share with classmates.
- Fun Extension Activity: Host a zinnia flower arranging workshop, where children can create colorful bouquets or floral centerpieces using freshly picked zinnias from the garden.
22. Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus):
- Gardening Tip: Cosmos are drought-tolerant and attract butterflies and bees to the garden. Show children how to deadhead spent cosmos flowers to promote continuous blooming.
- Fun Extension Activity: Organize a "cosmic cosmos" stargazing event, where children can enjoy the beauty of cosmos flowers while learning about the cosmos (universe) through storytelling and constellation identification.
23. Morning Glories (Ipomoea):
- Gardening Tip: Morning glories are fast-growing vines that thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Teach children about the unique trumpet-shaped flowers that open in the morning.
- Fun Extension Activity: Have children create morning glory-inspired art using watercolor paints, capturing the vibrant colors and intricate patterns of the flowers.
24. Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum):
- Gardening Tip: Nasturtiums are edible flowers that prefer poor soil and bright sunlight. Show children how to harvest nasturtium seeds for pickling or adding to salads.
- Fun Extension Activity: Organize a "nasturtium tasting party," where children can sample different parts of the nasturtium plant (flowers, leaves, seeds) and vote for their favorite flavors.
Happy Gardening! 💛🌱💚
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