Walking out into your garden and seeing a burst of bright Virginia flowers. Pansies would be dancing in the spring breeze, zinnias burning in the summer sun, and mums adding color to your fall landscape.
At Grow Landscapes, we specialize in creating breathtaking gardens that thrive in Virginia’s climate. This ultimate Virginia flower planting guide will help you determine what to plant, when to plant it, and how to keep your garden blooming all year long.
Understanding Virginia’s Climate & Hardiness Zones
Virginia stretches USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 6, 7, and 8, meaning Virginia planting schedules vary based on your location:
- In Zone 6 (Western Virginia and higher elevations), the growing season is shorter, and the winters are colder.
- The growing season in Zone 7 (Central Virginia) is average, and the winters are warm.
- The growing season is extended in Zone 8 (Coastal Virginia), and the winters are warmer.
Additionally, microclimates play a role in seasonal flower planting in Virginia. Coastal regions experience milder winters, while the Piedmont and mountain regions face harsher frosts. Change the time you plant according to this!
Virginia Flowers Planting Schedule by Season
Virginia’s temperature is very different, so different flowers grow there all year. Here’s a guide for Virginia flower planting to ensure a vibrant garden year-round:
1. Spring Planting (March-May):
Spring is a time for growth, so it’s a great time to plant cold-tolerant annuals and hardy perennials.
- Annuals: Pansies bloom in early March in Zone 8 and mid-March in Zone 7. Petunias bloom in mid-April, and snapdragons bloom in early April.
- Perennials: Black-eyed Susans (early May), phlox (middle of April), and coneflowers (late April) are all perennials.
- Bulbs: Tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths (When to plant bulbs in Virginia for spring blooms? Fall is the best time!).
Tip: Mulch will keep water in the soil and keep weeds from growing.
2. Summer Planting (June – August):
Summer is great because it’s warm, and there are longer days for heat-resistant annuals and perennials.
- Annuals: Zinnias in mid-May, marigolds in late May, and impatiens in early June in partial shade are all annuals.
- Perennials: Daylilies bloom in early June, hostas in late May, need shade, and coreopsis in mid-May.
- Bulbs: Plant gladiolus bulbs in stages from May to June and flowers in early June.
Tip: Deadhead flowers should be planted regularly to encourage continuous blooming.
3. Fall Planting (September – November):
Fall is an excellent time for cool-weather annuals, perennials, and bulbs that bloom in spring.
- Annuals: Mums in early September, ornamental kale (mid-September), and pansies in late September are all annuals.
- Perennials: Asters bloom in early September, sedum blooms in mid-September, and coral bells bloom in late August.
- Bulbs: Daffodils, tulips, hyacinths (when should flowers be planted in Virginia? October-November for spring blooms)
Tip: Plant bulbs 6-8 inches deep for best results!
4. Winter Gardening (December – February):
Winter is the time for garden preparation and planting evergreens for structure and color.
- Late fall planting: Hellebores, winter jasmine, and ornamental grasses can be planted in late fall.
- Winter maintenance: Check the soil pH, add compost, and trim trees and bushes for winter care.
Tip: Use plants that keep their leaves all year to keep your winter garden interesting.
The Virginia Flower Planting Guide also functions as a seasonal gardening resource, assisting gardeners in selecting the best flowers to grow at different times of the year for a vibrant and colorful setting.
Flower Selection Based on Sun Exposure and Soil Type
Choosing the right plants is important for a garden to do well. Consider sunlight and soil conditions:
- Full Sun (6+ hours): Zinnias, coneflowers, marigolds.
- Partial shade (4-6 hours): Impatiens, hostas, coral bells.
- Full Shade (Less than 3 hours): Hellebores, ferns, bleeding hearts.
Tip: Virginia clay soil can be hard to work with; add compost to help it drain better!
Native Virginia Flowers: What They Are and Why They Matter
Native Virginia flowers support local pollinators, require less maintenance, and naturally resist pests.
Benefits of Growing Native Flowers:
- Eco-friendly: It’s good for Virginia’s environment.
- Pollinator-friendly: Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds can get juice from it.
- Low maintenance: It is not hard to care for; it needs less water and fertilizer.
- Disease-resistant: Natural adaptations to Virginia’s conditions make it disease-resistant.
Examples of Native Virginia Flowers:
- Virginia Bluebells: Virginia bluebells have blue flowers that look like bells and bloom early in the spring.
- Black-Eyed Susans: The black-eyed Susan is a hardy yellow plant that grows well in the summer.
- Purple Coneflowers: Purple coneflowers are suitable for dry areas and attract butterflies.
- Goldenrod: Its late-season blooms help insects.
- Witch Hazel: Witch hazel blooms in the late fall and winter.
Tip: Add a monarch butterfly-friendly plant like milkweed to your garden.
Deer-Resistant Flower Options
Deer love to eat plants in parks, but these are some plants they shouldn’t eat:
- Resistant flowers: Daffodils, marigolds, lavender, and salvia.
- Defense strategies: Use fencing, motion-activated sprinklers, or deer repellents.
Microclimate Considerations
What grows well in your yard depends on where you live in Virginia.
- Coastal Virginia (Norfolk, Virginia Beach): Crepe myrtle, lantana, hibiscus.
- Piedmont (Richmond, Charlottesville): Coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, daylilies.
- Mountain Regions (Roanoke, Harrisonburg): Phlox, hostas, sedum.
How to Maintain a Year-Round Flower Garden in Virginia
Achieve continuous blooms by choosing the right flowers and maintaining them properly.
1. Choose Seasonal Flowers: Choose flowers that bloom at different times of the year. Include spring, summer, fall, and winter bloomers.
2. Optimize Growing Conditions: Create the best growing conditions using local plants accustomed to Virginia’s soil and weather.
3. Maintain Your Garden:
- Spring: Trim back shrubs and plant flowers in the spring.
- Summer: Give flowers a lot of water and remove the dead flowers.
- Fall: In the fall, add soil and plant bulbs.
- Winter: Use mulch to shield delicate plants.
4. Encourage Pollinators: Plant flowers high in nectar, such as milkweed, black-eyed Susans, and coneflowers.
5. Consider Texture and Color: Combine shorter plants, such as creeping phlox, with taller ones, like Joe-Pye Weed.
Conclusion
A well-designed Virginia flower garden flourishes year-round with the correct blooms, planting dates, and seasonal care. At Grow Landscapes, we provide professional landscaping services to assist you in creating the ideal flower garden!
Need Professional Landscaping Help? Contact Grow Landscapes today for expert advice and services.
