If you hurry, there’s still time to plant some hardy annuals like the pansies, snapdragon, and Dianthus transplants above.
They’ll bloom though spring rain, sleet, and snow; then peak in late May or early June.
After that you can toss spent plants on the compost pile and use the space for summer flowers.
It’s crop rotation for flower gardeners–Hardy annuals are an easy way to bring more blooms into your southern garden and have more than one season of flowers in your beds.
I grow them from transplant. These came from the awesome Campbell Road Nursery (off Tryon Road in Cary) for just 10 dollars a flat. 
I also grow hardy annuals from seed. The larkspur above were sown in the fall.
These baby Nigella were raked in the garden in January. As the weather warms, they’ll grow like weeds. Hardy annuals are EASY, which means more newbie gardeners should them a try.
Annual poppies, and sweet peas can also be grown this way in triangle gardens. Any other suggestions. What hardy annuals would you add to the list?
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March 4, 2012 at 6:33 pm
K. Melissa Kennedy
If anyone is looking for a great b-day present for someone…consider giving a flat of these annuals…
I have been a bit swamped these days and Chris gave me some of these…it is truly the gift that keeps on giving!
Happy Gardening! Seed planting season is coming. Get ready to get those tomato seeds in their lil pots!
m
March 8, 2012 at 6:49 am
christineramsey
Aren’t we lucky to have spring birthdays? I love getting and giving plants to celebrate occassions. For years my sweet brother sent me a gift card for mulch. Another great present!
May 10, 2012 at 5:54 pm
Dabney
Question about larkspur: I was so excited to read about it last year in your blog. I sowed seeds after Thanksgiving, have watched them grow and they’re just about ready to pop with bloom. today I went out and about a third of them have been chewed off about 6 inches above the ground–not eaten– just chewed through the stems and left the wilted tops on the ground. I’m so disappointed! I know we have rabbits around but they usually eat off the tops of smaller, tenderer plants and leave a couple of inches of growth. Any ideas what kind of critter/pest could be responsible?
May 11, 2012 at 3:05 pm
christineramsey
I am sorry that happened. You must be very dissappointed.
I’m thinking it’s the work of rogue squirrels who seem to be behind most wanton destruction in my garden. Not much you can do about it–Just plant more in the fall. (I have a friend who lives near Duke Forest and always plants extra for the deer that roam into his garden. Nice that his deer aren’t so famished they eat everything he has)
Larkspur are posionous to man and beast so your critters probably paid for that chewing with a big hang overs. Let’s hope they learned their lesson and will tell future generations to stay away from those plants. Better luck next time. C