Planting flowers in Maine successfully is not an easy task, considering that the state sees harsh winters, humid and warm summers, and has muddy soils.
Before deciding which flowers to plant in your Maine garden, you need to be precise with the flower varieties and do proper timing; otherwise, your flowers might never bloom.
When it comes to determining when to plant flowers, you need to identify which USDA zone your Maine flower garden lies in. Knowing the planting zone you live in can be the difference between a flower garden flourishing with showy blooms and producing short, weathered blooms or not blooming.
If you are a new flower gardener in Maine or wish to add new perils and annuals to your existing flower garden, read on to determine when to plant and the flower varieties.
When is the best time to plant flowers in Maine
Timing is essential for planting flowers, whether annuals or perennials. Planting flowers in Maine can be challenging because of the extreme climates and the poor soil structure. However, you can be a very successful flower gardener in Maine if you can properly time and plant your flowers at the right time.
The best time to plant flowers in Maine is after the last frost fall, particularly about two weeks after the last frost.
By this time, the soil is warm enough to support the germination of new flower seeds and growth of flower sets, transplants and bulbs because it will be free from the dangers of frost.
Maine spans USDA plant hardiness zones 3-6, and the last frost date is between May 21 to June 30, while the first frost date is between September 11 to October 10, all depending on the Maine planting zone you live in.
Of importance, these dates may change over the years, so you will need to be keen on the weather forecasts in your locality. There are times when the last frost will come earlier or later than the above dates.
After the last frost fall, you can start making final land preparation practices as you plan to plant flowers outside. If you have potted seedlings indoors, harden them by taking them outside for a few hours every day during the last winter days. This will help them get accustomed to outside conditions before transplanting.
Flowers that can withstand light frost effects can be planted in the first few days after the last frost fall, whereas those that are not cold tolerant should be planted after the soil warms up.
Planting flowers too late will produce short blooms or no blooms due to the extreme scorching sun. Some may wither just a few days after being planted late in spring because most young flowers do not require much sunlight.
When planted too early, they will be killed by frost or the adverse cold temperatures in the soil. Starting flower seeds indoors gives you a jump through the long growing season. You can start the seeds indoors 40 to 80 days before the forecasted last frost fall date.
Which flowers thrive in Maine
Considering the weather conditions, soil structure, and USDA zones of Maine, it is clear that not all flowers can grow in this state. When planning to start a flower garden in Maine, there are several flowers you can choose to plant, both perennials and annuals.
If you are buying readily prepared sets or seedlings, choose the strong and healthy ones to avoid disappointments. Also, make sure that the seedlings were grown in the right conditions before buying to transplant to your flower garden.
Here are some of the flowers that thrive in Maine
- Hyssop
- Foamflower
- Coneflower
- Garden phlox
- Blanket flower
- Shasta daisy
- Rudbeckia
- Black-eyed Susan
- Eastern red columbine
- Bee balm
- Veronica app
- Virginiana
- Aster
- Cinnamon fern
- Dantas
- Day lily
- Hosta
- Hellebores
- Corydalis
- Lamium
- Sedum
Some of the above plants can be planted along property borders to create beautiful hedges, while others can be planted on lawns for landscaping. After planting, add sufficient water to ensure the flowers are not drying up. It is also good to fertilize and apply pesticides and herbicides to control pests and weeds.
When to plant flowers in Maine: Conclusion
Planting flowers in Maine can be fascinating if you follow the planting guidelines for each flower.
Other than planting them in the right way, it is also important to plant flowers at the right time to experience the joy of seeing beautiful blooms light up the view of your home.
Hopefully, this article will help you become a successful flower gardener in Maine.
Related Article: When to Plant a Garden?