EDDIE SEAGLE: Spring is in the air, time for color

“In the spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours.” Mark Twain. “No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.” Hal Borland.

Spring is in the air and Easter (April 5) is near (spring officially arrives on Friday). The weather outside is so spring-like (cool mornings and nights with warm days). How wonderful it would be to experience an entire three-month season of this weather. Easter can fall in a period of 35 days between March 22 and April 25 because it is calculated as the first Sunday after the first full moon (the Paschal Full Moon) following the March equinox.

However, spring is here and color is beginning to take its position on nature’s stage throughout the area. The saucer magnolias and Bradford pears are blooming. The azaleas and dogwoods and other flowering plants will follow with a wonderful and scenic display of color that will be mind-boggling. Any pruning for shape or form on these plants should take place after blooming and before bud set for next year.

Remember to feed your roses and turfgrasses. Also, feed your azaleas and dogwoods after they complete their blooming cycle. Be sure to follow recommended rates and frequency of application of fertilizer material for each type of flower, plant, shrub or tree. Other pointers are listed as follows.

Annuals: Fertilize your bedding plants during the planting process. Apply a granular mix (water soluble, fast release) once each month or a liquid fertilizer every two weeks. Also, the application of a slow release (granular) fertilizer would be available for plant uptake over a period of several months. Be sure to plant sun-loving ones in the sunny areas and shade-loving ones in the shade according to mature growth height and design practices. Read the labels and save them for seasonal reference.

Begonias: Plant begonias for beautiful foliage and a constant display of color throughout the season. They can be planted as bedding plants, in window boxes and in hanging baskets and other containers. Most begonias grow well in partial shade and in a moist, well-drained soil. Begonias generally need bright light to flower effectively but some will burn if the light is too intense. The bronze-leaved wax begonias grow better in full sun than other types. Begonias are fertilizer-sensitive so follow label recommendations and use lightly.

Cannas: Begin planting cannas in full sun for the best flower display. However, massed in part-shade their tall, lush foliage can provide an excellent background for annuals or perennial borders. Plant canna roots about 5-inches deep and 12- to 18-inches apart.

Caladiums: Coordinate placement of plant colors to assure masses of a single color, as well as complementation of colors. Most selections grow best in the shade. However, Aaron, Lance, Whorton, Red Frill, Pink Cloud, among others will withstand more sunlight than most common ones.

Daffodils: Next year’s flowers depend on proper watering and fertilizing at this time. Fertilize daffodils as they finish blooming. Use a low nitrogen fertilizer (such as 4-8-8 or 4-0-8) and apply at rate of