A pretty (and edible!) planting for early spring
By: Garden Gate staff
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Beautiful edibles!
The fresh new growth and bright colors of spring are a welcome relief from winter!
But since there’s still the lingering danger of a late frost or two this time of year, these cold-tolerant beauties are the best way to kick off container season. Plant these vibrant hues where you’ll see them often and click ahead to find out more.
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Container recipe
This colorful no-fuss combo even provides a few greens for fresh salads. Swiss chard takes summer heat better than its companions here. This variety is slow to bolt, or form flowers, which can spoil the taste of the leaves. Though ornamental kale is related to the edible kind, it tends to be bitter (but you can still use it as an attractive garnish).
Add a skirt of trailing snapdragons, and they’ll soften the edge with continuous color all through spring. If plants start to fade in the summer heat, keep watering and provide afternoon shade. They will most likely revive when cool weather returns in fall.
A – ‘Silverado’ Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris) Tender perennial; white leaf stalks from spring to fall; full sun to part shade; 18 to 24 in. tall, 9 to 12 in. wide; cold zones 7 to 11, heat zones 12 to 1
B – ‘Osaka White’ ornamental kale (Brassica oleracea) Tender perennial; white new growth in spring and fall; full sun to part shade; 8 to 12 in. tall, 10 to 15 in. wide; cold zones 7 to 11, heat zones 12 to 1
C – Candy Showers White snapdragon (Antirrhinum) Tender perennial; white flowers spring to fall; full sun to part shade; 5 to 7 in. tall, 10 to 12 in. wide; cold zones 7 to 10, heat zones 12 to 1
D – Candy Showers Yellow snapdragon (Antirrhinum) Tender perennial; yellow flowers spring to fall; full sun to part shade; 5 to 7 in. tall, 10 to 12 in. wide; cold zones 7 to 10, heat zones 12 to 1
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