Gardeners fortunate enough to reside in a Mediterranean climate get to begin their yearly flower garden in autumn and winter. This planting schedule stipulates the gardener fewer weeds and, consequently, a simpler time preparing the dirt. In addition, it allows for earlier bloom in the spring. Annie Hayes of Annie’s Annuals and Perennials indicate that you start your yearly dwarf flower garden no later than February.
California Poppy
For early spring bloom, plant dwarf California poppies (Eschscholzia caespitosa). These diminutive doppelgangers of the bigger California state flower develop from 6 to 12 inches in height — roughly half that of the standard poppy — and create the same sunny yellow-orange-colored blossom. Dwarf California poppies require full sun but do best in rocky, gravelly, unimproved dirt.
Cornflower
Not many plants blossom in blue blooms, which makes the bachelor’s button — which does — among the most popular for your yearly garden. The dwarf bachelor’s button, or cornflower (Centaurea cyanus dwarf “Tom Pouce Blue”), rises from 12 to 18 inches in height in sunlight. Seeds may be sown in autumn in mild winter areas for an early spring blossom.
Begonia
Ideal for the shady spot on your yearly garden, dwarf wax begonias (Begonia semperflorens ) blossom in mid-to-late spring. The Bada Bing collection involves the cultivar “Rose Bicolor,” which rises 8 to 10 inches tall and bears pale pink blooms with white centers. These delicious wax begonias are easy to grow in containers, so you could consider growing them on a sheltered terrace or even indoors.
Calendula
It is almost always a great idea to plan the yearly garden in order that something is constantly in blossom. Consider dwarf calendula (Calendula officinalis “Fiesta Gitana”), also called the pot marigold, when you need a late-spring bloomer to include various shades of orange. Even though standard-size calendula can rise to 3 feet in height, the dwarf variety stops growing when it reaches 1 foot tall. Give it full sun.