Spring Flowers & Vegetables

Spring is the best season to plant our plants and flowers. Which flowers are best to plant in spring? In this category you will find all the spring flowers you can sow in the spring months to brighten up your balcony, pots and garden. Very easy to germinate, with lots of seeds per packet: colourful, beautiful ornamental flowers for temperatures above 18°C.

The main things most plants and flowers need to grow are warmth, moisture and light. Spring is the season when temperatures start to rise and stay above 15-18°C, while the bright spring sunshine gives our plants the light they need.

Depending on the local climate, spring arrives earlier or later: Crete and southern Greece, for example, warm up earlier, while spring comes a little later in northern Greece. Climate also depends on the location and the lie of the land, for example whether it is at altitude or by the sea. Even so, it is safe to say that by mid-April we can start planting our flowers and plants, either directly in pots and in the garden or, even better if possible, indoors, moving them outside once the weather improves.

So spring is the season to plant flowers that will grow and bloom within 2-3 months, towards the end of spring or during the summer. As you will see, the seed packets for most ornamental plants and flowers on our site do not state a number of seeds, as they contain more than 100 and often more than 500 seeds, so only the weight in grams is given. So what can we plant from April to June?

Why Is Spring the Best Season for Growing?

Spring is the best time of year to start your own garden. The main things most plants and flowers need to grow and bloom are warmth, moisture and light. In spring the temperature rises and the icy wind turns into a cool breeze, while the bright spring sunshine gives our plants the light they need. It is the season when bees get to work carrying pollen from plant to plant, pollinating them so that fruiting can begin. So it is the perfect time to start growing your own vegetables or ornamental plants and enjoy a garden, flower bed or balcony full of scent and colour. In spring we can plant flowers that will grow and bloom within 2-3 months, towards the end of spring or during the summer. It is not as difficult as you might think, and growing plants from seed to maturity is one of the most rewarding experiences in gardening!

Which Are the Spring Months?

Spring begins after mid-March and lasts until mid-June. Depending on the local climate, spring arrives earlier or later: Crete and southern Greece, for example, are warmer, so spring comes earlier, while it arrives a little later in northern Greece. Climate also depends on the location and the lie of the land, for example whether it is at altitude or by the sea. Even so, it is safe to say that by mid-April we can start planting our flowers and plants, either directly in pots and in the garden or, even better if possible, indoors, moving them outside once the weather improves.

Which Vegetables Can We Plant in Spring?

Many of the vegetables we cook with every day or eat raw in salads are grown in spring. We all look for good, fresh and increasingly organic produce, especially for young children, but we are often let down. Lack of time and the pace of daily life even lead us to frozen vegetables, without thinking about the nutrients and vitamins that are lost. Perhaps it is time to create our own vegetable patch in the garden or even on the balcony? Below you will find the vegetables you can choose to start growing your own!

TOMATO

Tomatoes are rich in vitamins such as A, B, C and E, antioxidants, minerals and flavonoids, including the antioxidant lycopene. Tomatoes are eaten every day in countless ways. Spring is the right time to start growing them, as they need warm, moist soil and cannot tolerate low temperatures. Depending on the variety, the colour and size of the fruit can vary.

CARROT

Carrots can be sown in both spring and autumn, as they need plenty of sunshine but not very high temperatures. They are easy to grow in the ground as well as in raised beds or pots, and are rich in vitamins, fibre and antioxidants.

CABBAGE

Cabbage is grown in early spring or in autumn. It loves the sun, but in spring it is best to choose a partly shaded spot to protect it from the high temperatures of the following summer. It is eaten raw or cooked and contains vitamins A and C, folate, phosphorus, sulphur, potassium, sodium, magnesium and manganese.

GREEN BEANS

Green beans are one of our favourite summer vegetables, enjoyed in salads or cooked Greek-style in olive oil (ladera). They are sown in spring and crop in summer and autumn. They are a rich source of fibre and B vitamins, and also provide protein, antioxidants and minerals.

SWEETCORN

Sweetcorn, which we all love, is another spring vegetable. Whichever variety we choose, it is ideally sown in spring and the cobs are harvested 2-4 months later, depending on the variety. It is nutritious, providing protein, vitamins and antioxidants. It grows well alongside beans, potatoes, courgettes or cucumbers.

Which Flowers Do We Plant in Spring?

Spring is the season when the weather warms up and we all slowly start enjoying time on our balcony or in the garden. It is also the season of flowers, blossom and fruit. If you see gardens and balconies decorated with beautiful, colourful flowers and feel envious, you should know it is very easy to do the same. There are lots of spring flowers, so you have lots of choice! You can choose plants with lush foliage or colourful flowers, or even mixes in many colours.

SNAPDRAGON

A favourite flower for young and old, named after its blooms which, when squeezed, open up like a dragon's mouth (in Greek it is called the "little dog")! It is sown in early spring in a sunny spot with well-draining soil. It is an ornamental plant, ideal for decorating gardens, flower beds or balconies with its big, richly coloured flowers in shades of red, orange or yellow.

PETUNIA

The petunia is one of the most beautiful spring flowers. It has large, richly coloured flowers in every shade imaginable, and even two-tone varieties that brighten up gardens and balconies! It loves the sun and needs fertile, well-draining soil. It is planted in spring and flowers all summer long and into autumn.

VIOLA

The viola, also known as the violet, is an annual or perennial herbaceous plant with fragrant, colourful flowers. It is grown in spring in a shady but warm spot with plenty of moisture. There are varieties with single or double flowers in red, yellow, purple, pink or white, ideal for decorating the garden or balcony. It flowers from spring to autumn, and cut flowers last for several days in a vase, bringing scent and beauty to a corner of your home.

DAISY

The daisy, known to us all, is one of the favourite flowers of spring. It needs a sunny position, well-draining soil and regular watering, especially in the summer months. It flowers from early spring until the first cold spell of autumn and is easy to grow in both gardens and pots!

CARNATIONS

The carnation is one of the best-known and most common ornamental plants of spring. It is quite hardy but needs plenty of water in summer. Its colourful, dense flowers brighten up gardens and balconies from early spring until November! Cut stems last a long time in a vase!

PANSY

The pansy is grown mainly as an ornamental. It is a flower that tolerates low temperatures and can be grown both in the ground and in pots. Its beautiful, vividly coloured flowers are used in bouquets and in event decorations.

BEGONIA

The begonia is a beautiful ornamental plant for indoors or outdoors. It flowers from spring to autumn, giving us fragrant, richly coloured flowers. As it is fairly sensitive to low temperatures, it can be brought indoors in winter.

DAHLIA

The dahlia is a perennial herbaceous plant native to Mexico and Colombia. There are many dahlia species (more than thirty), and the number of varieties keeps growing as breeders create many new hybrids every year. It flowers in summer and autumn, giving us stunning, impressive blooms.

Which Spring Flowers Will You Find at Flowerstore?

In our shop you will find all the popular spring flowers as well as many others that are just as impressive, such as the campanula with its beautiful bell-shaped flowers in many colours, godetia which is ideal for flower beds or borders, gypsophila, gladiolus and many more to brighten up and enrich your garden or balcony!

AQUILEGIA

Aquilegia (columbine) is a fast-growing perennial herbaceous plant that flowers in spring and summer. It is an easy plant that prefers partial shade, needs plenty of water and is quite frost-hardy. Its large flowers have striking two-tone colours that make them really special. Aquilegia flowers are edible and are used in salads or to garnish dishes.

GAZANIA

Gazania is one of the most striking spring flowers. It is grown as an ornamental because it is very hardy and its flowers are truly special. They look like daisies but are much bigger, with two-tone petals in many shades. After sunset or on cloudy days gazania flowers close, opening again as soon as the sun comes out!

DELPHINIUM

Delphinium (larkspur) is an ornamental flower that is sown in spring and grows extremely fast. It tolerates low temperatures and in summer prefers sunny spots sheltered from the wind. It grows upright and can reach up to one metre tall. Its many small flowers come in shades such as blue, pink, white and purple. Please note that the plant is toxic if eaten, so keep it away from children and pets. In ancient times it was used in folk medicine.

ZINNIA

The zinnia is an annual ornamental herbaceous plant that flowers in spring and keeps blooming all summer long. It comes from Mexico, where the Aztecs grew it and, according to tradition, called it "mal de ojos" (sickness of the eyes) because of its dazzling beauty; from there it spread around the world. Zinnias are chosen for the beautiful colour combinations they create in the garden or on the balcony.

AGERATUM

Ageratum is an easy, undemanding ornamental plant that impresses with its small purple flowers, which can cover all of its foliage. Its flowers appear in tufts on its branches. It flowers profusely throughout the warm months of the year and is traditionally said to help keep mosquitoes away!

CELOSIA

Celosia (cockscomb) is a low-maintenance ornamental plant that can decorate your garden or balcony. It is also known as "cockscomb" because of the shape of its flowers. Celosia flowers all summer long, with richly coloured blooms in shades such as purple, yellow and pink. Although it is an ornamental plant, in some countries celosia is also eaten as a vegetable.

NASTURTIUM

Nasturtium impresses with its distinctive velvety flowers in yellow-orange shades, which are edible and often decorate our salads! It is easy to grow, flowers during the summer and loves sunny spots.

Which Spring Vegetables Will You Find at Flowerstore?

PEPPER

Whichever of the many pepper varieties we choose, they all share one thing: they are easy to grow, as peppers don't need much care. Depending on the variety, the fruit can be long and conical, round or tomato-shaped, with a sweet or hot flavour. Peppers are sown in spring, in the ground or in pots, and we enjoy the fruit in summer and autumn. They are an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin C and potassium, and also provide fibre, folate and iron. And for the more daring, there is the Carolina Reaper, one of the hottest chillies in the world!

PUMPKIN

Pumpkin seeds need a warm climate and moisture to germinate. Ideally, sow them after mid-spring. Pumpkins are grown both for their sweet flesh and for their edible flowers. They are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and, being low in calories, are a good choice for anyone watching their weight. The largest pumpkin variety, grown worldwide by professional growers who enter competitions, is known as Atlantic Giant.

CUCUMBER

After mid-spring, as soon as the weather warms up, is the ideal time to plant cucumbers directly in the ground or in a pot, so that in summer we can enjoy our own home-grown cucumbers. Cucumbers are refreshing and hydrating, and contain antioxidants, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and manganese as well as a range of vitamins such as K, C, B1, B2, B3, B5 and B6.
Cucumbers are usually green and elongated, like the familiar Cucumis sativus, but this can vary depending on the variety.

Flowerstore.gr recommends:

Huge, gorgeous dahlias with dinner-plate-sized flowers! If you want something easy to plant that will impress everyone who visits your balcony or garden, giant dahlia bulbs are the answer! Dahlias can be planted from early March and are very easy to plant, as they have often already sprouted in their packaging. Because they are bulbs, you simply put them in the soil, water them and watch the beautiful dahlia grow and bloom. See our spring dahlias by clicking on their category HERE. Dahlias in striking black or two-tone dahlias!