Are there small flowers that can be grown in the lawn for spring bloom?
Question:
I’d like to know if there are small flowers that can be grown in the lawn for spring blooming that will be either done blooming or low enough when my husband mows the lawn that they don’t get cut?
Answer:
Which low-blooming flowers will work for you depends a little on where you are located.
If you are in Zone 4 (the colder part of the state) then you probably won’t have to mow until mid to late May. Any bulb listed in the catalog as early spring and “naturalizing” will work for you and some that are also low growing include:
Muscari (grape hyacinth), Crocus and Siberian Squill. All of these should be past bloom and their strap like foliage should be lower than 4″ but if not they can be mowed. These also naturalize nicely. Other options to grow around the perimeter might be Bloodroot, ranunculus, anemones, bluets, and creeping thyme. Some novelty bulbs include Chionodoxa (Glory of the Snow), Puschkinia (striped squill), and species tulip. Remember these bulbs would need to be planted in the fall.
If you are in zone 5 the spring moves quickly so the lower growing it is the better off –Bluets, crocus, squill, and Chionodoxa work best.
If you are willing to do “No mow May” (click on the underlined blue text for more info) the options open up to things like Forget me nots and some wildflowers will all be possible. Violets, clover, and dandelions are natural first responders to an unmowed lawn. If you go that route then this tip sheet will help.
If you want to “get the lawn back” under strict control then encourage the wildflower but don’t let the dandelions or violets form clumps. Clover is a great addition to any lawn from a pollinator’s point of view but you will need to mow high all summer so the flowers can form.
I have attached a picture of my backyard in mid-May last year. We mow the front and side and let the flowers bloom in back. I am in zone 5. We mow in early June and the yard is shady by then.
