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Fun with Foliage
The Joys of Springtime Planting
By Penny Powell
Other kid-friendly bulbs for planting include different types of lilies. An Easter lily, for instance, will go a long way by blooming again the following year. "After you've enjoyed the Easter blossoms inside, you can plant the plant outside in full to partial sun," Royce says. Royce suggests that parents and children "mark the plant with a little marker denoting the year, and plant a new lily every year."
Royce realizes that young children usually prefer seeing quick results after their gardening efforts. Caladiums are at the top of her list of best bulbs to grow with young children. Because the beauty of caladiums is found in the leaves, "you don't have to wait for the plant to bloom to appreciate its beauty," Royce says. Like cannas, caladiums, which come in combinations of green and white, pink and white and red and white, should be planted after the danger of frost has past.
Jennifer James, a mother from Chapel Hill, N.C., enjoys planting bulbs indoors with her children. They currently have daffodils, tulips and paperwhites growing in their home. James says her girls, ages 6 and 4, "are absolutely amazed at the growth of the leaves, and then, voila, here come the flowers!"
For Royce, sunflowers are her top choice for spring flowers that are funand easy. Like cannas, sunflowers are so enjoyable to plant because of how tall they can grow – 6 to 8 feet. You can begin growing them indoors. When growing them outdoors, be sure to plant them in a spot where they won't block other plants from receiving sunlight.