Some years it feels like the plants are slow to wake up in the spring. It always makes it more fun then to go the nursery and see what plants are already awake and ready to shine. Huge thanks to Wildland Nursery in Joseph, Utah for their help with this post. 

Candy Tuft (Iberis sempervirens) - This little perennial groundcover only gets about 12" tall by 12" wide. The leaves are evergreen so they will provide a touch of color in winter, when they aren't covered in snow. It blooms in spring and has been known to repeat bloom in fall, offering a lot of seasonal interest for such a small plant.

Burgundy Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata) - Blanket flowers come in shades of yellow, orange and red, frequently with multiple colors on one flower. These hardy flowers will grow up to 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide. They are adaptable on their water requirements and can be forgiving of a little abuse. These beauties will bloom for most of the summer and are good for attracting butterflies.

Garden Pinks (Dianthus sp.) - These little gems can grow about 12 inches tall by 18 inches wide. They come in a variety of pink shades and multi-tones. They will bloom from spring into summer. They are another hardy, drought tolerant perennial that will survive tough situations and still look great. They are even deer resistant.

Coral Bells (Heuchera sp.) - These diverse wonders grow 12 to 18 inches tall and wide. Coral Bells are another evergreen perennial, so you can enjoy their leaves year round. Don't just think they are another little green winter blob. Coral bells not only bloom in a variety of shades including white, pink, and red, but the leaves can be green, purple, bronze or two tone (some even changes colors throughout the year). These lovelies bloom from spring to summer and enjoy full sun down to part shade.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) - Yarrow are popular in dried arrangements, but they are even prettier in full color. They have fern-like leaves and come in a variety of colors, including several varieties that have multiple shades on the same plant. These are hardy desert perennials and will thrive in most locations.

Columbine (Aquilegia sp.) - Columbine are a native streambank plant in Utah. The more cultivated varieties come in a large selection of colors. These plants can grow up to 3 feet tall by 2 feet wide. They are available in single colors including white, yellow and blue. They also come in several multiple color varieties, like this one. They will bloom from spring through summer and do well in both sun and part shade. 

Lavender (Lavendula) - How can we have a spring all-star list and not include Lavender. Their purple blooms are so lovely and the fragrance can't be beat. There are many types of lavender, so make sure you choose the best one for you and your site. They like hot sun and range from 12 inches tall and wide to 3 feet tall and wide. You can even find lavender varieties that will rebloom in the fall.

The nurseries are open, so if your yard isn't blooming yet, get out and meets some plants at your local nursery.

Here is Part 4 in our series of springtime activities and fun in the yard, and this one is for the children again.
11 - Make a bird feeder - there are so many options whether it's birdseed rolled onto toilet paper roll or a more complex reusable feeder. Pick one that is right for you, your children, and your yard then wait and see how many birds stop by for a snack.
12 - It's always fun in the spring to watch as the plants awake from winter. Take time every few days to see what plants have buds and which buds are opening. Watch as grasses and flowers emerge from the ground. 
13 - Check out the internet for a variety of kids crafts that use leaves, twigs, and seeds. You can make dragonflies out of twigs and maple seeds or weave something with willow branches.
14 - Sometimes we forgot the wonder of simple things. Have a camp out in your own backyard. Bring out a tent or sleep under the stars. If you don't have a BBQ or Fire pit, you can buy a simple single use pan to create a little ambiance.
15 - As long as you are lighting things on fire, why not roast some hot dogs. 
16 - Play Games! The best part of childhood was all the games we used to play in the yard from Frisbee and ball, to tag, hide and seek, kick the can, Annie-I-Over, Red Rover, mock battles, and so much more.
17 - Go on a rock hunt. See who can find the most colorful rock, the most interesting shape, the most unique. Go up in the foothills and see what minerals and rocks you can find and identify.
18 - Create something out of rocks or items found in the yard. Recycled art can be fun and entertaining. Consider having an art show and contest within your family, neighborhood, or town.
19 - Hide special "Love" rocks around town. Find good size rocks, paint them with fun colors and right special messages on them. Then hide the rocks around town and let people come onto the surprise of finding them.
20 - There are lots of challenges going on social media right now. Considering having a dance off or acting out your own show or movie. 

I think we got lost there for a little bit. So here is the continuation of things you can be doing outside in your yard to relieve the boredom and isolation of social distancing.
Things to do in your Yard (continued)
11- Lay a stepping stone path - why walk on dirt or patchy lawn when you can lay down a few stones and have an actual path. You can lay down more stones and make a more formal path or just lay down a few and have an informal path. If you read or first 10 ideas for activities with kids then this is a great use for those custom concrete pavers you made with the kids.
12- If you have rock mulch in your yard, now is a good time to pull of the rocks, clean them out, check the fabric, and relay everything down. You can also add more rocks or a different color of rock mulch. This is also a great time to add gravel to a parking area or right of way edge.
13- Since we are talking rocks, why not consider adding a decorative boulder or two to your yard. They add year-round vertical interest and they restrict the growth of weeds.
14- Spring is a great time for trimming things back and easing your summer maintenance load. Why not take this time to pull the lawn away from your tree trunks. Every time you edge next to a tree you end up damaging the tree and increasing the chance of diseases and insects infesting your trees. Lawn also has a hard time competing for resources when it is close to the trunk.
15- Maybe you have the block or concrete landscape edge sections that never stay put. Now is a great time to replace that edging with something more permanent like concrete or aluminum. Shallow roots will always push edgings around, but the precast blocks will always move more than a continuous edge.
16- There is nothing like a fresh coat of paint to spruce things up. Spring is a great time to repaint or seal the fence and/or deck. You might enjoy it so much that you'll want to touch up the paint around the house too.
17- Of course, if your going to repaint the fence, you might want to check for damage and replace any pieces that need to be fixed. A well-maintained fence can go a long way in improving the look of a yard.
18- Maybe you have a drainage issue or the downspout on the rain gutter is broken. Now is a great time to implement a drainage ditch or channel to more water away from the house. You can also put a decorative rock channel in just to add interest and variety to the yard. You might consider replacing the broken downspout with a decorative rain chain. 
19- If this confinement continues, you might find yourself entertaining the family at home more this summer. Now is a great time to put in a new patio/deck or extend an existing one. Patio areas can be as simple as a little edging and some compacted gravel.
20- Once the rain starts to clear out a little more, its time to clean the patio furniture. Start the summer BBQ season off with clean furniture that is ready to host.

Spring is a great time to clean and refresh. The weather is cool enough to enjoy being outside and the fresh air always feels good.  We still have more suggestions for children to go, so keep checking back.