18 Easy-To-Grow Flowers For School Playgrounds
Every school essentially includes playgrounds as a fundamental component. They serve as the space where youthful imaginations escape the classroom’s limitations and plunge into an environment filled with pure creativity, enjoyment, and educational experiences. The addition of flowers, boasting their vibrant colors and captivating aromas, can greatly amplify the attractiveness of the playground, turning it into an area that is more inviting, energetic, and conducive to inspiration.
Flowers aren’t just for aesthetics. They also play a significant role in children’s learning and development. They invite a diverse array of insects and birds, promoting an understanding of the natural world and providing countless opportunities for discovery and learning. Moreover, they can be an excellent way to introduce kids to gardening, a rewarding hobby that teaches patience, responsibility, and the science of life.
So, here are 18 easy-to-grow flowers that would be perfect for a school playground.
1. Marigolds
First on our list is the vibrant and undeniably cheerful Marigold. Known for their sun-like disposition, these golden beauties are robust, requiring minimal care and often thriving in various conditions. This resilience makes them an excellent choice for a school playground where they can withstand the elements, the occasional football, and the hands of curious children.
Marigold’s sturdy nature, bright colors, and quick growth provide instant gratification, encouraging the children to develop an interest in gardening. Also, marigolds are known to repel certain insects, creating a more pleasant playground environment. For added convenience, you can find marigold flowers that you can order online, ensuring a simple start to your playground beautification project.
2. Sunflowers
Sunflowers, with their towering height and large, friendly faces, are an undeniable crowd-pleaser. They’re a symbol of happiness and optimism, perfectly reflecting the spirit of a playground. Plus, they can offer an exciting growth journey for children to observe.
3. Pansies
Pansies are delightful and hardy flowers that bloom in a wide range of colors. Their tolerance to frost makes them an ideal flower for climates with colder seasons.
4. Snapdragons
Snapdragons are fascinating and interactive flowers that can provide hours of fun for children. Their ‘dragon mouth’ petals open and close when gently squeezed, making them an engaging and educational addition to any playground.
5. Petunias
Known for their abundant blooms, petunias are a vibrant addition to any school playground or garden. They are easy to care for and bloom throughout the summer, providing a colorful display for months on end.
6. Zinnias
Zinnias are bright, daisy-like flowers that can add a splash of color to the playground. They are resilient flowers that can grow in different soil types and weather conditions, making them suitable for various geographical locations.
7. Nasturtiums
With their unique, lily-pad like leaves and bright, edible flowers, nasturtiums are a fun addition to any playground. They can teach children about edible plants and offer a hands-on way to learn about nature’s bounty.
8. Cosmos
Cosmos are an easy-to-grow flower with a variety of colors, from white and pink to dark red. Their tall, delicate stems and vibrant blooms can bring a touch of elegance to a playground.
9. Asters
Asters, with their star-shaped flowers, can add a celestial touch to a school playground. These robust perennials are late bloomers, bringing color and life to the garden when many other flowers have stopped blooming.
10. Sweet Alyssum
Sweet Alyssum is known for its delicate clusters of small flowers and sweet fragrance. It can create a carpet of blooms that not only look beautiful but also attract beneficial insects to the playground.
11. Impatiens
Impatiens are a shade-loving flower, perfect for those areas of the playground that don’t get a lot of sun. They come in a variety of colors and are very low maintenance, making them a great addition to a school garden.
12. Daisies
Daisies are simple yet captivating, with their bright white petals and yellow centers. These perennial flowers are highly durable and easy to grow, making them a perfect choice for a playground garden.
13. Lavender
With its relaxing fragrance and beautiful purple flowers, lavender can add a soothing touch to a playground. It’s also a wonderful way to introduce children to the idea of using plants for their calming properties.
14. Calendula
Calendulas are another type of marigold with healing properties. They can be used to demonstrate the concept of medicinal plants to children.
15. Geraniums
The geranium, an often-underestimated beauty in the floral world, brings forth an undeniable charm that would enhance any school playground. Native to South Africa, these hardy perennials have made a name for themselves worldwide due to their vibrant hues, ranging from whites and pinks to purples and blues. They are known for their abundant blossoms that last from spring until fall, consistently offering a delightful show of colors.
One of the many alluring features of geraniums is their resilience. They are incredibly hardy flowers, known for their adaptability to a variety of weather conditions, making them a fantastic addition to any garden regardless of geographical location. Whether planted in pots, hanging baskets, or directly in the ground, these robust flowers hold the ability to thrive, making them a perfect companion for children’s interaction and learning.
16. Roses
While roses may require a bit more care than some other flowers on this list, the payoff is worth it. With their beautiful blooms and pleasant scent, they can add a touch of classic beauty to a playground.
17. Wildflowers
Wildflowers are an assortment of different flowers that can grow naturally in a particular region. They are often hardy and require little care, making them a fantastic low-maintenance choice.
18. Chrysanthemums
Lastly, Chrysanthemums, with their brilliant array of colors and shapes, can be a vibrant addition to a school playground. They bloom in the fall, providing late-year color when most other flowers have stopped blooming.
In Conclusion
Growing flowers in a school playground can transform it into an outdoor classroom where children learn about nature, growth, and life cycles. It can foster a sense of responsibility and ownership among the students, and more importantly, make their playground experience more beautiful and memorable.
So, pick a few from this list, and let’s start planting. Because nothing says ‘welcome’ to a child like a playground bursting with the colors and life of blooming flowers. After all, as the renowned horticulturist Gertrude Jekyll once said, “A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all, it teaches entire trust.”
