We turned apex predators into neurotic four-legged roommates who ignore us, so it only follows that we treat the flower bed with equal confidence. Grab the pellets and let the spring bribery begin.

With that said, these are the flowers I’ve noticed bloom better when I give them a little help in spring.

Time to Pay the Bloom Tax

Modern home gardening relies on fertilizers because we’ve interrupted the natural loop. In the wild, plants grow, die, and decompose where they stand, slowly feeding the soil again.

In our gardens, we deadhead, prune, rake, and haul all that plant material away. And every time we do that, we’re also removing some of the nutrients those plants pulled from the soil.

So, when we feed them in spring, we’re replacing a little of what we stole so they can handle another round of our aesthetic demands. But that doesn’t mean every flower bed needs to be buried under fertilizer!

1. Phlox

Because it grows so densely, the trick is getting the food to the soil instead of sprinkling it on top like expensive glitter.

How I do it: After it finishes blooming, I sprinkle a light slow-release balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10 or 5-5-5, around the edge of the plant and water it in well.

If you prefer making the plant bribes yourself, we also explain organic fertilizers you can make from kitchen scraps.

2. Black-Eyed Susans

Nurseries stock Black-eyed susans because they are tough to kill, which is exactly the kind of plant most of us deserve.

While they survive on almost nothing, a light spring feeding can help if the soil is poor or the plants look weak. But since their roots sit fairly close to the surface, I scratch the fertilizer gently into the top inch of soil and water it in.

How I do it: In early spring, I sprinkle about 1/4 cup of balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10 or 5-5-5, over every 10 square feet, then lightly work it into the soil and water well.

3. Blanket Flower

Gaillardia doesn’t have an off switch. It throws out flowers like it’s being paid per petal, then has the nerve to keep going in heat that makes everything else look dramatic.

Stay away from high nitrogen, though. That can leave you with a bloated heap of leaves and the kind of soft growth aphids love. These plants thrive on a lean diet, so don’t try to bribe them with rich soil or heavy feeding.

How I do it: In spring, I usually skip fertilizer unless the plant looks weak. If it does need help, I use a small pinch of balanced slow-release fertilizer, such as 5-5-5, around the base and water it in.

4. Coneflowers

Coneflowers are native to the eastern and central U.S., largely because they are stubborn enough to survive without much hand-holding.

How I do it: In early spring, I add compost around the base or use about 1 tablespoon of balanced slow-release fertilizer, such as 5-5-5 or 10-10-10, per plant, then water it in well.

We also wrote a full guide on growing and caring for coneflowers if you want them to look smug for the right reasons.

5. Tickseed

Tickseed handles heat better than most of us, but it has a nasty habit of falling over. In July, I shear the plant back by about one-third to tidy it up and encourage another round of blooms. Too much fertilizer only makes the floppiness worse, so I keep the feeding light and let shearing do the real work.

How I do it: In spring, I only fertilize weak plants with a small amount of balanced slow-release fertilizer, such as 5-5-5, around the base, then water it in.

If you’re already in bloom-maintenance mode, we also have a guide on flowers to deadhead in May for continuous blooms.

6. Beardtongue

Commonly sold as ‘Husker Red’ or ‘Dark Towers,’ beardtongue has stunning tubular flowers. It prefers lean soil, so a light dusting is enough, and only if the soil is poor or the plant looks weak. Otherwise, I let it get on with the drama by itself.

How I do it: In spring, I use compost or about 1 tablespoon of balanced slow-release fertilizer, such as 5-5-5, spread lightly around the root zone, then water it in.

7. Blue Wild Indigo

Since Baptisia is a legume, it can handle its own nitrogen. But it also has a deep taproot, so once it settles in, it does not appreciate being fussed with like a needy annual.

How I do it: In early spring, I add compost around the base or use about 1 tablespoon of balanced slow-release fertilizer, such as 5-5-5, then water it in.

8. Joe-Pye Weed