If April showers bring May flowers, then now is the time to start planning the flowers you’ll be planting in your yard.

Notice I said “planning.” While you may be able to plant perennials this month and cold tolerant annuals like pansies, you’ll want to hold off on frost-tender crops like basil and flowers like impatiens.

But if you’re like my wife, planning is half the fun. Just walking into a well-stocked nursery can inspire and infuse you with the urge to spread color wherever you go. Take advantage of the slower time to pick the brains of master gardeners on hand at these local nurseries to get some ideas for how to plan your summer display.

DENNIS’ 7 DEES LAKE OSWEGO GARDEN CENTER. When I first moved to Lake Oswego we were home to three nurseries, Lake Grove Garden Center on Boones Ferry Road, Kasch’s on A Avenue, and Dennis 7 Dee’s on McVey. While the first two have since closed, Dennis’ 7 Dees is still open offering year-round service and selection including landscape design and maintenance as well as seminars ranging from Repotting Indoor Plants to Creating Holiday Centerpieces. You’ll want to allow time to browse through their unique gift items including local jams, fragrant candles, and handmade terrariums as well as check out their supply of pots and home décor. And their website is filled with useful information for the ambitious gardener including tips on container gardening as well as how to pick the right hydrangea for your yard. Hours: 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, 1090 McVey Avenue, 503.636.4660.

DENNIS’ 7 DEES BRIDGEPORT VILLAGE. Looking to nurture your green thumb on a wet spring day? Head over to Dennis’ 7 Dees urban plant space in Bridgeport Village and check out the indoor plants, decorative containers, and garden-related gifts. Workshops are held here too so go online to check their schedule. Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. 7325 SW Bridgeport Road in Tigard, 503.992.6575.

STAFFORD RIDGE NURSERY (FORMERLY KORDELL’S GARDEN CENTER). New owners, Clinton and Nicole Marsh are thrilled to be operating this locally owned garden center at the corner of Rosemont Road and Stafford. They specialize in locally grown plants including annuals, perennials, herbs, veggie starts, shrubs, native fruit trees and ornamental trees all served up with free advice. Weekly deliveries promise fresh product. Located right across from Luscher Farms at the roundabout, it’s a convenient go-to stop for Lake Oswego gardeners. Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. 10 Rosemont Road, 503.638.1014.

BOSKY DELL NATIVES. This West Linn spot has been called a “one-of-a-kind gardening experience.” With over 300 species of native plants for sale, you’ll find items here you may not find anywhere else. Plants are categorized by their purpose: hummingbird gardens, gardening for birds, butterfly gardens, erosion control and they come with a lot of advice from the very knowledgeable and passionate owner. Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.  23320 SW Bosky Dell Lane, West Linn, 503.638.5945.

HUGHES WATER GARDENS. Take advantage of the thirty plus years’ experience these folks have in building water features and visit their site if you’re looking to build and/or stock a water garden of your own. They have all the supplies you need from pond liners, to pumps and filters as well as plants such as water lilies, fairy moss and grasses. Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday. 25289 SW Stafford Road, Tualatin, 503. 638.1709.

AL’S GARDEN AND HOME. Not one of the four locations of this third-generation family-owned business is located in Lake Oswego but they are worth a trip if for nothing else to lift your spirits and be inspired. Their 10.5-acre flagship garden center in Sherwood is my wife’s go-to spot starting early in the spring. She watches for sales on 4” annuals like petunias and bacopa for container gardening as well as for sales on their flats. And sometimes she just goes for an infusion of color when she needs it. Take time to wander through their gift shop, indoor plants, pots, outdoor furniture, and bring your burning gardening questions in and head straight to the information booth where an expert can diagnose your issue and offer a suggestion. Hours: Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday from 9:00 a.m. go 6:00 p.m., Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 16920 SW Roy Rogers Road, 503.726.1162. Check online for sales and other store locations.

THE GARDEN CORNER. If hanging baskets are your thing, this is your place. Need a recommendation? Just check out the baskets lining the streets of Lake Oswego, Tualatin, the Pearl District, Beaverton, Gresham, Oregon City, Summer Lake, Roseburg and more. You can let them do all the work and pre-order one for sun, shade, indoor or holiday or gather the supplies to make one yourself. The nursery itself is a beautiful spot to wander and fans attest to the fact that the plants you buy here are well-loved. Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. 21550 SW 108^th, Tualatin, 971.512.2688.

LOEN NURSERY. This well stocked garden center has been around for a long time. Its website is like searching through an old Sears catalog, stocked with all kinds of information on plants, trees, shrubs and flowers to help you with your planning. You can also check availability. The retail center has been closed since mid December but the public is invited to the wholesale location on Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. where they can also enjoy wholesale pricing. 19205 SW Cipole Road, Sherwood, 503.625.5454. The retail address when it reopens is 18710 SW Pacific Drive, Sherwood, 503.625.2222.

PORTLAND NURSERY. Think everything garden and you get the idea what you’ll find at this gardener’s mecca: trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, grasses, herbs, houseplants, tools, garden art, amendments, furniture and pottery. And you’ll also find some things you didn’t expect like ideas for fall and winter containers with their “monthly container” feature on their website. You can keep your green thumb green all year long! Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at both locations: 5050 SE Stark, 503.231.5050 and 9000 SE Division, 503.788.9000.

BIG BOX STORES. Don’t forget to check out nearby Fred Meyer, Home Depot, Lowe’s and now Wilco. Keep an eye out for Fred Meyer’s Fuschia Saturday usually held in early April where they provide the manpower and dirt; you buy the plants and containers (or bring your own)and/or fill out the contact form below.

Looking for the perfect yard in Lake Oswego to nurture your love of gardening? Give me a call at 503.939,9801, check out my website, and/or complete the form below. I’d love to help you find the right home in Lake Oswego and promise to put my 30 plus years as a Realtor to work doing just that!