"Planting spring flowers not only creates visually stunning ... as it then lends itself as a green background for the rest of the summer. Also, you can ruin your bush with improper pruning.

Summersweet ( Clethra alnifolia) blooms in the late summer, says Irish-Hanson, but it's wise to plant it during the spring.

Vinyl decals, glitter glue, and peel-and-stick wallpaper are a few other things you can use to customize your box.

But that's not the only place you can see spring flowers after a long, cold winter. Rhode Island has plenty of parks, gardens and public spaces with beautiful blooms that make for the perfect ...