A Guide to the First Flowers Gardeners Should Plant in Spring
Spring marks the beginning of the gardening season, making it the perfect time to plant flowers that thrive in warming temperatures and longer daylight hours. Choosing the right flowers ensures a vibrant and colorful garden throughout the season. This Floristry guide highlights some of the best flowers for early spring planting, including cold-hardy options and fast-growing varieties that bring beauty to your garden as soon as possible.
1. Cold-Hardy Flowers for Early Spring Planting
For gardeners eager to start planting as soon as the ground thaws, these cold-tolerant flowers can handle cooler temperatures and even light frosts.
1.1. Pansies (Viola tricolor var. hortensis)
Why Choose It? Pansies are one of the earliest flowers that can be planted in spring because they thrive in cool weather.
Planting Tips:
Sow seeds indoors in late winter or plant nursery-grown seedlings in early spring.
They prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.
Regular deadheading (removing faded flowers) encourages continuous blooming.
1.2. Crocuses (Crocus spp.)
Why Choose It? These small but vibrant flowers are among the first to bloom, often emerging when snow is still on the ground.
Planting Tips:
Crocus bulbs should be planted in fall, but they will bloom in early spring.
They thrive in full sun and well-draining soil.
Ideal for planting in borders, rock gardens, and containers.
1.3. Snowdrops (Galanthus spp.)
Why Choose It? One of the earliest bloomers, snowdrops can push through frozen soil and bloom even before spring officially arrives.
Planting Tips:
Plant bulbs in fall for early spring blooms.
They prefer partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.
Perfect for naturalizing under trees or along walkways.
1.4. Daffodils (Narcissus spp.)
Why Choose It? Daffodils are classic spring flowers that return year after year, adding bright yellow and white hues to the garden.
Planting Tips:
Plant bulbs in fall, but if you missed the window, buy pre-grown potted daffodils in early spring.
They prefer full sun and well-drained soil.
Resistant to deer and rabbits, making them a great low-maintenance choice.
1.5. Hellebores (Helleborus spp.)
Why Choose It? Known as the "Lenten Rose," hellebores bloom in late winter to early spring and can withstand chilly conditions.
Planting Tips:
Best planted in part shade with rich, well-drained soil.
Once established, they require minimal care and provide early-season color.
2. Fast-Growing Flowers for a Quick Spring Garden
If you want immediate color in your garden, these fast-growing flowers can be directly sown in early spring and bloom within weeks.
2.1. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Why Choose It? This fragrant flower produces small clusters of white, purple, or pink blossoms and thrives in cooler temperatures.
Planting Tips:
Sow seeds directly in the garden in early spring.
Prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.
Great as a border plant or ground cover.
2.2. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Why Choose It? Also known as "pot marigold," calendula is a cold-tolerant annual that blooms quickly and lasts through early summer.
Planting Tips:
Directly sow seeds in early spring after the last frost.
Prefers full sun to partial shade and moderately rich soil.
Deadheading spent flowers encourages continuous blooming.
2.3. Larkspur (Consolida ajacis)
Why Choose It? Larkspur resembles delphiniums and produces tall spikes of blue, purple, pink, or white flowers.
Planting Tips:
Sow seeds directly into the ground in late winter or very early spring.
Requires full sun and well-drained soil.
Thrives in cottage gardens or as a cut flower.
3. Perennials That Establish Early in Spring
These perennials come back every year and establish themselves quickly once temperatures rise.
3.1. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis)
Why Choose It? This perennial produces elegant, heart-shaped flowers that dangle from arching stems in early spring.
Planting Tips:
Prefers partial to full shade and moist, well-drained soil.
Once established, it returns every year with minimal maintenance.
3.2. Peonies (Paeonia spp.)
Why Choose It? Peonies are a long-lived perennial that produces stunning blooms in late spring.
Planting Tips:
Best planted in fall, but established plants wake up early in spring.
Require full sun and well-drained soil.
Avoid planting too deep, as this can hinder blooming.
3.3. Columbine (Aquilegia spp.)
Why Choose It? Columbine produces delicate, bell-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds.
Planting Tips:
Sow seeds directly in the garden in early spring.
Prefers partial shade to full sun and well-drained soil.
Once established, it self-seeds and returns each year.
4. Flowering Shrubs That Bloom in Early Spring
Shrubs provide structure and long-lasting beauty in the garden. These varieties bloom early in spring and add visual interest.
4.1. Forsythia (Forsythia spp.)
Why Choose It? One of the earliest blooming shrubs, forsythia bursts into bright yellow flowers in early spring.
Planting Tips:
Requires full sun and well-drained soil.
Prune immediately after flowering to shape the plant.
4.2. Lilac (Syringa spp.)
Why Choose It? Lilacs produce fragrant clusters of purple, pink, or white flowers in mid to late spring.
Planting Tips:
Prefers full sun and rich, well-drained soil.
Prune after flowering to maintain shape and encourage new growth.
4.3. Azalea (Rhododendron spp.)
Why Choose It? Azaleas add vibrant color with their clusters of pink, red, white, or purple blooms.
Planting Tips:
Requires partial shade and acidic, well-drained soil.
Mulching helps retain moisture and keep roots cool.
A Blooming Start to Spring
Planting the right flowers in early spring ensures a vibrant and colorful garden from the start of the season. Whether you choose cold-hardy flowers like pansies and crocuses, fast-growing annuals like calendula and larkspur, or perennials and shrubs that return year after year, these selections will help create a lively and welcoming garden. By planning ahead and choosing a mix of flowers, you can enjoy continuous blooms from early spring well into summer.
