Winter is at its peak, but that doesn’t have to stop you from thinking about the upcoming spring. The breathtaking displays and enchanting fragrances it brings are the things that keep me going through this dreary weather.
(Yes, even in Florida you can feel the difference in the awakening of the spring season!)
One of the best things about spring are all the early bloomers that announce the warmer weather. Yet, there are so many flowers that it can be difficult to settle on just a few!
That’s why I decided to write a short guide to the best flowers for early spring!
Let’s get started!
5 Early-Blooming Annuals
When spring comes knocking on your door, one of the first things you’ll see at your local nursery are early-flowering annuals and bulbs.
Cold-resistant annuals are perfect for the job because they can bloom at colder temperatures. This allows you to get a splash of color as early as March, or even sooner in some regions.
Some annuals may be difficult to come by at nurseries, but you can start the seeds indoors. This way, you can prepare for spring planting in advance, reduce the amount of work you have to do in your garden, and get an early splash of color.
You can even start some annuals outdoors in the midst of winter. Make sure to check their hardiness zone so that you don’t bury yourself in a Sisyphean task for no reason.
Of course, extreme cold can hurt these plants despite their hardiness. Check the weather forecast and cover them with a frost cover if temperatures plunge.
Finally, here are some of my favorite spring annuals:
#1 Larkspur
#2 Pansies
#3 Snapdragons
#4 Sweet alyssum
#5 Sweet peas
7 Early-Blooming Bulbs
Bulbs are one of the first things that come to my mind when I think of spring – tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and, yes, snowdrops. They are the best choice for both beginners and pros because they need very little, yet give so much.
There are countless types you can choose from. Different spring bulbs have different blooming times. Even different varieties of the same plant can flower earlier or later in the season.
Combine different species and get continuous color throughout spring.
The best part about these plants is that you plant them in fall, making them a low-maintenance spring option. Some of the best spring bulbs to plant in fall include daffodils, hyacinths, irises, and tulips.
What I love about these bulbs is that they regrow again and again. That makes them perfect for every gardener who doesn’t want to spend time replanting the same flowers.
The thing about spring bulbs is that they come in a wide range of colors, shapes, and sizes. This allows you to personalize your landscape and create an area tailored to your taste.
Some of my favorite bulbs include:
#1 Crocuses
#2 Daffodils
#3 Hyacinths
#4 Ranunculus
#5 Snowdrops
#6 Tulips
#7 Winter aconites
7 Early-Blooming Perennials
Perennial flowers are an amazing choice for an everblooming and vibrant spring landscape. After they establish themselves, they will come back every year.
These plants need very little maintenance, making them perfect for busy bees and beginners.
They come in a countless array of colors, shapes, and sizes. This allows you to create the garden you’ve always wanted.
One of the things I love most about them is that there are countless spring-blooming perennials.
Here are my favorites:
#1 Bleeding hearts
#2 Columbines
#3 Dianthus
#4 Forget-me-nots
#5 Hellebores
#6 Primroses
#7 Woodland phlox
6 Early-Blooming Shrubs
One of my favorite ways to add color to a spring garden is including early-flowering shrubs. I’m talking about lilacs, forsythias, viburnums, and azaleas.
They have the potential to create a magical landscape. Many spring bushes will bloom early and bring color to your garden while the rest of your plants are still in a deep sleep.
Make sure to choose the varieties that best suit your hardiness zone and consider their mature size. If they’re too large for your garden, you’ll have to do a lot of pruning.
There are many winter-blooming shrubs you can plant in fall, with their flowering season extending into early spring.
These are my favorite spring bushes:
#1 Azaleas
#2 Dogwood
#3 Forsythias
#4 Lilacs
#5 Rhododendrons
#6 Viburnum
What are your favorite spring flowers? Tell me in the comments below!