After the dark, long winter, the first blooms of spring are among the most awaited flowers in the garden.
Check out these plants if you’re planting flowers to bring spring color. From early-flowering perennials to spring-flowering shrubs, there are suitable plants for all areas of your garden from March to May. Include some spring flowers, and you’ll get stunning displays returning each year.
There are many spring flowering plants that you can choose from; however, if you require some inspiration, check out my top 10 choices of hardy plants that bloom in the spring.
Amelanchier lamarkii
The white, frosty blossom that is Amelanchier lamarkii is seen in mid-spring with bronze-colored young foliage. Amelanchier is most beautiful in spring, but it deserves an essential spot in the garden for its yearly performance. The attractive deciduous tree features gracefully arching branches that provide beautiful dappled shade during summer. The autumn foliage is gorgeous in rust-colored shades or burnt orange. This tough-working tree is an excellent specimen tree for medium and small gardens. It offers lots of interest but is not becoming a nuisance.
Brunnera
A must-have perennial to shade your borders! The heart-shaped, silvery foliage of Brunnera is covered in shimmering metallic sheens that shimmers. Although it’s mainly used for its foliage, the plant boasts beautiful sky-blue flowers that provide a lovely display from April through May. Amazingly durable, it is an excellent ground cover that’s ideal to illuminate a shaded corner. It isn’t easy to comprehend why Brunnera isn’t widely cultivated since this robust perennial has everything.
Clematis Montana
This tough climber is a classic cottage garden classic. Clematis montana “Mayleen” can be seen cascading over fences and walls with an explosion of flowers each spring. In May, the abundant pink flowers cover the foliage, usually bronze-colored when young. It can quickly grow as high as 10 meters (33′), but there are better climbers for smaller spaces. However, you can train it to climb the tree’s canopy, and you’ll be amazed! It’s even classified as a Group 1 Clematis that requires very little pruning.
Lamprocapnos spectabilis (Dicentra spectablis)
Always a childhood favorite for me – Lamprocapnos spectabilis is quite intriguing. The heart-shaped, rose-pink flowers hang enthrallingly from graceful curving stems, granting the plant its popular title, Bleeding Heart. The foliage is beautifully dissected and forms neat, attractive clusters that slowly die back when they flower, creating space for more vigorous perennials. Previously known as Dicentra, this beautiful plant is an excellent focal point for spring borders. It thrives in consistently moist soil and light shade.
Aubrieta
Aubrieta is among the plants that go unnoticed throughout the year. However, between March and May, it truly packs a punch! The dense mats of semi-evergreen leaves are smothered in flowers, attracting pollinating insects that travel far away. Aubrieta is a hassle-free, hardy perennial who loves only soaring down from the wall and carpeting the rockeries. It is a great plant to grow in semi-shade or sun and on almost every well-drained soil – even in windy or exposed areas.
Erica darleyensis (Heather)
Heathers have been out of popularity over the past few years after being a bit ‘overdone in the 70’s. This is a pity as they can be a great addition to the garden in the springtime. These small evergreens can be sturdy like old boots, able to endure the rigors of British weather with remarkable determination, and often bloom throughout winter and into spring. While some need pH-neutral soil, a lot can withstand ericaceous conditions, like Erica darleyensis. Heathers are great for winter containers, rockeries, ort swathes covering exposed beds and banks.
Prunus ‘Kojo-no-main
The Cherry blossom is among the most anticipated springtime signs. In Asia, they celebrate grand celebrations to celebrate it! Many of us think of massive Cherry trees covered with white and pink blossoms. However, Prunus “Kojo-nomai” is a compact plant that is only 2.5m (8′) at maturity. The naked stems are oddly bent, creating exciting designs in winter. The branches are covered in pink-tinged cherries that fly like confetti in the breeze in spring. Fall foliage is also stunning, changing to scarlet and crimson. This tough-working shrub is suitable for any time of the year in your yard!
