Spring flowers and perennials provide the very first strokes of color to wake up the garden bed after long frosty winters. Â They are the first to sprout forth from the earth and they arrive bringing welcome pops of color and life after the long winter months. Â
This easy list gives you quick spring garden ideas with an intro to familiar early spring flowers and perennials that will get the spring garden started.
1. Snowdrop Flower | March | Early Spring
The Snowdrop flower are hardy perennial bulbs and early bloomers that sprout small white drooping flowers. It is often the very first sign of spring. The drooping flower is shaped like a bell. These flowers typically bloom anywhere from January through March, making their growing season a part of very early spring.
They are known for their ability to push out their delicate blooms even in the colder, harsh conditions of winter.
A great addition to any garden if you enjoy having small flower beds with early blooms that persevere, even in more unforgiving conditions of late winter to early spring.
Hardiness Zones: 3-8
Light: part shade to dappled light
Water: 1 to 2 times weekly
Height: 3 to 10 in. tall
Bloom Time: January, February, March
Planting Time: mid fall
2. Crocus Flower | March | Early Spring
The Crocus flower is a low-lying bulb plant that blooms in shades of pink, purple, white, and yellow. In addition to the instant pop of spring color they provide, the Crocus flowers make wonderful pollinator flowers acting as a welcome prescription for bees and butterflies emerging from the long winter months. They are among the first flowers to bloom in spring with bell-shaped flowers with six petals.
Incorporate Crocus flower spring perennial bulbs into your spring garden beds and even in rock gardens if you want an instant hit of vibrant color at the first sign of spring.
Hardiness Zones: 3-8
Light: full sun to partial shade
Water: 1x weekly
Height: 3 to 6 in. tall
Bloom Time: January, February, March
Planting Time: early fall to mid fall
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3. Winter Aconite Flower | March | Early Spring
The Winter Aconite flower is a tuberous bulb plant related to the Buttercup family of flowers. They produce bold yellow blooms similar to the buttercup flower. Blooming in early spring, their sweet perfume attracts butterflies and bees, especially in woodland garden areas.
These darling yellow perennial flowers will return next year with their upwards facing six-petal blooms adorned with little green foliage collars beneath.
Plant Winter Aconite flowers in shady patches of your woodsy garden beds as one of the best ways to achieve early spring color after winter’s frost.
Hardiness Zones: 3-9
Light: full sun to part shade
Water: 1x weekly
Height: 3 to 6 in. tall
Bloom Time: January, February, March
Planting Time: late summer to early fall
4. Hellebore Flower | March | Early Spring
Hellebore flowers (also known as the Lenten Rose) are hardy perennials flowering late winter to early spring. Also part of the buttercup family, Hellebores are among the first perennials to bring unique bursts of color to the garden bed.
The choice different colors comes in a wide variety of shades ranging from cream and yellow to pink, maroon, purple, and a deep (almost black) purple known as ‘Black Diamond’.
​The evergreen foliage of the Hellebore plant remains green through winter and may undergo some wear and tear from harsh cold conditions. Trim bruised and brown foliage back to reveal new growth in the spring and encourage a fresh floral display for the season.
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Hardiness Zones: 3-9
Light: part shade to full shade
Water: 1x weekly
Height: 1 to 2 feet tall
Bloom Time: December, January, February, March, April
Planting Time: early spring or mid fall
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5. Daffodil Flower | April | Mid Spring
​The Daffodil flower is a spring flowering perennial bulb that produces beautiful flowers with cupped centers in shades of white, cream, orange, pink, and apricot.
Also known as the Narcissus, this beautiful plant will fill perennial gardens with blooming shows for 3 to 6 weeks in early spring from mid March through April.
They emerge up on strong and sturdy stems returning year after year making them one of the more worthwhile and dependable spring blooms year after year.
Daffodils tolerate a wide variety of soil types so plant anywhere in the garden in full sun to part shade where you might hope to add pops of emerging color in April.
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Hardiness Zones: 3-9
Light: full sun
Water: 1x weekly
Height: 12 to 18 inches tall
Bloom Time: March, April
Planting Time: early fall to late fall
6. Tulip Flower | April | Mid Spring
Coming in a variety of colors from purple, pink, and peach to yellow, cream, and white, the tulip flower is one of the most beloved and reminiscent flowers of springtime. Tulips are blooming perennial bulb plants known for their sturdy and reliable cup-shaped blooms that come in a wide range of colors.
Native originally to central Asia, they enjoy full sun and produce large, vibrant, showy blooms that appear from March through May putting on shows that can last 6 to 8 weeks.
Plant tulips in well-draining soil and remember not to cut the finished bloom or foliage until is has finished dying back to encourage new blooms for next year.
For fresh tulip blooms in the garden each spring, opt for planting the most reliable varieties of bulbs such as Darwin Hybrids, Emperor Fosteriana, or (small but sturdy) species tulips like Tulipa Tarda.
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Hardiness Zones: 3-8
Light: full sun
Water: 1x weekly
Height: 4 to 30 inches tall, depending on variety
Bloom Time: March, April, May
Planting Time: early fall to late fall
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7. Hyacinth Flower | April | Mid Spring
Hyacinths are spring flowering perennial bulbs that bring fragrant and beautiful splashes of spring color to the garden beds early to mid spring.
Hyacinth bulbs are low-maintenance low-fuss bulbs that can dropped just about anywhere along borders and beds for beautiful results every spring. They are reliable blooming bulbs that require little effort with maximum reward yielding colorful flowers that arrive without fail each year.
A wide emerging flower spike is covered bell-shaped blooms in a variety of colors from orange, peach, and yellow to pink, red, purple, and blue. Their sweet-smelling perfume attracts bees and butterflies making it an excellent choice for pollinator gardens.
Hardiness Zones: 4-8
Light: full sun to part shade
Water: 1x weekly
Height: 6 to 12 inches tall
Bloom Time: March, April, May
Planting Time: early fall to late fall
8. Grape Hyacinth Flower | April | Mid Spring
Grape Hyacinths are perennial bulb flower that produces lots of small lower lying blue flower spikes from April to May. Perfect for covering borders and filling beds with accent flowers, Grape Hyacinths are deer resistant and low-fuss thriving with minimal care.
They spread easily and carry a colorful showy bloom time of 3 to 4 weeks. The flower spikes are covered in tiny bell shaped flowers resembling small bluish purple ‘grapes’ or berries.
The blue variety is the most commonly seen, but they come in shades of white and pink as well.
Hardiness Zones: 4-8
Light: full sun to part shade
Water: 1x weekly
Height: 6 to 8 inches tall
Bloom Time: April, May
Planting Time: early fall to late fall
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9. Forsythia Flower | April | Mid Spring
Fosythia is a flowering shrub that produces vibrant yellow flowers from late March to mid April. Bright yellow blooms cover every inch of every branch breaking up the drab, colorless palette of winter across the landscape.
This fast-growing flowering shrub will grow up to 2 feet per year and produce vibrant blooms that last for about 2 weeks. Susceptible to few pests and diseases, this beautiful and vibrant blossoming bush makes a reliable addition to any garden spots that could use lift from a taller plant. It can also be placed behind shorter plants where it can add drama and height.
Remember to prune the bush back immediately after bloom time is up to encourage strong blooms for next year’s show.
Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Light: full sun
Water: 1x weekly
Height: 8 to 10 feet tall
Bloom Time: March, April
Planting Time: early spring to late fall
10. Lily of the Valley Flower | May | Late Spring
Lily of the Valley is a hardy long-lived perennial rhizome plant with fragrant bell-shaped white flowers.
It’s a woodland plant that doesn’t mind growing in the shade and functions much like a ground cover. Clumps sprout up in the spring making it perfect for use as a border along walkways, paths, or at the shady base of trees.
The small white flowers bloom from April to May and return each year with relatively little care. Much like the Grape Hyacinths, these flowers also spread easily making them more ideal for spots where a ground cover is preferred.
Hardiness Zones: 3-8
Light: dappled light or shade
Water: 1x weekly
Height: 6 to 12 inches
Bloom Time: April, May
Planting Time: early spring to mid fall
11. Peony Flower | May | Late Spring
Peony flower is an herbaceous perennial flowering shrub famous for its fabulous showy blooms. This luscious flowering perennial produces blooms in a variety of colors ranging from hot pink, to red, white, and peach.
The sweetly scented flowers put on shows from late spring to early summer. This perennial shrub doesn’t mind rocky or sandy soil and the foliage on the shrub keeps its vibrant green color through the summer (even after the flowers have finished blooming).
Choose a sunny well-draining spot for your Peony bush to encourage full fluffy blooms that last 7 to 10 days from late spring to early summer.
Hardiness Zones: 3-8
Light: full sun
Water: 1x weekly
Height: 2 to 7 feet tall
Bloom Time: April, May, June
Planting Time: early fall to late fall
12. Bleeding Heart Flower | May | Late Spring
Bleeding Heart flower is a perennial flowering plant that produces hanging pink heart-shaped flowers that dangle from the stems.
The pendant-like flowers bloom in the spring and last several weeks through April, May, and June. Plant bleeding heart plants in shady areas of the garden whose corners could use a colorful lift from these uniquely shaped blooms.
Wait until late fall to prune the stems back as they’ll continue to gather energy for next year’s blooms after the flowers have died back.
Hardiness Zones: 3-9
Light: partial light to full shade
Water: 1x weekly
Height: 2 to 3 feet tall
Bloom Time: April, May, June
Planting Time: early spring to mid fall
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13. Allium Flower | May | Late Spring
Allium flower is a perennial flowering bulb that grows easily and thrives in the garden with little effort. The unique globe-shaped flower balls sit high atop rising green stems that provide show-stopping variety to any spring garden.
The vibrant purple flower heads bloom for about 2 weeks from May to June. Allium makes a lovely addition to any garden spots in need of whimsical visual interest or vertical height. Known as an ornamental onion, these sphere-shaped blooms put on a unique show in late spring that lasts into early summer when planted in sunny areas of the garden that receive enough light.
Hardiness Zones: 3-8
Light: full sun
Water: 1 to 2x weekly
Height: anywhere from 3 inches to 6 feet, depending on variety
Bloom Time: May, June
Planting Time: early fall to late fall
14. Columbine Flower | May | Late Spring
Columbine flower is an herbaceous perennial root that produces colorful flowers with five petals on slender stems.
Their sweet blooms attract butterflies and hummingbirds while making attractive plants for borders and accents throughout the garden. Plant Columbine in partial light to full sunlight to encourage richer blooms.
Their exotic shape and variety of color adds quiet elegance to areas in the garden that benefit from tall slender blooms.
Hardiness Zones: 3-9
Light: partial shade
Water: 1x weekly
Height: 1 ft. to 3 ft. tall
Bloom Time: May, June
Planting Time: early spring
Spring flowering bulbs, such as tulips, daffodils, and crocuses, bloom early and provide bright, cheerful displays signaling that spring has arrived! Perennial plants are plants that return year after year, offering reliable growth and blooms without re-purchasing and replanting. Think about how you can incorporate these two types plants to create a balanced spring garden with seasonal bursts of color and lasting greenery. You’ll create a luscious spring landscape that will reward you year after year.
