30 Best Spring Flowers for the Most Beautiful Backyard Display
You'll love these beautiful spring bloomers. đˇ
Is there anything better than seeing the first flowers of spring peeking out after a long, cold winter? Even when there's still snow on the ground, we're treated to early spring bloomers like glory of the snow, snowdrops, and crocuses, reminding us all of the sunny days ahead. Whether you choose annuals to replant each season or perennials that come back year after year, including a variety of spring flowers in your landscaping ideas will provide constant blooms from early spring until the warmer days of summer arrive.
The most important factor when planning your garden is making sure you give your plants exactly what they need. To start, you'll want to clearly read the plant's label. Full sun means six or more hours of direct sunlight; part sun means about half of that. On the other hand, full shade means no direct sunlight or only a tiny bit of mild morning sun. Sun lovers will not bloom in shade, and shade lovers will sizzle if you plant them in direct sun. Finally, make sure when youâre planting perennials that you choose those that can survive winters in your USDA hardiness zone.
Before you start planning your garden with these beautiful spring flowers, make sure you have the right gear first. Grab a pair of gardening gloves and gardening shoes and then get to work!
Spring Flower: Snowdrop
This cheerful flower is one of the first to bloom in the spring. It's extremely easy to care for and can be planted in a variety of places in your yard. Plant snowdrops in early to late fall, depending on where you live.
Spring Flower: Diascia
These delicate flowers are perfect for using in hanging baskets because of their trailing growth habit. They come in a variety of pretty pink shades, including mauve, rose, and coral, and flower nonstop from late spring into the autumn.
Spring Flower: Wallflowers
These fragrant blooms are easy to grow and would make great additions to any garden. Plant them 10 to 12 weeks before the last frost in your area, in a sunny position with well-draining soil.
Spring Flower: Bluebells
You know spring is in full swing when you see these pretty blue-violet flowers in full bloom. In addition to beautifying your garden, they also make great cut flowers.
Spring Flower: Pussy Willow
This unique shrub with its furry little catkins would make a striking addition to your yard. Cut and preserve the branches to use in decorative arrangements for yourself and your friends!
Spring Flower: Forget-Me-Nots
These sweet blue blooms spread on their own and will grow fast in your garden. They're also known for attracting butterflies, only adding to their beauty!
Spring Flower: Lungwort
This low-growing plant boasts bell-shaped blooms that usually start out pinkish in color and then transform into a violet blue. You'll love watching them change color throughout the season!
Spring Flower: Foxglove
This striking plant grows tubular pink, white, or purple blooms with colorful speckles, making it a standout in any garden. They usually don't flower until their second year but they'll be well worth the wait!
Spring Flower: Peonies
These spring bloomers are known as the âqueen of flowersâ in their native China, and it's easy to see why. With their beautiful scent and showy blooms, they're sure to be the stars of your garden.
Spring Flower: Flowering Quince
This flowering shrub boasts beautiful red, orange, white, or pink flowers that bloom for about 10 to 14 days and are followed by tiny fruits that can be used in jellies. Any plant that can go from beauty to fruity is okay by us! đ
Spring Flower: Pansy
These charming annuals come in every shade of the rainbow from bright yellow to deep crimson. They donât mind a little cold (or even a little snow), so they provide gorgeous pops of color early in the season. Pansies donât like heat, so they tend to fade once summer arrives. Some varieties may even revive in the fall! Place them somewhere they'll get sun at least six hours a day.
Spring Flower: Daffodil
These cheerful yellow flowers are a sure sign spring has arrived. Their bright, bobbing heads come in many different heights and forms, including single and double flowers. Best of all? Rodents donât like daffodils so theyâre less likely to get dug up unlike other spring-blooming flowers. Plant them in the fall in a spot that gets lots of sun exposure.
Spring Flower: Primrose
These charming perennials are some of the earliest to bloom in spring. Though they appear delicate, theyâre actually extremely hardy against the cold. There are hundreds of species of primroses, so look for one that will survive winter in your area. This type of flower will tolerate part sun.
Spring Flower: Iris
Irises, which come in many different forms and colors, have striking sword-like foliage and dramatic-looking flowers. They'll make a beautiful statement in the garden border. Plus, they multiply and come back year after year. Donât plant them too deep as their rhizomes need to be close to the surface (about 3 inches deep). Irises will thrive in full sun exposure.
Spring Flower: Lenten Rose
These stunning perennials, also called hellebores, appear in late winter or very early spring. Their frilly ethereal blooms appear fragile, but theyâre incredibly tough plants with long bloom times. Give them a few years to really show their stuff. In time, theyâll spread to become a gorgeous ground cover. When deciding where to plant them, keep in mind that they need a place that's mostly shaded.
Spring Flower: Glory of the Snow
As youâd imagine, these little blue, pink or white beauties pop up in early spring when snow still may be on the ground. They look darling in rock gardens or at the edge of borders. It can be an aggressive grower, so plant glory of the snow somewhere it canât spread too much such as up against sidewalks. They like full sun to part shade.
Spring Flower: Tulip
Tulips come in many colors and shapes, including single form, multiple flowers on a stem, and doubles. They're usually treated as annuals because the second year's bloom can be a bit lackluster. Because of this, new bulbs are often planted every fall. Theyâre also tasty to rodents, so if this is a problem in your garden, plant them in pots or underneath less delectable bulbs such as daffodils. Full sun is ideal when deciding where to plant tulips.
Spring Flower: Columbine
Unusual flowers and delicate foliage make this perennial a must-have for a garden in late spring. Columbines are available in many different exotic-looking forms and saturated colors including pink, purple, coral, and red. They thrive when given part sun.
Spring Flower: Sweet Alyssum
This sweetly-scented annual is incredible for long-season color all the way from spring until the first heavy frost. They come in many different sizes, but theyâre gorgeous tumbling over a wall or out of planters and window boxes. If you're planting sweet alyssum, know that it needs full sun.
Spring Flower: Lupine
This stately perennial has tall, beautiful spikes of flowers that pollinators love. Some varieties grow up to 40 inches tall, so plant it at the back of borders. Lupines prefer part to full sun.
Arricca Elin SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more. Sheâs passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
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