Top 10 lovely spring flowers you can plant

A cheerful spring flower is the best way to signal the end of winter. Gardeners use spring flowers as a “spring marker” to count down the days until the temperatures rise again and it’s possible to spend more time out in the gardens, with the first snowdrops and daffodils to crocuses and hellebores.

Pollinators also depend on spring flowers for reproduction. When they come out of hibernation in the spring, many pollinators, including some butterflies and bumblebees, rely on spring flowers to feed them nectar and pollen. Pollen from flowers tends to help bumblebees start laying eggs for the upcoming generation of bumblebees, while nectar from flowers gives pollinators the energy to fly and seek a mate or nest site.

See also: Different Flowers: Types of flowers for home gardens

Choosing the right springtime flowers

Consider the location where you plan to grow your spring flowers when selecting them. The majority thrive in direct sunlight or dappled shade; in fact, they will flower more quickly if planted in a sunny location because the sun will warm the soil where they are growing. Also, think about whether you want a permanent or temporary display, whether you’re beginning to grow spring flowers in a pot or the ground, and whether you’re planting bulbs, which are typically planted in the fall.

Think about colour combinations as well. Consider the flower colours before planting spring bulbs to see if they go well together or clash.

1. Primrose

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With its soft yellow blooms and crisp, crinkled leaves, this lovely primrose native to Britain is a favourite spring flower. Primroses develop into clumps over time, which can be partitioned and regrown around the garden for a more impressive display. Under the right circumstances, primroses will also self-seed, giving your garden borders a more natural appearance. There are also cultivated varieties, referred to as “polyanthus,” that bloom in a range of hues, including vivid purple, red, and pink.

Plant primroses alongside forget-me-nots, snowdrops, and other spring flowers for best results in moist soil with some shade.

2. Snowdrops

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Snowdrops can bloom as early as January, making them some of the spring flowers that bloom first. Galanthus nivalis species and larger cultivars with various flower shapes, like Galanthus ‘S. Arnott’ and Galanthus elwesii ‘Abington Green,’ are available. Snowdrops gradually group together over time, making it simple to dig them up, divide them, and replant them for a larger display. For best results, plant snowdrops “in the green,” that is, after they’ve flowered in March and April.

3. Crocus

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Some of the brightest spring flowers are crocuses, which give early queen bumblebees a tonne of pollen. The majority of crocus flowers are purple, but yellow and white varieties are also available. They are best planted in the fall and grow best in full sun with wet but well-drained soil. They are corm-like bulbs. Crocuses can be grown in pots alone, in openings on the front of borders, or as lawn naturalisations.

4. Daffodils

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Without daffodils, would spring really be spring? Even in the worst weather, these bright yellow flowers bloom, adding a pop of colour to the garden when other flowers are scarce. There are many different kinds of daffodils, or Narcissi, to grow, such as early- and late-flowering varieties, tall varieties and dwarf “Tete-a-Tete” daffodils, and varieties with white and salmon-pink flowers. In order to have daffodils blooming in your backyard from February to May, you can plant a variety of onset and late-flowering varieties. Plant on the soil surface or in pots in wet but also well soil in full sun.

5. Hyacinth

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Hyacinths are beautiful spring blossoms that have lost popularity recently because of their slightly dated appearance. However, they are excellent for pot displays and very fragrant, providing an early-year burst of spring colour and scent. White, pink, and purple varieties are available. Hyacinths should be grown in full sun, and moist but well-drained soil.

6. Tulips

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With a variety of colours, shapes, and sizes, tulips are among the most well-liked spring flowers. Pick tulips in cheerful colours for a cheerful arrangement, or pair burgundy and white tulips to create a more dramatic appearance. For a different appearance, you can also purchase tulips with peony flowers and frills. Tulips aren’t a favourite among pollinators, but they still add value to springtime pot and border displays. Tulips should be planted in full sun, in moist but well-drained soil.

7. Foxglove

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Foxgloves are transitional perennials between spring and summer bloomers because they flower from springtime into summer. Foxgloves typically have tubular, pinkish-purple flowers with lovely spots inside, but there are also white and orange flowering varieties. Although perennial foxgloves are becoming more common, most foxgloves are biennial, indicating they bloom and set seed in their second year. Foxgloves should be grown in moist, well-drained soil in either sun or shade. Biennial plants readily self-seed.

8. Wallflowers

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Wallflowers are frequently used in spring bedding arrangements. Since the majority of wallflowers are biennial, you must sow them in the late spring in order for them to bloom the following spring. Or purchase bare-root wallflowers for planting in the fall. Wallflowers are available in yellow and dark red. They should be grown in moist, well-drained soil with full to partial sun.

9. Lungwort

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The lovely perennial herbaceous plant known as lungwort can withstand more shade than other spring flowers. It was given that name because people thought the spots on its leaves looked like diseased lungs. Flowers come in pink or purple hues. The hairy-legged flower bee, one of the earliest bees to come out of hibernation in the spring, is a devoted fan of lungwort. For a natural spring appearance, combine lungworts with wildflowers and forget-me-nots.

10. Hellebores

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From late winter to early spring, hellebores bloom with a variety of flower colours, from white to pink and deep purple. There are many different hellebores to try, from the later-flowering hellebore hybrids to the earliest-flowering Christmas rose, Helleborus niger. Helleborus foetidus, also known as stinking hellebore, is taller and better suited for growing in bigger beds and planting plans. Hellebores thrive in moist soils with some shade.

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