12 Early Bloomers to Jump-Start Spring
After a long dreary winter, who isn’t starved for colorful and fragrant
flowers in the garden? Fortunately, many bulbs, perennials and
shrubs burst into bloom early, even in cold climates with snow still on
the ground.
From charming cup-shaped blossoms to delicate branches of sweetly
scented petals, there are quite a few choices for late-winter and early-
spring flowers. Here are 12 early blooming plants that will add beauty
to your garden long before other flowers spring into action.
Early Blooming Bulbs
Dwarf Iris (Iris reticulata, Zones 5-9): Jewel-toned mini irises bloom in
shades of violet, blue and purple in late winter or early spring, much
earlier than their larger counterparts. Iris danfordiae comes in
contrasting bright yellow. Plant in fall in well-drained soil; grows 4-6
inches in full sun to part shade. The tiny flowers look best massed in
rock gardens, along streams or near walkways. Mix with early snow
crocuses for splashes of color that expand annually.
Glory of the Snow (Chionodoxa spp., Zones 3-8): These star-shaped
blue flowers with white centers often poke up in snow, thus giving the
plant its name. Pink and white varieties are also available. Grow this 3-
6 inch plant with perky little daffodils like ‘Tete-a-Tete’ in rock gardens,
under trees or in woodland gardens. Prefers full to partial sun, and
naturalizes quickly under the right conditions.
Snowdrop (Galanthus spp.,): Delicate, not showy, is a good way to
describe these waxy white flowers that push up through snow on 4-6
inch plants in even the coldest regions. Some varieties are hardy to
zone 2; most are hardy to zone 5. In autumn, plant a grouping
together with other early-bloomers in rich, well-drained soil. Select
partial to full shade locations visible from the house or walkway. Giant
snowdrop (Galanthus elwesii) has larger flowers and leaves.
Winter Aconite (Eranthis spp., Zones 4-9): Buttercup-shaped yellow
blossoms adorn these 3-5 inch plants in late winter/early spring. Plant
in fall in humus-rich, well-drained soil in sun to part shade. Scatter
these cheerful flowers among Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis),
forsythia (Forsythia intermedia) and other early-bloomers.
Early Blooming Perennials
Heartleaf Brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla, Zones 3-8): Dainty blue
flowers reminiscent of forget-me-nots rise above heart-shaped leaves
in early spring and continue up to a month. This woodland perennial
can grow 12 to 18 inches tall by 12 to 24 inches wide with rich,
consistently moist soil. Plant foliage is striking throughout summer and
fall; several cultivars have white or silver leaves. Combine these
shade-loving perennials with later-blooming plants to extend your
garden’s flowering seasons.
Lenten Rose (Helleborus orientalis, Zones 4-9): This easy-to-grow
perennial features long-lasting, cup-shaped flowers in cream, pink,
rose or maroon, which nod above saw-toothed leaves in late winter
and early spring. New cultivars offer large double blooms and upright-
facing flowers. The shade-loving plant grows 16-20 inches tall in rich,
moist, well-drained soil. Plant Lenten roses with ferns and hosta in
shady patios or small spaces, where the delicate plant can be best
appreciated.
Lungwort (Pulmonaria spp., Zones 4-8): Although this plant was
considered a lung disease remedy in the 16th and 17th centuries, it’s
appreciated more these days for the tunnel-shaped flowers in
magenta, blue, violet, pink or white that bloom in early spring. Some
flowers change colors as they mature. Foliage comes in green,
speckled, silver or white with green spots or margins. Lungwort grows
10-18 inches tall and 2-3 feet wide. It prefers partial shade in moist,
well-drained rich soil. Makes an attractive ground cover or specimen
plant alongside later-blooming perennials.
Moss Phlox (Phlox subulata, Zones 3-9): This creeping groundcover
creates a floral carpet of lavender, blue, pink, red or white blossoms
with needle-like foliage in early/mid spring. Grows 4-6 inches tall.
Excellent for sunny locations, this phlox is moderately drought tolerant,
but prefers moist, well-drained soil. Masses of flowers look lovely
cascading over rock walls or along paths.
Early Blooming Shrubs
February Daphne (Daphne mezereum¸ Zones 5-7): Despite its name,
this delightful shrub blooms fragrant pinkish-purple petals about a
month later in colder climates. Scarlet berries follow in late summer.
Daphne mezereum var. album has white flowers and yellow fruit.
Grows 3 to 5 feet tall in sun or partial shade. Plant with shorter, later-
blooming plants to hide shrub’s “naked legs.”
Vernal Witchhazel (Hamamelis vernalis, Zones 5-8): In northern
climates, vernal witchhazel is often the earliest-blooming shrub with
fragrant flower clusters in cheerful colors ranging from bright yellow
and dull orange to red-orange. Prefers full sun to partial shade, and
can grow 6 to 10 feet high by 6 to 8 feet wide. Tolerant of different soil
conditions, but performs best in moist, well-drained soils. Makes a nice
screen or specimen shrub.
Spring Heath (Erica carnea, Zones 5-7): Pink, red or white flowers
bloom from this low-growing evergreen shrub in late winter to early
spring. Prefers acid soil in full sun locations. Grows 12 inches tall and
24 inches wide, making it ideal for rock gardens or ground covers. This
shrub survives colder regions with good winter protection.
Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum, Zones 6-10): The hardiest of
the jasmines, this deciduous shrub has bright yellow flowers in late
winter and early spring. Typically grown as a 3-4 foot high sprawling
mound with arching branches. When supported, the vine-like shrub
can grow 10 to 15 feet. Plant in well-drained soil in full sun to partial
shade. Winter jasmine looks attractive grown as a vine by a sunny
doorway, or as a ground cover, especially when cascading over a
retaining wall.
This winter, take a moment to review your own garden. If you see
places that could use a splash of early-season color, start planning for
next year. With all these wonderful options, it’s easy to have lovely
and fragrant flowers in your garden much earlier than you might think.
After a long dreary winter, who isn’t starved for colorful and fragrant
flowers in the garden? Fortunately, many bulbs, perennials and
shrubs burst into bloom early, even in cold climates with snow still on
the ground.
From charming cup-shaped blossoms to delicate branches of sweetly
scented petals, there are quite a few choices for late-winter and early-
spring flowers. Here are 12 early blooming plants that will add beauty
to your garden long before other flowers spring into action.
Early Blooming Bulbs
Dwarf Iris (Iris reticulata, Zones 5-9): Jewel-toned mini irises bloom in
shades of violet, blue and purple in late winter or early spring, much
earlier than their larger counterparts. Iris danfordiae comes in
contrasting bright yellow. Plant in fall in well-drained soil; grows 4-6
inches in full sun to part shade. The tiny flowers look best massed in
rock gardens, along streams or near walkways. Mix with early snow
crocuses for splashes of color that expand annually.
Glory of the Snow (Chionodoxa spp., Zones 3-8): These star-shaped
blue flowers with white centers often poke up in snow, thus giving the
plant its name. Pink and white varieties are also available. Grow this 3-
6 inch plant with perky little daffodils like ‘Tete-a-Tete’ in rock gardens,
under trees or in woodland gardens. Prefers full to partial sun, and
naturalizes quickly under the right conditions.
Snowdrop (Galanthus spp.,): Delicate, not showy, is a good way to
describe these waxy white flowers that push up through snow on 4-6
inch plants in even the coldest regions. Some varieties are hardy to
zone 2; most are hardy to zone 5. In autumn, plant a grouping
together with other early-bloomers in rich, well-drained soil. Select
partial to full shade locations visible from the house or walkway. Giant
snowdrop (Galanthus elwesii) has larger flowers and leaves.
Winter Aconite (Eranthis spp., Zones 4-9): Buttercup-shaped yellow
blossoms adorn these 3-5 inch plants in late winter/early spring. Plant
in fall in humus-rich, well-drained soil in sun to part shade. Scatter
these cheerful flowers among Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis),
forsythia (Forsythia intermedia) and other early-bloomers.
Early Blooming Perennials
Heartleaf Brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla, Zones 3-8): Dainty blue
flowers reminiscent of forget-me-nots rise above heart-shaped leaves
in early spring and continue up to a month. This woodland perennial
can grow 12 to 18 inches tall by 12 to 24 inches wide with rich,
consistently moist soil. Plant foliage is striking throughout summer and
fall; several cultivars have white or silver leaves. Combine these
shade-loving perennials with later-blooming plants to extend your
garden’s flowering seasons.
Lenten Rose (Helleborus orientalis, Zones 4-9): This easy-to-grow
perennial features long-lasting, cup-shaped flowers in cream, pink,
rose or maroon, which nod above saw-toothed leaves in late winter
and early spring. New cultivars offer large double blooms and upright-
facing flowers. The shade-loving plant grows 16-20 inches tall in rich,
moist, well-drained soil. Plant Lenten roses with ferns and hosta in
shady patios or small spaces, where the delicate plant can be best
appreciated.
Lungwort (Pulmonaria spp., Zones 4-8): Although this plant was
considered a lung disease remedy in the 16th and 17th centuries, it’s
appreciated more these days for the tunnel-shaped flowers in
magenta, blue, violet, pink or white that bloom in early spring. Some
flowers change colors as they mature. Foliage comes in green,
speckled, silver or white with green spots or margins. Lungwort grows
10-18 inches tall and 2-3 feet wide. It prefers partial shade in moist,
well-drained rich soil. Makes an attractive ground cover or specimen
plant alongside later-blooming perennials.
Moss Phlox (Phlox subulata, Zones 3-9): This creeping groundcover
creates a floral carpet of lavender, blue, pink, red or white blossoms
with needle-like foliage in early/mid spring. Grows 4-6 inches tall.
Excellent for sunny locations, this phlox is moderately drought tolerant,
but prefers moist, well-drained soil. Masses of flowers look lovely
cascading over rock walls or along paths.
Early Blooming Shrubs
February Daphne (Daphne mezereum¸ Zones 5-7): Despite its name,
this delightful shrub blooms fragrant pinkish-purple petals about a
month later in colder climates. Scarlet berries follow in late summer.
Daphne mezereum var. album has white flowers and yellow fruit.
Grows 3 to 5 feet tall in sun or partial shade. Plant with shorter, later-
blooming plants to hide shrub’s “naked legs.”
Vernal Witchhazel (Hamamelis vernalis, Zones 5-8): In northern
climates, vernal witchhazel is often the earliest-blooming shrub with
fragrant flower clusters in cheerful colors ranging from bright yellow
and dull orange to red-orange. Prefers full sun to partial shade, and
can grow 6 to 10 feet high by 6 to 8 feet wide. Tolerant of different soil
conditions, but performs best in moist, well-drained soils. Makes a nice
screen or specimen shrub.
Spring Heath (Erica carnea, Zones 5-7): Pink, red or white flowers
bloom from this low-growing evergreen shrub in late winter to early
spring. Prefers acid soil in full sun locations. Grows 12 inches tall and
24 inches wide, making it ideal for rock gardens or ground covers. This
shrub survives colder regions with good winter protection.
Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum, Zones 6-10): The hardiest of
the jasmines, this deciduous shrub has bright yellow flowers in late
winter and early spring. Typically grown as a 3-4 foot high sprawling
mound with arching branches. When supported, the vine-like shrub
can grow 10 to 15 feet. Plant in well-drained soil in full sun to partial
shade. Winter jasmine looks attractive grown as a vine by a sunny
doorway, or as a ground cover, especially when cascading over a
retaining wall.
This winter, take a moment to review your own garden. If you see
places that could use a splash of early-season color, start planning for
next year. With all these wonderful options, it’s easy to have lovely
and fragrant flowers in your garden much earlier than you might think.
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| Article published in Gardening How-To Magazine, January-February 2008 |
