Spring flowering plants
Each year we look forward to Spring to see the end to the dark gloomy days of winter. Spring is when the garden starts to wake up and the first signs of the colour come into the garden. Many of the spring flowering plants are long flowering, such as Primulas and Alliums, and it's a time when spring bulbs make a great show.
If you are thinking of planting flowers for spring colour whether shrubs or plants, or a mixture, it's helpful to know what conditions the plants needs to thrive, it's colour range and when in spring (which can be anytime from March until the end of May) it will flower.
Illustrated below are some of the best spring flowering plants with links to growing information. These plants will be at their best from the late February & March to May. Plenty of colour can also be added to the garden with spring flowering bulbs and from spring flowering shrubs. Some of the easiest plants to grow are shrubs and there are some very showy spring flowering shrubs such as Forsythia, Rhododendrons and the sweetly scented Viburnums
There are also many climbing plants which are spring flowering and can add great height and colour to a garden border.
Ideas for spring flowering plants
Allium a great, showy late spring flowering bulb coming in all sizes from modest to very tall A.'Globemaster' illustrated. Easy to grow and perennial Allium combine well with many plants.
Pulmonaria a very early (February onward) spring flower which provides much needed nectar for the emerging bees. Pulmonaria are a shade and damp tolerant low growing plant ideal in woodland planting scheme.
Hellebore are late winter early spring flowering. They form large clumps as the plants mature and there are some fabulous colours and double flowered varieties. A reliable perennial.
There are some lovely early flowering Clematis, such as illustrated C. alpina and the slightly tender but scented C. armandii which is often semi evergreen. There is a clematis for every season.
Another friend of the bees, flowering later in April and May is the humble Aubretia. Popular and often planted so it can trail over walls it is easy to grow and comes in lovely shades of mauve, pink and blue.
Aquilegia common name Columbine, are delicate spring flowers in all colours. Illustrated is a spring combination, Aquilegia 'Swan-Lavender' with Euonymus fortunei ' Emerald Gold' and Rhododendron luteum.
Crocus brings early cheer and colour to the garden. Spring bulbs add lots of colour, are easy to grow and with the exception of Tulips come back reliably each year.