The Most Popular Spring Flowers - 12 Beautiful Spring Plants
In spring, everything wakes up from slumber in the garden. Early spring flowers appear as well, making the place look really good. Spring flowers become apparent from the end of March to the beginning of April - but it mostly depends on the weather conditions. Are you just starting your gardening adventure and want to know what flowers to plant in spring? We have prepared 12 spring plants ideas. They are easy to grow and do not require too much attention - provide them with just a basic care.
What do spring flowers symbolize?
Spring flowers are often associated with certain symbolism. Some of them, e.g. tulips are considered a symbol of hope and prosperity. Most spring flower species represent change, being open to new possibilities and starting a new chapter. That’s why many people eagerly await for spring flowers.
Spring flowers - a colorful awakening after winter
Springtime is always a highly anticipated season among gardeners. After the long winter break, they can go back to work and immediately see the results of autumn preparations they managed to make in their garden. Along with rising temperatures springtime flowers appear. Between March and May, you might expect blooming of the most popular spring flowers such as:
- Common snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis L.)
- Crocus (Crocus L.)
- Primrose (Primula L.)
- Tulip (Tulipa L.)
- Daffodil (Narcissus L.)
- Peony (Paeonia L.)
- Hyacinth (Hyacinthus L.)
- Daisy (Bellis)
- Phlox (Phlox)
- Bergenia (Bergenia Moench)
- Grape hyacinth (Muscari Mill.)
- Weigela (Weigela Thunb.)
Snowdrops - hardy early spring flowers
Snowdrops, also known as Galanthus are undoubtedly the earliest spring flowers that start blooming as early as February. Low temperatures or still lying on the ground snow are not harmful to them - they are frost-resistant.
Snowdrops often grow in the wild and are a protected species in some countries. They can be planted in your garden as well. You can buy them as bulbs or seeds - planting or seeding should be done in September. The plant grows best in half-shade - you can plant it in a rock garden or by large shrubs and trees.
Snowdrops are characteristic for their bell-like shape, white color and beautiful scent.
Crocuses - purple spring flowers to enliven the garden
Crocuses are perennial spring flowers one can typically encounter in alpine regions. Many people visit those places in spring just to admire the whole fields covered by those plants. But they look equally good in home gardens. They impress with their intense color which makes them look distinct against other species.
Although the crocus is resistant to low temperatures, this spring flower needs at least a little bit of sunlight to grow. Damp soil is equally important.
Crocuses multiply very quick, which is their big advantage. You can achieve beautiful large clusters of flowers after just a few years.
Primroses - spring flowers that foreshadow warmth
The primrose is also known as primula. It originates in alpine regions. Some of its types are resistant to low temperatures, so they often bloom as soon as March. The standard time of appearance for those flowers is the period between April and May.
Although white and yellow are the most popular colors of primroses, they are also available in other shades:
- pink,
- red,
- blue,
- purple.
There are also multi-colored species - but they are very rare and difficult to find.
Tulips - popular spring flowers, perfect to put in a vase
Tulips are popular across the whole Europe. It’s not surprising - there are over 100 tulips species and thousands of varieties. Some of them are so unique that the bulbs sometimes cost a fortune. As for the standard types, the price is moderate.
Tulips need proper conditions to grow. As it turns out, they grow best in the Netherlands. But with a good care, they can be easily grown in other countries as well. Nevertheless, certain rules need to be applied, such as:
- planting from the beginning of September to October,
- deadheading the flowers that finished blossoming,
- digging out the bulbs after blooming and storing them in a dry place.
Spring flowers like tulips are perfect in the garden and as potted flowers.
Daffodils - spring flowers also known as narcissi
The daffodil is a very easy to grow spring flower - it doesn’t require too much care of attention. It’s perfect for beginner gardeners who don’t have enough knowledge about garden plants. Daffodils are white and yellow, with different coronas (the centre). This part is typically yellow or orange. One might also find varieties with pink coronas.
Although daffodils love sunny spots, they do not need high temperatures. They are frost-resistant, so even a sudden change in the weather won’t harm them.
Daffodils are yellow spring flowers, often used in bouquets and as house decorations. If you use them like this, make sure to be careful. After cutting a daffodil, it expels a little amount of sap, harmful for other plants. For this reason, it is advised to soak the flower in a separate container before putting it in a vase with other spring flowers.
Peonies - May spring flowers
The Chinese variety is the most popular type of peony. It produces large, pink or white flowers. They are characteristic for their scent - it can be smelled from afar. The plant typically blooms in May, but it might extend till the end of June - depending on the care, nutrition and weather conditions.
Spring flowers such as peonies need good, fertile soil - slightly acidic and damp. Make sure to protect them from intense wind which might break their stems.
Other popular peony types are:
- Karl Rosenfiend - with very dark red flowers,
- Shirley Temple - with large, pale pink flowers.
Hyacinths - purple spring flowers
The hyacinth is a perfect spring flower for the garden. Surprisingly, it doesn’t need too much attention or care. The most important factor is soil which shouldn’t be acidic and cannot be damp. Sandy substrates work well, in this case.
Protect hyacinths from strong winds. Plant them in a spot covered e.g. by large shrubs.
Although blue and purple hyacinths are the most common, those spring flowers can also be white, pink, yellow and salmon.
Daisies - delicate spring flowers
Daisies are well known as spring flowers that grow on meadows. As it turns out, they can be also grown in a garden. Just pick the species you like the most. Regardless of which one you choose, pay attention to the soil. It should be fertile, slightly acidic and damp.
Daisies are very vulnerable to low temperatures so if the weather forecast predicts freezes, consider covering the spring flowers to retain their looks.
Phloxes - colorful springtime flowers
The phlox is a spring flower of many varieties. The most popular types of this species are:
- Douglas phlox (Phlox douglasii)
- Wild blue phlox (Phlox divaricata)
- Coville’s phlox (Phlox covillei)
- Drummond phlox (Phlox drummondii)
- Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata)
- Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Their requirement and care style depend on the variety you choose. Typically, phloxes need loose humus-rich soil. Less demanding spring plants like garden phlox can grow in sandy soils.
The spring flowers need a half-sunny and windless spot. Stong wind might break this tall plant.
Bergenias - long-lasting spring flowers
Bergenias are not very demanding when it comes to care and growing conditions. Although it grows best in fertile and damp soil, it thrives in worse conditions as well. Most importantly, this spring flower is frost-resistant.
Bergenias have characteristic ornamental leaves of an interesting shape. They change color depending on the season. You can recognize them by their red or purplish coloration. Nonetheless, the plant blooms in spring and that’s when it looks the most beautiful.
Grape hyacinths - ideal spring flowers for home and garden
Grape hyacinths are yet different popular spring flowers. Two particular varieties are most popular - common grape hyacinth and Armenian grape hyacinth. They differ only in color - the growing conditions and care requirements are exactly the same.
Those spring flowers grow best in fertile humus-rich soils. They can also be planted in sandy clay soils, and no problem with growth should occur. The sunlight is important as well, so open flower beds and rock gardens are the best spots for them.
Weigela - ornamental shrub with spring flowers
Although weigela is more of an ornamental shrub rather than a flower, it is often included in lists of spring plants. It is characteristic for blooming twice a year - first time in spring, and another - in autumn. The flowers bloom in abundance and look gorgeous.
Weigela spring flowers are bell-shaped and typically white, red, pink or even purple - close to violet.
As for the soil requirements, weigela grows in delicate and loose substrates. It doesn’t have to be very fertile, although the plant blooms better with an access to lots of nutrients.
Do spring flowers grow only in the garden?
Although when thinking about spring flowers, most people think about their gardens. As it turns out, spring flowers appear in many other places as well. They grow on meadows and in forests. A lot depends on the conditions in such places. Interestingly enough, many species have low requirements and can be found growing even by busy roads, where pollution is strong.
📍 What are the most popular spring flowers?
Crocuses, primroses, tulips and peonies are the most common springtime flowers. Each of those species blooms in a different month between March and April, sometimes even until June. By choosing various spring flowers, you can make your garden look fabulous for several months.
📍 When to seed spring flowers?
Spring flowers are typically seeded several months earlier in autumn in special containers. In early spring, they are planted in soil - if the weather conditions allow. Keep in mind that every spring flower is different and, therefore, it requires different conditions. Read the tips on the seeds packagings.
📍 When to plant spring flowers?
Spring plants are typically planted in autumn. They are no always planted straight to the ground - the process might start in special boxes to keep the plants over winter. Keep in mind, however, that it all depends on individual needs of a plant and another month might be better in a particular case.
Featured articles
