Lawn & Landscape: Early Spring Flowers
Posted by VC Peet on Thu, Jan 19, 2012
What I look forward to most as winter comes to a slow end are the tiny bulbs that start popping up in my garden. As the weather finally warms, my garden goes from dull and dead to full of beautiful colors from the newly emerging flowers. If you’re lucky, you may see this color begin in very late winter, just as spring is upon us. Their colors may last throughout spring, but here is a list of some of the earliest spring bloomers.
Snowdrop (Galanthus) - Aptly named, these flowers are among the earliest to bloom and may even be seen pushing up through the snow! All snowdrops are perennial plants that grow from bulbs, but be careful not to confuse them with another, similar flower: the snowflake. Their dainty, bell-shaped flowers are beautiful, and they look best planted together in small groups. Plant in partial shade in well-drained soil with plenty of hummus.
Learn more - here.
Spring Snowflake (Leucojum vernum) - Native to southern Europe, the Spring Snowflake requires plenty of moisture throughout the year and prefers partial shade in the hotter climates. The elegant white flowers with tiny green dots on each petal are a welcome sight after a long winter. Like the snowdrops, this plant may return for years to come with very little care and look great in groups. Plant about 3 or 4 inches deep about 8 to 10 inches apart.
Learn more - here.
Iris (Iris) - Showy blooms in a wide variety of colors make these some of the most popular flowers for early Spring color. The earliest bloomers are the blue and purple Reticulata. Plant irises in partial shade if you expect very hot summers, or full sun if you get a relatively mild summer. They prefer well drained soil and grow best on a slope or in a raised bed. Make sure you don't plant your iris too deeply, keeping the top of the rhizome exposed and the roots facing downward.
Learn more - here.
Daffodil (Narcissus) - Pretty and delicate, these popular plants are now available in a variety of different types, including miniature form and with so-called double flowers. After a long, cold winter, these bright and cheery flowers of gold and white add a nice pop of color to your garden. They also tend to be tall, making them easy to spot in your garden.
Learn more - here.
Crocus (Crocus) - Considered by many to be the first bulb of spring, this flamboyant flower tends to bloom in late winter or early spring. About 30 of the 80 or so known species are cultivated, where they grow wild in Europe. Easy to grow and beautiful to look at, crocuses look best when planted in groups.
Learn more - here.
Tulips (Tulipa) - With so many varieties of tulips, you are sure to find a type perfect for your garden. These flowers are available in nearly every color and nearly every color combination, from yellow and orange to red and purple to white and dark blue - these flowers are certain to cheer you up after the winter. Plant taller varieties away from strong winds and keep well watered. With such a huge selection, you can easily mix and match varieties together.
Learn more - here.