Last Updated on April 8, 2024 by Real Men Sow
Spring flowers are the best way to mark the end of winter. Gardeners use spring flowers as a way to mark the end of winter, from the first snowdrops to the first daffodils to the first hellebores and primroses to name the day.
Why Should You Plant Spring Flowers?
For pollinators, spring flowers are also important. Many pollinators, including some butterflies and bumblebees, hibernate in winter. They rely on spring flowers for nectar and pollen as they emerge from hibernation. The pollen and nectar of spring flowers provide pollinators with energy to fly, find a mate, or nest site, while the pollen and nectar from spring flowers help bumble bees lay eggs for their next generation.
Choosing Best Spring Flowers
It is important to consider the location where you will be planting spring flowers. Many flowers thrive in sunlight or dappled shade. In fact, they will bloom sooner if they are placed in sunny areas where the sun will warm the soil. You should also consider whether you are growing spring flowers in a container or in the ground. Also, think about whether you want to display them permanently or in a temporary setting. Bulb plantings, which are typically done in autumn, can also be considered.
Simple List of Spring Flowers
Primrose, Primula vulgaris
| Description | One of the most well-loved spring flowers, it has a pale yellow bloom and green crinkled leaves. |
| Location To Grow | Moist soil under partial shade, grown next to forget-me-nots, snowdrops, and other spring flowers |
| Bloom | March to May |
| Height x Spread | 20cm x 35cm |
Snowdrops, Galanthus spp.
| Description | Earliest spring flowers to bloom. They gradually clump over the years, making them easier to dig up, divide, and replant |
| When to Grow | In the green, after they’re flowered in March and aApril |
| Bloom | January to March |
| Height x Spread | 12cm x 5cm |
Crocus, Crocus tommasinianus
| Description | Cheeriest Spring Flowers and provides masses of pollen. Has purple, yellow, and white varieties. |
| When to Grow | Best Planted in Autumn |
| Location to Grow | Grow them in moist but well-drained soil under full sun |
| Bloom | February to April |
| Height x Spread | 15cm x 15cm |
Daffodils, Narcissus spp.
| Description | Hardy and cheery yellow flowers |
| Location to Grow | Grow them in moist but well-drained soil under full sun (directly on the ground or in pots) |
| Bloom | February to May |
| Height x Spread | 30cm x 5cm |
Hyacinth, Hyacinthus
| Description | Has purple, pink and white varieties that grows well in pots and offers a blast of spring color and scent early in the year |
| Location to Grow | Grow them in moist but well-drained soil under full sun |
| Bloom | March to April |
| Height x Spread | 25cm x 10cm |
Tulips, Tulipa spp.
| Description | Most popular Spring flowers that comes in ranges of colors, shapes, and sizes. |
| Location to Grow | Grow them in moist but well-drained soil under full sun |
| Bloom | April to May |
| Height x Spread | 45cm x 20cm |
Forget-me-nots, Myosotis sylvatica
| Description | Cheery and low-growing blue flowers. They self-seed but would look tatty after flowering. |
| Location to Grow | Grow them in moist but well-drained soil under partial shade |
| Bloom | April to June |
| Height x Spread | 20cm x 15cm |
Wallflowers, Erysimum cheiri
| Description | Biennial plants that comes in dark red and yellow |
| Location to Grow | Grow them in moist but well-drained soil under full sun to partial shade |
| Bloom | March to April |
| Height x Spread | 50cm x 50cm |
Lungwort, Pulmonaria
| Description | Perennial herbaceous plant with purple and pink varieties. |
| Location to Grow | Grow them in moist but well-drained soil, tolerates more shade |
| Bloom | March to April |
| Height x Spread | 35cm x 45cm |
Snake’s head fritillary
| Description | Spring-flowering bulb that has chequerboard-patterned flowers in shades of mauve and pink but has white varieties. |
| Location to Grow | Grow them in moist but well-drained soil under partial shade |
| Bloom | March to April |
| Height x Spread | 35cm x 45cm |
Hellebores, Helleborus spp.
| Description | Has white to pink, and dark purple varieties. |
| Location to Grow | Grow them in moist but well-drained soil under partial shade |
| Bloom | January to April |
| Height x Spread | 45cm x 45cm |
Reticulata iris, Iris reticulata
| Description | Has delicate, fragrant purple flowers with yellow markings |
| Location to Grow | Plant them in pots |
| Bloom | January to April |
| Height x Spread | 15cm x 15cm |
Heather, Erica spp.
| Description | A bumblebee magnet because they provide pollen and nectar on early spring days |
| Location to Grow | Plant in pots or in front of a sunny border |
| Bloom | December to April |
| Height x Spread | 50cm x 100cm |
Winter aconite, Eranthus hyemalis
| Description | Perennials with bright yellow flowers |
| Location to Grow | Grow them in moist but well-drained soil under full sun or partial shade |
| Bloom | January to February |
| Height x Spread | 13cm x 10cm |
Pasque flower, Pulsatilla
| Description | Beautiful late-spring flower with silku purple, star-shaped flowers |
| Location to Grow | Grow them in moist but well-drained soil under partial shade |
| Bloom | April to May |
| Height x Spread | 20cm x 20cm |
Grape hyacinth, Muscari
| Description | Small, Spring-flowering bulbs with bright blue flowers |
| Location to Grow | Grow them in front of a border in grass or in pots. Remember that they spread easily |
| Bloom | April to May |
| Height x Spread | 20cm x 10cm |
Bearded iris, Iris germanica
| Description | Tall-growing with flamboyan blooms and sword-like foliage |
| Location to Grow | Grow them in moist but well-drained soil under a hot, sunny bed |
| Bloom | May to June |
| Height x Spread | 90cm x 10cm |
Foxgloves, Digitalis
| Description | Either perennials or biennials with pink-purple tubular flowers but have white and orange varieties. |
| Location to Grow | Grow them in moist but well-drained soil under full sun to partial shade |
| Bloom | May to June |
| Height x Spread | 1.8cm x 90cm |
Alliums, Allium spp.
| Description | Bulbous perennials with globe-shaped purple flowers |
| Location to Grow | Grow them in moist but well-drained soil under full sun along with foliage plants |
| Bloom | May to June |
| Height x Spread | 20cm x 15cm |
Lily of the valley, Convallaria majalis
| Description | Low-growing, spreading perennial that has arching stems of bell-shaped white flowers |
| Location to Grow | Grow them in moist but well-drained soil under partial shade |
| Bloom | April to May |
| Height x Spread | 25cm x 30cm |
