After the cold, snowy winter has passed, nothing makes me as happy as looking out the window and seeing my garden filled with lovely spring bloomers. The vibrant and wide palette of hues of flowers simply makes my garden look out of this world!
Many flowers, from annuals to perennials, will add the perfect pop of colour and vibrance to your garden. But before you get started, you need to plan precisely.
Let’s take a look at the best 15 spring flowers for a bright and lovely garden. These are my top picks that will make your garden look gorgeous without requiring much effort or maintenance.
When To Start Planting Spring Flowers?
Some spring flowers need to be planted during autumn to bloom in the spring. On the other hand, some varieties take less time, so you can plant them right when the season starts.
Generally, spring flower planting starts in mid-April to early May. Start once the last frost has passed in your area.
When you are buying the seeds of the plants, read the description carefully. This will give you a clear idea of how big the plant might get and what kind of care it requires.
The Best 15 Spring Flowers
You can grow many types of flowers and plants in your garden during the spring. My top 15 favourites are listed below.
1. Pansies
Pansies are vivid spring annuals, which refer to plants that bloom for only one season. If you are looking for the perfect pop of colour in your garden that requires a little hard work, I suggest you pick some pansies.
These require a slightly acidic soil with proper moisture retention. Pansies grow up well in both full sunlight and in part shade. The best part is that you can plant these in early spring and enjoy the bloom during the latter part of the season.
They are also cold and hardy, which means a little bit of cold weather will not hurt their growth.
2. Snapdragons
Another cold-hardy annual, snapdragon comes in a wide variety of colours, from light pink to oranges. They work well with pansies. Each plant can grow up to 36 inches, depending on the variety, so I recommend planting them around the borders. You can plant snapdragons in early spring, and they will continue to bloom till early summer. The summer heat may hinder the bloom, but with enough hydration, they will do just fine.
3. Calendula
One of my top picks, calendula is a cold, hardy annual that adds the perfect colour to any flower garden. This versatile flower comes in many shades, like bright yellow or orange. It is also a great addition to your garden because it acts as a natural pest deterrent. You can plant calendulas along with your spring herbs and vegetables to protect them from aphids.
4. Lupines
Many love lupines because of their visually pleasing hues, ranging from pastels to violets. Like snapdragons, lupines can grow up to 40 inches, depending on the type, so plant them in the borders to create a more organized look.
Once the season is over, I dig the soil and turn the flowers in to allow them to decompose in the ground. This creates a nutrient-rich soil base that is perfect for my next planting season.
5. Daffodil
Daffodils remind us that spring has come. This perennial bulb, for me, is an essential in my spring garden. The bright yellow flowers make any garden look gorgeous in seconds. Additionally, it comes in many colours, such as pink and white. It also keeps rodents away from your garden.
6. Crocus
Crocus, one of the most beautiful cup-shaped flowers with long flowers, is a very early spring bloomer. They come in so many pastel and vivid hues and have a lovely fragrance. However, it is ideal to plant crocuses in a pot. Rodents are very attracted to crocuses. You can also try companion planting. I plant my crocuses under daffodils, as rodents hate daffodils.
7. Petunia
Petunias are another spring flower garden that is essential to me because of their soft and sweet fragrance. In addition, the bright, vivid pink and purple hues make it look like spring has arrived in your backyard. Petunias come in a wide variety of sizes and colours. They need direct sunlight for at least 5 to 6 hours every day, so make sure to place the plant in a sunny spot.
8. Tulip
Tulips in Flower Gardens
- It is essential for spring flower gardens due to the wide variety.
- Ideal for borders or backplanting for organized gardens.
- Plant seeds or plant in late fall in direct sunlight.
- Excellent pollinators.
9. Dahlias
Dahlias are like little bursts of colour with a striking petal combination. You can get this plant in many beautiful colours, such as purple, burgundy, red, and white.
Dahlias: A Low-Maintenance Plant
- Available in deep and lighter pastel shades.
- Creates striking flower plant arrangements.
- Requires at least 8 hours of sunlight for perfect bloom.
- A low-maintenance plant, ideal for sunny corners.
10. Peonies
No spring garden is complete without peonies, also known as the queen of flowers. This head-turner of a flower produces stunning clustered blooms that you cannot look away from at any cost. Peonies come in so many shades and varieties, and all of them are equally beautiful. From light to deeper hues, these flowers can easily become the centrepiece of a flower garden in minutes. Peonies need direct sun exposure and proper hydration to bloom to their full potential.
11. Marigolds
Marigolds are another annual that adds the perfect yellow hue to any flower garden. The bright and vibrant yellow or striking crimson red, this flower comes in a wide variety of colours that will certainly fit your taste.
I like marigolds both for their pleasing visuals and the benefits they offer. They have excellent pest-repellent qualities. It has a strong smell, which deters pests like aphids, whiteflies, and some beetles. Additionally, the bitter taste of the plant keeps larger animals away from the garden, like rabbits.
12. Hyacinths
As someone who loves clustered blooms, I know my spring garden is incomplete without hyacinths. The beautiful shades of pink and purple with significant clusters of star-shaped single flowers and a sweet fragrance make hyacinths one of my favourite spring blooms.
Hyacinths need to be planted in autumn. Their sweet fragrance attracts a lot of bees to your flower garden, making them a great pollinator.
13. Iris
With a highly unique-looking bloom and foliage, irises are the perfect perennial to plant in your garden. This flower comes in so many shades, such as blue, yellow, purple, white, etc.
With proper maintenance, irises can continue to thrive and bloom for years in your garden. Irises need direct sunlight for proper growth. Because of its unique foliage, as well as the height, which depends on the variety, I recommend planting it at the border or the corner.
14. Snowdrop
A low-maintenance and early bloomer flower plant, snowdrop gets its name from the way it looks. With the white pointy petals and the drooping shape of the flowers, this flower looks like a drop of snow in a garden.
These delicate flowers need to be planted in autumn for them to bloom right when spring arrives. Pick a spot with partial shade and good moisture-retention quality for an excellent bloom of this gorgeous flower.
15. Wisteria
Wisteria is wildly overlooked as a spring flower. Its long, entwining vines with massive clusters of flowers drooping over will look perfect in the front yard or at the door to your home.
You can also plant it at the entrance to your garden to create a showstopping entrance. It comes in so many colours and has a unique and sweet smell. You can plant it in autumn or early spring. Just make sure the soil is moist and has direct sun exposure.
Final Words
I hope that through my comprehensive guide on the 15 best spring flowers for a bright, lovely garden, you have learned everything you wanted to know.
Spring is my favourite time of year because of its excellent range of herbs, flowers, and plants. When selecting flowers for your garden, you should also be mindful of the climate of the region you live in. With proper planning, your garden will undoubtedly become a showstopper in your locality.
