Late winter into early spring is when we crave fresh growth, a bit of color…some sign that spring is really returning! Swelling buds on Pussy Willows and dainty Crocus blooms – which might be overlooked or scoffed at among the lushness of summer plant life – shine in the barren landscape of early spring to bring excitement, praise and hope. These are soon followed by bolder displays of plants like Forsythia, Tulips and Lilacs that burst into bloom and cement our certainty of spring’s return.
If you’d like to indulge in some of this excitement, look around your neighborhood and local parks this spring to note which plants catch your eye. Snap their portraits with your smart phone or camera, then seek them out at your local garden centers for your own yard. Plant a garden that makes every spring a celebration of the colors and fragrance of the season!
Here’s a short list to spark your imagination:
Perennial Flowers
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| Anemone/Windflower | Brunnera/Siberian Bugloss | Columbine | English Primrose |
Can be planted spring through autumn.
Flowering Bulbs
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| Hyacinth | Tulips | Daffodils | Crocus |
Should be planted in autumn.
Flowering Shrubs & Trees
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| Forsythia | Rhododendrons & Azaleas | Witch Hazel | Winter Daphne |
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| Flowering Dogwood | Lilacs | Pussy Willow | Redbud |
Can be planted spring through autumn.
