Spring Blooming Perennials

It is never too soon to plan a spring garden. In some cases, planting your spring blooming perennials begins as early as fall when the ground is still warm enough to break through the surface but cool enough to germinate seeds.

Getting a headstart on these flowers often allows the plants to establish themselves and develop heartier, healthier root systems. Perennials are often preferable to annuals for this very reason.

Not only do perennials build deeper roots, but they also grow back year after year, unlike annuals, which are only useful for one season before needing to reseed them.

Though planting in the fall often yields incredible results, especially in warmer climates, it is not the only time to plant these perennial flowers.

Many may require planting in winter or even a few weeks into spring. Either way, these beautiful specimens yield stunning flowers of all different colors, shapes, and sizes that are sure to bring life to your springtime gardens.

Remarkable Spring Blooming Perennials You will Love

Planting seasons and whether something grows as an annual or perennial often depends on where you live.

Warmer climates benefit from fall seeding, while those that are too cold may only grow perennials as annuals. Knowing your USDA hardiness zone helps you tremendously when selecting the ideal candidate.

Choose a variety of herbs for spring planting, as well as perennials and annuals, and you are likely to have flowers and greenery most of the year.

Primrose (Primula vulgaris)

The first flower on our list is also one of the few to kick off the spring blooming season. The name for primrose comes from the word that means “early” due to this very reason. They come in many colors, with most displaying sunny, yellow flowers.

Primroses are cool-season flowers that prefer plantings in autumn. The best time to add the seeds to the ground is in the middle of September until the beginning of October. The flowers enjoy partial shade and moist soil with a concentration on keeping the earth well-irrigated to prevent root rot.

Pacific Bleeding Heart (Dicentra formosa)

An intriguing plant known for the dramatic effect its flowers create is the Pacific Bleeding Heart. These flowers are toxic when ingested or even handled, yet surprisingly the roots generate a beneficial tincture that offers moderate pain relief.

This mixture is especially helpful when treating minor afflictions, like sprains and bruises. These low maintenance flowers are also early bloomers and start to emerge from the earth as little sprouts as early as late February.

By March, these gorgeous, dainty buds are in full bloom and last as long as summer when effectively maintained. The best time of year for planting is either in early spring or summer for the following year, spacing them out at least two feet.

Dianthus (Dianthus caryophyllus): Lovely Flowers for Late Spring

Another fantastic addition to your spring garden is the dianthus. These easy perennial flowers to grow produce stunning blooms that exhibit a wide array of colors, from pinks and reds to plain white flowers. What is most distinct about these flowers is their spicy smell, which resembles cinnamon.

Unlike the other two species above, dianthus is more of a late bloomer. Flowers appear starting in late spring, generally around May.

Either planting them directly into the soil in summer works to prepare them for the following year, or sow them two months before the beginning of spring if you intend to propagate them indoors.

Lenten Rose (Helleborus orientalis)

Lenten Rose is a fabulous choice for those looking for something both pest and deer resistant. These hellebores go by several different names, including Christmas Rose and Winter Rose.

This holiday name comes from the fact that these winter blooming perennial plants produce large white flowers around Christmastime, yet blooming is not limited to this time of year or the color white.

The plant produces plenty of different hues in terms of flowers, with vibrant purples, greens, and pinks, just to name a few.

In addition to the plentiful color options, the flowers also bloom in early spring. Their evergreen foliage makes them a favorite for gardeners looking for year-round interest.

Evergreen Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens): Perfect Flowers for Rock Gardens and Borders

One of the loveliest spring flowers for rock gardens is Evergreen Candytuft. The delicate little flowers and dark green leaves spill over the edges of walls, making them a remarkable border plant.

Their petite size also makes them an incredible groundcover option in any garden style. Candytuft requires plenty of sunlight to survive since shade limits its ability to flower well.

It is a warm-season flower that prefers seed sowing during the summer when temperatures reach around 70℉ or higher. Flowers bloom starting in the middle of springtime and last for many weeks.

You may even find that if some candytuft seeds get away from you that they spring up as plants growing through concrete, so plant carefully.

Geranium (Pelargonium)

If something drought tolerant is what you are searching for, then geraniums are an ideal candidate. Not only are they amenable to heat, but they are perfect for container plantings, too.

Many homeowners choose to grow them indoors, especially in kitchen areas, due to their highly fragrant nature. Geraniums are a warmth-loving flower that requires at least six hours of full sun each day.

In areas where the climate is too warm, providing them with a little shade doesn’t hurt. The best time to plant your striking geraniums is either in late fall when the ground starts to cool a bit or in early spring, once the ground thaws.

If you decide to grow scented geraniums, these varieties are plants that deter mosquitoes, as well.

Chinese Peonies (Paeonia lactiflora)

Other beloved species you often find in flower beds are peonies. Chinese Peonies originated in Asia, and they thrive throughout Europe and North America. Most bloom starting in April or May and last until early summer.

Planting peonies starts in fall, providing them with a pleasant, sunny location for when they sprout up above the surface in spring.

These flowers love full sun conditions but also benefit from a few dapplings of shade in the afternoon. Deadheading the peony’s spent blooms is also essential to allowing new sprouts to blossom.

Creeping Phlox (Phlox stolonifera): Stunning Spring Blooming Perennials

Creeping Phlox is a typical spring flower that forms a thick mat over flower beds for dazzling patches of groundcover. This variety of phlox differs from Garden Phlox for this exact reason, reaching only about 6 inches in height.

In contrast, other species extend to about three feet tall. Flowers on Creeping Phlox come in several bright colors, with shades of pink and lavender among them.

They survive wonderfully throughout most of the United States when given the right amount of sunlight suitable to the region. Typically, full sun is ideal, though part shade serves the plant well in hot locations.

Grape Hyacinth (Muscari)

If having flowers that double as lovely floral arrangements indoors is more your speed, then Grape Hyacinth is the flower you’ve been waiting for all this time.

When dried, the cut flowers make impressive additions to arrangements, wreaths, and other DIY projects. They also disperse a pleasant aroma similar to musk, which is how the plant earned its scientific name.

Flowers bloom starting in April and last for approximately three weeks at a time. They need little care and upkeep once established and ask only for regular watering during the first year. The best time to plant these purple and blue flowers is in autumn.

Snowdrop (Galanthus): Dainty White Flowers with a Penchant for Shade

With their pure white flowers and drooping shape, Snowdrops stay true to their wintery name. These are among some of the first flowers to spring up from the ground, marking the very first signs of the season.

They sometimes even rise as early as January, just in time to produce the first blooms by late February. Because these dainty little flowers appear so early, it makes them perfect for window boxes, allowing you easy access to observing the first indication of spring.

They love the shade, so placing them under an awning or around the base of a tree provides them with safety from the sun’s hot rays.

Blue Plantain Lily (Hosta ventricosa)

A spectacular flower for those shady spots in your yard is the Blue Plantain Lily. The plant has large bluish-green leaves often clumping together in a cascading effect.

These lilies reach up to about three feet high with a spread that practically doubles that number.

The white flowers are not your typical lilies and look closer to the clusters seen on Hyacinth. They blossom as early as the middle of spring and are what perennials bloom all summer, though some continue blooming into the fall.

Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)

Sunny yellow flowers always make a garden feel like spring, and no better blossom fits that bill like Carolina Jessamine. As the state flower of South Carolina, this brilliant vining plant dresses up everything from garden trellises to roadsides.

Its light floral fragrance is also a welcome addition to outdoor areas. This early bloomer is drought tolerant and favors areas with warmer climates, particularly in the southern states.

The best time of year to plant them is in late winter, especially in areas where the ground thaws early. Fertilize them once every spring using a compost of various organic matter.

Common Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris): Gorgeous State Flower for Late Spring

Another state flower that heralds the presence of spring is the Common Columbine. Colorado’s state flower, columbine blooms in late spring instead of early in the season, is typically due to its prevalence in colder regions.

However, it is still sown directly into the ground by the time spring begins. Both the name “columbine” and its scientific “aquilegia” reference birds, likely due to its petals that look similar to wings or talons.

The plant develops strong, deep roots that allow it to thrive even in drought. Provide it with plenty of sunlight throughout the year, providing it with partial shade during intense summers or areas with rising temperatures.

Spring Heath (Erica carnea)

A long flowering season is ideal for almost any garden, allowing you to enjoy the appeal longer than a few short weeks. Spring Heath is one such plant that blooms all season long.

A relative of rhododendron, also well known for prolific and long flowering periods, this lovely little bloom shows up as early as the middle of winter and lasts until the end of spring.

The plant itself grows no higher than a foot tall, displaying pretty pink clusters of flowers in little bell shapes.

The leaves are prickly, taking on the appearance of pine needles. Spring Heath makes a fabulous addition to rock gardens and pairs wonderfully with other plants like sedum.

With this incredible collection of flowers, you have several different options for creating your spring garden. Whether you plan on using these spring bloomers as groundcover or fabulous statement specimens, there’s no wrong way to plant them.

If you found a new set of spring flowers to try, please remember to share these gorgeous spring blooming perennials with friends and family on Facebook and Pinterest.