These annuals and perennials will fill your garden with beautiful spring flowers.
Kickstart your spring garden with these planting suggestions that will instantlyadd cheery color to your containersand flower beds.
Head to your local garden center and fill your cart with these pretty annual and perennial plants.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
They’ll pair well with otherearly-blooming flowersyou may already have in your yard, includingcrocus,daffodils, andtulips.
“And because they are cold tolerant, late-season chills or even snows wont deter them from blooming.
Pansies and Violas
The happy faces and colors ofviolas and pansiesare hard to resist.
Credit: Justin Hancock
Pansies are the larger, show-off versions of their small, dainty-looking viola cousins.
Although pansies areclassified as biennials or perennials, they’re often grown as annuals.
If protected during winter, they may make a return visit the following spring.
Credit: Rick Taylor
Dianthus
Like pansies,dianthusflourishes in cooler weather.
That means spring is an ideal time to get these plants in the ground.
double-check outside temperatures are at least a steady 40F before planting.
Credit: Justin Hancock
The flowers are typically fragrant, with a hint of cloves in their scent.
“There are several types of dianthus to enjoy, Blazek says.
“Dianthus barbatusandchinensisare perennials that come back every year, giving you long-lasting color.
Credit: Doug Hetherington
Also read the tags for the mature height.
Snapdragon
No need to wait untilafter the last frostto put snapdragon plants in the ground.
Mainstays of cottage gardens, snapdragons come in nearly all the colors and hues of the rainbow.
Credit: Justin Hancock
While snapdragons are among the earliest bloomers in spring, they dont handle heat well.
In cooler climates, they may blossom from spring through fall.
Removing the spent flowers will encourage reblooming.
Credit:Carson Downing
Although there are so many new snapdragons in garden centers, theres one thats a standout, Blazek says.
It out-performed some of the other varieties on the market.
Its a great medium-height snap with very strong stems that withstand spring winds.
Snapdragons got their common name because, if you use your imagination, each flower resembles a dragons snout.
Pinch in the sides of the flower to watch the dragons “mouth open.
They tolerate temps just below freezing, but prefer it when the air is 45-60F.
Check for heat tolerant varieties at your garden centera few types of alyssum will keep blooming in warmer weather.
According to Blazek, alyssum often does double duty as both a spring and fall bloomer.
“In the spring, it gives you those early colors you crave, she says.
Then it goes into semi-dormancy, taking a well-deserved summer nap before reblooming in the fall.”
Sweet-scented alyssum prefers full sun, although light shade will do.
Theplants work well for edging beds, tucked between rocks, or in containers and window boxes.
Pollinators and other good garden bugs are drawn to alyssum.
Nemesia
Fabulous in containers and hanging baskets,nemesia plantsare prolific bloomers that provide months of color.
The blossoms look somewhat like tiny snapdragons or mini orchids with a sunshine yellow eye in the center.
New colors are vivid, including reddish-plum and hues of bright orange-yellow-reds.
These annuals are pretty much fuss-free because they dont require deadheading.
However, during the heat of summer, the plants may get scraggly.
Carson Downing
7.
Hellebore
There are so many newhelleborehybrids, youre bound to find oneor two or threevarieties you cant live without.
Plus they offer bigger and double blooms, and unique confetti-speckled patterns.
Another hellebore bonus: they thrive in the shade or part shade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pansies, snapdragons, and alyssum will tolerate temperatures down to 20F.
