After the long, dreary winter months, nothing brings me more joy than seeing those first spring blooms peek through the thawing soil.
As a passionate gardener and mom of three, I’ve learned which flowers can be counted on to herald spring’s arrival and brighten our family’s yard year after year.
6 Spring Flowering Favorites
1. Daffodils
My kids always squeal with delight when they spot our first daffodils. These cheerful yellow trumpets are true spring classics that never disappoint.
They thrive in zones 4a-8a and prefer full sun with well-draining soil. I’ve found the tall varieties bloom slightly later than their miniature cousins.
One year, half of my daffodils refused to bloom – turns out I had planted the bulbs too deep! Moving them higher in the soil fixed the issue right away.
2. Forsythia
This fast-growing shrub is like sunshine incarnate when its yellow blooms explode across arching branches. It’s my signal that winter has finally lost its grip.
I adore how carefree forsythia is, thriving in zones 5a-8a in both full sun and partial shade. While some gardeners keep it neatly trimmed, I prefer letting mine grow wild and free.
The only maintenance it really needs is occasional pruning to keep it in check. Mine frames our front walkway beautifully with minimal effort on my part.
3. Lenten Rose
Don’t let the name fool you – this beauty isn’t actually a rose at all, but a hellebore. Standing proud at 18-24 inches tall, it’s a real showstopper in my spring garden.
The curved pink and green petals remind me of elegant ballgowns as they dance in the spring breeze. I’ve found giving them a good feeding of fertilizer in early spring really gets them going.
These hardy plants are perfect for zones 4a-9a and make wonderful cut flowers for my kitchen table arrangements.
4. Pasque Flower
These darling purple blooms always appear right around Easter in my garden, hence their seasonal name. They’re perfectly sized at about a foot tall, making them ideal for border edges.
Living in a higher elevation area, my Pasque flowers absolutely thrive in our cool, dry climate. The key is deep watering 1-3 times weekly while being careful not to let their feet get too wet.
5. Winter Jasmine
While not the showiest flower in my garden, this early bloomer holds a special place in my heart. Its delicate pale yellow flowers are often the very first sign of spring we see.
I’ve trained mine to climb up our pergola, but it works equally well as ground cover. It’s truly a plant-it-and-forget-it perennial that brings reliable joy year after year.
6. Creeping Myrtle
Also known as vinca or periwinkle, this versatile ground cover has been my saving grace in shady spots where grass refuses to grow. Its trailing 18-inch stems spread quickly to form a dense mat of foliage.
The simple but abundant blooms appear just as spring begins, creating a carpet of color under our maple trees. Once established, it practically takes care of itself.
I especially appreciate how it thrives in areas where other plants struggle. It’s transformed several problematic spots in our yard into beautiful, low-maintenance flowering spaces.