After the longest winter ever (or at least it felt that way!), I’m always desperate to add some cheerful colors to my dreary yard. There’s something magical about those first spring blooms pushing through the soil.
Today, I’m sharing my favorite spring flowers that never fail to brighten up my garden and lift my spirits after months of gray skies.
7 Beautiful Flowers to Plant in Spring
1. Weigela
You guys, I can’t say enough good things about my weigela bushes! These sweet pink and white trumpet-shaped flowers are total showstoppers in my front yard.
I planted mine last spring right by my front porch, and let me tell you – it was the best decision ever.
While they love hanging out in full sun, they’re pretty chill about partial shade too, especially if you live somewhere super hot like I do. The best part? They often give you a surprise encore blooming in summer and fall!
2. Forsythia
Looking for a sign that spring is finally here? Those bright yellow forsythia blooms are nature’s way of saying “winter is over, friends!”
I absolutely love how low-maintenance these bushes are. They’re basically the “set it and forget it” of the garden world.
What makes them extra special is how the flowers pop up before the leaves do – it’s like having branches full of sunshine in your yard! And trust me, they’re not picky about soil at all.
3. Gladiolus
Oh my goodness, if you want some serious drama in your garden, gladiolus is your girl! These gorgeous flowers open up from bottom to top on tall, elegant stems.
I’ve got them in every color under the sun – reds, oranges, and the most stunning deep burgundy you’ve ever seen.
Here’s a pro tip I learned the hard way: plant new bulbs every couple of weeks for continuous blooms. That way, you’ll have fresh flowers all season long!
4. Summer Lilies
Can we talk about summer lilies for a minute? There are two main types I’m obsessed with: Oriental and Asiatic.
My Oriental lilies are like the divas of the garden – huge, fragrant blooms that demand attention (and stakes to hold up their gorgeous heads!).
The Asiatic ones are more like their laid-back cousins – smaller flowers but way more color options, and they stand up perfectly fine on their own. Just pop these babies in the ground during spring, and they’ll give you the most amazing summer show.
5. Daylily
Daylilies are literally the best friend of busy gardeners like me. They’re those super reliable plants that come back year after year without complaining.
Even when they’re not blooming, their grass-like leaves look pretty darn cute in the garden.
Want more? Just dig up and divide your existing clumps in spring – free plants, anyone? Just remember to snip off the spent flowers if you want them to keep blooming (I usually do this while having my morning coffee).
6. Pansy
If you’re new to gardening, pansies are your new BFFs! These sweet-faced flowers are perfect for beginners because they’re super forgiving of rookie mistakes.
I love filling my containers with these cheerful little bloomers every spring. They come in the prettiest colors – yellows, purples, whites – you name it!
The best part? They don’t mind those chilly spring nights at all. They’re basically the tough cookies of the flower world!
7. Zinnias
Last but definitely not least – zinnias! These are my absolute favorite flowers for hot summer gardens.
They grow so fast, it’s almost like watching them in fast-forward. I start mine from seeds, and they pop up in less than a week – perfect for impatient gardeners like me!
These beauties come in the boldest, brightest colors you can imagine, with layers upon layers of petals. Plus, they’re total butterfly magnets – my kids love watching all the butterflies visit our zinnia patch!
Starting your spring garden doesn’t have to be complicated. These seven flowers have never let me down, and I bet they’ll work great in your garden too!