Spring Flowers

When you think of springtime, the first thought that automatically comes to mind is flowers. Perhaps you are anxious for the first spring signs to appear after a cold winter time, to be able to plant your flowers. However, it can be a difficult and daunting task to select the most suitable flowers for spring. When you plant bulbs during fall to mid-winter, it is probably the only sure way to have spring flowers blooming each year.

You can always purchase flowering plants from your local nursery. Ensure you do not plant the flowers when it is still freezing cold – in most parts of the country, spring arrives late in the season hence at that time you will be planting the flowers expecting summer. Most garden centers stock bulbs towards the end of winter, which have been potted during the winter season hence you can always buy those. The following are a few options of flowering plants that can be planted at present and are sure to produce early spring flowers;

Chionodoxa luciliare, commonly known as Glory Of The Snow is known to produce beautiful bright blue flowers, with a white center. Depending on where you live, you can also find pink/white varieties of flowers. The plants are known to grow between 6-10 inches tall, hence making the plant ideal for borders, walkways, and rock gardens.

Eranthis hyemalis, commonly known as Winter Aconite look like common buttercups. They grow very low to the ground, approximately 3 inches in height; hence it is advisable to plant them in masses for best results. If you live in warm areas, these bulbs may start flowering as early as January, producing beautiful yellow flowers.

Leucojum vernum, common name Spring Snowflake are best planted during fall but can also do well in mid-late winter, particularly if you purchase those already potted as they would have started their growth cycle. The height of these plants will be 6-12 upon maturity, featuring white color petals with little green spots on the endings. These plants have green parts which produces the attractive bell-shaped flowers. For best results, plant these bulbs in clusters and anticipate the first blooming signs late February or Early March.

The other common type of bulbs is the Iris reticulate of Netted Iris if you like. They feature color purple but you can also find them in white and light blue colors in various areas. Irises are known to be the first blooming plants, giving out a beautiful and magnificently scented display in early March.

All kinds of bulbs, the above included need to be thinned from time to time after a number of growing seasons because they tend to reproduce very fast and may even start inhibiting the growth of the plants because of over-crowding.