![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.fromhousetohome.com\/garden\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2018\/03\/plants-for-early-spring-flowers.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThere is something about the first flowers to bloom in the spring that make them near and dear to every gardener’s heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After looking at brown grass (or lots of snow depending on where you are), the bright colors of these early bloomers are a welcome sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As an added bonus, most of these early spring plants are really easy to grow and require very little in maintenance other than some pruning to remove dead leaves or branches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And they are all perennials, bulbs or shrubs, so you only have to plant them once to have years of spring enjoyment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep reading to find my favorite early spring flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Early spring bulbs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Some of the best early spring flowers come from bulbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While they bloom in the spring, these bulbs should be purchased and planted in the fall<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So you’ll need to add them to your list for ordering later in the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scientific name:<\/strong> Galanthus nivalis<\/em> Snowdrops have small nodding teardrop white flowers that are one of the first to emerge in the late winter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The gray-green grass-like foliage come up just prior to the blooms and dies back in late spring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Plant the small bulbs in drifts 2 to 3″ deep in a woodland garden where they will naturalize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Buy snowdrops here<\/a>.*<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scientific name<\/strong>: Crocus<\/em> Crocus are one of the earliest blooms to break through the snow crust in late winter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Their beautiful colors and sometimes fragrant blooms will brighten up any garden. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Which is why they are one of the most popular early spring bulbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Crocus corms should be planted in well-drained soil 3 to 4 inches deep, in bunches of 10 or more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Water well and cover with mulch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They will naturalize over time, although preventing the squirrels from eating them before that happens can be a challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Buy crocus here<\/a>.*<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scientific name: <\/strong>Iris reticulata<\/em> Iris reticulata is one of the earliest blooming bulbs in the spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They are very short, reaching only about 6″ in height. (These are not the tall flag-type irises that bloom later in the spring or early summer.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, the blooms don’t last very long (about a week in my garden). <\/p>\n\n\n\n But they are so bright and beautiful that I think they are worth planting anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These Irises are available in a variety of colors but I love the bright blue ones. I grow them through my creeping phlox which helps to hide the Iris leaves after they are done blooming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plant the bulbs in the fall to get blooms the next spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Buy iris reticulata here<\/a>.*<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scientific name: <\/strong>Narcissus<\/em> Daffodils are another really easy to grow bulb that is one of the first to bloom in the spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike tulips, they grow well even with the warmer winter weather where I live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And unlike crocuses, the squirrels don’t like them. Which means they actually stay where you plant them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plant at least 10 bulbs about 3 inches apart and 6 inches deep in the fall and you’ll have beautiful spring flowers for many years to come. They will spread out over time creating a beautiful clump of blooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are not a huge fan of yellow, newer varieties come in shades of pink or white.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The leaves can be a little unsightly after the flowers have finished, so planting the bulbs with later blooming plants is a good idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Buy daffodils here<\/a>.*<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scientific name: <\/strong>Phlox subulata<\/em> Trailing phlox is a very low-growing evergreen plant that spreads out over the years, but is not invasive. If you are patient, 3 or 4 of these plants can eventually line a 6 foot sidewalk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They look great growing over garden edging, as ground cover or in a rock garden, and are completely covered in blooms in the early spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is a limited color selection (purple, pink or white), but you can add some extra interest by combining them with spring bulbs such as daffodils, tulips or irises which look beautiful growing up through the low-growing phlox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Buy creeping phlox here<\/a>.*<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scientific name: <\/strong>Pulmonaria<\/em> Lungwort is a semi-evergreen low-growing perennial that has clusters of dainty blooms in the early spring, and is much prettier than the name suggests!<\/p>\n\n\n\n One plant can produce blue, pink and purple flowers all at once. So you get a pretty mixture without having to do anything special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It also has very pretty leaves. Depending on the variety, the foliage can be variegated, silver or spotted which makes it an interesting woodland plant all year round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Buy pulmonaria here<\/a>.*<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scientific name: <\/strong>Helleborus orientalis<\/em> Hellebores are one of the first flowers of spring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They are low-growing perennials that grow in clumps and start blooming in late winter or early spring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even in Canada, their flowers can be seen peeping out from the snow in February.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once they start blooming, they have the added benefit that the blooms last for quite some time. In my South Carolina garden, the first flowers appear in February and are still going strong in April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plus they are very easy to grow…I don’t do anything to them other than cut off the odd dead leaf.<\/p>\n\n\n They are available in a wide variety of colors and bloom types, so you should be able to find one that fits in with your garden.<\/p>\n\n\n Hellebores are fairly short, like a shady spot and will spread out some (but are not invasive). So plant them in a location where they have a little room to grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The plants can be a little gangly in the summer. Planting them with something that comes out a little later and also likes the shade (like Hostas) will help provide some distraction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Find more information on how to grow Hellebores<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Buy Hellebores here<\/a>.*<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scientific name<\/strong>: Primula vulgaris<\/em> There are many varieties of early blooming perennial primulas that produce a profusion of flowers in the early spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They die back to the ground in the heat of the summer but often reappear again in the cool days of autumn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They are all easy care perennials that should be planted about 10″ apart in humous rich soil where they will get some afternoon shade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The plant spreads slowly by rhizomes and is very easy to grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since there are many types of primrose, be sure to read the tag carefully when you are buying them to assure that you are getting a perennial variety which blooms in the spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Primroses are also rabbit and deer resistant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Buy primroses here<\/a>.*<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scientific name<\/strong>: Hepatica nobilis<\/em> Liverwort is a one of the spring\u2019s earliest native woodland plants that can cover the ground with its small blue wildflowers in early spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It has bright blue, lavender, pink or white blooms with evergreen leaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is very easy to grow and has a fresh, delicate scent that smells like spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The flowers may not fully open on a rainy day but even the half-opened flowers are a bright spot in the garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Buy liverwort here<\/a>.*<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scientific name: <\/strong>Erica<\/em> Winter heath (Erica<\/em>) is a low-growing evergreen shrubby perennial that is covered with small white, pink or purple flowers in late winter to early spring when not much else is blooming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is an easy-to-grow plant that spreads slowly to create a dense ground cover that deer ignore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Winter heath should be watered regularly when it is first planted but is quite drought tolerant once established.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Buy winter heath here<\/a>.*<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since many of the early-blooming flowers are fairly low-growing, planting a few early flowering shrubs helps to bring the color up higher in the garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Which makes more of an impact from a distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scientific name: <\/strong>Magnolia stellata<\/em> There are many different types of magnolias that grow in many different climates and bloom in different seasons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I think all of them are beautiful but I am particularly fond of the Star Magnolias.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Their early spring flowers come out before their leaves, usually in late February or early March in my Zone 7B South Carolina garden.<\/p>\n\n\n They generally have pink or white blooms with several petals that give them a star-like appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once the leaves do come out, they are pretty, glossy and dark green making a good backdrop for other plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These bushes grow to about 8′ wide by 15′ high so make sure to plant them in a location with a little room to grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Buy star magnolia here<\/a>.*<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scientific name: <\/strong>Camellia japonica<\/em> Camellias are another easy-to-grow shrub (or small tree if you cut off the lower branches as they grow) with early spring flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They have evergreen, dark green leaves which is an added bonus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bloom times can be anytime between the end of October and the beginning of May, depending on the variety.<\/p>\n\n\n Camellias require slightly warmer conditions than some of the other plants in this list. But if you live in a zone where they survive, it’s hard not to have at least one in your garden. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I have enough varieties in my garden that there is usually at least one blooming all winter long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It does take them a couple of years to get going after they have been planted, but once established, they are covered in blooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Find out more about growing Camellias.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Buy Camellias here<\/a>.*<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scientific name: <\/strong>Forsythia<\/em> Forsythia is an easy to grow shrub that produces bright yellow flowers as soon as the snow is melting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They are so cheerful that it’s hard not to fall in love with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After a winter of gray skies and cold weather, they always remind me that sunshine and spring are on the way!<\/p>\n\n\n\n This shrub is very easy to maintain, only requiring pruning once a year after it has bloomed to keep it in check.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Buy Forsythia here<\/a>.*<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scientific name: <\/strong>Daphne<\/em> odora<\/em> Winter Daphne is a small, evergreen shrub that has clusters of very fragrant pink or white flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These early spring bloomers have leaves that are either glossy dark green or variegated depending on the variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And it has a beautiful mounded shape that doesn’t get too big. So its perfect or the small urban garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plus, having a plant that blooms so early in the spring and smells heavenly is a combination that’s hard to beat!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Find out more about growing Daphne.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n1 | Snowdrops<\/h2>\n\n\n
![\"naturalized](\"https:\/\/www.fromhousetohome.com\/garden\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2023\/03\/early-spring-flowers-snowdrops.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
Zone:<\/strong> 3 to 8
Exposure:<\/strong> part shade
Height:<\/strong> 8″ to 10″
Width:<\/strong> 3″ to 6″
Bloom time:<\/strong> late winter, early spring
Bloom color:<\/strong> white with a green spot at the apex<\/p>\n\n\n\n2 | Crocus<\/h2>\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.fromhousetohome.com\/garden\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2023\/03\/early-spring-flowers-crocus.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
Zone:<\/strong> 3 to 8
Exposure:<\/strong> sun, part sun
Height:<\/strong> 2″ to 4″
Width:<\/strong> 2′ to 4″
Bloom time:<\/strong> late winter, early spring
Bloom color:<\/strong> purple, blue, orange, pink, white, yellow<\/p>\n\n\n\n3 | Reticulated iris<\/h2>\n\n\n
![\"Blue](\"https:\/\/www.fromhousetohome.com\/garden\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2018\/03\/early-spring-blooming-perennials-iris-reticulata.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
Zone<\/strong>: 4 to 9
Exposure<\/strong>: Sun to partial shade
Height<\/strong>: 6″ to 8″
Width<\/strong>: 2″
Bloom time<\/strong>: Early spring
Flower color<\/strong>: Blue, purple, white, yellow<\/p>\n\n\n\n4 | Daffodils<\/h2>\n\n\n
![\"White](\"https:\/\/www.fromhousetohome.com\/garden\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2023\/03\/early-spring-flowers-daffodils.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
Zone<\/strong>: 3 to 8
Exposure<\/strong>: Sun to partial shade
Height<\/strong>: 18″ to 24″
Width<\/strong>: 6″ to12″
Bloom time<\/strong>: Early spring
Flower color<\/strong>: White, yellow, orange<\/p>\n\n\n\nEarly spring perennials<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
5 | Trailing or creeping phlox<\/h2>\n\n\n
![\"Pink](\"https:\/\/www.fromhousetohome.com\/garden\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2015\/03\/MG_3003.jpg\")
Zone<\/strong>: 2 to 9
Exposure<\/strong>: Sun to part shade
Height<\/strong>: 4″ to 6″
Width<\/strong>: 12″ to 18″
Bloom time<\/strong>: Early spring
Flower color<\/strong>: Pink, white, purple<\/p>\n\n\n\n6 | Lungwort<\/h2>\n\n\n
![\"Pulmonaria\"](\"https:\/\/www.fromhousetohome.com\/garden\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2018\/03\/early-spring-blooming-perennials-pulmonaria.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
Zone<\/strong>: 3 to 8
Exposure<\/strong>: Shade to part shade
Height<\/strong>: 8″ to 12″
Width<\/strong>: 12″ to 18″
Bloom time<\/strong>: Early spring
Flower color<\/strong>: Pink, purple, blue<\/p>\n\n\n\n7 | Lenten rose<\/h2>\n\n\n
![\"Single](\"https:\/\/www.fromhousetohome.com\/garden\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2015\/03\/MG_2998.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
Zone<\/strong>: 3 to 9 (evergreen in zones 6 to 9)
Exposure<\/strong>: Shade to part shade
Height<\/strong>: 15″ to 18″
Width<\/strong>: 18″ to 24″
Bloom time<\/strong>: Late winter \/ early spring
Flower color<\/strong>: White, yellow, purple, pink, black<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Dark](\"https:\/\/www.fromhousetohome.com\/garden\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2015\/03\/MG_2995.jpg\")
![\"white](\"https:\/\/www.fromhousetohome.com\/garden\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2015\/03\/MG_2976.jpg\")
8 | Perennial primrose<\/h2>\n\n\n
![\"Pink,](\"https:\/\/www.fromhousetohome.com\/garden\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2023\/03\/early-spring-flowers-primrose.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
Zone:<\/strong> 3 to 8
Exposure:<\/strong> part shade, morning sun only
Height:<\/strong> 6″
Width:<\/strong> 6′ to 8″
Bloom time:<\/strong> late winter, early spring
Bloom color:<\/strong> purple, yellow, red, pink, blue, or white<\/p>\n\n\n\n9 | Liverwort<\/h2>\n\n\n
![\"early](\"https:\/\/www.fromhousetohome.com\/garden\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2023\/03\/early-spring-flowers-liverwort.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
Zone<\/strong>: 4 to 9
Exposure<\/strong>: part shade to full shade
Height<\/strong>: 4\u2033 to 6\u2033
Width<\/strong>: 6\u2033 to 9\u2033
Bloom time<\/strong>: early through mid spring
Bloom color<\/strong>: blue, white, pink, purple<\/p>\n\n\n\n10 | Winter heath<\/h2>\n\n\n
![\"white](\"https:\/\/www.fromhousetohome.com\/garden\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/02\/plants-for-sun-heather.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
Zone<\/strong>: 5 to 7
Exposure<\/strong>: Sun
Height<\/strong>: 12″ to 18″
Width<\/strong>: 12″ to 24″
Bloom time<\/strong>: Late winter or early spring
Flower color<\/strong>: pink, purple, white<\/p>\n\n\n\nEarly spring flowering shrubs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
11 | Star magnolia<\/h2>\n\n\n
![\"white](\"https:\/\/www.fromhousetohome.com\/garden\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2015\/03\/MG_2944.jpg\")
Zone<\/strong>: 4 to 8
Exposure<\/strong>: Sun to part shade
Height<\/strong>: 15′
Width<\/strong>: 8′
Bloom time<\/strong>: Early spring
Flower color<\/strong>: Pink, white<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"White](\"https:\/\/www.fromhousetohome.com\/garden\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2018\/03\/early-spring-blooming-perennials-magnolia.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n12 | Camellia<\/h2>\n\n\n
![\"White](\"https:\/\/www.fromhousetohome.com\/garden\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2015\/03\/MG_2925.jpg\")
Zone<\/strong>: 7 to 10
Exposure<\/strong>: Shade to part shade
Height<\/strong>: 4′ to 20′ (depending on the variety)
Width<\/strong>: 4′ to 8′
Bloom time<\/strong>: Fall, winter, spring (depending on the variety)
Flower color<\/strong>: Pink, white, red<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Pink](\"https:\/\/www.fromhousetohome.com\/garden\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2018\/03\/early-spring-blooming-perennials-camellia.jpg\")
13 | Forsythia<\/h2>\n\n\n
![\"early](\"https:\/\/www.fromhousetohome.com\/garden\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2018\/03\/railed-forsythia.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
Zone<\/strong>: 4 to 8
Exposure<\/strong>: Full sun to part shade
Height<\/strong>: 3′ to 8′
Width<\/strong>: 4′ to 12′
Bloom time<\/strong>: Early spring
Flower color<\/strong>: yellow<\/p>\n\n\n\n14 | Winter Daphne<\/h2>\n\n\n
![\"Winter](\"https:\/\/www.fromhousetohome.com\/garden\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2018\/03\/early-spring-blooming-perennials-daphne.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
Zone<\/strong>: 5 to 10
Exposure<\/strong>: Part shade to shade
Height<\/strong>: 3′ to 5′
Width<\/strong>: 3′ to 5′
Bloom time<\/strong>: late winter or early spring
Flower color<\/strong>: pink, white<\/p>\n\n\n\n