9 Plants for Early Spring Color

Say goodbye to winter and hellooooooo spring!

After a long, dreary winter, everyone is ready to start seeing flowers begin blooming as the weather heats up. And we definitely deserve to enjoy them!

Let Nature Hills Nursery help you enjoy these perfectly picked 9 flowering plants that will bring you fantastic spring color early in the season year after year!

The Ever-Lovely Eastern Redbud

One of the most famous spring bloomers, redbuds (Cercis canadensis) are one of the earliest spring blooming tree species. Renowned for their delicate flowers that bloom before the leaves emerge, redbuds are one of the first plants to indicate the start of spring. 

Often found as multi-stemmed understory trees, redbuds can be managed into a single-stem or a large shrub!

Notable Characteristics:

• 20-30' tall, 15-20' spread
• Flowers gracefully in March and April
• USDA zones 4-9
• Grows best in full or partial sun 

Varieties To Consider:

• Lavender Twist Weeping Redbud
• Pink Heartbreaker Redbud
• Royal White Redbud

A Delicate Snowbelle Mock Orange

Considered to be one of the most winter hardy plants, mock orange (Philadelphus spp.) blooms with beautiful, fragrant white flowers in early spring. 

Enjoy the sweet scent and watch as pollinators flock to your yard. An incredibly low-maintenance plant, enjoy mock orange as it blooms year after year every spring. 

Notable Characteristics:

• Large, fragrant white flowers in April
• Lush, green foliage
• Striking yellow fall color
• USDA zones 4-9
• Grows best in full sun 

Varieties To Consider:

• Miniature Snowflake
• Snowbelle
• Bouquet Blanc

The Enchanting May Day Tree

Large white flower panicles emerge in late April-early May, near May Day. The fruits on a May Day Tree (Prunus padus 'European Bird Cherry') are small black fruits, adored by many birds. Enjoy the multi-stem quality of this tree, and the beautiful white spring flowers.

Notable Characteristics: 

• 15 - 20' in all directions
• Ivory white flowers transform into small black fruits
• Fall color transitions from butterfly yellow to crimson red
• USDA zones 3-7

Graceful Jane Magnolia

Renowned for its large floral display, magnolia trees (Magnolia spp.) are the stars of the spring blooming period. 

Following the floral display, shiny green leaves emerge and become yellow in the fall. The large buds of the flowers persist all winter, providing some interesting texture during the winter.

Notable Characteristics: 

• Large unique-shaped flowers appear in early spring
• USDA zone depends on the variety
• Shiny green foliage in the summer
• Size varies based on variety

Varieties To Consider:

• Magnolia Butterflies
• Little Gem Magnolia
• Jane Magnolia

An Eye-Pleasing Kousa Dogwood

A Flowering Dogwood’s (Cornus florida) spring beauty is found in the delicate four-petaled flowers that unfurl in early April. 

It provides some interest every other season too, from brilliant green foliage in the summer, to red fall color, to unique gray twigs in the winter. But the show-stopping flowers are the real stars of this spring bloomer!

Notable Characteristics: 

• Large flowers in the early spring
• USDA zones 4-9
• Size varies based on variety

Varieties To Consider:

• Satomi Dogwood
• Milky Way Dogwood
• Kousa Dogwood

The Admirable Hot Shot Girard Azalea

One of the most brilliant spring bloomers, azaleas (Azalea spp.) are covered in flowers in the early spring, followed by green leaves in the summer into the fall. 

Beloved by many pollinators, having an azalea in the yard will help dispel those winter blues early in the season.

Notable Characteristics: 

• Variety of vibrant colors to choose from
• USDA zones vary based on variety
• Very adaptable to landscapes and weather conditions
• Can be used as an evergreen in some zones

Varieties To Consider:

• Bollywood® Azalea
• Ashley Marie Girard Azalea
• Hot Shot Girard Azalea

Grow The Exquisite Fothergilla Mount Airy

If fragrant white flowers are what you're looking for, Mount Airy Fothergilla (Fothergilla major 'Mount Airy') is the plant you need. 

In the early spring, this shrub is covered in flowers smelling like honey and vanilla. After the profuse blooms fade, gray-green foliage is revealed, turning red, yellow and purple in the fall.

Notable Characteristics: 

• Fragrant white spring flowers
• USDA zones 5-10
• Brilliant fall colors

An Adorable Brunnera Jack Frost

Favored for its beautiful leaves, brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla) also has beautiful blooms in the spring. Delicate blue flowers erupt above the green and silver leaves and persist for a few weeks before receding. 

Enjoy the small flowers and the beautiful foliage of this plant from the spring into the summer. 

Notable Characteristics: 

• Small blue flowers in the spring
• USDA zones 3-9 (depending on species)
• Unique green and white variegated foliage
• Deer-resistant 

Varieties To Consider:

• Jack Frost Brunnera
• Emerald Mist Brunnera
• Brunnera Variegata

Add The Attractive Dianthus Coconut Punch

For a perennial of a smaller stature, consider using dianthus (Dianthus spp.) in your garden.

Spicy, fragrant flowers erupt in the spring and persist all summer long. Dead-heading this plant results in a longer bloom period, and the foliage is considered semi-evergreen, depending on what USDA zone you are in.

Notable Characteristics: 

• Wide variety of flower colors to choose from
• Spicy fragrant flowers
• Semi-evergreen
• USDA zones 3-9 (depending on species)

Varieties To Consider:

• Coconut Punch Dianthus
• Fire Star Dianthus
• Fire and Ice Dianthus

Each of these plants will help you chase away those winter blues with their bright flowers in the early spring. Consider using them in spaces to surprise your neighborhood and yourself when they come into bloom and watch them usher in the glorious springtime season!