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Our Spring Blooming Favorites!

Our Spring Blooming Favorites! - Nature Hills Nursery

Nature Hills Nursery |

Goodbye winter, so long cold and snow, it's finally time to watch our favorite flowers grow!

The chirping birds, fresh air, and gorgeous blooming flowers are finally here. And we can’t wait another second to tell you all about our favorite spring blooming plants!

I’m not sure if it’s just me, but when I go shopping, I always ask the employees for advice of what product is their favorite. If you’re anything like me, your plant experts are here to fill you in on all the deats!

There are so many to pick from, but no matter the color, size, and zone, we will give you options to pick from. Prepare yourself because you’ll fall in love with every single one, just as I did!

1: Pieris Mountain Fire

Pieris Mountain FireJust as you were stressing out to find a plant that met all your wants and needs, this picture perfect shrub seemed to show up at just the right time!

Throughout the year, you will be showered with abundant colors and surprises from your Pieris Mountain Fire (Pieris japonica 'Mountain Fire').

The spring foliage is a fun mixture of last year’s pure green foliage with splashes of narrow, fiery red leaves that appear to look like flowers.

Before you know it, bundles of intriguing pinkish-white flowers appear forming into unique chains that drape elegantly over its foliage.

Planting near your porch or patio will provide you with lasting fragrance and beauty day in and day out.

Notable characteristics:
  • USDA Zones 5 - 8
  • 6-8 Feet Tall and Wide
  • Fragrant Pinkish-White Flowers
  • Splashes of Narrow, Red Leaves
  • Adored By Pollinators
Other impressive cultivars:

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2: White Snow Fountain Weeping Cherry

White Snow Fountain Weeping CherryWe have two words to describe this favorite spring blooming tree: Absolutely. Stunning.

The White Snow Fountain Weeping Cherry (Prunus x 'Snofozam' White) has a bright white canopy of fragrant blossoms that catch people in a complete and utter trance.

After seeing this tree, there will be no doubt in your mind why this is one of our favorite spring blooming plants. Not only is it our favorite, but the local pollinators too!

This weeping cherry tree frosted with beautiful blooms makes for a quintessential addition to your springtime landscaping.

White Snow Weeping Cherry Tree makes for an ideal ornamental plant that will brighten your landscaping up, even on the rainy spring days!

Keep your tree hardy and healthy by planting in rich, well-drained soil with full sun and room to stretch out and show off it’s elegance.

Notable characteristics:
  • USDA Zones 5 - 9
  • 8-15 Tall and 8-10 Feet Wide
  • Full Sun
  • Pure White, Fragrant Blooms
  • Pollinator Favorite
Other impressive cultivars:

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3: Show Off® Sugar Baby® Forsythia

Show Off Sugar Baby ForsythiaGrab your sunglasses and start your spring off with booming yellow blooms that will be your missing ray of sunshine, especially on the rainy spring days!

The Show Off Sugar Baby Forsythia (Forsythia 'NIMBUS' PP# 23838) is one of the first plants to bloom in the spring. And trust me, won’t be able to miss it.

This shrub is covered from head to toe on its skinny, upright branches with immaculate sunshine-yellow flowers. It’s a no brainer why this shrub is one of our favorites, you simply can’t resist it.

The Show Off Sugar Baby Forsythia is a “get the job done” type of shrub. It will fit perfectly in any tight, compact location to ensure that any dull, empty spot is covered with bright coloration.

Your days of trying to find your pot of gold at the end of the rainbow will be over after planting this shrub in your favorite container on your porch or patio!

Plant your shrub in full sun to partial shade with rich, well-drained soil for the best growth possible of 18-30 inches tall and wide. You'll be gifted with illuminating color daily by doing little to no work!

Notable characteristics:
  • USDA Zones 5 - 8
  • Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Covered Head to Toe with SunShine-Yellow Flowers
  • Easy to Grow and Care for
Other impressive cultivars:
  • Meadowlark Forsythia:Much larger Forsythia shrub with brilliant yellow bloom in the early spring.
  • Sunrise Forsythia: Medium sized Forsythia shrub with narrow branches full of yellow blooms.

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4: P.J.M Rhododendron

P.J.M RhododendronIt’s nearly impossible to imagine a shrub that fits into any landscaping so perfectly, until you meet this one. Small or big landscaping, P.J.M Rhododendron (Rhododendron ‘P.J.M.’) will outkick our desires and here is why!

This broadleaf evergreen shrub with popping ornamental features of brilliant lavender blooms will quickly sweep you off your feet every spring.

The beauty doesn’t end there either! Each fall you will watch shiny dark green leaves turn a dark wine red and mahogany color for a long lasting show.

The small, dull, boring areas of your landscaping that you just can’t seem to eliminate, can finally be filled with clusters of vibrant lavender beauties!

Line your house with this tremendously reliable foudation plant that offers not only a stunning physical appearance, but a lasting subtle fragrance.

Planting your P.J.M Rhododendron in rich, well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade will give you full, luxurious blooms year after year, which the beneficial pollinators will thank you for!

Notable characteristics:
  • USDA Zones 4 - 8
  • 4-6 Feet Tall and 3-4 Feet Wide
  • A Pollinator Favorite
  • Tremendous Foundation Plant
  • Easy to Care for
Other impressive cultivars:
  • We would be remiss if we didn’t mention this whole group of plants. There are just too many favorites to pick from! Check out our whole selection of Rhododendrons and Azaleas here

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5: Firewitch Dianthus

Firewitch DianthusLastly, the one we have been dying to tell you all about is the fan favorite Firewitch Dianthus (Dianthus gratianopolitanus 'Firewitch').

Its frilly fringed, magenta flowers that cascade elegantly over it’s gray-green foliage makes anyone and everyone’s jaws drop to the floor.

Although this perennial is only 6-8 inches tall with a 6-12 inch spread, it goes unnoticed no matter where it’s planted in landscaping. From its color, to its shape, to its size, I think it’s safe to say that this perennial simply has it all.

You can kiss the dull, empty spots in your garden goodbye after planting your attention grabbing Firewitch Dianthus into the mix!

Fill your porch or patio container full of Firewitch Dianthus and spend your spring season embracing its beauty, smelling its enchanting perfume scent, while sipping on your favorite drink.

Don’t forget to deadhead this plant and you’ll be rewarded with another round of these impeccable fragrant blooms later in the summer!

Plant in full sun with rich, well-drained soil and let this plant work it’s magic in your landscaping with little to no work on your part!

Let Nature Hills bring paradise to your with this exquisite perennial!

Notable characteristics:
  • USDA Zones 3 - 9
  • 3 to 5-foot height and width
  • Frilly Fringed Magenta Pink Petals
  • Gray-Green Foliage
  • Perfume Fragrance
  • Magnificent Gap Filler
Other impressive cultivars:
  • Cherry Vanilla Dianthus: Rosy red petals with a line of pink picotee along the edges and gray-green foliage.
  • Dianthus Everlast Burgundy Blush: Double blooming, fragrant, burgundy-red flowers with pink edges that bloom in the spring.

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We have a variety of plants to pick from and these are only the start! Enjoy your spring gardening by adding these plants into the mix.

Happy Gardening!

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to plant spring-blooming bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths?
Spring-blooming bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths should be planted in the fall, typically between September and November, once soil temperatures have cooled to around 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This cool period is essential for the bulbs to develop strong root systems before the ground freezes, ensuring a stunning display the following spring. Most spring bulbs perform best in USDA Zones 3 through 8, and should be planted at a depth of about two to three times the diameter of the bulb. Choose a well-draining location with full to partial sun, and get your bulbs in the ground before your first hard frost for the best results.

Which spring-blooming perennials come back reliably year after year without replanting?
While the article focuses primarily on shrubs and trees rather than herbaceous perennials, the Pieris Mountain Fire is a reliable woody shrub that returns year after year in Zones 5 through 8, delivering fiery red new foliage and fragrant pinkish-white flowers each spring without any replanting. For true herbaceous perennials that die back and regrow seasonally, Nature Hills carries a wide selection suited to various zones and garden sizes. Visit naturehills.com to filter perennials by your USDA hardiness zone to find the best long-term performers for your specific region.

How do I extend the spring bloom season so my garden has continuous color from early to late spring?
To keep your garden blooming from early to late spring, layer plants with staggered bloom times across the season. Start with early bloomers like Dorothy Wycoff Pieris or Katsura Pieris, which produce their bell-shaped flower clusters in early spring, then follow with mid-to-late spring performers like the White Snow Fountain Weeping Cherry and Pieris Mountain Fire, which unfurl their fragrant pinkish-white chains as temperatures warm. This succession planting strategy works beautifully in Zones 5 through 8, giving you weeks of overlapping color rather than one short burst. Visit Nature Hills to browse our full spring blooming collection and build a planting plan that keeps your garden vibrant from the first thaw through Memorial Day.

Do spring bulbs need full sun, partial shade, or can they grow under trees?
Most spring bulbs, such as tulips, daffodils, and crocuses, perform best in full sun to partial shade, receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Growing bulbs under deciduous trees can actually work well because bulbs bloom and gather energy in early spring before the tree leafs out and casts heavy shade. However, avoid planting under dense evergreens where light is blocked year-round, as bulbs need that early-season sun to store energy for the following year. Plant bulbs in fall at a depth of roughly 2 to 3 times their diameter, choosing a location that gets good spring sun to ensure reliable blooms season after season.

What kind of soil drainage do spring-blooming plants need to thrive?
Most spring-blooming plants, including popular favorites like Pieris Mountain Fire and Weeping Cherry trees, perform best in well-drained soil that prevents standing water around the root zone. Poor drainage can lead to root rot and significantly reduce blooming potential. Before planting, test your soil drainage by digging a hole 12 inches deep, filling it with water, and checking that it empties within a few hours. If your soil drains slowly, amend it with compost or consider raised beds to give your spring bloomers the healthy start they need.

Should I fertilize spring bulbs at planting time, and what fertilizer works best?
This question falls outside the scope of our spring blooming favorites content, but here is solid general guidance. When planting spring bulbs in fall, work a slow-release bulb fertilizer or bone meal into the soil at the bottom of the planting hole, following package rates, typically around 1 tablespoon per hole. Avoid placing fertilizer in direct contact with the bulb to prevent burn, and then top-dress again in early spring as shoots emerge using a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer to support flowering. Visit naturehills.com to browse our selection of spring-blooming plants and find the right varieties for your USDA zone.

How do I care for spring-blooming plants after the flowers fade?
After spring-blooming shrubs and trees like Pieris and weeping cherry finish flowering, light pruning helps maintain their shape and encourages healthy new growth for the following season. For shrubs like Pieris Mountain Fire, which thrives in Zones 5 through 8, prune spent flower clusters shortly after bloom to avoid cutting into next year's developing buds. Keep plants well-watered and apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in late spring to support summer foliage development. Deadhead or prune promptly after flowering, then shift your focus to consistent watering and feeding to set your plants up for a strong performance next year.

Can I mix spring-blooming bulbs and perennials together in the same garden bed?
Mixing spring-blooming bulbs like tulips and daffodils with perennials is a classic and highly effective garden design strategy. Bulbs naturalize beautifully beneath or alongside perennials, and as the bulb foliage dies back in late spring, the emerging perennial growth fills in to hide the yellowing leaves. For best results in USDA Zones 4 through 8, plant bulbs in fall at a depth of two to three times their diameter, positioning taller perennials behind shorter bulbs to create a layered, succession-blooming display. Plan your bed on paper before planting, noting each plant's mature height and bloom time to ensure continuous color from early spring through summer.

Which spring-blooming plants work best for attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies?
Several of our top spring-blooming picks are excellent pollinator magnets. Pieris Mountain Fire (Zones 5-8) produces fragrant pinkish-white flower chains that bees and butterflies find irresistible, while the White Snow Fountain Weeping Cherry draws local pollinators in droves with its abundant fragrant blossoms each spring. For best results, plant a combination of these in a sunny to partially shaded spot to create a pollinator-friendly garden that blooms from early through late spring.

How do I protect spring-blooming bulbs and perennials from late frosts or unexpected cold snaps?
Late frosts can damage tender new growth on spring bloomers, so it pays to be prepared, especially in USDA Zones 4 through 6 where late cold snaps are common into April and even May. Keep a few inches of straw mulch or shredded leaves on hand to quickly mound over emerging bulbs and perennials when overnight temperatures threaten to drop below 28 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightweight frost cloth or old bedsheets draped over plants in the evening and removed in the morning can also protect delicate buds and foliage without trapping damaging moisture. Monitor your local forecast closely during early spring and act quickly, because even one hard freeze can set back a season's worth of blooms.
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