Though the weather is fickle this month, March typically signals the coming of spring, and with that we see the first signs of life coming back to the garden. These are a few of my favorite spring bloomers, so I hope you’ll choose to include them in your garden, too. All of these beautiful flowers and shrubs are a great way to shake off your garden’s winter blues.
flowering quince
There are many shrubs that produce beautiful blooms once the frost begins to clear, and one of my all-time favorites is the quince variety Double Take Scarlet Storm’ from Proven Winners. It grows to a height of up to 5 feet, and a width up to 4 feet, so consider this when picking a spot for it in your garden. The size makes it a great statement toward the back of a flower bed, or lined along a fence or walkway in larger numbers. Plant these in a sunny or partially sunny spot and watch them bloom throughout the spring. It’s thornless, so pruning isn’t the painful chore it is with other quinces. Tackle this task after the flowers have faded, to achieve the size and shape you desire.
crocus
Planting crocus is an easy way to add an early rainbow of color to your bleak, late- winter landscape. These petite perennial bulbs come in purple, orange, blue, pink, white or yellow, and their bright colors help wake up bees and sleepy gardeners from their hibernation. Plant bulbs in the fall at least six to eight weeks before the first frost.
daffodils
These are spring’s signature flower. They are one of the first to emerge—often through the snow—to signal that warm days are just ahead. Daffodils like lots of sunshine and well-drained soil, so consider this when you pick a location in your garden. Plant bulbs in the late fall—at least two to four weeks before the first freeze.
forsythia
Forsythia is a classic, early-flowering spring shrub that brings a spray of sunshine to the garden. It adds a bright yellow burst of color to any landscape, and with a little maintenance can achieve a beautiful sweeping shape. These shrubs love sun, so stake out a sunny, well-drained spot. Forsythia buds form on old wood, so wait to do any pruning until flowers fade in the summer.
Photos by Jane Colclasure & Mark Fonville
P. Allen Smith, host of two public television programs, is an award-winning designer and gardening expert. He is the author of several books, including Seasonal Recipes from the Garden.