Best Frost Tolerant Flowers for Early Spring

Early Spring is a time when most gardeners yearn to be back in their element, working the earth, tending their plants, and reaping the fruits of their labor. Even non-gardeners yearn to see the first splashes of color in Spring.

The earliest bloomers should be planted in the preceding fall so as to ready themselves to burst through late snows and adorn the frigid landscapes with their unexpected splashes of color. However, many plants can be planted directly into the garden, after being well-started and hardened off, providing an instant garden pick-me-up.

Bulbs

Some of the earliest plants to bloom are the bulbs, including crocus, daffodil, hyacinth, and tulip. If well started and hardened off (acclimated to outdoor temperatures), these can be planted in very early spring. Ranging in size from the smallest crocus at about 2″ to the tallest tulips and daffodils at approximately 18-24″, there are many choices for the home gardener.

Primrose

Primrose is a very hardy plant, with a nice broad green leaf and a variety of flower colors from which to choose. This perennial does well in shady areas, and enjoys a wetter soil. Low growing, only in mounds about 6-8″ across and high, the foliage remains long after the flowers have gone, adding to the landscape for most of the growing season.

Most often sold potted in 4″ pots, groupings of 3 or more make the best statements. If averaged out, the cost of perennials makes them more affordable over their lifetimes, as opposed to replanting annuals. While primrose may seem more expensive initially, you shouldn’t have to replace them for a few years.

Pansies and Johnny Jump-Ups

Pansies and Johnny Jump-Ups are thought of by most as “happy” flowers, with their flowers resembling a smiling face. Pansies are now available in colors ranging from white to a black-purple, double flowers, and trailing varieties. Johnny Jump-Ups are the more wild type of pansy, and have less diversity of color and form. With the many choices available, most gardeners can find some wonderful spring color to add to the landscape.

Purchased in flats, Pansies need to be grouped in larger numbers to have the most impact. Fortunately, Pansies are relatively inexpensive. This annual readily reseeds itself, so has the added bonus of propagating itself for your garden next year.

Ornamental Cabbage and Kale

The ornamental Cabbages and Kales do wonderfully in cold climates. While not technically a flower, their foliage is arranged in a flower-like configuration on the heads of these leafy vegetables. Adding greens, whites and purples, these larger plants require fewer to make a statement. As annuals, they are still affordable, and thrive both in the ground, and in pots when temperatures remain above freezing.

Marigolds

Blazes of orange and yellow, whites, double flowers and picotee edges are some of the forms of the marigold just waiting to brighten up the drab landscape in Early Spring. These hardy annuals seem to thrive in all conditions, but love sunny spots the best. Best of all, these prolific flowers’ seeds can be harvested for planting next year, or spread for naturalization, and often don’t require repurchase the following year. Extremely affordable, mass these flowers together for the greatest impact.

Snapdragons

Another flower with colors ranging from pure white to black-purple, the flower spikes are wonderful to intersperse into masses of other plantings, or look stunning in large groups. Sold as an annual, some are hardy enough to appear to be perennial, and some reseeding will occur. Ranging from dwarfs at 8″ to normal snapdragons at 12-18″, children love making the dragons “snap” their mouths. Beautiful and entertaining, these flowers do double duty.

Other Flowers

Choices abound, from stock and phlox to osteosperum and dianthus. What you will find at your local garden center will vary from locale to locale. A good rule of thumb is that if it is being sold in their outdoor section of the nursery, it should live in your home garden.

When you get your plants home, give them a good drink before installation and after. While planting, be careful to avoid damaging the roots of perennials that have not wakened from their winter dormancy. A thick layer of mulch will protect your new plants’ roots from any surprise frosts or snows. If unexpected weather arrives, you can mound up the mulch around the plant to protect it, then pull back the mulch when the bitter cold or snow has gone. Trim away any damaged portions and your spring plantings should soon recover.

Early Spring is one of the times that is most exciting in the garden. Adding some new color and foliage will give you the opportunity to get out and get your hands in the earth, while perking up the landscape in anticipation of the growing season’s bounty to come.