Spring is a great time to start seeing the colors popping out of the garden. Many people want to have flowers blooming as quickly as possible. For spring flowering plants they can be some of the first color into the garden. Many times planting in the fall can ensure early spring blooms. Shrubs, trees, and flowers can all be early bloomers. For a few suggestions on what spring flowering plants are available, here are American Beautyberry, Tulip, Forsythia, and Daffodil. Each profile lists plant identification, planting instructions, and how to propagate the plant for even more plants. Botanical names are given in parenthesis to ensure the correct plant, as common names can be widely debated.
Table of Contents
American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) is part of the Verbenaceae, (vervain or verbena), family. It is a fast growing shrub that attracts birds into the garden. American Beautyberry gets 6 to 8 feet tall with green to yellow green leaves 6 to 8 inches long. Tiny light purple flowers appear in clusters. This plant requires broken shade, any soil, and well drained soil. It can be propagated via semi-hardwood cuttings or by seed. USDA Hardiness Zone of 6 to 10.
Tulip (Tulipa spp.) is part of the Liliaceae (lily) family. Tulips are perennials that are clear signals of spring. Many of these bulbs are planted in groups for a mass of flowers instead of one. Flowers are bowl, cup, or star shaped. There is every color but blue in the color palate. Tulips need full sun, well drained neutral soil, and can be propagated via separating offsets or via seed for wild tulips. USDA Hardiness Zone of 7 to 10.
Forsythia (Forsythia spp.) is from the Oleaceae (olive) family. It is a fast growing and easy plant for beginners. Forsythia is one of the first to flower of the shrubs, filling the frame with yellow flowers. It is one of the most colorful shrubs in the spring one could find. Flowers are 1 to 2 inches wide and 1 to 3 flowers per node. Forsythia needs full sun or dappled shade, well drained soils, and can be propagated via greenwood cuttings in spring or semiripe cuttings in late summer. USDA Hardiness Zone of 4 to 8.
Daffodil (Narcissus spp.) is from the Amaryllidaceae (amaryllis) family. It is an easy growing perennial, fragrant, and great to attract butterflies into the garden. Leaves are strap like and 6 to 30 inches long with 4 to 24 inch flowers. Colors are white, orange, pink, yellow, or red. Daffodil requires rich well drained soil, morning sun then partial shade, and can be propagated via seed or by bulb divisions. USDA Hardiness Zone of 4 to 9.
Source: Floridata
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