EARLY BLOOMERS

Spring’s first flowers

A reminder of nature’s resilience, early bloomers break through the cold bleakness of the winter months to celebrate the welcome arrival of spring. With pops of color, early-season flowers, shrubs and trees provide the hope of warm weather and blue skies. Colorful blooms promise that days spent outside in the fresh air are just around the corner. 

Very early bloomers
Two of the earliest bloomers in Central Virginia are snowdrops and crocuses. You may have seen snowdrops with their white petals hanging down from the stems as early as January and February. They grow well in partially shaded areas and return each year. Likewise, crocuses — members of the iris family — popped their way through the snow and frost in late February or early March. With a sweet fragrance, the blooms on these small flowering perennials last about three weeks. Fortunately, crocuses are usually safe from the ravages of deer. 

Bloodroot revealed itself in late February/early March. Found mainly in woodland settings, this white flower has gold stamens and reddish sap in its roots. A shady environment is perfect for this native wildflower. 

Lenten roses are evergreen perennials that bloom in late winter and early spring. They can even tolerate a late-season snow. Perfect for yards and gardens, Lenten roses self-seed, so they can spread out to fill an area. Clumps of the roses can be divided after the spring blooms fall. They grow best in indirect sunlight but can tolerate limited amounts of sun. 

The promise of spring
As winter wanes, the range of bloomers expand. Little dots of color and fragrance remind us that spring is just around the corner. 

Forsythia, a shrub known for its vibrant yellow flowers, blooms in the spring before the leaves appear on the trees. Easy to care for, forsythia grows well in the shade and in the sun. The best time to prune this eye-catching shrub is just after the flowers drop. 

You probably noticed tulips, daffodils and hyacinths showing off their vibrant colors in late March. Easy to grow, tulips are found in many colors and sizes. The charming, cup-shaped flowers simply need full sun and well-drained soil. 

Daffodils, known for their bright yellow, white or orange blooms, also prefer full sun and well-drained soil. These beautiful flowers have a peak season of early March to early May. Deer usually avoid daffodils and other flowers with strong scents. 

Hyacinths are perennials that prefer full sun. Purple, pink and white blooms each have their own unique scent. A healthy hyacinth flourishes in full sun. Deadheading, removing the spent blooms, enables the plant to continue growing. 

Native to Virginia, the bluebell or cowslip, blooms for about three to four weeks in March or April. Amazingly easy to grow, bluebells are shade-loving flowers that spread out quickly. Late summer pruning encourages healthier growth. 

A sure sign that spring is approaching: the redbud trees begin to bloom. With bright pink flowers nestled on the branches, redbuds are a wondrous sight as we move from the dull landscape of winter to the glorious colors of spring. 

Spring has sprung!
Now that spring has arrived, we see a full spectrum of blossoms. 

Snapdragons are early spring flowers known as hardy annuals. Easy to grow from seeds, snapdragons mature quickly. Averaging from 6 inches to 4 feet, snapdragons are perfect for cutting flowers. They do well in full sun. Bumblebees and hummingbirds love snapdragons! 

Cherry blossoms usually bloom the last week of March or the first week of April, depending on the weather. Usually, three to four days after the peak bloom, these trees will quickly drop their petals, and green leaves will appear. The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., will take place through April 13. This citywide celebration commemorates the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry blossom trees from Japan.

Photo: James River Media

Bleeding hearts look best in late spring and early summer. Named for their heart-shaped blooms, bleeding hearts flower for 4 to 6 weeks in late spring. Most perform best in partial shade. These flowers are self-seeding, so they spread nicely as a border or edging but are not overly aggressive. 

Pansies are cheerful flowers that are fast-growing and can spread out nicely. With a little bit of work, pansies can make a show all summer long. Deadheading is important with pansies, so regularly pinch off the spent blooms to encourage more growth. Pansies are perfect in large pots or as edging. 

Violets are similar but somewhat smaller than pansies. They, too, bloom abundantly and can continue to bloom through the summer. Violets come in a wide range of colors in combinations of blue, purple, yellow and white. 

As winter fades into spring, the emergence of early bloomers to usher in the warm weather is a reminder of the resilience of nature and of our own resilience. As we celebrate the change of seasons, the warmth and beauty of spring unfolds and opens our eyes to a glorious new time of year. ✦