After a dark winter, you’re probably itching for a little bit of color. That’s where spring flowers come in! Whether you want to plant some flowers in your garden or order spring flower delivery, there are lots of lovely blooms you can enjoy as the weather turns warmer.
We’ll cover popular annuals, perennials, bulbs, and shrubs that flower in spring. We’ll also provide some of the best flowers to plant in spring so your garden can keep blooming all year long!
Flowers to Plant in Spring
Even if your garden is already filled with colorful flowers, you’ll need to plan ahead if you want plants to keep blooming into the summer. Plant these flowers in the spring so you can enjoy a supply of colorful blooms well into the fall. You can plant some of these flowers from seed, but others work best as transplants, so make sure to read up on each flower before you add it to your garden.
- Sunflower
- Gladiolus
- Marigold
- Sweet alyssum
- Columbine
- Black-eyed Susan
- Dianthus
- Lavender
- Zinnia
Best Spring Flowers
If you’re looking for flowers that bloom in March, April, and May, check out this list. All of the following spring flowers brighten up your garden, and some of them also work well as cut flowers.
1. Viola
Violas look like versions of pansies, with many colorful blooms on each plant. While violas don’t handle hot temperatures very well, they shine in cool spring weather. They can even survive light frosts!
USDA Grow Zone: 3–8
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Rich and well-draining with a slightly acidic pH
Why We Love This Flower: Violas are edible flowers with a subtle floral taste – try adding the flowers to salads or using them to decorate cakes!
2. Lobelia
While lobelia is actually a perennial, its tender nature means many people treat it as an annual. The plants are low-growing with a bit of a trailing form, making them a good choice for window boxes, rock gardens, edging plants, and more!
USDA Grow Zone: 3–11
Sun: Part shade to full sun
Soil: Moist and well-draining
Why We Love This Flower: Deer and other critters tend to leave these plants alone.
3. Petunia
As fast-growing plants with a seemingly never-ending supply of blooms, petunias are a beloved garden flower. While they’re treated as annuals in most places, they can be grown as tender perennials in zones 10 and 11.
USDA Grow Zone: 3–11
Sun: Full sun
Soil: Moist and well-draining
Why We Love This Flower: Petunias start blooming in spring but continue flowering throughout the summer!
4. Snapdragon
With tall spikes of colorful blooms, snapdragons are a delightful addition to spring gardens and planter boxes. They thrive in the cool weather found during the spring and fall.
USDA Grow Zone: 2–11
Sun: Part shade to full sun
Soil: Moist and well-draining
Why We Love This Flower: Snapdragons add height to mixed bouquets and can last for about a week.
5. Ranunculus
While Ranunculus is the name for the buttercup genus, people use this term to refer to specific plants bred for beautiful cut flowers. While you can grow ranunculus yourself, you’ll need to start the plants from corms. However, flower farmers often grow these flowers, so look for them in bouquets.
USDA Grow Zone: 8–11
Sun: Full sun
Soil: Rich and well-drained
Why We Love This Flower: Ranunculus has exquisite layers of delicate petals, making them a show-stopping flower.
6. Sweet Alyssum
These plants produce many clusters of tiny flowers with a sweet fragrance. Since they have so many blooms, they look great tucked into rock gardens, window boxes, and garden beds.
USDA Grow Zone: 2–11
Sun: Part shade to full sun
Soil: Moist and well-draining
Why We Love This Flower: Sweet alyssum flowers attract many beneficial insects, including parasitic wasps and native bees.
7. Stock
Credit: Wiki Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Matthiola_incana_Vintage_Burgundy_0zz.jpg
With a sweet yet slightly spicy scent, long vase life, and beautiful flowers, stock is a must-have spring flower. The blooms come in a wide range of colors, including pink, white, purple, and yellow. While the majority of people grow stock as an annual, if you live in zones 7–10 you can grow it as a tender perennial.
USDA Grow Zone: 4–10
Sun: Part shade to full sun
Soil: Rich and well-draining
Why We Love This Flower: Although you may not know it, stock flowers are closely related to brassicas like broccoli and cabbage!
8. Hellebore
The hellebore is one of the first flowers to make an appearance in the spring, often blooming as snow still blankets the ground. Due to its early spring timing and delicate petals, it’s also known as the lenten rose.
USDA Grow Zone: 3–9
Sun: Partial shade to shade
Soil: Well-draining yet moist
Why We Love This Flower: Not only are hellebore flowers beautiful in the garden, but they also have attractive leaves that provide interest year-round.
9. Primrose
Primroses are a huge group of plants with over 500 species in the family. Their flowers range from purple to yellow to pink, so you’re likely to find an option that suits your tastes. Although some varieties may bloom during the summer, the vast majority produce flowers in the spring.
USDA Grow Zone: 2–8
Sun: Partial shade or shade
Soil: Well-draining, rich, and moist
Why We Love This Flower: Primroses need very little care, making them an easy way to add a pop of color to shady areas.
10. Adonis
A member of the buttercup family, adonis flowers are one of the first flowers to bloom each spring. They’re also known as pheasant’s eye and false hellebore.
USDA Grow Zone: 3–7
Sun: Part shade to full sun
Soil: Moist and well-draining
Why We Love This Flower: Along with beautiful flowers, these plants also produce lacy foliage.
11. Lily of the Valley
Don’t let the name deceive you, these plants are actually more closely related to asparagus. Regardless, these short plants produce elegant white flowers. The plants tend to spread, so they’re a great choice if you’re looking for a flowering ground cover.
USDA Grow Zone: 3–8
Sun: Partial shade to full sun
Soil: Rich and well-draining
Why We Love This Flower: While lily of the valley flowers may be small, they produce an intoxicating fragrance that’s reminiscent of floral perfumes.
12. Virginia Bluebells
Often found beside rivers and streams, Virginia bluebells brighten shady, moist gardens with their periwinkle blooms. Although the majority of open blooms are blue, the flower buds are often pale pink.
USDA Grow Zone: 3–8
Sun: Partial shade to shade
Soil: Rich and moist
Why We Love This Flower: Humans aren’t the only ones who love these flowers—bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds visit to drink the flower’s nectar.
13. Trillium
Named for their trio of petals and sepals, trillium flowers emerge in the spring in rich, moist soils. Depending on the species, the flowers can be white, yellow, red, or another hue. Some species have flowers with skyward-facing petals while others produce flowers that nod to the ground below the plant’s leaves.
USDA Grow Zone: 4–9
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Soil: Rich, moist, and well-draining
Why We Love This Flower: The plants emerge year after year in the spring, making them some of the best spring flowers for long-term color.
14. Tulip
Whether you enjoy tulips in your garden or in a bouquet, it’s hard to imagine spring without them. Since these flowers grow from bulbs, you’ll need to plan ahead. However, the foresight is worth it. And if you’re looking for an amazing tulip display, visit spring flower fields near you!
USDA Grow Zone: 3–8
Sun: Full sun
Soil: Rich and well-draining
Why We Love This Flower: Tulips come in all sorts of colors and varieties – check out fringed tulips and parrot tulips if you’re looking to mix things up.
15. Daffodil
Plant daffodil bulbs in the fall, and you’ll be rewarded with cheerful yellow flowers the following spring. While the bright blooms work well in bouquets, they also produce a toxin that will cause some other types of flowers to wilt. If you want to spice things up, look for fancy daffodils with multiple layers of petals.
USDA Grow Zone: 4–8
Sun: Part shade to full sun
Soil: Rich and well-draining
Why We Love This Flower: Critters like moles and deer typically leave daffodil bulbs alone, so they’re a great choice if you’re sharing your yard with wildlife.
16. Crocus
Crocuses are one of the first bulb flowers to bloom each spring, often sneaking out from ground covered with snow or frost. Crocuses are grown from corms, not bulbs, but they act similarly to many other bulb flowers.
USDA Grow Zone: 3–8
Sun: Part shade to full sun
Soil: Well-draining
Why We Love This Flower: Since crocuses are short flowers—maxing out at six inches—they work well in front of other plants.
17. Hyacinth
Not only are hyacinths gorgeous, but they also produce one of the most unmistakable floral scents. Their blue, pink, and white flowers fit in nicely with holidays to celebrate in spring.
USDA Grow Zone: 4–8
Sun: Part shade to full sun
Soil: Moist and well-draining
Why We Love This Flower: You can plant hyacinth bulbs almost anywhere, including in the garden, in a container, and in a water-filled vase.
18. Snowdrop
As their name suggests, snowdrops bloom in early spring when snow may still be around. While their white flowers are beautiful, be aware they’re toxic to humans and pets.
USDA Grow Zone: 3–7
Sun: Partial shade to full sun
Soil: Loose and well-draining
Why We Love This Flower: The bulbs naturally multiply, so you can dig them up and move them to other areas…or share them with friends.
19. Forsythia
With bright yellow flowers and a low-maintenance growth habit, forsythia is one of the most popular flowering shrubs. They flower before they produce leaves, which is a bit unusual.
USDA Grow Zone: 5–8
Sun: Part shade to full sun
Soil: Well-draining
Why We Love This Flower: Forsythia can last about a week as a cut flower.
20. Lilac
Lilacs produce clusters of flowers that draw in both humans and butterflies. Make sure to plant them in full sun if you want lots of flowers!
USDA Grow Zone: 3–7
Sun: Full sun
Soil: Well-draining
Why We Love This Flower: Whether you enjoy these flowers in the garden or as part of a bouquet, you’ll fall in love with their sweet fragrance.
21. Japanese Pieris
Credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pieris_forest_flame_A.jpg
Also known as the lily of the valley shrub, this plant produces many clusters of small, bell-shaped flowers. Unlike true lilies of the valley, these flowers don’t have a strong fragrance.
USDA Grow Zone: 5–8
Sun: Part shade to full sun
Soil: Moist, well-draining, and acidic
Why We Love This Flower: Along with delicate flowers, Japanese Pieris also produces evergreen foliage, which often emerges in shades of red.
22. Witch Hazel
While you may have heard of witch hazel in skin care products, this plant also produces yellow flowers. Sometimes witch hazel blooms in the late fall or winter, but it may also bloom in the early spring.
USDA Grow Zone: 3–9
Sun: Part shade to full sun
Soil: Moist and well-draining
Why We Love This Flower: Both the species and weather impact when witch hazel flowers, so it’s always a bit of a surprise.
23. Azalea
Whether you have an azalea planted in your garden or enjoy seeing hundreds of native azaleas in the wild, it’s hard to imagine spring without these gorgeous shrubs. Thanks to breeding efforts, more than 10,000 cultivars now exist!
USDA Grow Zone: 3–9
Sun: Part shade to full sun
Soil: Acidic and well-draining
Why We Love This Flower: Azaleas come in a wide variety of sizes and colors, so you can find one you love.
24. Bleeding Heart
The bleeding heart is a vegetative plant that grows to resemble a small shrub. It produces dazzling heart-shaped flowers each spring.
USDA Grow Zone: 2–9
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Soil: Moist and high in organic matter
Why We Love This Flower: The plants are easy to care for and thrive in shady conditions.
25. Peonies
Not only do peonies brighten up your garden, but they look beautiful in arrangements. Try cutting the flowers when they’re just starting to bloom so you can watch the petals emerge over time.
USDA Grow Zone: 3–9
Sun: Partial shade to full sun
Soil: Well-draining
Why We Love This Flower: Although peonies start blooming in the spring, their blooms last into the summer.
26. Camellia
If you live in a warmer region, consider adding the evergreen camellia to your garden. These plants are gorgeous year-round, but their stunning flowers make them a real showpiece in the garden. With hundreds of varieties of camellia to choose from, there’s no doubt you can find one of these plants you’ll love.
USDA Grow Zone: 7–9
Sun: Part shade
Soil: Well-draining and slightly acidic
Why We Love This Flower: Camellias bloom in the winter or early spring when landscapes are otherwise barren.
27. Sweet Pea
If you’re looking for a spring flower that’s not only beautiful but also fills your garden with a sweet, intoxicating fragrance, you can’t go wrong with the sweet pea. Plus, they’re also one of the birth flowers for April!
USDA Grow Zone: 3–8
Sun: Full sun
Soil: Well-draining and moist
Why We Love This Flower: Sweet peas have delicate yet strong tendrils that help them climb up garden structures like fences and arbors.
28. Anemone
After spending a long winter tucked in the ground, anemone plants muster up their energy in the early spring to send out beautiful poppy-like flowers. They come in colors including white, red, pink, and purple.
USDA Grow Zone: 3–7
Sun: Full sun
Soil: Well-draining and moist
Why We Love This Flower: These early spring flowers are some of the first to bloom in the spring.
29. Foxglove
When spring arrives, foxglove plants produce tall flower stalks covered with bell-shaped blooms. Since the plants grow as biennials or short-lived perennials, don’t expect them to produce flowers in their first year.
USDA Grow Zone: 4–9
Sun: Full sun
Soil: Well-draining, rich, and moist
Why We Love This Flower: Foxglove flower stalks grow multiple feet tall, making them a great focal flower for arrangements.
30. Delphinium
A stunning genus of flowering plants, delphinium sends up tall flower stalks with delicate, open flowers. Although many people consider delphinium summer flowers, planting them in a protected culture like a high tunnel allows you to enjoy the blooms by mid-spring.
USDA Grow Zone: 3–7
Sun: Full sun
Soil: Rich and well-draining
Why We Love This Flower: Delphinium comes in a wide range of colors and heights, so you can find a variety that fits your garden well.
31. Trout Lily
Credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Erythronium_tuolumnense_White_Beauty._Locatie,_Tuinreservaat_Jonkervallei_01.jpg
If you live in the eastern or midwestern United States, you may have seen cute yellow trout lily flowers blanketing forest slopes and streambanks. These spring ephemerals emerge for just a few weeks, making them a true spring treat.
USDA Grow Zone: 3–9
Sun: Part shade or shade
Soil: Rich, moist, and well-draining
Why We Love This Flower: Trout lily plants often grow in groups and turn entire hillsides yellow.
32. Bloodroot
A native wildflower in much of the eastern United States, bloodroot produces delicate white flowers in the early spring. The plant’s large, light green leaves almost resemble hands that seem to gently curl around each flower stem.
USDA Grow Zone: 3–9
Sun: Part shade or shade
Soil: Rich, moist, and well-draining
Why We Love This Flower: Bloodroot gets its name from its bright red roots, which indigenous people used as dye.
33. Bluebonnet
Known for brightening landscapes of the South and Southwest, bluebonnets emerge sometime in the spring. The individual flowers, which some people say resemble bonnets, sit on a long, thin flower stalk. Although the flowers are beautiful, their toxic nature means you should be careful if you have curious pets or children at home.
USDA Grow Zone: 4–8
Sun: Full sun
Soil: Well-draining
Why We Love This Flower: The blue color found in many bluebonnet species provides a nice contrast to red, orange, and yellow blooms.
34. Siberian Squill
An extremely cold-hardy plant, the Siberian squill sends out tiny blue flowers in early spring. The plants remain less than eight inches tall, but their clump-forming nature means they often form carpets where they are planted.
USDA Grow Zone: 2–8
Sun: Full sun or part shade
Soil: Well-draining
Why We Love This Flower: The flowers can survive frost and snow, making them an excellent addition to cold areas.\
35. Creeping Phlox
A hardy groundcover with short, straight leaves that resemble pine leaves, creeping phlox fits well in rock gardens, borders, and window boxes. The plants become covered with five-petal flowers in the mid to late spring and continue blooming for multiple weeks.
USDA Grow Zone: 5–9
Sun: Full sun or part shade
Soil: Well-draining
Why We Love This Flower: Since it’s native to North America, creeping phlox is an excellent groundcover choice.
36. Grape Hyacinth
While some people think they’re just miniature versions of the larger hyacinth, grape hyacinths are actually a completely different species. You can’t grow them in pots indoors, but these plants make excellent additions to outdoor gardens.
USDA Grow Zone: 3–9
Sun: Full sun
Soil: Well-draining
Why We Love This Flower: The clusters of tiny, purple flowers are some of the cutest spring flowers available.
37. Winter Jasmine
The flowering shrubs begin flowering in the winter and continue to send out bright yellow blooms into the early spring. The plants have a weeping form, so they look beautiful cascading over retaining walls or down banks.
USDA Grow Zone: 6–10
Sun: Full sun or part shade
Soil: Well-draining
Why We Love This Flower: The flowers send color into the world at a time when most plants are dormant, making them some of the best early spring flowers.
Order Flowers for Spring
With so many beautiful flowers available in the spring, it’s a great time of year to order flowers. Whether you’d like to pick out a bouquet for a loved one’s birthday or brighten up your home with seasonal blooms, we’ve got you covered.
And don’t forget about Mother’s Day! We’ve put together a great collection of Mother’s Day flowers for every type of mom. So head on over, pick out some of your favorites, and let your mom, grandmother, and every other lady in your life let them know how much you appreciate them.
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