The early days of spring are a tricky time for many casual gardeners. On the one hand, the weather is nice enough to get outside and start working on your flower beds. On the other, you may have concerns about what to plant and when to plant it in case of cold weather or excess rain. To help you plan your spring gardening without fear, here are some popular spring flowers that are ideal to start planting right away. With just a little work and preparation, you will be enjoying beautiful spring flowers and be the pride of your neighborhood.

1- Pansies

Ignore those people who say pansies are short-lived. They are a colorful, eye-catching addition to your garden of spring flowers so don’t skip planting them. Pansies come in a variety of colors, including all shades of pink, purple, yellow, blue and white. Pansies also prefer being planted in cold weather, so you can plant them in early spring without fear. The ideal conditions for pansies to grow are window boxes and containers.

Scientific Name: Viola or wittrockiana
Conditions in which they grow: Full sun or partial shade
Soil: Must be well-drained but moist

2- Hellebore

Hellebore is the queen of early spring plants. The other names for hellebore are Christmas rose and Lenten rose. These spring flowers that bloom from hellebore are unique and saucer-shaped, allowing you to add a different look to your garden. Despite their delicate beauty, they are fairly hearty and can withstand light frost, making them another excellent planting for early spring.

Scientific name: Helleborus niger
Conditions in which they grow: Full shade
Soil: Must be well-drained but moist

3- Bloodroot

This white herbaceous perennial flower arrives in March and lasts until late spring. Bloodroot grows best in either a woodland or shaded garden. 

Scientific name: Sanguinaria canadensis
Conditions in which they grow: Full shade
Soil: Must be well-drained but moist

4- Snowdrops

These bright, clustered flowering plants can grow in both moderate winters and cold-winter regions. 

Scientific name: Anemone nemorosa
Conditions in which they grow: In full sun or partial shade
Soil: Must be well-drained but moist

5- Lilac   

The different shapes, sizes, and colors of lilac make them one of the best plants for spring. The flowers also have a sweet fragrance when they bloom.

Scientific name: Syringa vulgaris
Conditions in which they grow: In full sun
Soil: Must be well-drained

General tips for growing early spring flowers

Perennials typically emerge each year when the weather is warm and right. A surprise late frost might brown out some of the perennial foliage, but don’t worry too much because it won't kill the plant. The exception is if you've bought new perennials from a greenhouse and just planted them this spring. These plants might have been forced ahead of their usual schedule in the controllable conditions of the greenhouse. While they may look hearty, healthy and beautiful they may not be able to withstand a surprise spring frost.

For new spring plantings, it's good to leave perennials outside in the sunlight for about a week before you plant them. Once they are planted, if you see a sudden cold snap in the forecast you should cover the plantings overnight to be safe. But don’t cover them longer than overnight. Remove your covering once the temperature goes above freezing the next day. This is especially important if you cover with clear plastic. The sun can heat things up underneath plastic during the day, which will be harmful to your plants. Also, draping plastic over a structure above the plants is better than spreading plastic sheeting directly on top of the plants. The weight of plastic covering directly on top of the plants can break the stems.

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