These flowering shrubs, vines, and bulbs bloom sooner thanlilacs(Syringa spp.)
andpeonies(Paeonia spp.
), giving us thefirst signs of spring.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Often thought of as wild shrubs, you’re free to also grow pussy willows in the landscape.
Thesewetland plantsshould be planted in poorly draining soil, then watch out because they grow fast.
Daffodil (Narcissus)
Daffodils with tall stems often bloom a bit later the miniature varieties.
The Spruce / David Beaulieu
Many gardeners who favoryellow flowerslove daffodils for their signature trumpet shapes.
Massed together on an inclined bank, creeping phlox plants make a powerful landscaping statement.
It will need weekly watering because it’s not the most drought-tolerant plant.
The Spruce / David Beaulieu
Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis)
Snowdrops are often only 3 inches tall.
Like other springtime bulb plants, their foliage dies back by summer.
Snowdrops are sometimes spotted pushing up through a layer of snow.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Crocus appear in a variety of colors and sizes depending on the cultivar.
There’s virtually no care needed for crocus.
They don’t need much water other than rain and they multiply on their own.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
The biggest problem with crocus?
Wildlife loves to devour the buds.
Forsythia
This fast-growing bush with yellow flowers is one of the most popularflowering shrubs.
The Spruce / David Beaulieu
Forsythia is fairly independent when it comes to care.
and pair well with forsythia.
Pruning after blooming will keep this shrub in shape.
The Spruce / David Beaulieu
The shrub has bright yellow blooms that look spidery in shape.
Despite its name, this plant is not a rose at all, but a hellebore.
The large pink and green multicolored petals dangle down and they are curved in shape almost like buttercups.
The Spruce / David Beaulieu
Encourage blooming with an system of fertilizer in the early spring.
The perkypurple flowersgrow to only a foot high.
This plant prefers cooler, drier climates, and higher elevations.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
But winter jasmine deserves mention simply because it blossoms so early, bearing plentiful pale yellow flowers.
Its blooms at the beginning of spring are simple and plentiful.
This tough plant (sometimes invasive) is suitable forshade gardensandrequires little careonce established.
The Spruce / David Beaulieu
At four to five inches tall, it is commonly a bit taller than snowdrops.
The flower is effortless to grow, assertively spreading and naturalizing without any intervention.
Plant bulbs in the fall.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Plant these fuss-free, cold-hardy bulbs in the fall just about anywhere in any jot down of light.
The Spruce / Kara Riley
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
The Spruce / David Beaulieu
Petra Urbath / EyeEm / Getty Images
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
