15 Flowers to Plant in Spring That Will Fill Your Yard With Color and Fragrance (2024)

14 Popular Flowering Bulbs—and the Best Time of Year to Plant Them in Your Garden

Asiatic Lilies

Asiatic lilies (Lilium spp.) are a beautiful choice if you're looking for a flower that is low maintenance. These spring bloomers require a sunny site and well-draining soil but don't demand constant attention, says Peggy Anne Montgomery, horticulturist withFlowerBulbs.com. "The vibrant blooms attract hummingbirds and other pollinators like bees and butterflies, contributing to a healthier and more biodiverse ecosystem."

• Zone: 3 to 8
• Mature height:2 feet to 3 feet
• Bloom time: spring
• Care requirements: full sun; well-draining soil
  

Coppertips

A true show stopper in mid to late-summer gardens, coppertips (Crocosmia) have slim, upright foliage topped by hot shades of red, orange, and yellow blooms. "These beauties attract hummingbirds and butterflies, but deer and rabbits don't care for them," says Montgomery. Excellent as a cut flower and container plant, you can get a lot of mileage out of this warm-weather bloom.

• Zone: 5 to 9
• Mature height:2 feet to 4 feet
• Bloom time: mid-summer to mid-fall
• Care requirements: full sun to part shade; well-draining soil

Gladiolus

Sometimes called sword lilies because of the shape of their leaves, gladioli are becoming more and more popular every year. "The long stems, covered in frilly, brightly colored blooms, are lovely and fragrant," says Montgomery. "I can’t think of anything more dramatic than a vase full of glads in the summertime."

• Zone: 3 to 10
• Mature height:3 to 5 feet
• Bloom time: early to mid-summer
• Care requirements: full sun to part shade; well-draining soil

Dahlias

Dahlias come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, so you're guaranteed to find one that will look beautiful in your garden. "Most varieties will need to be staked to hold the plant and its large, heavy blooms upright, but that’s a small price for the magnificent blooms," says Montgomery. "They make outstanding cut flowers but don’t cut them in bud. Unlike most flowers, the buds of dahlias will not open after cutting." Plant dahlias in spring after the last frost when the soil is warm.

• Zone: 3 to 10
• Mature height:15 inches to 6 feet
• Bloom time: mid-summer into fall
• Care requirements: full sun to part shade; well-draining soil
  

Calla Lilies

Calla lilies (Zantedeschia aethiopica) are elegant, heat-loving plants that are perfect for growing in containers. "I put them in a prominent place in the garden until they have finished blooming in late summer and the foliage begins to droop," says Montgomery.

• Zone: 3 to 10
• Mature height:1 to 3 feet
• Bloom time: late summer
• Care requirements: full sun to part shade; well-draining soil

Canna Lilies

Give your garden a tropical feel with canna lilies. "The foliage is lush green, bronze, or stripped in various colors," says Montgomery. "The orchid-like flowers attract hummingbirds and other pollinators." The beautiful bloom thrives in the ground or in large containers and loves heat and humidity, making it a great choice for spring planting.

• Zone: 3 to 10
• Mature height:2 to 8 feet
• Bloom time: mid-summer into fall
• Care requirements: full sun to part shade; well-draining soil
  

Pansies

Pansies (Viola) can be planted in early spring for a beautiful display later in the season."Pansies are one of the cold-hardiest spring annuals, with a large variety of colors and cultivars available," says Jessica Thomson, senior horticulturist at Longwood Gardens. "These are lovely in planted in the beds, containers or even baskets."

• Zone: 3 to 8
• Mature height:6 to 10 inches
• Bloom time: late spring to fall
• Care requirements: full sun to part shade; acidic, well-draining soil

Peonies

A beloved late spring bloomer, peonies (Paeonia) fill landscapes with gorgeous, large blooms. "There are many varieties to choose from, including woody and herbaceous varieties or a combination of the two," says Thomson. "Choose varieties that are indicated for garden use (versus a cut flower variety) and add a support system for the best show in the garden."

• Zone: 3 to 8
• Mature height:varies by variety
• Bloom time: late spring to fall
• Care requirements: full sun; well-draining soil

Bleeding Hearts

Bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) is aptly named for its pink-and-white heart-shaped flowers that bloom from large flower stalks. "It’s absolutely stunning in the shady spring garden," says Thomson. "Foliage dies away in the heat of early summer, leaving room for other summer flowering perennials." Plant this beautiful flower in early spring once the threat of frost has passed.

• Zone: 3 to 9
• Mature height:2 to 3 feet
• Bloom time: late spring
• Care requirements: full sun to part shade; well-draining soil

Marigolds

The cheery orange or yellow daisy-like flowers of marigolds (Calendula officinalis) brighten up a sunny spring border garden, says Thomson. "Calendula is a happy self-sower, so no need to replant year after year." Marigolds are also a wonderful companion plant for many vegetables, as they are very effective at deterring pests.

• Zone: 2 to 11
• Mature height:1 to 3 feet
• Bloom time: late spring to fall
• Care requirements: full sun to part shade; well-draining soil

Nemesias

A cold-tolerant annual that comes in a wide variety of colors, nemesia puts on a show of delicate flowers that will look gorgeous in your spring and summer garden. It's a great addition to containers or hanging baskets, as the blooms and foliage spill over the edges, says Thomson.

• Zone: 2 to 11
• Mature height:10 to 18 inches
• Bloom time: late spring to summer
• Care requirements: full sun to part shade; well-draining soil

Begonias

Color in the garden is easy to achieve with begonias. These beauties are available in a variety of colors, from pinks and whites to reds and oranges. They're especially eye-catching in border gardens, but they also look beautiful in hanging baskets and window boxes.

• Zone: 2 to 10
• Mature height:8 inches to 5 feet
• Bloom time: spring to summer
• Care requirements: part sun to part shade; well-draining soil

Lily of the Nile

Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus) is a deer-resistant flower that also attracts essential pollinators to the landscape, like bees and butterflies. It has blueish-purple flowers that boast whimsical round flower heads that will give your garden a charming feel.

• Zone: 8 to 10
• Mature height:4 to 5 feet tall
• Bloom time: summer to fall
• Care requirements: full sun; well-draining soil
  

Lungwort

Lungwort (Pulmonaria spp.) forms clusters of upright bell-like flowers that rise above speckled green leaves, says Ryan McEnaney, garden designer and author ofField Guide to Outside Style: Design and Plant Your Perfect Outdoor Space. The blooms range from pink to purple to blue and only get more beautiful as the season progresses.

• Zone: 2 to 10
• Mature height:6 to 12 inches
• Bloom time: spring
• Care requirements: full sun to part shade; well-draining soil

Columbine

Native to North America, columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris) is a colorful perennial for the mid-spring landscape. "The pink, red, purple, blue, yellow, or white flowershave good staying power, keeping color in the garden for six or more weeks andwill self-sow new seedlings in the right conditions," says McEnaney. "A hummingbird favorite, thecorolla tubes add great shape and texture to the flower."

• Zone: 3 to 9
• Mature height:6 to 12 inches
• Bloom time: mid-spring
• Care requirements: part shade; moist, well-draining soil