Spring bloomers are eagerly awaited by gardeners as they are a sign of the end of winter. In the article, a list of beautiful and decorative plants was created, which already show their flowers even with the last snow.
Table of Contents
early trees
Not only different flowers are early spring bloomers, some trees have to be included in this list, which already develop their flowers at the end of winter and can then also bear fruit early.
Erle (Alnus)
- also known as red alder
- deciduous tree
- up to 25 meters high
- develops cones after flowering
- Flowers are seen as catkins
- early flowering already in February
- Cones remain attached over winter
- good food source for birds
Hasel (Corylus)
- not to be confused with the edible species Corylus avellana
- small nuts are not edible
- Flowering from February to March
- Kitty Blossom
- have allergens in the seeds
- cause allergic reactions when exposed to wind
- grows between two and twelve meters high
- can live up to 100 years
Ulme
- also known as Effe, Rusten or Rüster
- can grow up to 40 meters high
- is suitable as a solitaire on a wide meadow
- can be several hundred years old
- early flowering before leaf emergence
- Flowers are reminiscent of bells
- popular variety in the garden is mulberry
- remains quite small at five meters
Willow (Salix)
- many different, also small species
- overhanging or upright growing
- small species are suitable for gardens and tubs
- form pussy willows
- are covered with yellow pollen
- valuable bee pasture
- Flowers appear as early as February/March
Early perennials
There are also some early bloomers among the perennials, which already put out their blossoms in winter, when the first warm temperatures can only be guessed at. As a rule, these are small, flat-growing perennials that grow freely in nature under other trees for protection.
Sweet violet (Viola odorata)
- only about 15 centimeters high
- carpeting
- scented perennial
- white, pink or purple flowers
- first flowering in early March
- hardy
- wintergreen
- sunny to partially shaded location
- easy-care
Spring Adonis (Adonis vernalis)
- first flowering March to May
- yellow flowers
- up to 20 centimeters high
- highly toxic
- hardy
- sunny location
- originally native to the steppes
- easy-care
Hepatica nobilis
- Ranunculus plant from Japan
- up to 15 centimeters high
- carpeting
- blue to violet flowers
- Flowering from early March
- poisonous
- do not cultivate when there are children or animals in the household
- hardy
- semi-shady to shady location
- suitable for north-facing balconies
Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis hybrids)
- flowering in February
- fades in April
- many different colors
- multicolored or white, pink, red, yellow and green
- up to half a meter high
- hardy
- wintergreen
- partially shaded location
- easy-care
Primel (Primula)
- Latin name means “the first”
- also known as cowslip
- perennial
- different flower colors
- violet, red, pink, yellow, white
- Flowering time from February
- about 25 cm high
- Contains Primin, a contact allergen to the touch
- can overwinter in the garden bed
Daisies (Bellis perennis)
- decorative flower balls
- also known as the cultivated daisy
- biennial or annual
- up to 20 centimeters high
- white, red or pink flowers
- first flowering in March
- bloom until June
- sunny to partially shaded location
- come back every year by self-sowing
early shrubs
Early-blooming shrubs from the list below cultivated in a corner or in a dividing hedge in the garden are a decorative eye-catcher even on the last dreary days of winter and make you want spring.
Forsythie (Forsythia x intermedia)
- Flowering before leaf emergence
- is considered one of the best-known early bloomers
- very easy to care for
- very floriferous
- up to three meters high
- upright and overhanging
- bright yellow flowers
- first flowering in early April
- slightly toxic
- sunny location
Stern-Magnolie (Magnolia stellata)
- elegant early bloomer
- small shrub
- up to three meters high and three meters wide
- very bushy growing
- first flowering in March
- decorative white, large flowers
- sunny location
- hardy
Winter cherry (Prunus subhirtella f. autumnalis)
- also known as Higan cherry
- up to six meters high
- can grow up to half a meter wide
- very sprawling growing
- blooms even in winter
- from November to December
- and January to May
- Flowers are double clusters
- sunny location
Winterjasmin (Jasminum nudiflorum)
- Small shrub or climbing plant
- up to three meters high
- overhanging growth
- yellow flowers
- Flowering time December to March
- sunny to partially shaded location
- suitable for rock gardens
bulb flowers
When it comes to bulbs, it can be assumed that they are always the first of the year to unfold their decorative blossoms. By April, however, these have usually faded again and have withdrawn to their bulbs for the next season.
Blausternchen (Scilla)
- suitable for naturalising
- as underplanting of various trees
- Growth height ten to fifteen centimeters
- carpeting
- Flowering from February to April
- several flower stalks with flowers in racemes
- blue or white
- sunny to partially shaded location
- hardy
March cup (Leucojum vernum)
- also spring snowflake
- usually blooms in February
- reminiscent of snowdrops
- white, bell-shaped flowers
- up to 30 centimeters high
- slightly toxic
- semi-shady to shady location
- suitable as underplanting
Hyazinthen (Hyacinthus Orientalis-Hybriden)
- upright growth with thick flowers
- sheltered location
- Otherwise the stems could break
- flowers very heavy
- multicolored or white, pink, red, yellow, blue and purple
- strongly scented
- first flowering at the end of March
- poisonous
- sunny to partially shaded location
- hardy
Crocus
- many different types
- both autumn and spring bloomers
- are spring bloomers
- Lesser Crocus (Crocus chrysanthus)
- Elf-Crocus (Crocus tommasinianus)
- Sieber Crocus (Crocus sieberi)
- Spring Crocus (Crocus vernus)
- many different flower colors
- first flowering in February/March
- come into their own when planted in small groups
Daffodils (Narcissus)
- Daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) known species
- natural location in sparse forests
- Growth height depending on the species five to 60 centimeters
- white, yellow or orange
- Flowering time from February to May
- poisonous
- can cause skin irritation
- hardy
- cultivate together with other bulb flowers
- sunny location preferred
Netzblatt-Iris (Iris reticulata)
- graceful, large flowers
- blue-violet
- up to ten inches high
- first flowering in February
- good for rock gardens
- Soil gravelly to rocky
- sunny to partially shaded location
Schneeglöckchen (Galanthus nivalis)
- first flowers in January
- also break through a snow cover
- small, white bell-shaped flowers
- pretty tough
- toxic in all parts
- under conservation
- lend themselves to naturalization
- as underplanting
- partially shaded location
Tulpen
- one of the most popular spring bloomers
- many different varieties
- available in all colors
- in single or double flowers
- partially shaded location
- do not tolerate drought in summer
- the first species already flower in March
- very popular as cut flowers
Winterling (Eranthis hyemalis)
- go well with snowdrops and crocuses
- form dense carpets of flowers
- yellow flowers
- star shaped
- Flowering time from February
- highly toxic
- sunny to partially shaded location
- hardy
