During the day it is often pleasantly warm in spring, but at night the temperatures can drop into the frosty range. Here the question arises, which flowers can withstand light frost in spring?
Table of Contents
early bloomers
In spring, many flowers are offered as early bloomers in garden centers and hardware stores. However, these often only tolerate the frost in spring to a limited extent and should therefore not be planted too early and, above all, should be protected on the terrace or balcony. Early blooming flowers that can take a bit of frost include:
Gooseberry (Bellis perennis hybrids)
- also known as measure sweethearts or daisies
- Kulturgänseblümchen
- suitable for beds and pots
- sunny location
- Flower in white, pink or red
- one to two years old
- Flowering from March
- very persistent flowering
- Sow in May to July
- ready-made plants on the market
Garden Pansies (Viola x wittrockiana)
- many different flower colors
- Flowering time from March to May
- often second flowering in September to November
- sunny to partially shaded location
- slightly sensitive to frost
- Flowers and leaves protect themselves by rolling up
- suitable for beds and pots
- needs a lot of nutrients
Primeln (Primula)
- many different colors available
- perennial
- form rhizomes
- resilient and undemanding
- Flowering from February to May
- many different varieties
- suitable for beds and pots
- sunny location
- Protect flowers from -2° Celsius
Vergissmeinnicht (Myosotis)
- also known as a mouse-eared bat
- about 50 varieties worldwide
- blue flowers
- on long flower stalks
- Flowering time from April to June
- Protect flowers from -2° Celsius night frost
- Plant itself absolutely hardy
- partially shaded location
- sow in June or July
perennials
Perennials are usually perennial and are planted in the fall. This allows them to grow well over the winter and the early perennials then begin to form buds and flowers in early spring, which are usually no longer bothered by the night frost. These include:
Bergenie (Bergenia)
- Perennial of the year 2017
- red and pink flowers
- Umbels on long stems
- very large leaves
- Flowering time from February
- Light shade preferred in location
- can be propagated by division
- very easy to care for
- tolerates longer periods of drought
- Flowers do not need frost protection
Hornveilchen (Viola cornuta)
- usually biennial
- multicolored flowers
- Flowering time from March to October
- grows in single flowers
- small flowers
- sunny to partially shaded location
- suitable for beds and pots
- are also often referred to as mini pansies
- Flowers do not tolerate frost
- therefore protect from about 2° Celsius at night
Pasqueflower (Pulsatilla vulgaris)
- purple, red, pink and white flowers
- also known as cow pasque
- Flowering time March to April
- protect flowers on frosty nights
- single bell-shaped flower
- carefully poisonous
- forms nuts
- sunny location
- suitable for garden beds and pots
Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis hybrids)
- Flowering time from February to April
- very early flowering
- needs the last chill to develop flowers
- no need to protect the flowers from frost
- green, yellow, red, pink or white single flowers
- also multicolored
- Be careful as it is toxic
- partially shaded location
- sows itself
Schaumblüte (Tiarella cordifolia)
- ground cover
- carpeting
- Flower color pink and white
- Flowering time April to May
- protect flowers on frosty nights
- from about -5° Celsius
- grows in candle-like panicles
- black fruits
- semi-shady to shady location
Cowslip (Primula veris)
- belongs to the primrose species
- traditionally heralds spring
- Flowering time from March to May
- yellow flowers on umbels
- gives off a light scent
- sows itself
- sunny to partially shaded location
- suitable for garden beds and tubs
- belongs to medicinal plants
- Protect flowers from -2° Celsius
Winterling (Eranthis hyemalis)
- yellow flowers
- Flowering time from February to March
- cup flowers
- sunny to partially shaded location
- especially nice on lawns
- also copes with a little snow
- needs freezing point soil temperatures to sprout
- Flowers do not need frost protection
bulb flowers
The onion flowers are also already set in autumn and sprout early. These often stretch their flowers up on the first sunny days. In the first days of spring, these flowers can withstand the cold nights with frost without additional protection. Suitable bulb flowers include:
Asian buttercup (Ranunculus asiaticus)
- Flowering time from March to June
- multicolored flowers
- pink, red, orange, yellow, violet, white
- filled cup flowers
- on long stems
- partially shaded location
- for garden beds and tubs
- can also be used as a medicinal plant
- flowers tolerate light night frost
Garden hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis hybrids)
- Flowering time April to May
- many bells hang on grapes
- unfilled flowers
- strongly scented
- multicolored
- or pink, red, yellow, blue, violet, white
- flower is poisonous
- for garden bed and pot
- sunny to partially shaded location
- Flowers tolerate short, light night frosts
Crocus
- about 90 different species
- numerous other subspecies
- sunny location
- first flowers in late winter
- even with snow cover
- small delicate flowers
- many different colors
- larger garden crocuses bloom from March
- Flowers do not need to be protected from frost
- Protect late bloomers from -5° Celsius
Daffodils (Narcissus)
- also known as daffodil
- yellow large or small flowers
- about 40 different species
- bell-shaped flowers
- single flowers
- on long stems
- partially shaded location
- particularly beautiful in meadows
- also suitable for cultivation in tubs
- Flowers tolerate light frost down to -2° Celsius
Checkered Flower (Fritillaria meleagris)
- Flowers covered with pattern
- actually reminds of a chess board
- special eye-catcher
- purple, red, pink, white flower color
- Flowering time from April to May
- single bell flowers
- sunny to partially shaded location
- for tubs and garden beds
- also suitable as pond planting
- light night frosts are no problem for flowers
Snowdrop (Galanthus)
- first flowering already in January
- break through the snow cover
- one flower stalk per bulb
- each individual flower
- hangs bell-shaped downwards
- Caution poisonous in all parts
- full sun location
- Onions stay in the ground all year round
- especially nice on a lawn
- natural reproduction by ants
