Some early spring bloomers 

Nothing signals the end of the winter like early spring-blooming flowers, shrubs, and trees. Size doesn’t matter—low-growing spring bulbs such as crocuses have the same ability to delight us out of our winter gloom as a stately magnolia. Here are a few of these early spring bloomers and some interesting facts from Southern Living magazine regarding each one. 

Saucer magnolias and star magnolias are two deciduous magnolias that bloom very early—so early that in some years, frost may damage the flowers. The flowers appear in late winter to early spring, before the leathery leaves appear on these small accent trees or shrubs. The flowers of star magnolias are strappy and whitish, and the flowers of saucer magnolias are cup-shaped and pink on the outside and white on the inside. Both can be grown in Zones 4-9.

Hellebores are one of the first flowers to bloom, even through a dusting of fresh snow. The Christmas rose blooms first in December, but most of the hellebores, also called Lenten roses, bloom in late winter into spring. Hellebores are hardy and require little sunlight, making them a superb addition to shady locations. Once established, hellebores will drop many of their seeds and small sprouts will appear in the spring. These will turn into new plants on their own if given enough light. 

Creeping phlox have little flowers that look like a pastel carpet painted by nature. This native, ground-hugging phlox grows in the Appalachian mountains from Canada down into Georgia in Zones 3-9. The small, delicate blooms of creeping phlox appear around March or April in the South. Also known as moss phlox, it prefers moist, well-drained, organically rich soils and lots of light. Plant it in rock gardens, along walls, and around garden edges.

Winter jasmine is a fountain-like shrub grown for the profuse, early-blooming flowers that provide a sunny splash of yellow during cold weather. The shrubs start to bloom mid-winter and continue until April. Once established in your yard, it is an easy-to-care-for plant according to Gordon.

Winter jasmine is suitable for Zones 6-10. Plant it as a ground cover on slopes, to disguise walls and fences, or to create a hedge border. The plant flourishes in full sun and well-drained soil.

Jasmine isn’t the only plant to provide a burst of sunshine in late winter. Often reaching giant proportions, flowering forsythia shrubs bear stems that grow upright as opposed to in an arch like winter jasmine. Forsythia is suitable for Zones 5-8. In the South, forsythia blooms as early as February, or in early- to mid-April in Zone 6. Forsythia is easy to grow but prefers loose, moist, well-drained soils in full sun. 

Don’t let their dark leaves fool you. Once viburnums begin to blossom in spring, the flowers are as lovely as they are fragrant. The bloom time varies from species to species. Arrow-wood viburnum, Korean viburnum, and Burkwood viburnum bear flowers earlier in the season.

Many viburnums do well in Zones 4-8 and tolerate various levels of light, depending on the variety. The three species mentioned here bloom best in full to partial sun. Upon planting viburnums, top off the soil with mulch. Water weekly during the summer months to keep this shrub looking sharp.

Showy flowering quince is another shrub that typically bursts into bloom before it leafs out. The blooms are rose-like and come in many different colors, including yellow, apricot, orange, pink, red, and white. Flowering quince is hardy in Zones 4-8. These arching shrubs sometimes have thorns and are commonly planted along foundations or as a “fence” at the edge of a property. The beautiful flowers appear in late winter or early spring.

Tim Lewis is a Georgia Green Industry Association Certified Plant Professional, gardening writer, and former Perry High School horticulture instructor. He can be reached at (478)954-1507 or timlewis1@windstream.net.