Early Spring Flowering Shrubs
- Native bees appreciate the nectar from early spring flowering shrubs.Bees image by Lochinvar Sturdy from Fotolia.com
Early spring is a time when not much is in bloom in the garden. Shrubs that flower early in the season brighten up what is often a bleak time in the garden. Many early spring flowering shrubs offer a source of nectar to pollinators such as bees, butterflies, beneficial insects or hummingbirds that visit your garden before there are other natural sources available. An added benefit is many of the flowers are highly fragrant. - Daphne is a small shrub that reaches a maximum height of 3 to 5 feet at maturity, according to the University of Illinois Extension. Choose a spot in the garden with well-drained soil in sun or part-shade, such as under large shade trees. In early spring, Daphne produces masses of small flowers. The summer foliage of Daphne ranges from variegated, white lined with green to completely blue-green. In the fall, the shrubs have small red berries on them.
- Forsythia in full bloom.forsythia image by Edsweb from Fotolia.com
The bright yellow, or sometimes white, flowers of forsythia are one of the most recognized early spring flowering shrubs, according to Clemson University Cooperative Extension. Forsythia is a fast growing shrub that requires regular pruning after it flowers to keep it bushy. Gardeners seeking something different should seek out the variegated form of this shrub. Plant in well-drained soil in full sun. Mature forsythia shrubs often reach a height of 10 feet tall and 12 feet wide. - Lilac flowers come in a wide array of colors.lilac image by Zbigniew Nowak from Fotolia.com
Lilacs are well known for their masses of fragrant, purple flowers in the spring. Not all lilac flowers are purple, however. Look for lilacs with white, pink or yellow flowers. Choose a variegated lilac to create interest in the garden when it is not in bloom. Some of the newer cultivars of lilac flower all summer long. Plant lilacs in full sun in well-drained soil. Lilacs need regular pruning to keep them in shape and producing masses of blooms. The best time to prune lilacs is right after they finish blooming, according to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. - Many witch hazel varieties are winter blooming shrubs or trees, although some do not bloom until March, which makes them an early spring flowering shrub. The flowers, depending on the variety of the shrub, are yellow, red or orange. Witch hazels left on their own, with no pruning, are multibranched shrubs. To create a tree form, regular pruning is necessary. The seeds "pop" and scatter, so while the branches are great for forcing indoors, be aware the seed pods explode once the seeds are ripe, according to Washington State University County Extension.
