What perennials bloom in early spring?

Question:

What perennials bloom in early spring?

Answer:

One of the first signs of spring is the emergence of crocuses, daffodils, and other spring-flowering bulbs. Several other perennials also bloom in early spring and complement these familiar bulbs.

Lenten Rose (Helleborus orientalis) is a semi-evergreen to evergreen perennial that is usually one of the first plants to bloom. The nodding, bell-like flowers appear in March and range in color from creamy white, to pink, to burgundy. 

lenten rose
Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis) blooms in March in Iowa

Pasque Flower (Pulsatilla vulgaris) is a compact perennial reaching 4-6 inches tall that grows well in full sun to  part shade. The pasque flower produces purple, maroon, or white flowers atop finely dissected foliage in the first few weeks of spring. 

Heartleaf Brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla) is a low growing, 12- to 18-inch-tall, mounding perennial with attractive heart-shaped leaves mottled with white or silver.  In early spring, small, blue flowers appear that resemble the flowers of the classic annual, forget-me-not, giving the plant its other common name – perennial forget-me-not. 

Other Early Spring Blooming Perennials

A few other early spring bloomers include:

  • bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis),
  • crested iris (Iris cristata),
  • creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera),
  • pig squeak (Bergenia cordifolia),
  • lungwort (Pulmonaria saccharata),
  • moss phlox (Phlox subulata),
  • candytuft (Iberis sempervirens),
  • snowdrop anemone (Anemone sylvestris),
  • basket-of-gold (Aurinia saxatilis), and
  • violets (Viola spp.).
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Last updated on
April 15, 2024