Spring flowering shrubs
Spring flowering shrubs bring such a lot of colour into the garden early in the year. There are some great spring flowering shrubs and some of the most attractive flowering shrubs, with the showiest blooms, are often deciduous. This means in winter the deciduous shrubs will be bare, which is why it can be a good idea to plant a mix of evergreens and deciduous shrubs to create all round interest.
Popular spring shrubs are are Rhododendrons and Azalea. These are easy to grow, provided you have acid soil, they need little or no attention and have great showy blooms as illustrated above right.
Also, as shown in the centre image, Camellia Japonica, another lovely shrub, but not so easy to grow. It too likes acid soil, but Camellias are fussy about growing conditions - more info. When planting a Camellia it is definitely a case of "right place right plant". One problem with Camellias if are planted in the wrong spot,the blooms are easily browned by frost and the foliage may not be as glossy green as illustrated. There is more information on the Growing Camillia page, including advice on where to plant Camellia for the best results.
One of the best spring flowering shrubs is Philadelphus, a lovely creamy white shrub with scented blooms illustrated above left.
The shrubs below are hardy in most gardens, although some may need a more sheltered spot. Most of these shrubs are easy to grow and once established, will flower reliably year after year, and for this reason form the mainstay of an easy to maintain garden.
If you have a shrub or plant in your garden and don't know what it is or how to look after it, why not e-mail a photo to the Sunday Gardener for help
The Best Spring flowering Shrubs
Rhododendron
Many rhododendrons have strong flower colours, bright orange, red, mauve, and yellow. They are long flowering, attractive to bees and easy to grow provided your soil is acid. Spring flowering from March onward.
Ceanothus
Ceanothus is an evergreen shrub with lovely blue flowers, which are attractive to bees. It needs to be planted in a sheltered spot away from chilling winds which can burn the foliage. Ceanothus flowers in mid to late spring.
Camellia
Camellia is an evergreen, spring flowering shrub with glossy leaves and large flowers in shades of red, pink, peach, white and cream. In the right conditions they do well- Camellias are hardy, but fussy - more information about growing conditions.
Daphne
Daphne flower anytime from late winter onwards. Some varieties are highly scented, as is illustrated is D. Odora. Daphnes are not easy to grow, and at their most reliable in sheltered gardens not under -5. Where conditions are suitable, Daphne is a beautiful scented shrub.
Forsythia
Forsythia is one of the earliest spring flowering shrubs and a garden favourite. Its flowers appear ahead of the leaves, (in botanical terms known as Precocious) and it is easy to grow. There is a less common white variety F. 'Roseum' which is slightly tender. Images and growing advice.
Escallonia
Escallonia is a lovely delicate spring flowering evergreen shrub but slightly tender. Easy to grow in the right area, Escallonia also makes an attractive hedge and is liked by bees. Some varieties are hardier check out growing tips.
Philadelphus
Philadelphus is also known as mock orange blossom because of its lovely scented blooms. It is deciduous, flowering in the spring, shades of white and lovely scent. It is unfussy and easy to grow.
Pieris
Pieris japonica an easy to grow evergreen shrub. It has strong spring colour with red leaves fading to green and multiple white flowers. Common name lily of the valley bush.