From starting seeds and eagerly awaiting the emergence of perennial bulbs to simply enjoying the sight of potted daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips when they arrive at your local grocery store or from a special flower delivery, flowers provide so much opportunity to lift our spirits. Since outdoor sightings of beautiful blooms are less frequent in the winter months, the appearance of all types of spring flowers in nature, landscapes, bouquets, and decorative pots are most welcome!
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s sentiment that “The earth laughs in flowers” has particular resonance and significance in spring’s arrival. Meteorologists delineate that this season begins on March 1, while many others recognize and eagerly anticipate the Spring Equinox, March 20 in the Northern Hemisphere this year, as the first day of spring. This date is considered the astronomical first day of spring. Regardless of when you choose to begin your spring celebrations (and why not celebrate it repeatedly), flowers are the perfect way to ring in this new season. To do so, you might enjoy the beauty of these 20 types of spring flowers in bloom or seeding these 10 flower varieties that can be started or sown in spring. Additional growing tips and floral trends for 2023 are also interspersed throughout the flower guides!
20 Types of Spring Flowers in Bloom
Depending on one’s location, the timeline for flower emergence, planting, and seed starting varies, so be sure to check the plant hardiness zone for your province and town, if you are planning to grow your own spring flowers this year! For example, at some nurseries, like the Yukon Gardens, pre-orders for plants open in April and the store itself doesn’t reopen until May! With variable final frost dates and the need to plant some bulbs in fall while other bulbs can be planted in the spring, spring flower growing may seem like a challenge. However, many of these flowers are very hardy by necessity and can be enjoyed in your own garden or other outdoor spaces, as well as simply in vases, baskets, or planters from local growers.
Another helpful consideration is simply seeing what your local garden center has in stock, as their offerings tend to align with safe planting windows, and they can recommend any necessary weather protection if needed. With each flower, you’ll find estimated appearance times throughout the season with the note that these may vary depending on your location. The general timing is also accompanied by growing tips, fun tidbits, or flower trend details for these types of spring flowers.
Glory of the Snow
This flower is an easy-to-grow, early spring arrival that expands its presence with each growth cycle. Some may consider this self-sowing support a benefit. If not, you might consider growing it in a more contained area or anticipating where you might transplant it.
Tulip
Known for their availability in a vast array of colours and as an essential mark of spring, these flowers may emerge in early spring or mid-season depending on the type. The variety of tulip also impacts the plant’s lifespan, specifically whether the bulbs must be pulled and replanted every few years or after a few decades.
Siberian Squill
This self-sowing spreader often appears in the early to middle portion of the season. Its early bloom time makes it helpful for pollinators! Looking for more pollinator-friendly plants? This list of 10 flowers that encourage pollinators can help with your garden plans!
| Fall planting for Spring Flowers: Despite blooming in the spring, planting their bulbs in the fall is necessary for many flowers, including many of those listed here. A general rule is to ensure that bulb planting happens at least a month before the ground freezes. |
Lungwort
Another early riser in the spring months, Lungwort is considered by some to have potential health benefits. It is also an important nectar source for bees!
Snowdrops
Often the first to appear in the garden, these blooms also get better with age, so you’ll see more and more flowers each year! They are also able to emerge even with lingering snow on the ground.
Crocus
Plant crocus bulbs in the fall and watch these small but mighty flowers emerge seemingly overnight in the early spring. They can also be grown in containers!
| Crocus flowers have a history that spans hundreds if not thousands of years. In alignment with the “Collecting Memories” trend as determined by the Flower Council for Spring/Summer 2023, these flowers may have seen many years of outdoor fun at your home or be a part of making memories in the months to come. In terms of this year’s decorative style, shades of terra cotta pots would work well with these colourful blooms and could be further personalized to embrace the nostalgic sentiment of the Flower Council’s theme. |
Daffodil
In many areas across the country, the daffodil is mid-season bloomer, even if it appears in stores and in centrepiece designs in earlier weeks. Due to their blooming timeline, gifting daffodils often signifies new beginnings, rebirth, and hope, so this flower is the perfect Easter gift or bridal bouquet selection!
| Critter deterrent: Daffodils offer the additional benefit of discouraging wildlife, like squirrels, from disrupting your bulbs, vegetable plants, or other later flowering plants. Be sure to check out plant compatibility if you are planning to weave these flowers in with other plants. |
Hyacinth
Both the common hyacinth and the grape hyacinth bloom in the earlier weeks of the season and have a pleasant fragrance that many enjoy. Thus, their inclusion in your spring flower scheme adds a multi-sensory experience to planters around patios, as well as in indoor pots or outdoor garden areas.
Lily
Asiatic lilies are easy growers and bloom early with sizable flowers. Lily varieties are favourites for spring gifts and bouquets due to their elegance and myriad of colour choices.
| This year’s wedding trends specifically highlight colour (farewell monochrome and matching) and untraditional or retro-inspired use of flowers. The choice of blooms and any accompanying foliage can also play a supporting role in providing textural elements to table decor or essential components in events with a tropical theme. |
Iris
With a name associated with rainbows, it is no surprise that this beautiful flower presents itself in a variety of colours across its more than 300 species. Depending on the growing location, these flowers bloom throughout the later spring and over the summer.
Lilac
Like the iris, the lilac blooms in late May, and this flowering perennial shrub is not only visually stunning but also offers the smell of spring.
Dianthus
These flowers can be grown as annuals or perennials. Their long growing season, from late May into the fall months, make them a low maintenance plant that can provide both cut blooms and outdoor decor.
| Annuals and perennials to plant in spring: In addition to fall bulb planting for next spring’s enjoyment, there are many annual and perennial flowers that you can find to transplant, as they will be in season, or plant yourself! |
Trillium
White trillium is a perennial that blooms in late April through May. It is also the official flower of Ontario!
Saxifrage
Clusters of these flowers are early heralds of spring. The Purple Saxifrage is also the official flower of Nunavut.
| If you are looking for garden inspiration, you might consider official flowers throughout Canada, like the white trillium and saxifrage mentioned above, or investigate other native plants by province. |
Sweet Alyssum
This annual has a long growing season and often lasts from later spring into the early weeks of fall. Gardening tip: It is attractive to pollinators, so consider planting it in borders, hanging baskets, or other planters near or around garden spaces.
Hellebore
This flower is so hardy that it often first appears while there is still lingering snow. Although they don’t like to be moved once they are planted, these perennials are known for their longevity in both flowering and overall lifespan, even in the coldest climates.
Peony
Often arriving in late spring and early summer depending on the growing environment, these flowers make the most of the short time that they are in bloom. For both cut blooms and outside growth that lasts for years after its initial establishment, this flower is favourite of both homegrowers and those selecting flowers for special occasions.
| Growing Bulbs: Planning a garden is a wonderful way to make the winter days pass more quickly and creating incredible, natural beauty in your own space. As you begin to investigate which flowers you would like to include, consider these two initial steps:
1) Make sure you know whether or not the bulb is spring planting or fall planting. Sometimes, either planting season works! 2) Consult the package information or online catalogue, as well as the planting planting zone guide, to see if your climate and intended placement in your landscape will encourage the growth of your chosen spring flowers. Then, take a particularly wintery day to anticipate spring by learning more about how to grow bulbs successfully. |
Primrose
These perennial blooms are often one of the first signs of spring, so they are associated with renewal. Working well in gardens or containers, these vibrant blossoms are a good choice for table settings, as the shorter height of many types of these spring flowers won’t interfere with eye contact during a conversation.
Bloodroot
Despite its mixed reputation for both toxicity and health benefits, one fact is for certain: this perennial wildflower is an early participant in signifying the change of season. Alas, its lifespan is relatively short, so be sure to enjoy its beauty while you can!
Gazanias
These stunning, compact, and durable growers successfully thrive, even without the most ideal conditions. They are suitable for planters and are relatively easy to grow!
| Almost as popular as daffodils and tulips as spring arrives, pansies are easy to grow and a colourful option for early container planting!
Wedding trend: their offerings across the colour spectrum and cold tolerance are beneficial for outdoor celebrations or nature-inspired decor. Small pots of these blooms may even serve dual purpose as part of your table designs and guest gifts. |
10 Types of Flowers to Start in Spring
Certainly, there are many flowers that are already bursting forth with beautiful blooms when the spring season arrives, but there are many more that can be planted from seed beginning in March. For many of them, the Spring Equinox is a good date to begin their planting! Some of these seedlings will begin to flower as early as May, while many others revel in the greater warmth of the summer season and wait until then to appear. Several of the types of flowers to sow in spring may even bloom through the early fall frosts. Again, be sure to check out these regional planning charts to determine which planting time is right for your area and set your seedlings up for growing success!
Bachelors Buttons
This cornflower has small, compact heads in a vibrant blue hue. Another option to add as edible decoration to a summer salad, this flower typically blooms for at least three months and its longer stems make it a lovely choice for taller vases.
Calendula
With beautiful orange flowers, this plant is known for its continuous growth, especially if spent flowers are removed. It works well in bouquets and is sometimes dried to make tea.
| Direct sowing or indoor start: As you consider the types of flowers to plant in the spring, confirm whether you need to start growing the seeds indoors or if you can put them directly into the ground. This planting approach may also change by month; for example, some flowers that need to be started inside in March can be seeded outside in May or June. Be sure to consider the sun and soil, as you plan the location of your flowers, in addition to any other planting guidance provided. Depending on your approach to garden planning, you might also think about complimentary plant pairings, the focus of the growing space, beneficial bugs, and more! |
Lavender
French lavender offers a delightful fragrance in a smaller shrub-like package. It is also a perennial that may return for several years, if cut back after the flowers have passed. Many also dry this flower for additional applications.
| Garden trends: Like flowers, design approaches, colour palettes and more, garden trends also change with each new year and season. One of the many considerations for this year include the creation of moon gardens, wherein the beauty of this space is most clear in the light of the moon. From floors that open or almost glow at night to scents of blooms like lilac and lavender that can accompany those glowing blossoms, you may enjoy designing your own moon garden. |
Cosmos
In various shades of white, purple, orange, and red, this flower grows throughout three seasons, beginning with mid-to-late spring through early frosts with consistent deadheading.
Marigolds
Often found in vibrant oranges, yellows, and reds, these flowers range from small and compact plants of less than a foot to giant varieties that grow over 3 feet. Offering both vibrant colour and pest deterrence, these are a fantastic companion plant and are a helpful addition in vegetable garden borders.
| Trend Tip: According to the Flower Council, some flowers that are trending this year include ranunculus and dahlia. Plant these bulbs in spring for enjoyment in future seasons or find plants at a local store or nursery in late May that you can transplant! |
Daisies
A chrysanthemum species, this short annual is a colourful container addition that is easy to grow and often offers blooms throughout summer and fall.
Bergamot
The purple flowers of this lively perennial appeal to both hummingbirds and a variety of pollinators. This plant may spread, so consider planting it in a container.
| Planting from seeds: Although extensive guidance on seed planting is available from a variety of expert gardening sources, the key information specific to that type of plant can also be found on the seed package itself, learned from the garden center staff members, or on the online source from which you may have ordered your seeds. |
Larkspur Delphinium
This flower is a vibrant blue hue, and it is a friend to both bees and butterflies. It is one type of spring flower that can be planted in season or later in the fall.
Purple Coneflowers Echinacea
Another two-season bloomer, this vibrant purple blossom can appear beginning in mid-summer and thrive into early fall. This pest deterrent is another key companion planting helper.
Violas
These spring flowers can be planted at the beginning of the season in March and start to bloom as early as May. This annual will also sow itself, and flowers are considered edible!
With so many types of spring flowers to enjoy or begin this season, it is hard to know which ones to choose. The included growing tips and guides, as well as further support and resources from your favourite garden store or flower company, should help you with your flower planning and growing. When you want to enjoy seasonal flowers without the garden effort, farmers’ markets, nurseries, and garden centers change their offerings frequently, so you can change which blooms stand as centrepieces inside the home or in outdoor spaces. For a fun spring activity, you might also enjoy seeing types of spring flowers that people from all over the country and the world travel to see, such as the Cherry Blossoms in Vancouver and Ottawa’s Tulip Festival.
Finally, if online gift ordering is the approach to flowers that you most enjoy, a thoughtful birthday, wedding, or holiday gift like the Fresh Flowers and Cheesecake Gift Bundle includes stunning spring blossoms like lilies and daisies, as well as decadent, luscious desserts. Whether you ultimately engage as a spectator in the floral glory of springtime or an active participant in growing your own spectacular flowers, may you have the frequent opportunity to enjoy the Earth’s laughter this spring!
