Around this time of year, the winter is feeling painfully old to most of us. We’re starving for some color and warmth in our lives. Unless you have a wood burning stove, plants are probably not the solution to cranking up the heat, but there are several plants that may surprise you with how early they bloom, bringing bursts of color when they are needed most. Here is a illustrated list of some of these harbingers of spring:
A hybrid witch hazel, Hamamelis x intermedia. Hybrid witch hazels can begin blooming in February or March, given a few above freezing days
Winterhazel, Corylopsis. Another shrub that flowers in early spring, closely related to witch hazel. Not quite as early, blooming in April, but their fragrance and burst of yellow on naked stems have a magical quality. Fragrant Winterhazel, C. glabrescens, and Spike Winterhazel, C. spicata, are the most cold hardy, though outside the warm valley of Ithaca, a sheltered spot is best to protect their flower buds.
Glory of the snow, Chionadoxa. A fall planted bulb with tiny flowers that, in mass, create a beautiful, soft carpet of blues. A joy in spring and deer resistant.
Hellebore or Lenten Rose, Helleborus. Hellebores retain their leaves all winter, though they begin to look pretty beat up come winters end. Cut off the old damaged leaves in March to reveal the exquisite, long-blooming flowers.
Bloodroot, Sanguinaria canadensis. A beautiful spring flowering plant native to Eastern North America. Pictured is a double flowered variety called ‘Multiplex’
Other early spring bloomers:
Snowdrops, Galanthus – A delightful bulb with drooping white flowers
Forsythia, Forsythia – Unless you have lots of space to fill go with a low growing cultivar such as ‘Gold Tide’
Winter Aconite, Eranthus hyemalis – Tiny, delightful yellow flowers
Crocus, Crocus sp. – A common early spring flower with many varieties in a range of colors.
Daffodils, Narcissus – Numerous varieties of this reliable bulb are available in shades of yellow, white, and orange.
