Spring Blooming Perennials
Viburnum p. f. plicatum ‘Mary Milton’
Deciduous shrub with layered branching and rounded double soft pink flowers. Attracts pollinators, and produces berries for birds. Grows 6 to 8 feet tall; ideal for wildlife hedges and seasonal screening. Zones: 5 to 8.
Spring blooming perennials bring fresh color and renewed energy to the garden, emerging as the landscape begins to awaken after winter. Their flowers range from soft pastels to brighter shades of pink, purple, yellow, white, and blue, often appearing alongside fresh new foliage and early seasonal growth. These plants add texture and movement to borders and garden beds while creating a space that feels bright, inviting, and full throughout the changing season, helping bridge the transition from early spring into the abundance of late spring and early summer.
TREE PEONY (Paeonia)
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Spring-blooming tree peonies bring bold color and dramatic form to the garden, with large flowers appearing in mid to late spring before many other shrubs reach their peak. Paeonia x suffruticosa ‘Zi Er Qiao’ (shown here) is grown for its distinctive pink and purple tones in a striking, layered display against finely divided foliage. Their woody structure remains in place year-round, providing a framework that supports these oversized flowers.
They are well suited to borders or focal plantings where their blooms can be clearly seen. Paeonia x suffruticosa ‘Sonoma Apricot’ offers warm apricot-toned flowers with a softer, blended effect, while Paeonia ‘Ruffled Sunset’ adds rich coral and peach tones with a more textured form. Paeonia x intersectional ‘Scarlet Heaven’ provides vivid red blooms on a compact, sturdy plant. Together, these selections deliver bold spring color, refined structure, and a strong visual presence in the garden.
VIBURNUM
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Spring-blooming viburnums bring abundant flowers to the garden, with blooms appearing from mid to late spring along tiered branches. Viburnum plicatum (shown here) is grown for its pleated foliage and showy white blooms, which may appear as rounded, snowball-like clusters or in more open forms depending on the selection. Viburnum plicatum f. plicatum ‘Mary Milton’ adds a softer variation, with rounded flower heads that open pale pink and deepen in tone. Its structured branching enhances the flowering effect, giving the plant a balanced, architectural presence.
Ideal for borders or specimen plantings, these shrubs allow their distinctive form and bloom to be fully appreciated. Viburnum plicatum ‘Mariesii’ offers a contrasting look with flat, lacecap-style white flowers arranged along horizontal branches, creating a layered, tiered effect. Together, these selections provide varied flower forms, soft seasonal color, and a refined presence that defines the spring landscape.
LILAC (Syringa)
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Lilacs bring fragrance and abundant color to the garden, with flowers appearing in mid to late spring on upright, multi-stemmed shrubs. Syringa vulgaris ‘Charles Joly’ (shown here) is grown for its deep red-purple, double blooms that create a rich, full display against fresh green foliage. Their naturally open structure allows the flower clusters to stand out clearly, adding both height and seasonal presence.
Well suited to borders, hedges, or focal plantings, these shrubs allow their blooms and fragrance to be fully appreciated. Syringa vulgaris ‘Katherine Havemeyer’ offers soft lavender-pink, double flowers with a romantic, layered effect, while Syringa vulgaris ‘Fritz Klager’ adds deep lilac-blue tones that brighten the planting. Together, these selections provide rich spring color, classic fragrance, and a strong visual presence in the landscape.
Related: Explore All Lilacs ➔
CAMELLIA
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Spring-blooming camellias bring refined color and structure to the garden, with flowers appearing from late winter into spring as the landscape begins to fill in. Camellia ‘April Kiss’ is grown for its clear pink blooms and reliable flowering, creating a bright, consistent display against glossy evergreen foliage. Their dense habit provides year-round structure while supporting a steady succession of blooms.
Camellias are well suited to borders, foundation plantings, or woodland edges where their flowers can be clearly seen. Camellia japonica ‘Annie Wylam’ (shown here) offers large soft pink blossoms and a distinctive center of small, petaloid segments that create a full, layered effect, while Camellia japonica ‘Brushfield’s Yellow’ adds creamy white flowers with soft yellow centers for a lighter contrast. Together, these selections provide extended spring color, evergreen structure, and a polished presence in the garden.
Related: Explore All Camellias ➔
MEXICAN ORANGE BLOSSOM (Choisya)
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Mexican orange blossom brings fragrance and bright, clean color to the garden, with flowers appearing in mid to late spring and often repeating later in the season. Choisya ternata is grown for its naturally rounded habit and glossy green leaves, along with clusters of white, citrus-scented flowers that create a fresh, luminous display. Its dense evergreen structure provides a consistent backdrop that highlights the bloom, filling the surrounding space with a light, refreshing citrus fragrance.
Ideal for borders, foundation plantings, or mixed beds, these shrubs allow both fragrance and form to be fully appreciated. Choisya ternata ‘Sundance’ (shown here) adds golden foliage that brightens the planting, while Choisya x dewitteana ‘Aztec Pearl’ offers a finer texture with narrow leaves and delicate white flowers. Together, these selections provide reliable spring bloom, evergreen structure, and a refined presence in the garden.
RHODODENDRON
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Rhododendrons bring layered color and evergreen structure to the garden, with flowers appearing from early to mid-spring depending on the selection. Rhododendron x molle ‘Koster’s Brilliant Red’ (shown here) is grown for its vivid red-orange blooms that create a bold, intense display against green foliage, adding warmth and intensity at the start of the season. Their dense growth provides a consistent backdrop while supporting a strong floral show.
Well suited to woodland edges, shaded borders, or foundation plantings, these shrubs allow their blooms to be clearly seen. Rhododendron albiflorum var. albiflorum adds a more delicate presence with small, white flowers, while Rhododendron impeditum offers a compact form with lavender-blue blooms that introduce a cooler color range. Together, these selections provide varied bloom color, evergreen structure, and a balanced spring display in the landscape.
Related: See All Rhododendrons ➔
JAPANESE SNOW FLOWER (Deutzia)
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Japanese snow flower brings a soft, cascading display to the spring garden, with blooms appearing in mid to late spring along arching branches. Deutzia gracilis ‘Nikko’ (shown here) is grown for its profusion of small, star-like white flowers that cover the plant in a dense, flowing layer, creating a clean, luminous effect against fine-textured green foliage. Its low, spreading habit forms a graceful mound that highlights the bloom, spilling gently over edges and softening transitions between planting areas.
Ideal for borders, edging, or mass plantings, this shrub allows its form and flowering to be fully appreciated in open settings. Its compact size and naturally tidy growth require little maintenance while providing reliable seasonal interest, blending easily with perennials and other shrubs in layered garden designs. Together, these qualities offer consistent spring color, refined texture, and a soft, cohesive presence in the landscape.
WEIGELA
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Weigelas bring vibrant color and soft structure to the garden, with flowers appearing in late spring and often repeating lightly into summer. Weigela florida ‘Alexandra’ (shown here) is grown for its rosy-pink blooms set against deep burgundy foliage, creating strong contrast and a rich display in sunny garden settings with excellent seasonal interest and color depth. Its arching habit allows the flowers to be clearly visible, adding movement and seasonal interest.
Well suited to borders, low hedges, or mixed plantings, these shrubs provide both color and form in spring displays. Weigela ‘Looymansii Aurea’ adds golden foliage that brightens the planting, while Weigela florida ‘Verweig’ offers a compact form with variegated leaves and soft pink flowers. Together, these selections provide layered foliage color, reliable bloom, and a balanced presence in the spring garden.
ELDERBERRY (Sambucus)
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Elderberries bring bold foliage and airy spring bloom to the garden, with flowers appearing in late spring in broad, flat clusters. Sambucus nigra ‘Eva’ (shown here) is grown for its finely cut, deep burgundy foliage paired with soft pink flower heads that create a light, layered display. Its upright, open habit allows both foliage and blooms to stand out clearly, adding contrast and movement to the planting, while creating a soft, airy presence that enhances surrounding garden combinations.
Well suited to borders, naturalized areas, or mixed plantings, these shrubs offer both structure and seasonal interest. Sambucus nigra ‘Variegata’ adds green leaves edged in creamy white, brightening the display while producing white flower clusters in spring. Together, these selections provide soft bloom, bold foliage contrast, and a dynamic presence in the spring garden.