12 Best Northern Gardeners' Spring Blooming Plants

Choosing the Best Spring Blooming Plants for Northern Climates

Right now, it may be too cold for gardening where you live, but winter is the best time to plan next year’s garden. Take the time now to do your research on which plants will work best in your climate, especially those that can survive your winter temperatures. If you find a few new must-haves that might be difficult to find at local garden centers, reserve them now from an online or mail order source.

A few more tips for choosing the best spring blooming plants for your northern garden:

• Pay attention to how much sun a plant needs, keeping in mind that plants grown in very cold climates can often handle more sun than those grown in warm ones.
• If you have heavy clay soil, avoid plants that require well-drained soil, or you’ll end up spending a lot of time improving your soil to accommodate your plants.
• Remember that perennials and shrubs often bloom off cycle the first year you have them. Some spring blooming plants may have already finished flowering by the time they make it into your garden, but they should be right back on track the following year.

The plants recommended here all thrive as far north as U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone three (-30 F to -40 F). You’ll find them in full bloom as early as April, continuing through June, depending on the variety you choose.