The first spring flowers thrill us with the promise of summer just around the corner.
In those late winter months, it starts to feel like the cold will never go away. Chilled to the bone and oppressed by overcast, gray skies, daydreams of summer play are close at hand. Imagine staring out the back window, clutching a mug of something hot, and seeing a bit of color splashed against the melting, graying snow – one of the first spring flowers, breaking through the winter crust and ushering in the joys of spring.
Most of the earliest spring flowers sprout from bulbs faithfully planted in late autumn before the first frost sets in. Bulbs lie dormant over the winter and come to life when the earth begins to warm, giving those genetic clues that date back thousands of years, that spark of new life and hope. Some of the earliest-sprouting spring bulbs are crocuses, and they often sprout early enough that they break through snow to reveal their tiny, delicate blooms. These are spring favorites as they bloom before winter has even thought about given up its clutch on the earth, dancing cheerily on top of a thick layer of snow.
Other common spring bulbs are the classics – daffodils, tulips, and irises. With their thick green leaves and cheery blossoms, many early spring gardens are packed full of color. These plants are also relatively hardy and can handle some fluctuation in temperature, especially if you live in an area where spring snows and falling temperatures are common.
After the snow has melted and the days and nights have gotten warmer, many perennials and annuals can be planted for late spring blooming and for your summer garden. Watching your garden come to life with spring flowers, those tiny budding blossoms and new greenery after a dreary winter filled with grays and whites, is a perfect way to connect with nature and help shake off those winter blues. Flowering bushes will be covered in buds, waiting for that perfect sunny day to explode into vibrant color.
After months of winter, spring flowers are a welcome vision, splashes of color in that soggy, muddy, and sometimes even snowy garden. With the first flower pushing its way through the snow, thoughts turn to lazy summer afternoons filled with beautiful colors and scents. Spring gardens are a natural introduction to the power-packed summer bloom and are a visible symbol of happy times to come.
