Searching for the best flowers to plant in spring? As the weather warms and the days get longer, spring is the perfect time to fill your garden with vibrant color. From easy-to-grow annuals to stunning perennials that come back year after year, this guide covers 20 gorgeous spring flowers that will transform your outdoor space into a breathtaking display.
When to Plant Spring Flowers
The ideal time to plant spring flowers depends on your growing zone and last frost date. In general, cool-season flowers like pansies and snapdragons can go out 4-6 weeks before the last frost, while warm-season varieties like zinnias and marigolds should wait until after all frost danger has passed. Check your local frost date calendar before planting.
Annual Flowers for Instant Color
1. Petunias
Petunias are the workhorses of spring gardens. They bloom continuously from spring through fall in every color imaginable. Trailing varieties spill beautifully over hanging baskets and window boxes, while mounding types fill garden beds with masses of trumpet-shaped flowers. Plant in full sun with well-drained soil and deadhead regularly to encourage continuous blooming.
2. Marigolds
Marigolds are incredibly easy to grow and provide bright yellow, orange, and red blooms all season. They naturally repel many garden pests, making them excellent companion plants for vegetables. French marigolds stay compact at 6-12 inches, while African varieties can reach 3 feet tall. Plant after the last frost in full sun.
3. Zinnias
Zinnias are among the best flowers to plant in spring because they germinate quickly, grow fast, and produce an abundance of long-lasting blooms that butterflies adore. Available in every color except blue, zinnias range from dwarf varieties perfect for borders to tall cutting garden types that make stunning bouquets. Direct sow seeds after the last frost for the easiest results.
4. Snapdragons
Snapdragons bring vertical interest to spring gardens with their tall spikes of colorful, dragon-shaped flowers. They are cool-season annuals that actually prefer spring and fall temperatures. Plant them early for blooms before the summer heat arrives. In mild climates, snapdragons often survive winter and return the following year.
5. Impatiens
For shady spots where most flowers refuse to bloom, impatiens are the answer. These shade-loving annuals produce masses of flowers in pink, red, orange, white, and purple from spring through the first frost. New Guinea impatiens can also handle more sun. Plant in moist, well-drained soil and keep them watered during dry spells.
6. Cosmos
Cosmos are elegant, daisy-like flowers that attract bees and butterflies. They thrive in poor soil and actually bloom better with less fertilizer. Cosmos grow 3-5 feet tall, creating a beautiful meadow-like effect in garden beds. Sow seeds directly after the last frost and enjoy blooms within 60-90 days. They self-seed generously, coming back year after year on their own.
7. Sunflowers
Nothing says summer is coming like sunflowers. These cheerful giants are among the easiest flowers to grow from seed. Plant after the last frost in full sun, water regularly, and watch them race toward the sky. Dwarf varieties work well in containers and smaller gardens. Birds love the seed heads in fall, adding wildlife interest to your garden.
8. Pansies
Pansies are the ultimate early spring flower, tolerating light frosts and blooming when most other flowers are still dormant. Their cheerful faces come in an incredible range of colors and patterns. Plant pansies in early spring for color until summer heat arrives, then again in fall for autumn blooms. They are perfect for borders, containers, and window boxes.
9. Geraniums
Geraniums are classic container and bedding plants that produce clusters of red, pink, salmon, white, or lavender flowers. They are heat-tolerant, drought-resistant once established, and bloom continuously with minimal deadheading. Geraniums are perfect for beginners and look stunning in window boxes, hanging baskets, and mixed border plantings.
10. Sweet Alyssum
Sweet alyssum produces carpets of tiny, fragrant white, pink, or purple flowers that attract beneficial insects to your garden. It makes an excellent ground cover, border edging, or filler between larger plants. Alyssum tolerates cool weather and often reseeds itself, making it one of the most low-maintenance best flowers to plant in spring.
Perennial Flowers That Return Every Year
11. Lavender
Lavender is a fragrant, drought-tolerant perennial that thrives in sunny, well-drained locations. It produces beautiful purple flower spikes from late spring through summer that attract bees and butterflies. Lavender is also excellent for drying, sachets, cooking, and essential oils. Plant in spring and enjoy it for many years to come.
12. Black-Eyed Susans
These cheerful, golden-yellow flowers with dark centers bloom from midsummer through fall and are virtually maintenance-free once established. Black-eyed Susans tolerate heat, humidity, drought, and poor soil. They spread to form beautiful drifts of color and make excellent cut flowers.
13. Daylilies
Daylilies are one of the most reliable and forgiving perennials you can plant. Each flower lasts only one day, but plants produce so many buds that they bloom for weeks. Available in yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, and nearly every color in between, daylilies thrive in full sun to partial shade and tolerate a wide range of soil conditions.
14. Coneflowers (Echinacea)
Coneflowers are native wildflowers that bring both beauty and medicinal value to your garden. Their distinctive daisy-like blooms with raised centers attract butterflies and goldfinches. Once established, coneflowers are incredibly drought-tolerant and bloom for months. They come in shades of purple, pink, white, orange, and yellow.
15. Peonies
Peonies produce some of the most stunning and fragrant blooms in the garden world. Their large, ruffled flowers in shades of pink, white, red, and coral are showstoppers. Plant peony roots in fall or early spring in full sun with well-drained soil. Peonies can live for 50 years or more, making them a truly lasting garden investment.
16. Salvia
Perennial salvias produce spikes of blue, purple, red, or pink flowers that hummingbirds and bees cannot resist. They are heat-tolerant, deer-resistant, and bloom repeatedly throughout the growing season. Cut back spent flower spikes to encourage fresh flushes of blooms.
17. Shasta Daisies
Shasta daisies bring a classic, cheerful look to any garden with their white petals and sunny yellow centers. They bloom from early summer through fall, make excellent cut flowers, and are easy to grow in full sun. Divide clumps every few years to maintain vigor.
Spring-Blooming Bulbs to Plant in Fall
18. Tulips
While tulips must be planted in fall for spring blooms, they deserve mention as the quintessential spring flower. Hundreds of varieties are available in every color, from elegant single blooms to dramatic parrot and fringed types. For the best display, plant bulbs in clusters of 10-25 of the same variety.
19. Daffodils
Daffodils are one of the earliest spring flowers and a welcome sight after a long winter. They naturalize easily, meaning they multiply and return bigger each year. Daffodils are also deer and squirrel resistant. Plant bulbs in fall for a spectacular spring show that requires zero maintenance.
20. Hyacinths
Hyacinths produce intensely fragrant flower clusters in blue, purple, pink, white, and yellow. Their heavenly scent can perfume an entire garden area. Plant in fall in well-drained soil and enjoy their spectacular spring display. They look beautiful in borders, containers, and forced indoors in glass vases during winter.
Tips for a Successful Spring Flower Garden
Prepare your soil by adding compost and working it into the top 8-12 inches of soil before planting. Group flowers with similar water and light needs together. Mulch around plants to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Feed flowering plants with a balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season. And always deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers throughout the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What flowers bloom all spring and summer?
Petunias, marigolds, zinnias, geraniums, and salvias are the longest-blooming options, flowering continuously from spring through the first frost with proper care and deadheading.
What are the easiest spring flowers to grow from seed?
Zinnias, sunflowers, cosmos, and marigolds are all extremely easy to grow from seed sown directly in the garden after the last frost. No special equipment or indoor starting needed.
When should I start planting flowers in spring?
Cold-hardy flowers like pansies and snapdragons can be planted 4-6 weeks before your last frost date. Wait until after the last frost for warm-season flowers like petunias, marigolds, and zinnias.
With these 20 best flowers to plant in spring, you can create a garden that bursts with color from the earliest days of spring through the last warm days of fall. Start with a few varieties you love and expand each year as you gain confidence. For more gardening inspiration, check out our guides on container gardening and raised bed gardening for beginners.