After months of grey skies and bare borders, seeing the first flowers of spring feels genuinely uplifting. What makes a great spring flower? We think it’s a combination of reliable early colour, ease of care, and a bit of character.
Whether you are looking for flower bulbs to plant for next year, bedding plants to brighten things up right now or sourcing flowers for a spring wedding, our guide covers 12 of our favourite spring blooms with something to suit every kind of garden.
12 Top Spring Flowers
1. Daffodils (Narcissus)
Reliable, cheerful, and easy to grow, daffodils reward you year after year once the bulbs are established. They range from traditional singles to frilly doubles and naturalise well in grass.
- Colours: White, cream, yellow, and golden orange, often with contrasting trumpets.
- Bloom time: Late February through to April, depending on variety.
- Care tips: Plant in autumn at twice their depth in well-drained soil. Leave foliage to die back naturally after flowering.
- Good to know: Narcissus sap can irritate the stems of other cut flowers. If mixing daffodils in a vase with other flowers, condition them separately in water for a few hours first.
2. Tulips
Tulips come in an enormous range of colours and forms, from simple singles to parrot and fringed varieties, which makes them useful for both garden displays and cut flower arrangements.
- Colours: Almost every colour, including white, cream, pink, red, purple, orange, yellow, and near-black.
- Bloom time: March to May, depending on variety. Early, mid, and late-season types can be combined to extend the display.
- Care tips: Plant bulbs in autumn in a sunny, well-drained spot. In containers, choose a deep pot.
- Good to know: Tulips are a popular choice for spring weddings. Soft pinks, creams, and whites work particularly well in bouquets and table arrangements.
3. Hyacinths
One of the most fragrant spring flowers, hyacinths produce dense flower spikes and a scent noticeable from several metres away. They work equally well in borders, containers, and indoor displays.
- Colours: White, pink, lilac, purple, blue, and red.
- Bloom time: March to April.
- Care tips: Plant in autumn in well-drained soil or compost.
- Good to know: The bulbs can irritate skin, so wear gloves when handling them. A small cluster in a simple glass vase makes a striking indoor display.
4. Primroses
One of the earliest spring bloomers, primroses bring soft colour from as early as January in mild spells. They are one of the better options for partially shaded spots and fit naturally into a cottage-garden planting scheme.
- Colours: Yellow, white, pink, red, purple, and mixed varieties.
- Bloom time: January to April.
- Care tips: Keep compost moist but not waterlogged. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms.
- Good to know: Primroses are shade-tolerant, making them one of the best choices for north-facing borders or spots under trees. If you want an instant hit of colour, the Primrose T&M Special Giant Flowered Pack is ready to plant straight into a border or container.
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5. Pansies and Violas
Pansies and violas flower over a long period, come in an enormous range of colours and are equally at home in borders, window boxes, and hanging baskets. For containers and hanging baskets, the Viola Evo 12cm is a reliable choice, or try Thompson & Morgan Pansy Clear Crystal Mixed seeds if you prefer to grow your own.
- Colours: Almost every colour and combination, including bi-colours and varieties with distinctive face markings.
- Bloom time: Late winter through to early summer with regular deadheading.
- Care tips: Deadhead regularly to keep plants flowering.
- Good to know: Pansies and violas are generally considered one of the safer options for gardens with young children or pets.
6. Wallflowers (Erysimum)
Fragrant, colourful, and long-flowering, wallflowers are a reliable border plant. The sweet scent is particularly noticeable on sunny days and they work well planted alongside tulips. Thompson & Morgan Wallflower Sugar Rush F1 is a compact variety that does well in both pots and borders.
- Colours: Orange, yellow, red, purple, pink, and mixed varieties.
- Bloom time: March to June.
- Care tips: Plant in autumn in a sunny spot with well-drained soil.
- Good to know: Wallflowers tolerate light shade, which makes them useful for borders that do not get full sun all day.
7. Bluebells
Bluebells bring a natural, informal quality to spring gardens and thrive in dappled shade, making them one of the better options for gardens with tree cover.
- Colours: Violet-blue, with white and pink varieties also available.
- Bloom time: April to May.
- Care tips: Plant bulbs in autumn in a shaded or partially shaded spot with moisture-retentive soil. Allow foliage to die back naturally after flowering.
- Good to know: Native bluebells are a protected species and must never be taken from the wild. Only buy cultivated varieties from reputable suppliers. In wedding displays, bluebells add a relaxed woodland feel to informal arrangements.
8. Anemones
Anemones have a striking, jewel-toned quality that makes them popular for spring displays and bridal bouquets. The dark centres and vivid petals give them a real presence in any arrangement.
- Colours: Red, purple, blue, pink, and white, typically with a contrasting dark centre. Our Anemone de Caen Bicolor Bulbs (Pack of 10) produces an eye-catching combination of white petals with deep pink rings and near-black centres.
- Bloom time: March to May, depending on planting time.
- Care tips: Soak tubers overnight before planting.
- Good to know: Anemones are relatively short-lived as a cut flower, so they work best in arrangements that will be enjoyed quickly rather than lasting several days.
9. Azalea
With their dense clusters of funnel-shaped blooms, azaleas are a reliable choice for spring colour in both garden borders and planted displays. Their soft, rounded form and broad palette make them well suited to patio pots, feature planting, and seasonal arrangements.
Colours: White, pink, red, purple, and bi-colour varieties. Bloom time: April to May. Care tips: Plant in acidic, well-drained soil or ericaceous compost, in partial shade. Keep the soil consistently moist and avoid lime-rich conditions. Good to know: Azaleas are part of the rhododendron family and thrive in sheltered spots. For a compact, vibrant option, explore the Azalea George Arends 3L, which offers strong spring flowering and works well in containers or borders.
10. Freesias
Fragrant, delicate, and long-lasting in a vase, freesias are a classic choice for spring arrangements and weddings. They hold their colour reliably and are easy to work with in mixed displays.
- Colours: White, yellow, pink, red, purple, and mixed varieties. The Freesia Single Mixed Bulbs (Pack of 20) produce flowers in a range of warm tones.
- Bloom time: April to June.
- Care tips: Stems can be weak as they grow, so providing some support will keep them upright. For displays, pick stems when the first bud is just starting to open, the remaining buds will open in sequence, giving you a longer display.
- Good to know: Freesias are one of the longer-lasting spring cut flowers, making them a good choice when flowers need to stay fresh for a day or two before an event.
11. Irises
Irises have a bold, architectural quality that adds real structure to both garden borders and cut flower arrangements. The intricate petal forms are unlike almost anything else in the spring garden.
- Colours: Purple, blue, white, yellow, and bi-colours. For a deep, dramatic border display, Iris Germanica Black Dragon is well worth considering.
- Bloom time: April to June, depending on variety.
- Care tips: Plant rhizomes shallowly in a sunny, well-drained spot. In a vase, use stems in bud to maximise their life.
- Good to know: Irises have a relatively short vase life of around three to five days, so they are best used in arrangements that will be enjoyed straight away.
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12. Alliums
Alliums flower slightly later than most spring bulbs but are well worth including in a spring planting scheme. The round, ball-shaped blooms on tall stems add height and a sense of drama that few other spring flowers can match.
- Colours: Purple, lilac, white, and pink.
- Bloom time: Late April to June.
- Care tips: Plant bulbs in autumn in a sunny, well-drained spot. They are low-maintenance once established. In a vase, the flower heads dry well and can be kept for months as a decorative dried arrangement.
- Good to know: Alliums are toxic to cats and dogs, so they are best avoided in gardens where pets have free access to borders.
Best Flowers for Spring Weddings
When choosing flowers for a wedding, prioritise varieties with a good vase life and avoid anything too delicate if flowers need to travel or sit in a warm venue for several hours. Peonies, tulips, anemones, ranunculus, and freesias are all popular choices and can be combined in a number of ways depending on the look and feel you are going for.
For a soft palette, try combining blush ranunculus, white freesias, and pale pink tulips. For something bolder, deep red anemones and purple irises make a striking combination. Fragrance is worth thinking about too, hyacinths and freesias both add scent to an arrangement without being overpowering.
How to Plant and Care for Spring Flowers
Spring bulbs are generally planted in autumn, between September and November. Bedding plants like pansies, violas, and wallflowers can go in during late winter or early spring, once the worst of the frost has passed. Water regularly but avoid waterlogging, particularly with bulbs.
Deadheading spent blooms regularly encourages plants to produce more flowers rather than putting energy into setting seed. A liquid feed every couple of weeks during the growing season will help plants in containers, where nutrients deplete more quickly than in open soil.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to plant spring-flowering bulbs and plants?
The best time to plant spring-flowering bulbs is autumn, between September and November. Bedding plants, including pansies, violas, and primroses, can go in during late winter or early spring.
Which spring flowers are safe for pets and children?
Pansies and violas are among the safer choices for gardens with pets and children. Daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, bluebells, and alliums are all toxic to cats and dogs to varying degrees, and anemones and irises can also cause irritation.
What are the best spring flowers for shady spots or north-facing gardens?
Primroses, bluebells, and wallflowers are all good options for shady spots or north-facing gardens. Primroses thrive where many other spring flowers struggle, bluebells are naturally a woodland plant, and wallflowers tolerate light shade well, particularly in sheltered spots.
How do I stop spring flowers flopping or dying quickly in a vase?
To stop spring flowers dying quickly in a vase, cut stems on the diagonal and keep them in clean, cool water away from heat and direct sunlight. Avoid placing flowers near a fruit bowl, as ripening fruit releases ethylene gas which speeds up wilting. If mixing daffodils with other flowers, condition them separately first as narcissus sap shortens the vase life of other stems.
Ready to get planting? Browse our full range of flower bulbs, bedding plants, and gardening accessories at Bents and get your spring display off to a great start. Or for more advice on spring planting, take a look at our guide to spring bedding plants.