Forsythia – Hardy in zones 5-8, Forsythia is definitely one of my favorite spring shrubs. It’s tough as nails, can handle a bit of neglect, and never fails to provide brilliant yellow flowers along arching branches before leafing out with dark green leaves. This shrub is a favorite of small birds like wrens and sparrows in my yard who use Forsythia bushes for their nests. Earlier species of this plant could easily grow up to eight feet tall and wide without pruning. However, newer varieties such as Show-off, offer more prolific bloom periods and max out as a compact and rounded shrub of approximately five feet.
Lilac – Who doesn’t love the beauty and the intoxicating fragrance of lilacs? We love their spring flowers and so do the butterflies, bees, and other garden pollinators. Hardy through zones 3-8, lilacs have been a garden favorite for generations. Lilacs come in a variety of sizes and colors and plant breeders are constantly offering new species each year. Some species to consider for smaller gardens and yards are Bloomerang, which has a re-bloom period, Miss Kim, and the lovely Korean Lilac.
Azaleas – Closely related to rhododendrons, these popular shrubs come in a variety of stunning colors and prefer partly shaded locations and lightly acidic soils which have been amended with compost. Hardy in zones 5-9, azaleas thrive under deciduous trees where they can provide a vibrant pop of color to the landscape. They are easy to care for and have been highly deer resistant in my yard and garden (so far – fingers crossed).
Viburnum – With over 150 varieties of viburnum available and hardy in most 3-8 growing zones, it is easy to find one perfect for your garden. These shrubs have soft white clusters of flowers and heavenly fragrance (like my favorite, Korean Spice) which can easily scent an entire yard when in bloom. Plus, in the fall, viburnum will provide fantastic fall foliage and much needed berries for birds. Just make sure you check the size of the bush you intend to buy. Some viburnums can grow to be 25 feet tall whereas others grow to only 2 feet at maturity. Plant a bush or two by your entrance, deck, or patio where you can enjoy their full fragrance. Pure heaven!
Flowering Almond – Here’s a shrub many people don’t consider but should. Hardy in zones 3-7, these shrubs offer a flourish of soft pink flowers along gracefully arching stems during March and April. While they only offer a slight fragrance, they nevertheless provide an eye-catching focal point from the street or across the garden. Also, the bees and butterflies love them, and smaller varieties are easy to prune. I grew a small hedge of these along my driveway when I lived in Canada, and every year without fail, someone would stop by and inquire about these lovely plants. Here in Northern Kentucky, I planted a few flowering almonds near Eastern Redbuds, Prairie Fire crabapples, Autumn Blooming Cherry trees, and white Dogwoods, for a lovely splash of pink and white color in the spring garden. Carefree and beautiful. What more can a gardener ask for?
Next week, I’ll be writing about another one of my favorite spring plants:
Peonies.
Until then, stay safe, healthy, and happy gardening.
