12 Flower Varieties to Plant This Spring

Spring has sprung, and if you’re a gardener, you’re probably ready to break out your seeds, soil and planting tools and get to work. But if you’re still deciding what to plant this year or want to try something new and different, check out our list below to discover a few beautiful flower varieties to consider adding to your garden this season. Whether you have acres to cover or a small window box on the balcony, you’re sure to find something on this list to add a little beauty to your outdoor space.

Ranunculus

Ranunculus can be planted in the fall or spring, depending on your location and growing conditions. They look beautiful in cut flower beds, containers or as border flowers. You can grow them in a rainbow of colors, including these beautiful salmon bulbs from Eden Brothers. Be sure to read the instructions on how to plant these little guys in order to get optimal results.

Moonlight in Paris Roses

Roses are a classic and traditional addition to the garden that you almost can’t afford to pass up. There are countless varieties available, each with its own pros and cons, but the soft, pastel colors and romantic blooms of Moonlight in Paris roses make this variety simply unforgettable. There’s a good chance you can find these at one of your local nurseries.

Hellebore

Hellebores are unique flowers that thrive in the cool season but continue blossoming well into the spring and summer. They come in a variety of colors, from pink and purple to crisp white and onyx black. The Peppermint Ice variety from Burpee would make a stunning addition to just about any garden this year.

Shirley Poppies

Annual and perennial poppies both bloom in the spring and are known for producing beautiful blossoms that can last as long as six weeks. There are all kinds of poppy varieties, but you can’t go wrong with Shirley poppies – especially this crimson, white and peach variety from Renee’s Garden. If you want to cultivate a cut flower garden this year, these are well worth the investment.

Zinnias

Zinnias are a must-have for any gardener, especially if you’re only just getting started with a flower garden. You’ll want to plant these after all danger of frost has passed, and direct seeding them is perfectly acceptable. Like many flowers, zinnias come in all kinds of magnificent colors. We especially love this unique Queen Red Lime variety from Johnny’s Selected Seeds.

See more: How to Start a Vegetable Garden From Seeds

Nimbus Sweet Pea

Sweet peas are considered some of America’s favorite flowers – and for good reason. If you want to up your garden game, it’s smart to think about incorporating a variety of textures and colors into your flower beds. Sweet peas are the perfect addition to most gardens for just that reason. Take the Nimbus variety from Swallowtail Garden Seeds, for instance. With speckles, plum and inky blue streaks, and crimped petals, it’s nothing short of gorgeous.

Snapdragons

Snapdragons grow best if they have access to full sun or partial shade, and they thrive in the shoulder seasons when the temperatures are mild. Rumor has it if you keep them well-watered, they may be able to stretch into the summer season, but it depends on your specific climate. While there are ample varieties of these gorgeous blooms for you to choose from, we are particularly fond of the Apple Blossom variety from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.

Iceland Poppies

How could you resist planting these beautiful Iceland Poppies from Floret Flower in your spring garden? The sherbet mix is a gorgeous blend of apricot and watermelon colors that will make your jaw drop when they bloom. They also produce a clean citrus scent and make fantastic additions to a cut flower garden too.

Calendulas

Known for their historical use as medicinal plants, calendula blossoms are bound to make you smile every time you spot them in the garden. They are considered a must-have in British cottage gardens, and once upon a time, their petals were used for coloring cheeses and butters. Today, we often plant them for aesthetics, but be sure to deadhead them regularly to keep them blooming as long as possible.

See more: 12 Specialty Seed Varieties You May Not Be Familiar With

Cupcake Blush Cosmos

There are several kinds of cosmos, but we especially love the Cupcake Blush variety from Floret Flower this year. With teacup-shaped blooms that can grow as large as the palm of your hand, these romantic flowers can provide your garden with a real wow factor this year. The best part is that they are a cut-and-come-again plant, which means the more you harvest them, the more resiliently they bloom.

Peonies

This list would be woefully incomplete if we didn’t include the beloved peony. Known for their large, romantic blooms, these flowers are the epitome of beauty. They often come into their own between late spring and early summer, and they come in a mind-boggling assortment of colors. Growing peonies from seed can take 3 to 5 years, but your local nursery should have bare root peonies you can transfer to your garden for quicker results.

Snowdrop Anemone

Spring gardens are often full to the brim with vibrant and pastel colors. But don’t forget to incorporate some neutrals in there too. The snowdrop anemone does well in the partially shaded areas of the garden, making it a wonderful plant for filling in the crooks and crevices. They sometimes even bloom a second time in autumn. You can probably find these at your local garden center or order them in bulk from a place like Seed Corner.