Early Bloomers

I am sure most of us are now starting to daydream of sunshiny days and the beautiful blooms that spring will be sure to bring. We all know that daffodils and tulips are the first show stoppers of spring but here are just a few more of our favorite early bloomers which thrive in Middle Tennessee, and are a sure sign the springtime is on the way.

Forsythia, also known as golden bells:

This beautiful shrub comes in many varieties, but they all have this in common: they are one of the earliest blooming shrubs in our area and they produce beautiful, long, graceful stems of sweet yellow flowers. Forsythia loves to be planted in sunshine! They are hardy shrubs that require little maintenance. Some varieties of forsythia can grow large (unless you pick up a type such as ‘Gold Tide,’ which is a ground cover forsythia that gets to be about 2 feet tall and 5 feet wide), but all types can be easily pruned. 

Flowering Quince : 

Another early springtime bloomer, Flowering Quince produces show stopping blooms of red, pink, white, or orange (depending on variety). Like Forsythia, they love sunshine and do best with 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Their gorgeous blooms last typically up to two weeks; by cutting flowering stems and bringing them indoors, you enjoy the bloom period even more. Sizes vary with each variety, from smaller ones reaching 3 feet high by 3 feet wide at maturity, up to 10 feet high and wide at maturity. Simple pruning can be done once a year to keep Flowering Quince at the appropriate size for your yard.

Yoshino and Kwanzan Cherry Trees:

About a month before dogwoods and redbuds are beginning to bloom, Yoshino and Kwanzan cherry trees begin to bloom in our area, lighting up landscapes all around Middle Tennessee with beautiful clusters of delicate pink to light pink blooms (Kwanzan is known for its brighter pink blooms, whereas Yoshino cherry trees boast the light pink/ almost white buds). As far as early spring blooming trees, you just cannot beat flowering cherry trees. Their name can be confusing, as they are not actual fruit producing cherry trees. These trees enjoy full sun, and at maturity, they are not huge (15-25 feet height and spread), so they can make for a great ornamental tree in your garden.

Be on the lookout for these amazing beauties, and rest assure spring is indeed on its way! 

~Gretta "Green Thumb" 

Plant info courtesy of Riverbend Nursery