Isn’t spring just the most magical time in the garden? It makes me feel like such a superstar gardener! Without hardly any effort on my part, nature takes over and puts on a show.
A little planning by way of planting is all that’s really required to enjoy a sparkling spring garden awakening to wow the neighbors or more importantly wow yourself. Read on for 10 stellar plants that shine in the spring garden and beyond.
1. Aspidistra: The indestructible charmer that lights up dark spots in the garden, with myriad varieties sporting gorgeous streaks and speckles on light-reflecting glossy leaves.
Long known for durable and attractive foliage, it would be a mistake to think of Aspidistra as a mere reliable staple. Even the well-known standard green varieties have a wonderful vase-shaped presence that anchors the garden year-round. Foliage that feels a bit tropical even when it’s chilly gives the spring garden a head start on the season.
Still, there are so many collectable Cast Iron Plant varieties: shapely and curvaceous, extra broad or very skinny, variegated, spotted or speckled. It’s like having a living sculpture in your garden. As new plants pop up around them in spring, they help set the scene, making the garden feel lush and full, even early in the season.
Tuck an Aspidistra under a tree or in that dark corner where nothing else grows. It’s a superb choice to light up tricky shady areas of the garden. Give them a time to build a healthy root system, and they will reward your patience with easy beauty for years to come.
2. Camellia japonica ‘Black Magic’: The Sultry Beauty
A Camellia for people who don’t like Camellias. Camellia japonica ‘Black Magic’ is sophisticated in its display of sexy dark blooms that show up in winter as an early usher of the spring to come. It’s an evergreen shrub that maintains a lush appearance throughout the year, thriving in partially shaded areas, making it a great plant to add year-round structure to the garden. Plus, did you know that camellia petals are edible and taste of lemon and cardamom? Get on it!
3. Dianthus: The Nostalgic Charmer
Every year I tell myself I’m going to finally add flamboyant dianthus flowers to my garden and then my intention gets lost in the springtime shuffle. Aren’t they incredible? Edges are often wildly fringed or pinked (meaning they appear cut with pinking shears). There are varieties for many sunny garden situations: as groundcovers or edging, in perennial beds, and in containers.
The hard-to-find pink striped varieties like D. ‘Chomley Farran’ remind me of the old fashioned Fruit Stripe sticks of gum, which I’ve just read has been discontinued after 54 years. What is this world coming to? Anyways, long live Dianthus!
4. Disporopsis pernyi: The Woodland Wonder
This tough perennial is perfect for adding charm to your garden with its pendulous white blooms in spring. Evergreen Solomon’s Seal thrives in mostly shady conditions, making it an excellent underplanting beneath taller shrubs or trees. Plant it en masse for a dreamy, dappled effect.
5. Sambucus nigra Black Lace™: The Gothic Beauty
This ornamental elderberry is a fast-growing shrub or small tree that adds a dramatic flair to any garden. Featuring stunning umbels of pink flowers in spring (which incidentally make a lovely PINK elderflower cordial) Sambucus nigra Black Lace is a truly striking plant with dark purple foliage that works great in Asian and tropical style gardens.
6. Dodecatheon meadia f. album: The Whimsical Wonder
Also known as White Shooting Star, this plant produces enchanting white flowers. It’s well-suited for dappled shade and brings a storybook charm to the garden.
7. Camellia x williamsii ‘Taylor’s Perfection’: The Romantic Soul
With its elegant pink flowers, ‘Taylor’s Perfection’ is another Camellia variety that shines in the spring garden. It’s perfect for creating a soft, romantic look. Try it as a stunning hedge or a standout specimen plant.
8. Rhododendron augustinii: The Tropical Dreamer
Living in the Pacific Northwest, it’s easy to get blasé about rhodies as they’re so ubiquitous around here. In recent years I’ve been trying to think of them in a new tropical light though, like something out of a Paul Gauguin painting. That helps, doesn’t it? Rhododendron augustinii really is a thing of massive beauty and produces outsized clusters of violet flowers in spring which really pop when paired with Spring’s lime green foliage. It’s a great option for adding a splash of color.
9. Euphorbia characias ssp. wulfenii: The Chartreuse Siren
Euphorbia characias ssp. wulfenii is an architectural plant features big bold acid green flowers in spring, rising from tidy blue foliage–truly stunning. It’s perfect for brightening up the garden on a grey day, of which the Portland springtime provides many. An easy-to-grow perennial that often self-seeds in a welcome way. Use eye and skin protection when pruning, as the milky sap is irritating.
10. Hosta ‘Tokudama Flavocircinalis’: The Cool Customer
Hosta ‘Tokudama Flavocircinalis’ stands out with its unusual blue and green foliage that unfurls in the spring. It’s an excellent choice for adding a touch of cool color to the garden.
There you have it, my dears – ten of my favorite plants to make your spring garden absolutely sing. None of these are difficult to grow and will pay you in dividends. All you really need to do is to site them well and let Mother Nature wave her Springtime wand over them.
Explore more Spring selections at plantlust.com.