- Crocus flowers emerge in early spring to light up the garden.Andrew Dernie/Photodisc/Getty Images
Grown in a wide range of shapes, sizes and colors, hardy spring plants are easy to manage in any garden and typically withstand a wide range of soil types. Many hardy plants also naturalize or spread around the garden without the hassle of replanting. Also, once established, many spring bulbs continue to bloom year after year for a vibrant, gem-like quality to the garden. - Spring crocus (Crocus vernus) is among one of the most popular early spring bulbs to grow in the garden. It reaches a maximum height and width of ½ foot and features cup-like, upright blooms. Each flower on spring crocus is purple to white in color and noted for its dark purple stripes on the outside of the petal. Flowers on spring crocus close at night to open in the morning, and during overcast days typically remain closed. The foliage on spring crocus is grass-like and grows below the blooms. Hardy, spring crocus naturalizes well to spread throughout the garden. They require full sun to part shade and well-drained, average soil. Grow spring crocus in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3 to 8.
- Grape hyacinth (Muscari latifolium) is a hardy spring bulb that grows up to 1 foot tall and up to ¾ foot wide. Flowers on grape hyacinth emerge in spring and resemble an elongated, upside down bunch of grapes, hence its name. Grape hyacinth bears conical, 2 ½ inch long racemes that are made up of urn-shaped flowers that are tightly packed. The lower flowers on grape hyacinth are dark purple with the upper blooms a soft violet shade, giving each raceme a two-toned effect. The flowers on grape hyacinth are encircled at the base by a single basal leaf. Hardy, grape hyacinth tolerates a wide range of soil conditions as long as they are all well-drained. It thrives in full sun to part shade and moist soil. Grow grape hyacinth in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3 to 8.
- Spirea (Spiraea betulifolia 'Tor') is a deciduous shrub with a dense, rounded form and compact, mounded shape. It grows up to 3 feet tall and wide and flowers on new wood. Spirea bears flattened clusters or corymbs that cover the foliage in late spring and attract butterflies to the garden. The 1 ½ inch long, birch-like foliage on spirea is dark green and sharply toothed. Each oval-shaped leaf on spirea turns fiery shades of orange, purple and red in fall for a commanding presence to the landscape. Spirea tolerates a wide range of soil varieties and thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. To encourage another round of blooms, deadhead the spent spirea blooms as soon as possible. Grow spirea in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3 to 8.
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