Unlike many other plants, Japanese apricots begin blooming in the chilly winter months. The plant is found in USDA hardiness zones 6 to 9, and the plant’s pink, red, and white flowers have a spicy fragrance.
Named for the Greek goddess Iris, these purple flowers are planted as bulbs. There are several varieties with different physical characteristics. Some varieties fare better in different parts of the U.S., including the white “I Do” variety and the pink “Jennifer Rebecca.”
Despite their name, spring snowflakes look like little white bells or skirts. Their flowers have a light scent, and the plant does best in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9. They’re also deer- and rabbit-resistant, making them a favorite for gardeners.
The perennial primrose can come in many colors: white, yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, and blue. Though these plants enjoy damp, forestlike conditions, they can be prone to slugs, snails, and rot.
Though the serviceberries’ white flowers emerge in the spring, this tree is known for being beautiful year-round. In the summer, it produces berries. In the autumn, the leaves turn fiery orange, and in the winter months, the plant’s bare bark turns silvery.
Cherry blossoms are one of spring’s most celebrated flowers—think of all the people who flock to Japan each year for its cherry blossom festivals. Native to that island nation, Higan cherry trees burst with tiny, pinkish flowers beginning in March.
This spiny shrub has lovely red flowers and nasty thorns, making them a favorite for hedging and growing against walls. The flowers and subsequent fruit attract many types of birds, but there are also varieties that don’t have thorns or fruit.
Thriving best in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9, summer snowflakes look similar to their spring snowflake counterparts. The plant’s chocolate-scented flowers bloom from March to May and go dormant in the summer.📷
Star magnolias are native to Japan. These lovely ornamental trees with white, spindly flowers thrive in USDA hardiness zones 4 to 9. However, they are delicate and do best in sheltered gardens, especially since they bloom at a time when frost might still damage them.
more home & garden: natureofhome.com