Best shrubs for spring flowers
Here’s a look at some of the best shrubs for spring flowers. When I think about spring colour, my first thoughts are of spring flowering bulbs and the myriads of colours, shapes and forms offered by their flowers. But that does nature an injustice because there is also a great range of shrubs that provide colourful flowers, catkins, or interesting buds.
Shrubs offer their flowers at different heights to bulbs, thus adding another dimension to your garden. Some of my favourite shrubs that flower between March and May include:
Ribes sanguineum
The flowering currant produces racemes of pink flowers in spring, which are followed in autumn by dark berries. I rarely see the berries as some of the local wild bird population feast on them. A deciduous shrub that grows to a height and width of 2.5m. It grows well on most soil types, given a moist but well-drained site. It prefers full sun and Ribes sanguineum makes an excellent addition to mixed hedging. We have it together with some of the other plants featured in this list, which then provides interest in the hedge throughout the spring months.
Peony ‘Bartzella’
An intersectional peony; it is a cross between an herbaceous peony and a woody tree peony. It is one of the first of the peonies to flower in my garden in late spring and I welcome the flowers with their clear yellow petals around the golden yellow stamens. They stand out well against the dark green, slightly shiny foliage. It grows to around 80cms height and spread. Happy in all, except chalky, soils, it prefers a sheltered spot. It may fail to thrive in a north-facing garden.
Viburnum opulus Roseum
The snowball tree was one of the first shrubs that I planted in our new garden three years ago. It is a fast-growing deciduous plant that grows to 3m – 5m height and spread. In May, ball like clusters of flowers appear, green at first and maturing to white, occasionally with a pink tint as the flowers age. They make good cut flowers, sear the stems and they may last two weeks in the vase. The flowers are sterile, so no berries are produced. An unfussy and hardy plant that will thrive in most situations. As long as you avoid waterlogged soil or full shade and it should grow well.
Syringa vulgaris ‘Madame Lemoine’
Lilac is instantly recognisable with its large panicles of flowers. More often the flowers are mauve or pink in colour, but this variety has pure white, intensely fragrant, double flowers. Eventual height and spread is 4m, but that may take 10 – 20 years. It can be pruned, which should be done immediately after flowering in spring. Syringa vulgaris is fully hardy and prefers full sun and moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil.
Magnolia × soulangeana
There’s a magnolia for every size garden; you can even grow them in tubs on a patio or balcony. Depending on variety the flowers vary in colour from burgundy to pure white and even in yellow. We have Magnolia x soulangeana growing in our back garden and I collect a few petals each spring to make a tasty, mildly gingery syrup, that’s ideal for pouring over icecream. It grows to 6m height and spread. Pruning is usually unnecessary, but if require only prune between late summer and early autumn. A sheltered spot is preferable as cold winds and late frosts can damage the flower buds. It will fail to thrive on chalky or alkaline soils and requires moist, but well-drained soil.
Cytisus scoparius
This deciduous shrub looks quite plain for much of the year, which makes it a good foil to star plants in a border, but during spring it earns a place in the garden. Cytisus scoparius has thin, upright stems that bear the small leaves and bright, buttery yellow flowers. Broom thrives in full sun, in a south- or west-facing position. It requires well-drained, acid or neutral, loam and sandy soils. Once planted, do not move because they dislike being transplanted, and if it does need pruning, do not cut into old wood. Height and spread 1.5m.
Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’
Whilst not a shrub, I think this tree earns a place on the list. I grow Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’ for its deep red-brown leaves, so was delighted when I spotted these flowers on the bare branches, just before the leaf buds burst open. This medium-sized tree has vigorous growth. Height 8m – 12m and spread 8m. Fully hardy across the UK, it is happy on all soils and in most locations, although prefers a sheltered spot.
Spiraea ‘Arguta’
I find so much joy when signs of growth appear on the Spirea ‘Arguta’ in spring. Often called Bridal Wreath, the arching stems become heavily laden with a mass of tiny white flowers. It thrives in all, but clay soil and apart from that, it is a relatively unfussy plant. This deciduous shrub is hardy across the UK and Ireland. Height and spread 2m.
Forsythia
A mainstay of the spring garden and for good reason. It is unfussy about growing conditions, which makes it easy to grow. Forsythia produces flowers on bare stems before the leaves appear. These upright shrubs make ideal specimen plants and are equally good in hedges. All in all, they are one of the best shrubs for spring flowers. Height and spread 2.5m. Suitable for all soils except very dry or waterlogged soils. Happy in sheltered and windy conditions.
Pieris japonica ‘Valley Valentine’
I spotted this Pieris at the edge of the woodland at Aberglasney Gardens, Carmarthenshire and was struck by the impact the hanging clusters of flowers made on a gloomy day. It requires acid, loam and sandy soil in full sun or partial shade in all, but a north-facing, position. Hardy across most of the UK, it needs a sheltered spot. Height and spread, 2m – 2.5m. An evergreen shrub with leaves that can have a pink tinge when young, maturing to dark green.
Weigela florida
An easy-to-grow spring flowering shrub. It is a spreading deciduous plant with 2.5m height and spread. It is the parent plant of many modern hybrids and to my mind is ideal for gardeners who want a hardworking plant in the garden. The Weigela florida outside my office window is constantly visited with small birds and when in flower, it hums with the sound of visiting insects. Grows in all types of soil, in most situations in moist, but well drained or well drained soil. Hardy throughout UK and Ireland.
Peach ‘Peregrine’
The pink blossoms of Peach ‘Peregrine’ appear in early spring and are followed by fruits in summer. Grow under cover or construct a rain shelter to protect peach plants from peach leaf curl from mid-winter until the end of May. Grow in full sun, in all soils, except clay. Hardy through most of the UK, but in cooler areas, it is worth protecting against the cold. Height up to 4m, best grown as fan trained, but can be grown as a freestanding tree.
Thifty tip
Take hard wood cuttings in winter to grow more shrubs. Ask friends and neighbours for cuttings if they have shrubs you’d like in the future.
More information
The article, Best Shrubs for Spring Flowers, was written originally for Amateur Gardening magazine in spring 2025. I have updated some of the specific varieties and images, I have added further plants to the list and I’ve included to help you find the suggested plants. For another themed idea for flowers in your garden, try a romantic look for a June display.
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