The Flowers of Spring

In the early spring signs of flowers begin to show as early as February if you are watching for them. Although the early signs of spring may be subtle they are noticeable when looking for specific details. One of the first signs of spring flowers can be told by the small green shoots protruding from the ground in late winter. Even when there may be frost or snow on the ground, these early rising flowers of spring have an internal clock that provides a precursor to the upcoming warmer weather.

Daffodils are some of the first spring flowers to come through the ground in late winter. These flowers often are the first noticeable signs of spring flowers in late February and March. Look closely near the ground for green shoots pointing straight toward the sky. These shoots will often protrude from frost or snow covered ground and press their way through leaves and other ground cover. The early spring shoots originate from bulbs that are protected several inches below the ground surface. Daffodil flower bulbs have been mistaken for wild onion bulbs in the past and have been the cause for accidental poisoning, as these flowers contain an alkaloid toxin. After several weeks of only seeing the green shoots from the flower bulb the daffodil blossoms will begin to form.

Daffodils are a brightly colored yellow flower often seen in large groups or rows throughout the countryside. Sometimes mistakenly called an Easter lily, the daffodil flower is from the Narcissus family of spring flowers. A more appropriate name that has been given to these early spring flowers is Easter Bell, which originates from the German culture. The Daffodil has a moderately long trumpet shaped center which is typically surrounded by six delicate leaves often of the same pale yellow color, but may vary due to wild interbreeding of this species flower.

Another very early blooming spring flower is creeping phlox. This ground hugging herbaceous flowering plant is a perennial and native to the wooded areas of Appalachia. These multi-colored flowers come in various shades of pale white, light purple or pale pink. Though the flowers are quite small they are many and create quite a spectacular display in lawns and gardens.

Creeping phlox are very hardy plants and once rooted can withstand heavy trimming throughout the season. They can thrive best in an area that is shady, and thus make an excellent ground cover around the base of trees. One benefit of these fast growing plants is the more they are cut back, it seems the more they spread and grow. Creeping phlox often are seen hanging from rock walls and spread around the base of larger plants in order to help control weeds and other undesirables from growing near or around flower gardens.

Tulips are another very well known spring flower which blooms relatively early. Just as the Daffodil flower bulbs hide underground in their protective bulbs throughout the winter, Tulips are a bulbous plant as well. These spring flowers belong to the flower family Liliaceae. Amazingly these beautiful flowers native range extends from the northern Africa area to northwestern China. Tulips are grown in tulip gardens, displayed in pots and are often sold as cut flower bouquets.

Considered a perennial, Tulips come back year after year and their green foliage can be seen coming through the ground in early spring. These wonderful spring flowers come in a variety of bright colors. They can grow very short or there is also a long stemmed variety of Tulips. The blossoms from the Tulip are typically shaped like a deep cup with a waxy exterior coating. Tulips have very few leaves compared to other types of flowers and do not emit a noticeable fragrance as many other flowers.

Interestingly Tulips derive their name from their Persian origin which means Turban. It is told that Holland and the Netherlands is considered the Tulip capitol of the world. Many varieties of Tulips are grown and cultivated in this area and shipped all over the world. Perhaps this is why the Netherlands are has been deemed the commercial Tulip capitol.

Tulips require a period of cold and dormancy in order to thrive. So they grow best in hill and mountain areas which have lengthy cooler spring seasons and earlier summers to accommodate longer winters. If Tulips are grown in warmer climates they often need to be replanted. These beautiful spring flowers can be propagated with seeds and offsets. An offset is when a cutting from a mother plant is used to generate another plant. However, this method produces a plant with the exact same genetics as the mother plant. growing Tulips from seed requires five to eight years of growth before they begin to flower. This is the primary reason commercial growers utilize offsets in order to produce flowering plants in as little as 1 year. Although growing Tulips from seed will often produce a greater variety and newer hybrids.

List of Common Spring Flowers and their Genetic Family Names

Anemone - Buttercup, Ranunculaceae
Azalea - Ericaceae, Pentanthera/Tsutsuji
Begonia - Begoniaceae
Bleeding heart - Lamprocapnos spectabilis
Calla Lily - Easter Lily, Zantedeschia aethiopica
Creeping Phlox - Phlox stolonifera
Crocus - Iris Family Iridaceae
Daffodil - Easter Bell, Narcissus
Dahlia - Asteraceae
Daisy - Bellis perennis
Gardenia - Rubiaceae
Hyacinth - Baby's Breath, Hyacinthaceae
Impatiens - touch-me-nots, Balsaminaceae
Lilac - Oleaceae
Lily of the Valley - Convallaria majalis, Ruscaceae
Magnolia - Magnoliaceae
Mountain Laurel - Spoonwood, Kalmia latifolia, Ericaceae Blueberry Family
Pansy - Violaceae, Viola wittrockiana
Peony - Paeoniaceae
Petunia - Solanaceae
Primrose - Primula vulgaris
Tulip - Tulipa gesneriana
Tiger Lily - Lilium catesbaei
Rhododendron - Ericaceae
Vinca - Periwinkle, genus Catharanthus
Wisteria - Fabaceae

There are dozens of spring flowers which are adored by flower lovers around the world. Springtime is a wonderful season of the year which brings a refreshing and welcome sight of beautiful colored flowers after a long dreary winter. So why not take the time this spring to enjoy the colorful spring flower s and various scents in your region. When we set aside a few moments each day to stop and behold the beauty around us during the spring season, the natural benefits of the renewed life of spring is passed on.