Favorite Early Spring Bloomers
It's spring! Here in the nation's capitol we're giddily celebrating our traditional seasonal flora: Yoshino cherry trees (native to Japan, famously), daffodils (native to northern Africa, Europe and Asia), and tulips (native to Central Asia and Turkey).
Full disclosure -- I'm as susceptible to the charms of cherries, daffs and tulips as the next mole emerging from winter hibernation. Particularly when they're all tidied up with a monochrome blanket of shredded bark. So neat and cheery!
There's a dark side to all this confection and tidiness, though. Those from-away plants aren't just benign additions to our landscapes. They're supplanting critical food and habitat for native wildlife.
You may or may not give a hoot about the fate of native critters, much less the plants they rely on. But I'm guessing we all care about ensuring Planet Earth is livable for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren. And that means planting native plants to support native wildlife so we're surrounded by functioning ecosystems. Without native plants, humans can’t survive. It’s that simple.
The good news is, native plants are gorgeous! You can have your spring beauty and save the planet. Win, win! To give you an idea, I've compiled a few of my favorite early spring bloomers.
Native species of the Prunus genus, which includes almonds, cherries, peaches and plums, can be found in every state of the continental U.S. In other words, we have our own cherries! They produce beautiful blossoms and delicious fruit. Chickasaw plum thickets provide cover for songbirds and small mammals year round. The flowers provide nectar for pollinators. It's a larval host plant for several species of butterflies, including coral hairstreaks, eastern tiger swallowtails, spring azures, viceroys, and red-spotted purples. Songbirds, wild turkeys, quail and small mammals eat the berries.
Every state in the continental U.S. claims one or more native species of Amelanchier, or serviceberry. I have no idea why these aren’t everywhere. They flower early, produce yummy blue-black berries in June, and flaunt salmony, peachy fall foliage. Native bees and other pollinators are attracted to the blossoms. They’re host plants for red-spotted purple and viceroy butterflies. Songbirds, ruffed grouse, and mammals of all sizes eat the fruits. What’s not to love?
Virginia bluebells are native to much of the northeast, mid-Atlantic and midwest. There are other species within the Mertensia genus native to a lot of the rest of the continental U.S. Virginia bluebell flowers attract pollinators such as bumblebees, long-tongued bees, butterflies, skippers, moths, and hummingbirds. They’re considered ephemerals, meaning they blossom early in the spring, then die back completely until the following season (unlike some other perennials, whose foliage may stick around long after the blossoms have faded). There’s no reason native ephemerals can’t take the place of tulips and daffodils as a garden’s spring harbingers.
I’d like a word with whoever first spread the idea that violets are weeds. I believed that malarkey for years, and deeply regret it now. Just look at them! They’re lovely. Also, did you know the young leaves and flowers are edible? Add them to salads or desserts. There are violet species native to every part of the US. They’re host plants for fritillary butterflies. Members of the Viola genus support Andrena fragilis, Andrena integra, and Andrena platyparia specialized bees. Birds and small mammals use the seeds as a food source. You can read more about violets here.
These foam flowers are native east of the Mississippi, but there’s another Tiarella species native to the Pacific coast. They boast these delightful flowers and – around these parts, at least – their foliage is evergreen. They attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Zizia aurea is native to the eastern half of the US. But there are other Zizia species native to Western states. The umbel-shaped blossoms remind me of (non-native) Queen Anne’s lace, only yellow. I’ve heard them described as “carefree” plants. And indeed, they’re tolerant of a wide range of conditions and fend for themselves just fine. They’re popular with native butterflies and birds.
You’ll find native phloxes in every part of the U.S. The flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Phlox divaricata loves the dappled shade of springtime woodlands, while some of the other Phlox species prefer full sun. Whatever the species, they bring merriment along with them.
Forget the annual geraniums (which are actually in the Pelargonium family) that you find at big box stores. Wild perennial geraniums are a better bet. Their nectar attracts butterflies, bees and other pollinators. Songbirds eat the seeds. They support the specialized bee Andrena distans. They have grape-leaf-like foliage and a cool propulsion system for flinging their seeds long distances.
Ostrich ferns are native to the northeastern quarter of the continental U.S. But there are dozens of ferns native to every part of the country. They’re not flowers, technically, but they lend a graceful green presence to any shady setting. They provide valuable cover for small wildlife, such as toads, and birds often use dried fronds in their nests.
What are your favorite early-blooming natives? Let me know in the comments!
Another bonus to gardening with native plants: since they’ve co-evolved over thousands of years, they naturally look good together.
If you live in the DC vicinity and could use assistance with sustainable landscaping, visit Bees’ Knees Design. I’d be happy to help you.
Agree, Laura. Packera aurea is a cheerful and reliable early bloomer. I've heard that it can outcompete some difficult invasives, too, such as garlic mustard. A great choice for a large-ish area that won't or can't get a lot of attention -- amomg other locations!
The eastern redbud is one of my absolute favorites in spring