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Early Spring Flowers That Can Take The Chill

Published by | 430 words. · About 3 minutes to read this article. -

Put snow shovels away.

CHECK.

Remove skis and ice skates from front porch decor.

CHECK.

Dismantle festive and oh so trendy hot cocoa station that has added 2 inches to your waist.

CHECK.

Ranunculus (Ranunculus asiaticus) - Cold tolerant early spring flowers
Ranunculus (Ranunculus asiaticus) - full sun - grows to 12-18"

It's official. Spring is actually going to come to the Midwest this year. I had my doubts, but it looks like hell has not frozen over and that fat lady called winter has sung her last song (cue freak mid-March snow storm).

Spring is gonna happen after all.

Primrose (Primula polyantha) - Cold tolerant early spring flowers to plant now and enjoy all spring long. These colorful plants can survive a light frost and keep looking great.
Primrose (Primula polyantha) - full sun - grows to 6-12"

And in honor of its arrival, on Friday I trekked out to the local garden center to fight the crowds and take some photos of some early spring flowers for you.

Pansy (Viola x wittrockiana) - Cold tolerant early spring flowers to plant now and enjoy all spring long. These colorful plants can survive a light frost and keep looking great.
Pansy (Viola x wittrockiana) - full sun to partial shade - grows to 6-12"

Problem was that there was NO ONE at the garden center except me and a few workers. I felt a little odd walking around while the workers were still trying to set up the greenhouse tables. I actually got rained on when the overhead sprinklers started spraying water on me and the pansies.

Or did the workers turn the water on on purpose? I never thought of that at the time, but they were sort of eyeing me strangely.

Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) - Cold tolerant early spring flowers to plant now and enjoy all spring long. These colorful plants can survive a light frost and keep looking great.
Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) - sun to part-sun - grows to 4"

So I may be jumping the gun on spring fever here a tiny bit, but I wanted to show you some early spring flowers that are cold tolerant. They can handle a light frost and the cooler spring nighttime temperatures.

Viola (Viola x wittrockiana) - Cold tolerant early spring flowers to plant now and enjoy all spring long. These colorful plants can survive a light frost and keep looking great.
Viola (Viola x wittrockiana) - full sun to partial shade - grows to 6-12"

If you are planting them in the ground, I still would cover them if you are expecting a frost just to be on the safe side.

But as a girl who CAN NOT WAIT to get my hands dirty in the spring, I am so happy these plants exist in the world. Even if you have to get a little wet while shopping for them.

Here are five other early spring flowers that can handle the chilly spring temperatures. I just didn't get to take photos of them for you (Did I mention the sprinklers?):

Sweet Peas
Snapdragon
Dianthus
Calendula
Dusty Miller

Have you got the gardening itch yet?

Early spring flowers for your garden

Other Gardening Posts You May Enjoy:

How To Force Flowering Branches To Bloom Indoors

How To Make Tulips Last Longer: No More Drooping

How To grow Peonies Your Neighbors Will Envy

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. rue

    Oh, you know that snow is going to come now lol

    Remember... three snows after the forsythia has bloomed 😉

  2. Debbie Howard

    Oh such beautiful flowers! Only a few daffodils and violets blooming here...a few hyacinths are poking their heads up so it won't be long before we are up to our necks in roses and beautiful spring flowers too.

  3. Musings from Kim K.

    I'm feeling the need to visit a greenhouse too. Gorgeous blooms, Pam. Chris and I definitely have the gardening itch but we need those snow mountains to melt a bit more. It's suppose to hit 60 degrees today and then we're in the 40s the rest of the week. Come on Spring!!

  4. taryterre

    Pretty flowers. hoping you are right and spring is here at long last.

  5. Kirby

    All gorgeous! Wish primroses would grow here a little better... We are a tad too hot for them. Thanks for sharing!

  6. Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces

    I can't wait to start getting flowers...probably too early here...but it is 68 degrees and no snow anywhere. A VERY early spring here! You know we shouldn't say this too loud, right?

    • Pam

      You'd better be knocking on wood as you say that 🙂

  7. Julia

    This is the first year I gave in and had to start gardening early- I couldn't resist the bright colors of the primroses and ranunculus! Plus we've had a sunnier/drier than normal Feb/March here in the Pacific NW, so I think that's why the gardening bug bit me! I've never planted primroses before, and have had so-so luck with ranunculus. I'm a planter gardener since I'm in an apartment, and my only concern now is "Where will all my geraniums go when I buy them??" lol! I guess I can always buy more planters....... 😉

    • Pam

      I know! I always have that hard decision to make too, because my pansies will still be growing strong when it's time to buy my summer plants. Decisions, decisions.

  8. Anne@designdreams

    I love those colours!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to see things growing again.

    Happy Sunday!

  9. Judy Clark

    Those ranunculus are just gorgeous. I love them. Your photos are breathtaking. THanks for sharing Spring at the garden center with us.

    Judy

    • Pam

      You're welcome, Judy!

  10. Vickie

    My all time favorite flower is Ranunculus, but I haven't had luck growing them in our zone. Pansies, despite their name, are the hardiest of all! We've got snow in the forecast for tomorrow, so I'm not hauling out my gardening tools just yet. I did see some green poking out of my flower beds, so I hope whatever it is survives the cold!

    • Pam

      I just discovered Ranunculus two years ago and now I'm addicted to them 🙂 Hope you get some warmer weather FAST!