Nora’s Favorite Plants for Spring

In the four seasons of WNY, spring seems to get the short end of the stick.It's cold, snowy, and I have a bad attitude. Because of this I don't like to dedicate too much garden space to plants that bloom in March or April (what I consider "early spring"). Instead I focus on plant combinations that blossom during the months of May and June (mid to late spring). The following are low-maintenance, deer-resistant varieties that I frequently use in my designs.

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My spring plant gallery

PEONIES

Okay, hear me out. I know they have a short blooming period, but they are my favorite! I have a whole blog post dedicated to them so I won't get too into it, but here are the basics.

size: 3-4' high and wide

light: full sun

colors: all

pair with: salvia, lady's mantle

SALVIA

The violet spires of salvia adds visual contrast to your garden. Plant next to mounded perennials for complimentary shapes. This plant is a pollinator magnet and a rebloomer if you're willing to deadhead.

Size: 2' height and spread, some annual varieties reach 4'

Light: full to part sun

Colors: purples and pinks

Pairs With: roses, poppy, yarrow

POPPY

Another perennial with a short bloom time but man is it a stunner! I recommend planting these in clumps spread throughout your beds. If you aren't into the classic crimson there are some really fun varieties online you can start from seed.

Size: 2-3' high, 1-2' wide

Light: full sun

Colors: reds, whites, pinks, yellows, oranges

Pair With: salvia, allium

BRUNNERA

This is a great perennial for your part sun/shade beds. Choose a variety that features silver leaves for multi-season interest.

Size: 1-2' high and wide

Light: part-shade to shade

Colors: blue

Pairs With: coral bells, bleeding heart

VIBURNUM

This is a great mid-sized shrub that could work as a hedge or as a specimen. Viburnums are low maintenance, deer resistant, and visually interesting from spring through fall. There are over 150 varieties but "Popcorn" (pictured) is my personal favorite. "Doublefile" is a great choice if you're looking for a larger shrub.

Size: 4' to 12' high/wide depending on the variety

Light: full sun to part shade

Colors: white, pink

Pair With: anything! Plant in a row to provide visual backdrop for your perennial garden.

LADY'S MANTLE

Possibly the least familiar on the list, this old fashioned perennial is a great alternative to hostas if you have deer in your yard. Chartreuse clusters of flowers hover over lobed leaves in the late spring. Lady's mantle is a great choice to line beds or walkways.

Height: 1-2' height and spread

Light: full sun to shade

Color: green/chartreuse

Pair With: roses, geranium, feverfew

HELLEBORE

Also known as "Lenten Rose", this is one of the earliest blooming flowers in our region. Saucer-shaped flowers and glossy evergreen foliage provide multi-season interest to shady areas. These come in a variety of unusual colors, including black!

Size: 1-2' height and spread

Light: part sun to shade

Color: pinks, whites, greens, black!

Pair With: coral bells, Japanese forest grass, bleeding heart

CREEPING THYME

This perennial groundcover is a relative to the culinary herb of the same name. Drought tolerant and deer resistant, creeping thyme looks great in a rock garden or along walkways. Be patient: this slow-growing groundcover needs...thyme...to spread, but it's well-worth the wait.

Size: 2-3" height, 1' spread

Light: full sun

Color: pinks, purples

Pair With: sedum, blue fescue, lavender