Early bloomers not only bring color to the wintry garden. They are also an important food source for beneficial insects such as bees and bumblebees.
After a long winter, the longing for the first splashes of color in the dreary garden bed grows. These are not long in coming. In fact, some plants make it earlier than others and can often even brave the snow. Early bloomers not only enliven the outdoor area, they are also offered in pots beforehand so that we can bring spring indoors.
Early bloomers are not only pleasing to the eye, but also important for insects, which also start looking for food early on. Below you will learn more about the role of early bloomers in nature and get to know the most popular plants.
What are early bloomers?
The first plants of the garden year are called early bloomers. They sprout with the first warm rays of sunshine in winter and continue to flower until spring.
The fact that these plants can cope with the inhospitable conditions is due to their special nature. Energy is stored in the bulbs and tubers, which is necessary for early budding. The sunlight available in spring alone would not be enough to stimulate flowering.
Most early bloomers grow close to the ground. The fallen leaves protect the plants from the cold. The plants also have a kind of self-protection. For example, if the ground freezes, snowdrops stop growing.
Early bloomers can be divided as follows:
- Bulb plants
- Perennials
- Trees and Shrubs
❀ Bulb Plants
The best-known early bloomers are onion flowers. These sprout with the first rays of the sun and bloom within a very short time. If the soil temperatures are just above freezing point, winter lice, snowdrops or snow cups appear. Crocuses are used by bees as a source of food as early as February. Daffodils, tulips and hyacinths show up just in time for the beginning of spring.
❀ Perennials
Perennials also indicate the end of the cold season with their flowering. The Adonis rose counts inEurope on the endangered species. The yellow flowering perennial is considered a bee magnet. Between March and April, the fragrant violets open their flowers. The easy-to-maintain perennials are also very popular with bees.
❀ Trees and Shrubs
January:
Witch hazel is definitely one of the earliest flowering plants. Its delicate flowers add color to the garden from January.
February:
Allergy sufferers know a thing or two about it: The hazel flowers between February and March and in many places not only brings joy to spring, but also ongoing ones Noses and watery eyes with it.
After a mild winter, some cornelian cherries start flowering as early as the end of February. The yellow flowers are surrounded by a pleasant honey scent.
March:
From March the catkins of the willow will appear. The pussy willows are particularly rich in pollen and are therefore favored by bees.
Role of early bloomers in the garden
Finally spring is coming. When the first early bloomers appear, this awakens optimism in us. At the same time, the thirst for action increases and the first garden work is done.
Early bloomers also have an important function for the animal world. Bees and insects use the plants as their first source of food. For example, bumblebee queens are dependent on early flowering plants. Bumblebees fly out at temperatures of two degrees. Hobby gardeners will also encounter the first honey bees in February.
Bees are finding less and less food. Bee deaths are increasing. The consequences for humans are coming to a head. Harvest losses are the result. Without bees, human survival would be threatened. Therefore, the focus should be on increased bee and insect protection. Cultivating early bloomers in the garden is an important step.
The 20 most popular early bloomers in the garden
If you want to upgrade your garden with early bloomers, you have the choice between different bulb plants, trees or shrubs. The size of the garden plays a role in the selection, as does the flowering time of the plants and the growth height.
The following overview can be used to specifically select the early bloomers and integrate them into the garden planning for the coming season:
Anemone (Anemone) - © Sehbaer_nrw - Fotolia.com
Flowering: March to May Height of growth: 10 to 40 cm
Blue cushion (Aubrieta) - © Carola Vahldiek / Stock.adobe.com
Flowering: March to May Height of growth: 8 to 15 cm
Squill (Scilla) - © Foto Wunsch / Stock.adobe.com
Flowering: February to April Growth: 10 to 50 cm
Christmas rose (Helleborus Niger) - © Andre / Stock.adobe.com
Flowering: December to March Height of growth: 15 to 30 cm
Adonis (Adonis) - © Iri_sha - Fotolia.com
Flowering: February to April Height of growth: 15 to 30 cm
Witch hazel (Hamamelis) - © Manfred Richter / Stock.adobe.com
Flowering: December to March Growth: 300 to 500 cm
Hare (Corylus Avellana) - © M. Schuppich / Stock.adobe.com
Flowering: January to March Growth: 1,600 to 2,000 cm
Primula (Primula) - © LiliGraphie / Stock.adobe.com
Flowering: January to July Height of growth: 10 to 25 cm
Winter cherry (Prunus subhirtella) - © Bobo Ling - Fotolia.com
Flowering: January to May Height of growth: 300 to 500 cm
Snowdrop (Galanthus) - © Rustamank / Stock.adobe.com
Flowering: February to March Growth: 10 to 20 cm
Winter Agaric (Eranthis Hyemalis) - © Marc / Stock.adobe.com
Flowering: February to March Height of growth: 10 to 15 cm
March mug (Leucojum Vernum) - © YuliaB / Stock.adobe.com
Flowering: February to April Growth: 10 to 30 cm
Krous (Crocus) - © Doris Oberfrank-list / Stock.adobe.com
Flowering: February to April Height of growth: 5 to 15 cm
Lenten rose (Helleborus Orientalis) - © Simona / Stock.adobe.com
Flowering: February to April Height of growth: 25 to 50 cm
Daffodil (Narcissus) - © VRD / Stock.adobe.com
Flowering: February to May Growth: 10 to 50 cm
Cornelian cherry (Cornus Mas) - © Heike Rau - Fotolia.com
Flowering: March to April Growth: 4,000 to 7,000 cm
Willow (Salix caprea) - © Kazakovmaksim / Stock.adobe.com
Flowering: March to April Growth: 5,000 to 8,000 cm
Tulip (Tulip) - © Bittedankschön / Stock.adobe.com
Flowering: March to May Height of growth: 10 to 60 cm
Hyatinth (Hyacinthus) - © Smspsy /stock.adobe.com
Flowering: March to May Height of growth: 15 to 30 cm
Gemswurz (Doronicum) - © Animaflora PicsStock / Stock.adobe.com
Flowering: March to July Height of growth: 15 to 40 cm
Early bloomers can also be attractively arranged in the bed based on the color of the flowers.
| color | Early bloomer |
|---|---|
| white | • Christmas rose • Snowdrop • Spring snowflake |
| yellow | • Winterling • Narcissus • Adonis • Chamomile |
| red | • Christmas Rose • Lenten Rose • Tulip |
| blue | • Squill • Crocus • Blue Pillow |
| colorful | • Primrose • Tulip • Hyacinth • Anemone |
Plant early bloomers
The bulb flowers are planted in autumn. It is important to ensure that the bulbs are planted at the correct height.
Tip: The planting hole should be at least twice the height of the bulb or tuber.
WhoIf you are unsure how deep the respective variety has to be planted, you can use special onion planters to help. These are constructed like a ruler and make it easy to find the right height.
Before planting, loosen the soil well. To prevent waterlogging and the onions from rotting in the ground, a drainage layer made of potsherds or gravel is a good idea. Group planting is recommended for early bloomers such as crocuses or spring beetles. The planting distance should be two to four centimetres. For larger tubers, double the planting distance. After planting the flower bulbs and tubers, the planting hole is filled with a humus-rich substrate and gently pressed down.
Suitable location for early bloomers
Most early bloomers do best in a bright and sunny location. A few plants like it shady and can also be used as underplanting for trees and shrubs.
Early bloomers for sunny locations:
- crocuses
- Tulips
- Daffodils
- Squill
- Snowdrop
- March Mug
- Anemone
Early bloomer for shady locations:
- Lentenrose
- Christmas Rose
- Primroses
Care instructions for early bloomers outdoors
Early bloomers do not require any extensive care. Once the bulbs and tubers are in the ground, they can usually be left to their own devices. Choosing the right location is a prerequisite for the plants to sprout and thrive. The soil can be upgraded with compost during planting. In this way, early bloomers receive additional nutrients, which promotes and accelerates growth and flowering.
After flowering, the green leaves must not be cut off. The plants now provide themselves with strength and energy for the next flowering period. If there are crocuses or daffodils growing on the lawn, you'll have to wait before mowing the lawn.
Bring early bloomers into the room
Even in winter, the trade offers early bloomers in pots and planters. The potted plants flower indoors for a maximum of two weeks. Primroses are even in bloom for several weeks. If you choose a cooler location, you can enjoy the colorful plant pots for longer. Early bloomers should be set up brightly. A place directly above the heater gets them less.
Tip: Early bloomers are sensitive and should not get frost.
Proper care of early bloomers in the room
The plantsshould not be watered too much. Primroses or hyacinths do not tolerate waterlogging. A higher level of humidity should also be ensured. The potted plants do not require fertilization and contain all the necessary nutrients.
Where to put the old onions?
Once the pretty spring greeting has faded, this does not have to mean the end of the plant. The bulbs can flower again next year. The dried flowers are cut off. The green foliage stays on the plant. If no more frost is to be expected, the early bloomers are planted in the garden. The onion should be covered with about a hand's breadth of soil.
Tip: The plants are also allowed to dry out. If the bulbs are stored in a cool, dark place, they will last until autumn and can then be planted in the ground.