7 Spring Flowering Shrubs That Will Look Beautiful in Your Garden

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Add color to your garden this spring with these gorgeous spring flowering shrubs.

spring blooming shrubs for beautiful landscaping

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Spring is the perfect time to breathe new life into your garden, and flowering shrubs are a great way to add lasting color and texture. Here are seven gorgeous spring-flowering shrubs to consider, each with helpful care tips and cultivar suggestions.

Lilac

Lilacs are a timeless spring favorite, known for their highly fragrant clusters of purple, pink, and white flowers. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, and they bloom in mid to late spring. Popular cultivars include ‘Sensation’ and ‘Miss Kim.’ After flowering, lilacs should be pruned to encourage next year’s blooms. These hardy shrubs are suitable for zones 3 to 7 and add a charming, nostalgic feel to any garden.

Sadly, most varieties of lilacs do not thrive in the climates without cold winters (like here in South Carolina). However, ‘Miss Kim’ and ‘Betsy Ross’ may be suitable for zone 8a.

Spring flowering lilac shrub in front of old yellow New England home — Source: Country Living

Lilac hedge in bloom in spring in front of old Maine home — Source: Our Maine Cottage

Forsythia

Forsythia is one of the earliest spring bloomers, with bright yellow flowers that emerge while other plants remain dormant. It thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, typically blooming in March. Forsythia should be pruned right after flowering to maintain its shape and encourage strong growth. It’s hardy from zone 9 to zone 4 and is ideal for creating hedges or brightening up the garden after winter.

Forsythia hedge row in bloom in springtime — Source: That Cotswold Life

Azalea

Azaleas bring vibrant color to a spring garden with blooms in shades of pink, red, orange, yellow, purple, and white. They can thrive in both shady and sunny gardens and they love acidic soil. Fertilize them in early spring and prune after flowering to maintain their shape. Popular cultivars include ‘Encore’ and ‘Girard’s Rose.’ Most azaleas are hardy in zones 6 to 9, and their evergreen foliage adds year-round color to the garden.

‘Encore’ azaleas bloom in the fall and spring so you may want to check their soil pH again mid summer and adjust if necessary to enhance their fall flowers.

White azaleas blooming in front of English cottage in spring — Source: Tone on Tone

Colorful spring azaleas in bloom — Source: Caroline Donald

Viburnum

Viburnums are versatile and some varieties offer both fragrant spring blooms and colorful berries in the fall. They thrive in full sun to partial shade and are hardy in zones 3 to 8. The ‘Korean Spice’ viburnum is a popular choice for its strong scent and pink-white blooms. Prune viburnums after flowering to maintain their shape and encourage healthy growth.

If your yard receives too much sun for hydrangeas, snowball viburnum is an excellent substitute!

Pink viburnum blooming in partial shade garden — Source: Kate Coulson

White viburnum in bloom in a spring garden — Source: Woodbridge Nursery

Spirea

Spirea is a reliable spring bloomer, with arching branches covered in pink or white flowers. It prefers full sun and is hardy in zones 4 to 8. Pruning after flowering encourages fresh blooms and keeps the plant tidy. ‘Goldmound’ and ‘Little Princess’ are popular varieties known for their compact size and vibrant foliage.

White spirea flowers growing along fence in front of old brick home — Source: Harrison Green

Camellia

Camellias are prized for their rose-like blooms in shades of pink, red, and white. They thrive in partial to deep shade and acidic, well-drained soil. Camellia japonicas bloom in late winter to early spring and should be fertilized in early spring after they finish blooming. Hardy in zones 7 to 9, camellias add a touch of formal elegance to shaded areas of the garden.

Red camellia hedge in bloom in spring garden along flagstone pathway on side of house — Source: Fishtail Cottage

Mock Orange

Mock orange is cherished for its citrus-scented white flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and is hardy in zones 4 to 8. Prune mock orange after flowering to maintain shape and encourage fresh growth. Popular cultivars include ‘Snowbelle’ and ‘Innocence.’ Its sweet fragrance and delicate blooms make it perfect for planting near patios or walkways.

Fragrant mock orange blooming in colorful spring garden — Source: Ardan Garden

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