Early Blooming Perennials to Brighten Your Landscape
As winter fades and the first signs of spring emerge, early-blooming perennials signal the changing season with bursts of color. After months of dormancy, these plants offer a glimpse of new life.
At Frisella Landscape Group, a long winter has our landscape designers and architects eager to celebrate the season’s blooms. This list highlights their favorite early-blooming perennials, perfect for adding to your garden or simply appreciating their beauty across St. Louis, Wildwood, Chesterfield, Fenton, and St. Charles.
Native Perennials in St. Louis
Native perennials, having naturally adapted to the local climate, are resilient, low-maintenance, and beneficial for pollinators. These early bloomers enrich St. Louis landscapes.
Virginia Bluebells
A native woodland plant, Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) boast delicate, bell-shaped flowers in soft blue hues. Ideal for naturalized settings, they thrive in moist, well-drained soil and are a top choice for creating lush, pollinator-friendly gardens. Expect these cheerful blooms from March to April.
Megan Wilker, our resident Landscape Architect, loves this flower for its beauty when planted in masses.
Looking for them in the wild? Check out this list of places to find bluebells on hikes.
Columbine
With its distinctive red and yellow flowers, columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) is a standout addition to any garden. This drought-tolerant perennial attracts hummingbirds and thrives in both sun and partial shade, making it a versatile and reliable option for St. Louis landscapes.
One of our designers appreciates columbine’s ability to reseed and spread at a manageable rate. Keep an eye out for them in native woodlands throughout the Greater St. Louis region in April!
Wild Hyacinth
Another spring favorite, wild hyacinth (Camassia scilloides), is a native bulb that produces soft lavender-blue blooms typically in April. This adaptable perennial thrives in a variety of soil conditions, making it an excellent choice for meadows and rain gardens.
Michael Garrett, Landscape Designer and Certified Arborist, describes seeing these in a natural setting as “like finding treasure on a spring hike.”
Shooting Star
Shooting star (Dodecatheon meadia) is a striking plant with white-to-pink blooms that resemble shooting stars. It thrives in shaded woodland gardens and complements ferns and other spring bloomers, such as columbine. This perennial also performs beautifully in rocky garden areas with partial shade.
Non-Native But Worthy Early Bloomers
While native perennials are excellent for sustainability and pollinators, these early-blooming non-native perennials also bring beauty to the spring garden.
Lenten Roses
Among the first perennials to bloom are Lenten roses (Helleborus x hybridus), often appearing in late winter. These shade-loving flowers come in a range of colors, from deep purples to pinks and whites, making them a favorite for early-season interest in shaded garden beds.
Landscape Designer Lauren Jared plants them in her north-facing front yard, where they act as a beacon signaling the end of winter.
Grape Hyacinth
Grape hyacinths (Muscari armeniacum), compact yet vibrant, create a lush carpet of deep blue flowers that return each year. As they work beautifully in borders, rock gardens, and container plantings, they’ve become a staple for landscape designers and garden designers focused on seasonal interest.
Elevate Your Landscape With Professional Garden Design
If you’re considering a landscape refresh, working with an experienced landscape design team in St. Louis ensures a cohesive and well-balanced outdoor environment. Frisella Landscape Group specializes in customized designs that blend aesthetics with functionality, from four-season plant interest to stunning hardscapes.
Whether you want to enhance your home garden or need expert guidance for a larger project, our team is here to bring your vision to life. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and transform your outdoor space into a breathtaking retreat.