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Early Spring

Let early spring make a welcome appearance in your garden!

Early spring is a time of anticipation and excitement as nature slowly awakens from its winter slumber. As daylight hours increase and temperatures rise, early spring flowers and bulbs emerge, transforming the landscape with vibrant colors and fragrances. Some of the most cherished early spring flowers include snowdrops, winter aconites, crocuses, and dwarf irises.

Snowdrops (Galanthus spp.) are among the first flowers to appear, often pushing through the snow to reveal their delicate, nodding white blooms. These tiny, resilient flowers are a symbol of hope and renewal, and their appearance is eagerly awaited by many as a sign that spring is near. Snowdrops can be found in woodlands, meadows, and gardens.

Winter aconites (Eranthis spp.) are another early spring flower that emerges alongside snowdrops. These cheerful, buttercup-like flowers display bright yellow blooms and a green ruff of leaves, creating a striking contrast against the bare ground. Winter aconites can be planted under deciduous trees or shrubs for a stunning woodland effect.

Crocuses (Crocus spp.) are another beloved early spring bulb, with their cup-shaped flowers appearing in various shades of purple, yellow, and white. These small but mighty flowers are among the first sources of nectar for pollinators like bees, making them an essential addition to the early spring garden.

Dwarf irises (Iris reticulata) are a compact, early-blooming variety of iris that offers rich shades of blue, purple, and even yellow. Their striking flowers are adorned with intricate patterns and markings, providing a stunning visual display. Dwarf irises are a great option for rock gardens or borders.

To enjoy the beauty of early spring flowers and bulbs, it is essential to plan and plant them in the fall.

Early Spring Guides


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Abies alba (European Silver Fir)

Abies alba (European Silver Fir) is a large evergreen conifer of conical habit with straight stems densely clad with glossy dark green needles with silvery undersides. The seed cones, 4-6 in. long (10-15 cm), are greenish when young turning to dark brown when mature. The bark is silvery-gray with a scaly texture. Growth is very slow in early years, and then rapid as the tree matures.

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Abies amabilis 'Spreading Star' (Pacific Silver Fir)

Abies amabilis ‘Spreading Star’ is a low-growing, evergreen conifer forming a widely spreading mound adorned with thick, overlapping, horizontal to arching branches clothed in a lush foliage of fluffy, green, long needles with silvery undersides. Slow-growing, 3-4 in. per year (7-10 cm), this Pacific Silver Fir is a great choice for small gardens or rockeries.

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Abies balsamea (Hudsonia Group) 'Nana' (Balsam Fir)

Highly popular, Abies balsamea ‘Nana’ is a dwarf, aromatic, evergreen conifer of globose habit, forming a broad mound with numerous short branches, adorned with a lush foliage of dark green needles radially arranged around the stems. Slow-growing, 2-3 in. per year (5-7 cm), this Balsam Fir is a great choice for small gardens or rockeries. Perfect for adding year-round color to the garden.

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Abies cephalonica 'Meyer's Dwarf' (Greek Fir)

A popular selection, Abies cephalonica 'Meyer's Dwarf' (Greek Fir), is a dwarf, evergreen conifer rich in many habits. Depending on the nature of the scionwood used in propagation, this dwarf selection could present itself as a low, spreading mat of sharp, stiff, glossy dark green needles with silvery underneath. It can also be seen as an upright pyramidal tree adorned with sturdy, short branches.

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Abies cephalonica (Greek Fir)

Abies cephalonica (Greek Fir) is a large evergreen conifer of conical habit adorned with spreading, erect branches on mature trees. Sharp and stiff, the needles are glossy dark green with two blue-white bands beneath. The seed cones, 4-8 in. long (10-20 cm), are brown when ripe, and disintegrate when mature to release the seeds.

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Abies concolor 'Archer’s Dwarf' (White Fir)

Abies concolor 'Archer’s Dwarf' is a dwarf evergreen conifer of regular, conical habit adorned with slightly ascending branches clothed in soft, silvery-blue, slightly incurved needles. Slow-growing, 3-4 in. per year (7-10 cm), this White Fir is a great choice for small gardens, containers or rockeries.

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Abies concolor 'Candicans' (White Fir)

Regarded as the bluest of all conifers, Abies concolor 'Candicans' is a magnificent large evergreen conifer. Forming a dense pyramid when young, it matures to a columnar, highly symmetrical shape with handsome layered branches smothered by long, silvery-blue needles.

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Abies concolor 'Compacta' (White Fir)

A deservedly popular White Fir, Abies concolor 'Compacta' is a slow-growing dwarf evergreen conifer of great beauty. It forms a dense, compact mound of irregular, spreading shape, unless it is sheared to a conical form. Its branches are beautifully clothed with long and slender, powder-blue needles

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Abies concolor 'Hosta la Vista' (White Fir)

Abies concolor 'Hosta la Vista' is a dwarf evergreen conifer of globose habit, beautifully clothed with long, thick, slightly recurved, blue-green needles adorned with a glaucous, powdery coating. Slow-growing, 1-2 in. per year (2-5 cm), this small White Fir brightens up the garden and makes a lovely addition to small gardens, rockeries or containers.

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Abies concolor 'Piggelmee' (White Fir)

A miniature White Firm cultivar, Abies concolor 'Piggelmee' is a slow-growing dwarf evergreen conifer with a lovely pale blue foliage.

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Abies fraseri (Fraser Fir)

Abies fraseri (Fraser Fir) is a medium-sized evergreen conifer of narrow, pyramidal habit with a spire-like crown and resinous stems densely clad with flattened, short, turpentine-scented needles, shiny dark green above with two silver bands beneath. The seed cones, up to 3 in. long (7 cm), are dark purple when young turning light brown with conspicuously protruding bracts. Held upright along the branches, they create a lovely contrast against the deep green foliage.

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Abies grandis (Grand Fir)

One of the tallest firs in the world, Abies grandis (Grand Fir) is a large evergreen conifer of narrow, conical habit becoming round-topped or straggly with age. Its spreading and drooping branches are densely clad with sharp-tipped needles, shiny dark green above with two silver bands beneath. The needles are arranged in 2 distinct, flattened rows. They exude an orange aroma when crushed.

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Abies koreana 'Alpin Star' (Korean Fir)

Abies koreana 'Alpin Star' (Korean Fir) is a dwarf, evergreen conifer of compact, upright, irregular habit densely clothed in incredibly dark green needles, adorned with white undersides. Slow-growing, 1-3 in. per year (2-7 cm), this Korean Fir is a great choice for small gardens, containers or rockeries.

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Abies koreana 'Aurea' (Korean Fir)

Abies koreana 'Aurea' (Korean Fir) is a desirable evergreen conifer of globe-shaped habit when young, becoming broadly pyramidal over time. Its ascending branches boast short, bright golden-yellow needles adorned with silvery-white undersides in the spring. As the season progresses, the golden coloration takes on a softer shade, almost turning light green. Abundant purple cones are held upright along the branches, creating a lovely contrast against the foliage. A slow grower, 3-6 in. per year (7-15 cm), this golden Korean Fir makes an eye-catching specimen accent. Mature plants can tolerate full sun, but juvenile plants prefer some shade.

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Abies koreana 'Blauer Eskimo' (Korean Fir)

Abies koreana 'Blauer Eskimo' (Korean Fir) is a dwarf, evergreen conifer of globose habit adorned with short and stubby branches clothed in blue-green needles and prominent resin-covered buds which are ravishing in winter. Slow-growing, 1 in. per year (2.5 cm), this Korean Fir is a great choice for small gardens, containers, or rockeries and makes a lovely specimen plant when grafted onto a standard.

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