March brings springtime, and springtime is heralded by new growth and flowers! Colors galore adorn our trees and meadows as blooms burst forth to welcome the lengthening days and warming weather. Florists and flowerbeds are filled with with vibrance as nature becomes more alive and nourished after its long winter slumber. Flowers are very popular in the springtime, too. Perhaps it is because there are more of them, or because the previous few months were so dreary and gray. A lot of couples also choose to get married around this time because the flowers and foliage are brilliant. What flowers might you see for these early spring occasions?
Anemone
With vivid blooms in colors like
pink, red, burgundy and purple, anemones usher in spring loud and proud. One of the first blooms to break the monotony of gray skies over white ground, the flowers have such an intense color to them that the ancient Greeks once believed they were drops of blood from demigods.
Camellia
Alabama's state flower can withstand more heat than most, so it can be found earlier in the year in the South while it might not bloom till April or May further north. These elegant flowers grow on a shrub that enjoys the shady spots of your garden.
Daffodil
For most Northern US gardens and lawns, the daffodil is one of two flowers that are synonymous with spring. With a trumpet-shaped center protruding from a star-shaped flower, daffodils are very recognizable. Their color scheme tends to be white, yellow and orange.
Tulip
Tulips are famous for being associated with springtime and are the quintessential spring flower. They come in many different colors as well as
two varieties; the taller, more expensive French ones, and the extremely popular Dutch ones. Holland is very famous for its tulips, so much so that at one point in the mid-1600s the country suffered one of the earliest economic crashes in history when their popularity outweighed their supply. These days, the Netherlands' yearly Tulip Festival assures us that there will be no more tulip shortages!
Grape Hyacinth
There are very few flowers out there that are legitimately blue, but grape hyacinth is one of the most notable exceptions. It is also aptly named; it looks like a bunch of blue grapes growing from a stem and reaching up to the sky. Be careful with them around small children and pets, though, as they are as poisonous as they are pretty.
Iris
Most types of iris are perennial, meaning they last a while. In the plant world, this means they bloom yearly for a period of time, and do not need to be planted each year. They are
beautiful and delicate in appearance, spanning the blue and purple sections of the color wheel. They are also very versatile and can be used to accent any type of garden or arrangement.
Azalea
These gorgeous shrubs produce flowers in the pink, red, and purple family. A member of the rhododendron family, their care and maintenance vary depending on the climate zone you are in. The warmer your climate, the earlier they will bloom, so if you live in a colder climate you might not see your azaleas bloom until after March.
Scabiosa
Also called “pincushion flower†due to the pin-like protrusions growing from its center, scabiosa comes mostly in violet or white. There are many varieties, some perennial and others annual. Accept no imitations: a lot of other plants are nicknamed scabiosa, but are not biologically related to the genus specifically. Real scabiosa is from the same family of plants as honeysuckle.
Ruellia
This early bloomer for
Southern gardens can withstand a little more heat, but brings with it the insects and hummingbirds that pollinate your plants! Many people also know this flower by its more common names, wild petunia and Mexican bluebell. They are very easy to grow and are perennials, so they will come back year after year with regal purple blooms.
Snowdrop
Any flower with “snow†in the name will typically grow well for a March bloom, but snowdrops are annual bulbs, so like tulips and daffodils, they need to be planted yearly. Although the word “snow†is in their name, when they bloom it is a sign of warming weather and the end of winter. With these beautiful flowers and more coming into bloom in March, it will be a colorful, fragrant, and gorgeous season! Whether in a garden, in an arrangement, or in a vase in a home's decor, March flowers are sure to brighten everyone's day!
