25 Best Spring Plants


Pulmonaria 'Diana Clare'

The Telegraph have compiled a list of the 25 best Spring plants in a top 100 for all seasons. Here it is:

1 Pulmonaria 'Diana Clare'
Long, silvered leaves with an apple-green cast flatter deep violet flowers, making this pulmonaria perhaps the best of all. Part shade (30cm/2ft).

2 Epimedium x versicolor 'Sulphureum'
Graceful wiry stems with two-tone yellow flowers above heart-shaped, shiny green leaves. A toughie. Part shade (30cm/2ft).

3 Erysimum 'Bowles' Mauve'



In flower from spring until late autumn, this bushy wallflower produces sprays of purple flowers above grey-green foliage. Sun and good drainage (75cm/2.5ft).

4 Dryopteris wallichiana



Black bristly hairs contrast against bright green fronds when this handsome upright fern unfurls its croziers in late April. Good soil, shade (1.2 m/4ft).

5 Scilla siberica 'Spring Beauty'
Easy, deep blue, diminutive bulb to drift through paler spring bulbs, whether miniature narcissi or erythroniums. Semi-shade (15cm/6in).

6 Cyclamen coum

Jaunty swept-back flower with a magenta nose. Grow in full sun or under trees and allow to self-seed. Good drainage (10cm/4in).

7 Clematis macropetala
Let it scramble over a wall and, given time, it produces ragged, soft-petalled flowers with cool green middles. Good drainage (3m/10ft).

8 Viburnum x burkwoodii 'Park Farm Hybrid'
Early spicy, sweet fragrance as deep pink buds open to apple-white flowers that show up well against the shiny green leaves. Easy (3m/10ft).

9 Crocus chrysanthus 'Blue Pearl'



For early spring sparkle, this delicate silver-blue crocus shimmers in spring sunshine and complements yellows, oranges and purples. Full sun (7cm/3in).

10 Narcissus 'Jetfire'
This vivid yellow-petalled cyclamineus hybrid develops a bright orange trumpet, so it makes a great impact. Easy anywhere (24cm/9in).

11 Narcissus 'Ice Wings'
White narcissi flower later than yellows and are often scented. This double-headed, ivory-white triandrus hybrid is superb with blue muscari. Easy (30cm/1ft).

12 Crocus vernus 'Pickwick'
Capable of pushing through the lawn, this large-flowered crocus has lilac petals finely feathered in purple. Full sun (12cm/5in).

13 Daphne odora 'Aureomarginata'



Easy daphne with lily-scented pink flowers and yellow-rimmed green leaves. Wide rather than tall. Warm shelter (2m/7ft).

14 Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost'
Heart-shaped silvered leaves dramatically edged and veined in green, finished off with dainty blue flowers. Good soil, part shade (50cm/20in).

15 Tulipa 'Spring Green'



This colour-washed green and white tulip softens deep shade and mixes brilliantly with green foliage. Shade (30cm/12in).

16 Erythronium 'Pagoda'
Pallid, yellow Tiffany lamps and mottled foliage make this a woodland essential. Divide after flowering to encourage more. Leaf-litter, humus-rich soil (50cm/20in).

17 Viola cornuta 'Alba'
A cushion of watercress-green foliage topped by wispy pansy flowers from May. Superb under roses. Shade (22cm/9in).

18 Anemone nemorosa 'Vestal'
This pristine white anemone has a neat, double centre and long-lasting flowers that spread. Woodland shade (15cm/6in).

19 Dicentra 'Bacchanal'



Delicate, apple-green ferny foliage topped by claret-red bleeding hearts on long stems. More persistent than many. Part shade (30cm/1ft).

20 Euphorbia polychroma
A mound of acid yellow flowers throughout spring. Brightens up a dark corner or shows off vibrant tulips. Easy anywhere (38cm/15in).

21 Magnolia x loebneri 'Leonard Messel'



The slender, rose-pink petals splay outwards to form a star. Frost resistant, but site away from morning sun. Moist soil (5m/16ft).

22 Polystichum setiferum 'Grandiceps'
These elaborate polystichums look almost mossy in spring and this form has upright crested fronds. Shade but not too dry (38cm/15in).

23 Euphorbia griffithii 'Dixter'



Asparagus-like spears develop into warm orange heads, even in deep shade, and the stems and leaf veins share the same tone. Good soil (90cm/3ft).

24 Vinca difformis
Wide-eyed, white periwinkle flowers with a hint of steel-blue, for early ground cover in an awkward spot. Accommodating (60cm/2ft).

25 Muscari armeniacum 'Valerie Finnis'
A baby-blue grape hyacinth with cool green overtones. Densely packed flowers on short stalks. Easy anywhere (20cm/8in).

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