Spring, to me, truly arrives when you can hear the rusty, swing-like call of the robins, the chorus frogs peeping at twilight, and see the first signs of life arriving at the garden centre. That’s when the bright yellow of forsythia, the deep purples of crocuses, and the deliciously fragrant pinks of hyacinths begin to colour the landscape—and lift the spirit.
But here’s the thing: to enjoy these vibrant spring blooms, a little bit of foresight is required. Spring bulbs like daffodils, tulips, and alliums need to be planted in the fall—usually around Thanksgiving. Early-flowering shrubs, too, benefit from being planted the year before, giving them time to settle in and put on a better show once the warmer weather rolls around.
What I’ve noticed, year after year, is that spring-blooming plants are often overlooked during the busy rush of the growing season. And that’s usually when I find myself revisiting the same idea—my dream of starting a rock garden.
It’s not that these early bloomers belong only in rock gardens, but their compact growth habits, striking colours, and natural resilience make them ideal candidates. Rock gardens help highlight the bold character of these plants, breaking up the monotony of grey stone and weather-worn textures—much like the April landscape here in Southern Ontario. Their brightness draws the eye, inviting you to pause, take a closer look, and appreciate how these small but mighty plants bring an otherwise sleepy garden to life.
Each month brings a fresh opportunity to tune in to your garden’s changing rhythm. Here are my top spring gardening tips—based on years of landscape design experience—to help you plan more thoughtfully and plant more successfully this season.
If you want a garden that delights from early spring through to fall, try this simple habit: visit your local independent garden centre once each season. Not only will you find new plants at their seasonal peak, but you’ll also discover design inspiration in real time. Most garden centres curate their displays based on what’s currently thriving—whether that’s a bold bloom, striking foliage, or interesting branching form. It’s a great way to visualize what your garden could look like right now, and spark ideas for how to build year-round beauty.
Many gardeners focus on just one category—bulbs, for example, or perennials—but the most compelling spring gardens use a balanced mix of bulbs, perennials, shrubs, and even small trees. Better yet, avoid planting all of them in one tidy corner. Instead, layer and scatter them throughout your garden beds to add colour and texture that guides the eye. This technique creates natural flow and visual movement, encouraging you (and your guests) to explore and enjoy the space from multiple angles.
Here’s something most new gardeners don’t realize: plants grown in greenhouses or polytunnels are typically 3 to 6 weeks ahead of what you’d find growing outdoors. For example, columbine (Aquilegia) plants arriving at the garden centre in late April may already be in full flower, but left to nature, they wouldn’t typically bloom until mid to late May.
These “forced” plants—pushed into early growth through heat and light—can thrive in your garden, but they do need a bit of extra care. You may need to bring them indoors overnight when temperatures dip below 8°C, or protect them with frost cloth if they’ve already been planted. (We stock frost cloth at Royal City Nursery by the roll—it’s an affordable, reusable investment that extends the safe planting season well into spring.)
Whether perennial or annual, primroses are among the earliest and most charming additions to the spring garden. One standout variety we love is the Oakleaf Primrose—a compact plant (6–12” tall and wide) that brings both fragrance and delicate texture to the garden’s edge.
Its oakleaf-shaped foliage forms a neat, low mound, while star-shaped blossoms rise above in a delightful burst of colour. Primroses thrive in full sun to part shade and appreciate consistently moist, well-drained soil.
For a pop of cheerful, two-tone colour, look for the ‘Picotee Yellow’ variety—it features bright yellow petals edged in red, and it’s currently available in store. Perfect for borders, containers, or tucking into shady nooks that need an early-season pick-me-up.
Bleeding hearts are a beloved heritage perennial, known for their graceful arching stems and heart-shaped blooms. One of our favourite cultivars is ‘Goldheart’, which offers more than just beautiful flowers—it brings brilliant golden-yellow foliage that matures to a soft chartreuse, adding brightness even after the iconic pink blossoms have faded.
For the most vivid leaf colour, plant ‘Goldheart’ in part shade, where the light can enhance its golden tones. In shadier areas, opt for a green-leaved variety, which will thrive without losing its lush appearance.
To give your bleeding hearts the best start, plant them in Biosoil—available in store—which helps retain moisture and provides essential nutrients. For a striking colour combination, try pairing them with purple flowering companions like allium or bluebells for a touch of woodland charm.
The Redbud is one of our favourite native trees, offering beauty in every season, with a particularly dazzling display in spring. Before its leaves emerge, this small tree bursts into a cloud of vibrant, magenta-pink flowers that bloom directly along its unique, twisting branches—creating a striking contrast to the bare wood.
Available in both clump (multi-stem) and tree-form, the Redbud is a versatile addition to any garden, providing year-round interest. Its small size (typically reaching 15’ in height and width) makes it ideal for smaller spaces or as an understory tree in mixed plantings.
Redbuds thrive in both sun and part shade and, once established, are drought-tolerant—adapted to growing alongside large canopy trees like walnuts and maples. For a more traditional look, try the Eastern Redbud, with its classic green leaves and cheerful spring flowers. If you prefer a modern twist, ‘Forest Pansy’ offers rich burgundy foliage that creates a dramatic backdrop throughout the growing season.
Fothergilla is a deciduous shrub that offers year-round appeal and makes a fantastic alternative to the commonly used Burning Bush. One standout variety, ‘Mount Airy’, grows to a manageable size (4-5’ tall and wide), making it a perfect choice for smaller gardens or mixed shrub borders.
In spring, Fothergilla produces fragrant, white flowers that resemble bottle brushes, adding a soft, airy texture to your garden. As the seasons progress, the foliage transforms—glowing in brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red during the fall, making it a striking feature for autumn colour.
Fothergilla thrives in sun to part-shade locations and prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soil. To give your shrub the best start, plant it using our Acidifying Berry Soil Mix (available in-store) enriched with compost to enhance water retention during dry periods. This shrub’s beauty and versatility make it an excellent addition to any garden space, providing both seasonal interest and structural elegance.
Lungwort is a charming spring-blooming perennial that brings colour and texture to shady spaces. Its flowers emerge in shades of pink, purple, and blue, often changing colour as they mature—a delightful surprise for early-season pollinators. But the real showstopper is the foliage: fuzzy, silver-spotted leaves that provide season-long visual interest, even after the blooms have faded.
Lungworts are also some of the most whimsically named plants in the garden centre—think ‘Dark Vader’, a Star Wars nod with dark foliage and vibrant blooms, or the quirky ‘Shrimps on the Barbie’, one of our in-store favourites.
Compact and tidy (growing about 10” tall and 18” wide), Lungwort is a perfect fit for shade gardens, woodland edges, or under trees. Once established, it’s surprisingly drought tolerant, making it a low-maintenance choice for beginner gardeners looking to add texture and resilience to shady areas.
Sister Disco Scotch Broom (Cytisus) is one of those plants that stops visitors in their tracks—and makes plant lovers say, “What is that?” This bold little shrub bursts into bloom in late April to early May, covering itself in vivid, pea-like flowers that look like they’ve come straight from a technicolour dream.
Compact in size—growing to about 2 feet tall and wide—Sister Disco is perfectly suited to hot, dry, sunny spots where other plants might struggle. Once the blooms fade, they’re followed by fine, slender leaves that add texture and movement to the garden.
This shrub is a natural companion for sedums, ornamental grasses, and other drought-tolerant perennials, and it’s a fun, unexpected choice for gardeners looking to shake things up with something a bit out of the ordinary.
Whether you’re planning a full rock garden or just adding a few early bloomers to brighten your beds, spring is the perfect time to experiment. With a bit of planning and the right plant choices, your garden can come alive with colour, texture, and interest from the very start of the season. Enjoy the sunshine & happy planting!
Kate
About Kate Van Schaik
Kate Van Schaik (Bachelor of Arts & Sciences (B.A.S.) has been growing plants since she was 5 years old. This lifelong passion led to a career in horticulture, spending 15 years growing for a commercial nursery before joining the RCN team as a Landscape Designer in 2022. With a B.A.S. in Forest Science and Geography (University of Guelph), and post diplomas in Ecosystem Restoration (Niagara College) and Landscape Design (University of Guelph), Kate is uniquely qualified to create beautiful and inspiring landscapes that live in harmony with the environment around us.
About Royal City Nursery
Guelph, Ontario’s only third-generation, full-service garden centre! We specialize in creating custom outdoor living spaces and unique solutions for all your garden, landscape, and seasonal
decorating needs! At our new greenhouse, located between Guelph and Cambridge, we are the garden centre of choice for discerning homeowners, landscapers, and designers.
