Think Spring – Plant Now for Spring Colour
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Spring arrives faster than you think. The plants you put in the ground now — while the soil is still workable and roots have time to settle — are the ones that will reward you in March and April with some of the most joyful colour of the gardening year. This is the time to think ahead.
We've selected six of our favourite early-season perennials, split into two groups: those that thrive in sun, and those that prefer shade. All six are tough, long-lived plants that suit the British garden — and several are excellent choices for heavy clay soils.
For Shade — and Often Clay
Brunnera macrophylla
One of the most reliable shade perennials we grow. Brunnera produces sprays of vivid blue forget-me-not flowers in April and May above large, heart-shaped leaves that provide excellent ground cover through summer and beyond. Many cultivars — particularly the silver-leaved forms like 'Jack Frost' and 'Looking Glass' — are striking in dappled shade.
Clay suitability: Excellent. Brunnera is one of the most clay-tolerant plants we offer. It copes well with moisture-retentive soils and will establish readily if planted now.
Plant with: Pulmonaria, Epimedium, Geranium phaeum.
Pulmonaria
Lungworts are among the earliest perennials to flower, often in bloom from late February onward. The flowers open pink and mature to blue, giving a bicolour effect at their peak. Their spotted or silver-marked foliage is an asset long after flowering finishes — many forms hold their leaves well into winter.
Clay suitability: Good. Pulmonaria likes moisture and copes well with heavier soils, though it will sulk in waterlogged conditions. A shaded, moisture-retentive border suits it perfectly.
Plant with: Brunnera, Epimedium, Helleborus.
Epimedium
Often overlooked, Epimedium is one of the hardest-working plants in the shade garden. Its delicate, spidery flowers appear in spring — in yellow, white, pink, or purple depending on the cultivar — and its foliage is evergreen or semi-evergreen in many forms, often flushing bronze or red in autumn and winter.
Clay suitability: Moderate. Epimedium prefers well-drained soil and is not recommended for heavy clay by the RHS. It excels in dry shade — particularly under trees — once established, but on clay soils it is better sited in a raised or improved bed. Incorporate grit and organic matter on planting to open up the soil structure. Cut back any old foliage in late winter to let the flowers show properly.
Plant with: Brunnera, Pulmonaria, Dryopteris.
Bergenia
Elephant ears earn their place in any garden that needs year-round structure. Their bold, leathery leaves — often flushing deep red or bronze through winter — are followed by clusters of bright pink, magenta, or white flowers from March onward. Few perennials are this reliable for early colour.
Clay suitability: Excellent. Bergenia is one of the toughest plants in our range and will thrive on clay. It tolerates sun or shade, wet or dry, and is virtually indestructible once settled.
Plant with: Pulmonaria, Helleborus, Geranium.
For Sun
Pulsatilla vulgaris — Pasque Flower
Pulsatilla is one of the most captivating spring flowers we grow. Silky, goblet-shaped blooms in purple, pink, red, or white appear in April, followed by feathery seed heads that catch the light for weeks afterward. A true garden gem, and one that thrives on neglect once planted in the right spot.
Conditions: Full sun, sharply drained, alkaline-to-neutral soil. Pulsatilla is a chalk and limestone plant by nature — it dislikes clay and waterlogged conditions. If your soil is heavy, plant it in a raised bed or on a slope where drainage is natural.
Clay suitability: Poor — avoid heavy clay. If you have clay, this is one to site carefully or grow in a container.
Plant with: Anemone sylvestris, Geranium cinereum, Dianthus.
Anemone sylvestris — Snowdrop Windflower
A charming and underused early-season perennial. Anemone sylvestris bears pure white, lightly fragrant flowers with a golden boss of stamens in May and June — earlier than the more familiar Japanese anemones. It spreads gently by rhizome to form a colony and naturalises beautifully under light tree canopy or on sunny banks.
Conditions: Sun to partial shade, well-drained soil. More tolerant than Pulsatilla, it will cope with moderately heavy soils as long as they are not waterlogged.
Clay suitability: Moderate — will cope with improved clay. Add grit on planting if your soil is on the heavier side.
Plant with: Pulsatilla, Geranium sylvaticum, Aquilegia.
| Plant | Light | Clay Tolerance | Why Grow It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brunnera macrophylla | Shade | Excellent | Vivid blue spring flowers above heart-shaped leaves; silver-leaved forms are outstanding in dappled shade |
| Bergenia | Sun or shade | Excellent | Bold year-round foliage flushes bronze in winter; reliable early flowers from March |
| Pulmonaria | Shade | Good — avoid waterlogging | Among the earliest perennials to flower; bicolour blooms are a valuable early nectar source |
| Anemone sylvestris | Sun to part shade | Moderate — incorporate grit and organic matter | Lightly fragrant white flowers in May; naturalises gently to form a colony |
| Epimedium | Shade | Moderate — better in well-drained soil; not recommended for heavy clay | Delicate spring flowers; foliage often flushes bronze in autumn and winter |
| Pulsatilla vulgaris | Full sun | Poor — requires sharp drainage; avoid clay | Silky goblet-shaped blooms in April followed by ornamental feathery seed heads |
Planting Now — What to Know
September and October are two of the best months to plant perennials. The soil is still warm, roots establish quickly, and plants have several weeks to settle before winter dormancy. By the time spring arrives, they'll be ready to perform.
- On clay soils: dig in plenty of grit and garden compost before planting — aim for roughly 25–30% by volume mixed through the backfill. Don't return pure clay to the hole; blend it thoroughly. Water in well.
- For shade plants: Brunnera, Pulmonaria and Bergenia can all be planted now with confidence on clay. Mulch lightly after planting.
- For sun plants: Pulsatilla needs sharp drainage — if in doubt, add grit or choose an elevated position. Anemone sylvestris is more adaptable.
- Labelling: spring-flowering plants often die back or look unremarkable through winter — label them clearly so you know where they are.
All six plants are available now from Hardy's. Browse our spring-flowering perennials collection, or visit us at the nursery to see what's ready to go.