To achieve a colourful garden through the year, choose flowering shrubs that bloom in each of the seasons. In this article we cover our choices for Spring blooms.
 
 
 
Camellia (above) - Although some gardeners consider these evergreens to be boring, cone the spring, the dark green leaves are clothed in single and double open blooms in shades of red, pink and white lasting for several weeks. Grow Camellias in an acid soil and place them where the flowers won't be hit by the early morning sun as it can cause frosted flowers to collapse and turn brown.
 
Ribes Sanguineum - The flowering currant is seen in many a front garden where in mid-spring, along with forsythis, it can light up a spring border holding its own against the bold colours of daffodils and tulips. Deep-pink flowers are held in clusters that hang down from the upright branches. These are unscented, but the foliage has the distinct aroma of all currants.
 
Choisya ternata - The Mexican orange blossom is a rounded evergreen shrub producing white, star-shaped fragrant flowers in late spring, In mild areas a second flush often appears in late summer. The glossy foliage is also distinctly aromatic. Grow in sun or part shade in well drained soil. 'Sundance' is a yellow form, useful for brightening darker corners of the garden.
 
Other shrubs to consider:
  • Forsythia
  • Kerria
  • Weigela
  • Chaenomeles