Spring often brings an abundance of bouquets and wreathes available for the home, and as nice as a bouquet of fresh flowers is, there's something extra nice about a garden that's flourishing with the same flowers outdoors. There are many species of plants that can be grown outdoors to produce wonderful spring blooms.
Originally native to the Mediterranean, hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) is a classic spring-blooming plant that produces columns of brightly colored flowers in mid-season. Blooms range in color from rich purple to pale pink, orange and yellow, depending on the cultivar. Many are highly aromatic. The perennial herb grows well in full sunlight in cooler climates, requiring some shade from the afternoon sun in warmer regions. The hyacinth's soil should be moist and well-drained.
A member of the Rose family, Japanese quince (Chaenomeles speciosa) is a loose-growing thorny shrub native to Eastern Asia and Japan that bursts into bloom in late winter and early spring with stunning blooms in shades from hot pink to crisp white. The flower topped branches can be snipped off and brought in the house for a lovely vase display. Japanese quince is easy to grow and tolerant of many soil conditions, although it will grow best in slightly heavy soils. The plant will grow in full or partial sunlight.
Another beautiful flowering shrub from the rose family is the serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis), a deciduous plant native to eastern North America. The plant boasts attractive ornamental berries similar in appearance to blueberries and white blooms that pop open in early spring. Serviceberry is commonly grown for its foliage, which turns brilliant shades of yellow, orange or red in autumn. Serviceberry will grow best in moist soils in filtered sunlight.