Iris cristata (Dwarf Crested Iris)
Bloom Time: April
Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Attracts hummingbirds and bees
Tolerates: Deer and Drought
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 3 to 9
Other: A native iris that grows six inches tall and produces pale blue flowers.
Location: Bracken Foundation Children’s Garden
Corylopsis spicata (Winter Hazel)
Bloom Time: March to April
Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Attracts bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators
Tolerates: Insect Pests and Deer
Native to North America: No
Zones: 5 to 8
Other: Soft yellow pendulous flowers appear on this shrub before the leaves emerge.
Location: Turner Seasons Garden
Hyacinthus orientalis ‘Jan Bos’ (Dutch Hyacinth)
Bloom Time: March to April
Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Sun
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: N/A
Tolerates: Deer and Rabbit
Native to North America: No
Zones: 4 to 8
Other: An upright, cheerful hot pink bulb that blooms for several weeks in the spring.
Location: Color Garden
Lindera benzoin (Spicebush)
Bloom Time: March to April
Sun Requirement: Part Shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Host plant for the Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillar
Tolerates: Deer and Clay Soil
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 4 to 9
Other: A medium rounded shrub noted for its yellow flowers and glossy red berries.
Location: Howe Garden
Magnolia x ‘Butterflies’ (Magnolia)
Bloom Time: March to April
Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: N/A
Tolerates: Air Pollution
Native to North America: No
Zones: 5 to 9
Other: This small tree explodes with showy, fragrant yellow flowers in the spring.
Location: Boxwood Garden
Leucojum aestivum (Summer Snowflake)
Bloom Time: April
Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Attracts moths
Tolerates: Deer and Clay Soil
Native to North America: No
Zones: 4 to 8
Other: Easily grown, this beautiful perennial features nodding, bell-shaped flowers.
Location: Dogwood Garden
Polemonium reptans (Jacob’s Ladder)
Bloom Time: April to June
Sun Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Attracts pollinators
Tolerates: Deer
Native to North America: Yes
Zones: 3 to 8
Other: A perfect shade garden perennial with deleicate compound leaves and lavendar blooms.
Location: Howe Garden
Epimedium x warleyense ‘Orange Queen’ (Barrenwort)
Bloom Time: March to June
Sun Requirement: Full Shade to Part Shade
Water Requirement: Medium
Wildlife: Bumblebees and small native bees
Tolerates: Tolerates dry shade
Native to North America: No
Zones: 4 to 8
Other: This groundcover features dainty orange flowers and heart-shaped leaves.
Location: Dogwood Garden
