Creating a vibrant and captivating garden that performs year-round can indeed be one of gardening’s greatest challenges. The key to success lies in mastering the art of sequencing – carefully selecting plants that bloom and thrive at different points throughout the year.
In this post, we will guide you through a selection of the best plants for April that will help infuse your garden with colour and interest during spring.
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Top Tip: To conserve moisture and suppress weeds, apply a layer of mulch around your plants in the spring.
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1. Hyacinth (Hyacinthus)
Hyacinths effortlessly bring a touch of classic beauty to your April garden. With their vibrant, dense clusters of flowers and distinctive fragrance, they’re a spring favourite. Hyacinths thrive best in a sunny or partially shaded spot with well-drained soil. They’re perfect as bedding plants, but also excel when grown in containers.
2. Snake’s Head Fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris)
Snake’s Head Fritillary, adorned with their distinctive checkered purple flowers, bring an exotic touch to your garden. The bell-shaped flowers nod gracefully on slender stems, adding an elegant flair to any space. These beauties thrive in moist, well-drained soil and partial shade, making them perfect for woodland or meadow-style gardens.
3. Clematis Armandii
Clematis Armandii is a vigorous evergreen climber, boasting glossy green leaves and star-shaped white flowers. As one of the earliest clematis to bloom in the year, it adds a delightful burst of beauty to your garden. This climber thrives in a sunny, sheltered position, preferring to have its “head in the sun and feet in the shade.” Additionally, well-drained soil is crucial for its optimal growth and development.
4. Aubrieta (Aubrieta deltoidea)
Aubrieta is a charming, low-growing plant that blankets your garden with a vibrant carpet of bright purple, pink, or blue flowers. Perfect for rockeries or walls, it adds a splash of colour and beauty to any space. Aubrieta thrives best in well-drained, chalky, or sandy soil, enjoying full sun or light shade for optimal growth and blooming.
5. Camellia (Camellia japonica)
Camellias are exquisite evergreen shrubs that infuse an Oriental elegance into any garden, boasting large, glossy leaves and stunning, rose-like flowers. These beauties thrive in a sheltered spot with partial shade and acidic, well-drained soil. Given their sensitivity to temperature changes, protecting them from the early morning sun is essential for their health and vitality.
6. Pieris (Pieris japonica)
Pieris, affectionately known as ‘Forest Flame,’ captivates with its year-round allure, showcasing vibrant red young leaves and graceful clusters of white or pink bell-shaped flowers in the spring. This charming plant thrives in acidic soil and prefers a sunny or partially shaded location. Though it may be a slow grower, Pieris rewards patience with its striking beauty that enchants every spring.
7. Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)
Bluebells, with their iconic nodding, bell-shaped blue flowers and delightful scent, symbolize the quintessential essence of British springtime. These charming flowers flourish in moist, well-drained soil beneath deciduous trees or shrubs, where they bask in the spring sun but enjoy shade during the summer months.
8. Forget-me-nots (Myosotis sylvatica)
Forget-me-nots present a delightful sea of small, sky-blue flowers, evoking a sense of whimsy and charm. Known for their self-seeding nature, they can quickly spread, creating a captivating, wild appearance in your garden. These versatile plants are not overly particular, thriving in various soil types and positions, from full sun to partial shade.
9. Native British Primrose (Primula vulgaris)
The native British Primrose, adorned with its delicate pale yellow flowers, is an iconic symbol of springtime beauty. These charming blooms often grace us from winter through to spring, adding a touch of cheer to our gardens. Primroses thrive in partial shade and appreciate moist yet well-drained soil. They’re particularly well-suited for naturalizing in grassy areas or woodland gardens, creating enchanting displays year after year.
10. Cherry Blossoms (Prunus serrulata)
Cherry Blossom trees offer a breath-taking spring spectacle. Laden with delicate pink or white blossoms, their branches create a dreamy, cloud-like effect that captivates all who behold it. These majestic trees thrive in a sunny, sheltered location with deep, well-drained soil. Given their potential size, it’s essential to ensure you have ample space to accommodate their grandeur and grace in your garden.
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Final thoughts
By carefully selecting plants that bloom at different times, you can enjoy a continuous parade of colour and interest throughout the seasons. However, it’s essential to remember that the beauty of a garden isn’t solely dependent on blooms. Evergreen plants play a vital role in providing structure and visual interest, even when flowers have faded.
Evergreens serve as the foundation of your garden, offering a sense of permanence and harmony. As you design your garden, striking a balance between vibrant April bloomers and steadfast evergreens is key. The result will be a garden that not only dazzles in spring but also delights year-round.
FAQs – Best Plants For April
Q: What bulbs do you plant in March and April?
March and April are ideal times to plant summer-flowering bulbs such as Lilies, Gladiolus, and Dahlias. These bulbs will thrive in the warming soil and bloom beautifully in the summer months.
Q: Can I plant bedding plants in April?
April is a great time to plant summer bedding plants, as the risk of frost is decreasing. These plants will establish themselves in the spring and provide a colourful display in the summer.
Q: What are spring bedding plants?
Spring bedding plants are plants that are typically planted in the autumn to overwinter and then bloom in the spring. Examples include Pansies, Primroses, and Forget-me-nots. They’re excellent for bringing early colour to your beds and borders.
